Podcast appearances and mentions of christ followers

What does it mean to be taught by God? This episode reveals that everyone, from the least to the greatest, can know God personally and listen to His voice directly without intermediaries.

In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, former New Age leader and best-selling author Doreen Virtue shares her dramatic transformation from practicing mediumship to surrendering her life to Jesus Christ. Once known globally for psychic readings and angel cards, Doreen now speaks boldly about spiritual deception, biblical truth, and the freedom she found in the gospel.Together, we explore why mediumship and psychic practices are spiritually dangerous, what Scripture actually says about these practices, and how grief can make people especially vulnerable to seeking comfort in the wrong places. Doreen offers compassionate guidance for those who have been involved in New Age spirituality and are searching for clarity, healing, and peace.This episode is a heartfelt reminder that true comfort, discernment, and lasting hope are found in Christ alone.Doreen Virtue shares how she went from a celebrated psychic medium to a committed follower of Jesus Christ.Mediumship and psychic practices are rooted in spiritual deception and contradict biblical teaching.Scripture clearly warns against consulting mediums, astrology, and occult practices.Grief can make people vulnerable to seeking supernatural signs instead of seeking God.True healing and comfort come from prayer, Scripture, and a relationship with Christ.Discernment grows through understanding and studying the Bible.Repentance is available to anyone who has engaged in New Age practices.Leaving the New Age movement often involves real spiritual warfare.God redeems past experiences and uses testimonies to reach others.Peace is found not in signs and symbols, but in surrender and trust.Please read Doreen's FREE ebook, “From Counterfeit to Christ” at the Kindle Unlimited store for FREE hereFollow Doreen on FB HereDoreen's InstagramDoreen's YouTubeClick Here to Register for the Widow Goals Fall RetreatClick HERE to learn about the Widow Goals Support Program Click HERE to order Michelle's book Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your SpouseClick HERE to order the Widow Goals WorkbookClick HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook Leader GuideClick HERE to apply to be a Widow Goals Group LeaderFollow Hayley's Parent Loss Goals Ministry Here on IG⁠⁠Here on FB⁠Click here to be sent an email on the anniversary of your spouse's passing, wedding anniversary, and more Click HERE to review Widow Goals on AmazonBook Michelle as a speakerGo here to see a list of all the areas we have Widow Goals Groups⁠⁠To join our podcast listener community, send me a message here. Thank you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here to apply to be a guest on Widowed 2 Soon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Michelle on TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/widowed2soon_/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/widowgoals⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See my videos on Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email me michelle@widowgoals.org

March 2, 2026 Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, Novelist and Life Coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Monday, March 2, 2026, and this is episode #5 in Series 2026. This episode is titled, “How to Endure to the End.” Before we get into this week’s message, I’m excited to tell you that my featured book for this week is my popular historical novel set in Italy, The Madonna of Pisano. The Madonna of Pisano is Book 1 in my popular trilogy, The Italian Chronicles. If you’re a fan of Hallmark romance and epic stories set in beautiful, exotic Italy, then you will love The Madonna of Pisano. It is the story of a courageous, single mom fighting for her son in the midst of betrayal, treachery, and deceit. You won’t want to miss this powerful, heart-wrenching story of forgiveness and hope. Get your copy of The Madonna of Pisano at the link below. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0930037227 And now let’s dive into this week’s message.The Importance of Enduring to the End Have you been feeling weary lately? As though you can’t go on another day? Have you been troubled by what’s going on in the world and, worse yet, even in your own family? If so, my friend, you are not alone. You may be wondering what is going on. Life isn’t the way it used to be. Something is different. Something has changed, but you can’t quite put your finger on it. All you know is that, lately, you’ve been feeling more anxious than usual, as though the world is falling apart, and you can’t do anything about it. If this describes you, you are at the right place at the right time. Let me shed some light on exactly what is happening and why you feel the way you do. First of all, you have good reason to feel these emotions. In fact, my friend, caring people everywhere are feeling them. Responsible, thoughtful people are feeling them. And for good reason. Let’s look at some of those reasons: 1. The world’s thinking has turned upside down. Good is now called evil, and evil is called good. The Bible warned us of this in Isaiah 5: 20: In that verse, the Lord warns those who no longer think straight. Here is what He says: “What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.” While these upside-down thinkers may think they’re in good shape with their false thinking, they have a rude awakening coming. If you grew up before the 21st century, you still have some idea of the difference between right and wrong. Why? Because you were taught according to a Judeo-Christian consensus. Moreover, the society in which you grew up more or less still espoused a Judeo-Christian value system. But that is not the case today. Judeo-Christian values are blatantly and brazenly opposed with vehemence and, in many cases, with brutal violence. Christians are being persecuted like never before. Even here in America, we are witnessing increasing opposition to Christians and Jews who believe that the Holy Bible is God’s manual for life. 2. A second reason you are feeling anxious is that the world is being invaded by demonic forces that have been unleashed because of humanity’s increasing love for and obsession with sin. Never in my 80 years on this earth have I witnessed sin without shame as I am witnessing it today. Never have I seen sin celebrated as it is today. I grew up in the fifties and early sixties. Yes, there was sin, but there was also a stigma of shame attached to sin. People did not openly flaunt their sin but hid it because the culture disapproved of sin, and deep down, people knew they were sinning. Today, people proudly flaunt their sin and encourage others to sin with them. Listen to what the Bible predicted about this very behavior thousands of years ago. I’m going to read a passage from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 1, in the New Living Translation: “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God's justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.” So, my friend, in the midst of all of this spiritual, mental, physical, and cultural turmoil, how can we endure to the end—that moment in time when Jesus comes to remove us from this sinful world to take us to Heaven? STEPS TO ENDURE TO THE END Let me suggest a few proven tools to help you: 1. Stay n the Word. Read your Bible every day and throughout the day. Keep it open on your desk or on a table so that you can refer to it frequently. 2. Pray. Keep in constant communication with God for wisdom, direction, and the grace to endure. Scripture commands us to “pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5: 17.” In other words, keep a running conversation going with the Lord all day long. 3. Fast. When we fast, we subdue the voice of the flesh so that we can better hear the voice of the Spirit. It is the voice of the Holy Spirit that leads us into all truth. 4. Fellowship with other believers. Scripture commands us not to forsake the habit of gathering in person with fellow Christians. We draw strength from one another and need to be with one another regularly. Together, we are the Body of Christ, not isolated individuals who can make it on our own. We cannot. To think we can is foolish and dangerous. 5. Embrace suffering. One of the greatest privileges of being a Christ-Follower is to walk in His footsteps. Sometimes we do this through suffering. Romans 8: 17 says this: “And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” Suffering refines and purifies us. It removes the dross to allow the beauty of our true nature to shine forth. 6. Expect persecution. Persecution may come through betrayal, through lies spoken against us, through legal injustice. We may not know how it will come, but we can be sure that it will, indeed, come. Hatred against Christians is growing. The Bible tells us so in Mark 13: 13: “And you will be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” 7. Finally, trust in the Lord in the midst of every trial. Trusting in God while we are undergoing suffering builds endurance. And this message is all about endurance. To help you endure, I’ve written a little book titled The Iron Saint: Preparing the Church for Persecution. Based on the principles employed in preparing for the Iron Man Triathlon, The Iron Saint applies those principles to enduring in Christ. You will find a link to The Iron Saint in the show notes. As we approach the end of human history, the days will grow darker. Already, believers are reporting an increase in demonic attacks, not only in frequency but also in intensity. Satan knows his time is short, and he wants to wreak all the havoc he can before our Lord Jesus Christ returns to remove us from this wicked world in the astounding event called the Rapture. My friend, I urge you to keep your eyes on Jesus. Pay attention to what is happening in Israel, for Israel is God’s timepiece. Bible prophecy is unfolding in Israel as we watch the creation of the Board of Peace and the rise of the AntiChrist’s beast system. Most important of all, if you do not yet have a relationship with Jesus Christ, establish one right now. Do not wait another moment. Only a relationship with Jesus Christ will qualify you to be taken up at the Rapture. Without a relationship with Christ, you will be left behind to suffer the horrors of the Tribulation under the brutal dictatorship of the AntiChrist. Worse than that, without a relationship with Jesus Christ, you will spend eternity in Hell. Jesus alone can save you from that unspeakably horrific fate. If you do not yet know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, pray this simple prayer with me now: Lord Jesus, I want to establish a relationship with you. I want to get to know You. So I invite You into my life and receive You now as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for dying for me and rising from the dead so that I can live forever in Heaven with You. In Your Name I pray. Amen. In closing, don’t forget to get your copy of The Madonna of Pisano at the link below: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJMT7F3Y If you would like to donate to this ministry, please send your donation to PayPal.me/drmaryanndiorio. Your donation goes far in helping to keep this ministry afloat. Thank you! Winning with the Word is available on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast venues as well as on YouTube. Check out my YouTube channel at youtube.com/drmaryanndiorio. Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are. Yet, He doesn't want you to stay there. As you walk with Him, He will help you to keep on winning with the Word.________________________________ Copyright 2026 by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD. All Rights Reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.  CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO WINNING WITH THE WORD. ________________________________ This week’s featured book isThe Madonna of Pisano, Book 1 in The Italian Chronicles Trilogy. Follow the heart-wrenching saga of Maria Landro as she navigates the uncharted emotional waters of betrayal, hatred, and revenge against the exotic backdrop of late 19th century Sicily. Get your copy at the link below: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0930037227 « Older Entries Latest Posts PRAYER: The Place of Power The Demon Invasion The Great Deception Have You Lost All Hope? How to Live Forever Archives View the Winning with the Word Archives Other Blogs Winning with the Word Before we get fully into our message, however, I want to tell you about my featured book for this week. It is titled Prayer Power: A Simple Manual on Prayer and is available for only $4.99 at the link below or in the show notes: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJMT7F3Y The Relationship Road Prayer Power will teach you powerful principles of prayer that will get results every single time. If you've been neglecting your prayer life because you haven't gotten the results you've expected from prayer, then this book is for you. If you don't pray but would like to learn how, this book is for you. Get your copy now and learn how to pray with power. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJMT7F3Y Now, on to this week's message. What is prayer? Prayer in its simplest definition is a conversation with God. Just as any human relationship requires communication to sustain it, so does a relationship with God. Prayer is the means of communicating with God.Why should I pray? There are many reasons to pray, but here are five of the most important ones: 1. We need help. If you haven't figured it out yet, we cannot navigate this life alone. If we try to, we will eventually discover that there are some problems too big for us to solve. 2) We need the help of Someone more powerful than we who can do the impossible.Some problems in life have no human solutions. It takes God to solve them.  3) We need direction. Prayer helps us to hear from God regarding the big decisions we have to make in life.  4) We need hope. Sometimes life can become overwhelming, filling us with discouragement and despair. It is at such times that prayer is balm to our souls. When we pray, we are looking to God to meet our needs. We are not depending on ourselves. God has an endless supply of whatever we need. Prayer helps us to tap into that supply. 5) We need wisdom. Life is full of choices, and choices have consequences. When we pray, we receive God's wisdom to make wise choices that result in happy consequences.  The Privilege of Prayer Prayer is a privilege. It is the opportunity to talk with the God who made you and who knows everything about you. Just think about that. In prayer, we get to talk with the God who created the universe. This is a mind-blowing truth. So, my friend, are you ready to learn more about prayer? Are you ready to embark on the most exciting journey of communicating with God in the most amazing relationship you will ever have?  You might be thinking, “Dr. MaryAnn, where do I start?” You start by establishing a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. If you have not yet established this relationship, you can do so right now by inviting Jesus Christ into your life. Pray this simple prayer with me now: Lord Jesus, I want to know You. I want to establish a relationship with You so that I can talk with You every day and have You talk to me. I invite You into my life and receive You now as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for sending Jesus so that I could be reconnected with You. In His Name I pray. Amen. In closing, I want to remind you that my featured book for this week is titled Prayer Power: A Simple Manual on Prayer. Get your copy now and begin a powerful prayer life that gets results. Just click on the link below: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJMT7F3Y Winning with the Word is available on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast venues as well as on YouTube. Check out my YouTube channel at youtube.com/drmaryanndiorio. Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are. Yet, He doesn't want you to stay there. As you walk with Him, He will help you to keep on winning with the Word.________________________________ Copyright 2026 by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD. All Rights Reserved. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO WINNING WITH THE WORD. ________________________________ Featured Book for This Week: Prayer Power: A Simple Manual on Prayer Get your copy here: PRAYER POWER « Older Entries Latest Posts PRAYER: The Place of Power The Demon Invasion The Great Deception Have You Lost All Hope? How to Live Forever Archives View the Winning with the Word Archives Other Blogs Winning with the Word The Relationship Road

Pastor Whit continues our teaching series, Breakthrough.

https://media.blubrry.com/winning_with_the_word/content.blubrry.com/winning_with_the_word/2026_02_16_WWW_Demon_Invasion.m4a February 16, 2026 Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, Novelist and Life Coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Monday, February 16, 2026, and this is episode #3 in Series 2026. This episode is titled, “The Demon Invasion.” Talk about demons elicits various types of responses, from “You’re crazy” to “You’re right.” In this week’s message, we’re going to explore briefly the topic of the current demon invasion and how the Christ-Follower should deal with it. We are going to focus only on what the Bible says because the Bible is Truth. But first, I want to tell you that my featured book for this week, THE ITALIAN CHRONICLES Trilogy, is on sale for only $21.00. This offer includes all three novels of the trilogy—The Madonna of Pisano, A Sicilian Farewell, and Return to Bella Terra. That’s a 42% discount off the regular price. This sale will last only until the end of February. So, get your copy now and follow the page-turning saga of Maria Landro as she faces losing her fortune, her family, and her faith. Click on the link below or in the show notes to get your copy. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HFJC4RM And now, on to this week’s message. For centuries in the Western world, the topic of demons was considered not only taboo but ridiculous and off limits. After all, we were far enough advanced on the civilization scale that we no longer needed the foolishness of believing in demons. Science had taken over the western mind, and science was king. Moreover, science, being observable and concrete, saw no indication of demons in the natural, material realm. And, if we couldn’t prove something scientifically, then it did not exist. If we could not see it, it wasn’t there. Anyone who still believed in demons, therefore, was considered backward, uneducated, and downright silly. But things have changed here in the West. Over the past half century, with the rising interest in Eastern mysticism and a renewed interest in paganism, the spiritual realm has become a topic of major focus and exploration. Why? Because science has failed to address the inner part of us that is intangible. In other words, the human heart. When God created you, He breathed into you a soul and you became a living being. Scripture says this in Genesis 2: 7: “The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” In other words, God breathed into you His own breath, and this is what distinguishes you from every other creature. Your soul is what gives you life, what enables you to breathe and walk around and act. Your soul is what enables you to think and choose, to love and experience emotions. Your soul embodies your personality and is what makes you uniquely YOU. God also gave you a spirit. Your spirit is the core of who you truly are. It is the real you, your essence, and the only part of you that can connect to God because God is Spirit (John 4: 24). Now, what does all of this have to do with demons? Plenty. WHAT ARE DEMONS? Demons also are spirits, but they are the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim. The Nephilim were the offspring in human form of the union between fallen angels and human women. The purpose of this unholy union was to corrupt human DNA in order to prevent the Messiah from being born. These hybrid creatures called Nephilim were eventually destroyed in the great Flood of Noah. But their spirits still exist and are called demons. Moreover, there is much evidence today that the Nephilim have reappeared because fallen angels have re-entered the earthly sphere. You may be thinking, “Dr. MaryAnn, you’ve really lost it this time! Fallen angels impregnating women? Come on! You expect me to believe that?” If this is what you’re thinking, then I refer you to Genesis 6: 4: “Back then, and later, there were giants on the earth, who were born as a result of the unholy union of heavenly beings with the human daughters.” These “heavenly beings” were the fallen angels who had rebelled, together with Satan, against God and were evicted from Heaven. Now stay with me because it gets even more interesting. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN DEMONS AND MENTAL ILLNESS The LORD God became so angry at sin and at this unholy union between fallen angels and earthly women that He destroyed the earth in Noah’s flood. In that flood, every single person on earth died except Noah and his family. Only Noah and his family still had pure DNA from which the future Messiah could be born. After the Nephilim died, along with the rest of sinful humanity, their spirits continued to exist, and these spirits are what we now call demons. Since demons are disembodied spirits—in other words spirits without a body—they are continually looking for a body to inhabit, whether a human body or an animal body. When a person, through sin, allows a demon access to his life, that demon will encroach upon that person to the degree that the person allows it, even to the point of total possession of the person. Today, because of blatant, brazen sin, we are witnessing an increasing invasion of demonic spirits into people’s lives. The results of this invasion are catastrophic, first to the person who has allowed the demons entrance, and second to society in general. One such very serious result of demon invasion is the increase in mental illness. While there are cases of mental illness rooted in physical causes such as brain chemistry issues or brain trauma, a good deal of mental illness is rooted in demonic oppression. Sadly, this fact is rarely, if ever, considered by mental health professionals. Patients are given all kinds of medication that may alleviate the symptoms but never cure the root cause of the problem because the root cause is spiritual, not physical. The incidence of mental illness in our culture has increased exponentially and continues to increase. Suicide is on the rise, especially among young teens. Nervous breakdowns, panic attacks, anxiety, and depression have become commonplace. Incidents of random shootings are growing at alarming rates. Has anyone asked why? I posit that much of mental illness today is the result of demonic invasion of the human soul. Statistics gathered in 2022 from the National Institute of Mental Health show that approximately 23.1% of the United States population suffers from mental health issues. This calculates to almost 60 million people in the United States with a mental illness of any type. Why such a high number? THE NEFARIOUS EFFECTS OF SIN A chief reason is that the incidence of sin has increased. Sin, my friend, opens the door to Satan. I’m going to say that again. Sin opens the door to Satan. Our culture today openly condones sin and even celebrates it. Evil is promoted as good and good as evil. In choosing evil, people have actually invited disembodied, demonic spirits to use their bodies as dwelling places. And when a demon attaches to your body or, worse yet, lives inside your body through demonic possession, it wreaks havoc to your entire life, especially your mental life. If you yourself have been suffering from mental illness and are having great difficulty getting better despite counseling and medication, consider the possibility that demons may be involved and that you need to deal with your problem spiritually and not just physically or mentally. If you don’t know where to turn, seek the counsel of a pastor who is experienced in dealing with demons. If you still need help, email me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com and I will direct you to a deliverance ministry that can help you. You see, my friend, the goal of Satan and his demons is to steal, kill, and destroy you. Always. His goal never changes, nor do his tactics. Most of the world is oblivious to what is really happening out there. Hordes of demons have invaded our earth through what are called portals, or openings, between the natural realm of earth and the spirit realm above the earth where fallen angels reside. The Bible calls this area “the Second Heaven.” It is the headquarters from which Satan plans and strategizes his attacks on humanity. Above the Second Heaven is the Third Heaven where God dwells with the good angels and the saints of God, those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and lived for him while on the earth. Directly above the earth is the First Heaven, the heaven we know as current residents of this earth. This First Heaven is now witnessing the invasion of demonic spirits from the Second Heaven. They are coming in the form of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena or UAPs, formerly called UFOs. The media is telling us that these sightings are aliens from other planets. In a way, the media is right. But what they are not telling you because they do not know is that these sightings are not aliens from other planets but fallen angels from the Second Heaven invading the earth to prepare the world for the rise of the AntiChrist, the personification of Satan himself. I have much more to say on the topic, but I will end here for this week. Please subscribe to this podcast for upcoming messages on the truth about what is happening in our world today. It is all prophesied and explained in the Holy Bible. We are living in a time of great deception. (Listen to my podcast for February 9th titled The Great Deception for more information.) The world needs truth. Truth is a person, and His name is Jesus Christ. If you have not yet met Jesus Christ, I invite you to meet Him now. Pray this simple prayer with me: Lord Jesus, I want to know You because I want to know Truth. I've been living a lie, and it has gotten me to places where I don't want to be. So I choose now to turn away from the lie and to embrace You Who are Truth. I invite You into my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for revealing to me that You are Truth. In Your Name I pray. Amen. If you sincerely prayed this prayer from your heart, you are now a born-again child of God. Welcome to the Family of God! Write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com, and I will send you a free PDF e-booklet titled After You're Born Again. In closing, I want to remind you that my featured book for this week is my popular trilogy titled THE ITALIAN CHRONICLES. See what happens to a soul who allows Satan to invade him. All three novels are on sale in a single ebook volume for only $21.00. That’s a 42% discount off the regular price. This sale will last only until the end of February. So, get your copy now and follow the page-turning saga of Maria Landro as she faces losing her fortune, her family, and her faith. Click on the link below or in the show notes to purchase. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HFJC4RM Winning with the Word is available on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast venues as well as on YouTube. Check out my YouTube channel at youtube.com/drmaryanndiorio. Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are. Yet, He doesn't want you to stay there. As you walk with Him, He will help you to keep on winning with the Word. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO WINNING WITH THE WORD.________________________________ Copyright 2026 by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD. All Rights Reserved. Featured Book for This Week: Get your copy now at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HFJC4RM Visit my bookstore for a complete list of books at maryanndiorio.com/bookstore.

The Book of James is one of the most challenging and practical books in the New Testament. Yet, it is also particularly inspiring and encouraging, as James deals with many of the challenges common to 1st Century and 21st Century believers. - Jamie Cox. Li

Suffering is inevitable on this side of heaven, and that doesn't exclude Christians. How are we supposed to bear and get through suffering? Where is God in the pain? Join us for a conversation with Prayer Pastor Chris Tapken.

In this Thursday podcast conversation, hosts Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose connect the Gospel message to the global unity of the Church by God's design.     Both Rachael and Natalie share personal stories of how God opened their eyes to the work of diverse unity He was doing in tiny churches, large church bodies, rural and urban settings alike. For both the hosts and for Christian girls, it's important for this growth to be personal—to let God show each of us that His Good News is truly extended to all.    Both Old and New Testament passages of Scripture show that God has always intended for His Church to bear His image to every corner of the Earth.    As we raise girls in a culturally diverse time, it's important to guide them to the whole story of history—even the difficult parts. It is through these stories that we can lead girls to love God's desire for unity and to work to speak on behalf of those who might not have a voice otherwise. Want to make this an ongoing part of your family life? Practice Biblical hospitality and see how the Lord opens your heart and your eyes to His beautiful tapestry of humanity!     Three Things to Consider:    It's important to tell the stories of Freedom Seekers   Which means...we must teach the whole story of our country's history, even the bad parts   Open the Doors of Your Family's Heart & Home to Invite the Hope & Unity of the Gospel that Binds Us Together       Scriptures Referenced in this Episode:    Acts 17:26-28  Ecclesiastes 4:12  Romans 10:12-13  1 Corinthians 15:16-20  John 13:34-35    Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.      Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.   

We want to show and receive God's love to those around us, and we live that out practically everyday. We strive to bring hope by meeting physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of everyone we come in contact with. We love fiercely—like a family, because everyone is included and our Father loves us all. We're building biblical community by seeking God's Word, believing in His promises, and applying what we learn everyday. Our hope is that you and your family find a home with us where you can learn, grow, live, and thrive in Christ Jesus. We're a multi-generational church with something to offer everyone in your family. Join us for an online or on-campus Sunday morning worship service, and take the next step in your journey with us!

Hope is a distinguishing mark of a genuine Christ Follower. There is a confident expectation for the future that springs out of the person who has fully surrendered their life to Christ.

Hope is a distinguishing mark of a genuine Christ Follower. There is a confident expectation for the future that springs out of the person who has fully surrendered their life to Christ.

It is the loving duty of every Christ Follower to pray daily with loving diligence to their loving God! Pastor Chuck Beckler reads from 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Learn more about Wonder Lake Bible ChurchContact Wonder Lake Bible ChurchStudy Notes

How does the Christian prepare for the days ahead? We prepare personally! This week we will be looking at putting on the full armor of God.

How close do you really have to be to Jesus to call yourself a Christ follower?Is it enough to believe from a distance—or does Jesus invite us into something deeper?In this message, Pastor Mark Cummins unpacks truth from Luke 19 and what it truly means to follow Jesus, not just admire Him from the crowd. Scripture shows us that proximity matters—not in perfection, but in posture. From the people who watched Jesus from afar to those who left everything to walk with Him, we're challenged to examine where we stand today.This teaching will help you: • Identify the difference between belief and discipleship • Recognize the danger of following Jesus at a safe distance • Understand what real commitment to Christ looks like in everyday life • Take your next step toward a closer walk with JesusWhether you've been in church for years or you're just beginning to explore faith, this message invites honest reflection and practical obedience.

The goal of this podcast is to clarify one of the most misunderstood questions in Christianity: Who is a Christ Follower? Using John 15:13 as a backdrop, I examine this question in detail. There are many that call themselves Christ followers that are not. Listen and be blessed. Shalom! Audio Download

Matthew 13:1-9 ESV1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.” • • •1. We need the Word of God. • • •Matthew 4:1-4 ESV1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” • • •Matthew 13:14-15 ESV14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 15 For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.' • • •John 8:31-32 ESV31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” • • •2. We need to hear the Word. • • •Matthew 13:9 ESV9 He who has ears, let him hear.” • • •Matthew 13:9 NLT9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” • • •3. We need to understand the Word. • • •4. We need Christ. • • •John 1:1-5 ESV1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. • • •John 14:6 ESV6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. • • •Matthew 13:18-23 ESV18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” • • •Application:Tending the Soil. There are things that we can do to ready ourselves – to prepare the seedbed of our heart, so that when, where and how Christ speaks we have ears to hear – and understand his Word.1) Give your heart to God! Become a Christ-Follower! Ask questions, seek counsel, and decide to be a learner, a student… A Disciple!2) Today might be the exact right day to begin daily devotions – time spent with God, reading your bible in hopes of receiving the truth of Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit.3) Today might be the day you decide to join a Bible study or small group here at Alex Covenant. Nurturing and tending the soil means allowing feedback, accountability, and to find healthy places to share your story, your struggles, and your own heart for the Lord on a regular basis.4) If you've been involved in small groups and Bible studies, consider an intentional, Christ-centered, one-on-one mentorship with some you trust and want to learn from.

When you think of the most powerful people on earth, meekness is not one of the character attributes we would usually use to describe them. Yet when Jesus is listing character traits that a Christ Follower will need to live and operate in the second mile, one of the most important is meekness. Not only is it the practical application when we seek to live the first two traits he has mentioned - it is what empowers us to strive to follow in his footsteps and be obedient to His Word. This message defines and explains what Biblical meekness is and why it is so important. It also gives us some practical examples of what meekness looks like lived out in our everyday lives. From Matthew 5:5. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

More deer have been saved by the smart phone than any device. This is because a distrated hunter loses sight of the mission they are on!  This week take a brief look at 1 Peter 3.15 and 1 Peter 5.8.

Send us a textBack in 2021, we did an episode on "Christian Witches." It received many, many comments - both good and bad. We decided to re-visit the subject and see what the state is of those professing to be Christians, yet practicing witchcraft, sorcery, magickx, divination, and the like. Has this trend increased or decreased? What are their current perceptions of Jesus, the Bible, and Christianity? Join us as we revisit this controversial topic!Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to check out everything Proverbs 9:10 on our website, www.proverbs910ministries.com! You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Rumble, YouTube, Twitter, Truth Social, and Gettr!

This is The Energy to Heal, your resource for all things Splankna — the faith-based inner healing modality that helps you achieve emotional freedom.   In this episode, Laura Milliken and Mason Milliken explore the profound and life-changing power of surrender. This is a part 2 to their prior episode covering surrender. This concept of letting God truly be in charge has been absolutely life-changing for this couple. Together, they discuss how surrendering to Christ alone leads to true freedom, relief, and authenticity, releasing the burden of control and striving. Through personal stories and biblical insights, Laura and Mason reveal that surrender is not about weakness — it's about aligning with God's design and trusting His plan completely. Listeners will learn how facing pain, letting go, and trusting God through uncertainty can unlock peace and restoration. This episode offers practical steps for walking out surrender daily and finding your original design in Christ.   ✨ Key Takeaways: Surrendering brings instant relief from overwhelm. Trusting in Christ alone leads to authenticity and peace. True freedom exists in the realm of Christ alone. Letting go of control opens the door to personal and spiritual growth. Facing pain is necessary for healing and transformation. Surrender is an ongoing journey, not a one-time act. Mistakes are opportunities for grace and growth in faith. Surrendering restores your original God-given design and purpose. The fulcrum of life is found in surrender. Surrender helps you recognize Christ in every part of your life.   RETREAT INFO: -------> To Find out More About the upcoming Splankna Themed Retreat for CLIENTS, click below. Please note that this retreat is not put on by the Splankna Institute but by individual Splankna Practitioners.  Splankna Themed Retreat: Click here for Details and Info  Registrition Link: click here  

Our great friend, Nick Person is preaching on our POSTURE of worship.  He opens up the Word to David 6, when David is accused of “undignified worship”.  Nick shares how David's worship was probably the most dignified and proper worship that we should begin to emulate.  How can we practice UNDIGNIFED worship today, as our lives, as Christ Followers, demonstrate heaven meeting earth to everyone around us?  And the atmosphere of every room we enter should CHANGE because of our undignified worship. 

Episode 73: "BECOMING Refreshed: Your Invitation to Deeper Waters with Amy Allgood" Episode Description Are you feeling weary from the constant pace and pull of life? In this powerful episode, host Cherisse Hixson sits down with mentor, coach, and entrepreneur Amy Allgood to explore what it means to move from spiritual "shallow waters" into the deeper, more abundant life God has for us. Amy shares her journey from being a "selfish Christian" focused on what God could do for her, to discovering the transformative power of asking "What can I do for You, God?" This conversation is a gentle invitation for women who are ready to step beyond surface-level faith into authentic spiritual refreshment, rest, and renewal in Jesus. Meet Amy Allgood Amy is a sought-after speaker, mentor, and entrepreneur who has addressed audiences of over 12,000 women. As a National Sales Director with Mary Kay and leader of women's biblical small groups for nine years, Amy is passionate about helping women discover their unique gifts and calling. She's a wife to Will, mom to three children (ages 12, 10, and 9), and lives in sunny Shalimar, Florida. When she's not mentoring women, you'll find her enjoying good food with friends, "SPA-ING" (her favorite hobby), or traveling to one of the 15+ countries she's visited. Key Takeaways & Timestamps Moving from Head to Heart (17:29) The transformative power of fasting as a spiritual discipline Amy shares miraculous stories from her community's fasting experiences How to fast as a beginner: giving up something you love to gain closeness with God From Shallow to Deep Waters (09:07) Signs you might be living in the "shallow end" spiritually The difference between checking spiritual boxes vs. truly knowing God Moving from "What can You do for me?" to "What can I do for You?" The Martha vs. Mary Balance (12:46) Why women leaders often struggle with the "doing" vs. "being" tension Understanding that if it's not God's calling, there will be no eternal fruit Breaking free from society's "busy badge of honor" mentality Bold Obedience and Sabbath Rest (28:30) Amy's conversation with her Olympic-hopeful daughter about resting on the seventh day Why God's commands aren't suggestions but pathways to blessing The courage required to please God rather than people Standing in the Gap (30:45) God's call for bold believers in this season Personal stories of stepping into God's assignments The blessing of being someone God can count on Scripture Themes Explored Mary and Martha - The balance between doing and being with Jesus Sabbath Rest - God's design for restoration and renewal Standing in the Gap - Being available for God's assignments The Potter and Clay - Surrendering to God's shaping in our lives Practical Application Three Ways to Move Deeper This Week: Try Fasting - Give up something you love (like sugar or social media) to focus on drawing closer to God Practice Listening Prayer - Instead of bringing God your list, sit quietly and ask "What do You want to show me today?" Embrace Sabbath - Take one day to truly rest and reflect, trusting God with your productivity Upcoming Opportunities Refresh Retreat - October 4th (Virtual/Hybrid) Join Amy for her annual "Refresh" retreat, now available virtually for the first time! This year's theme is "Moldable" - being in the Potter's hands. For just $29, you can participate from anywhere or gather friends to host a hub in your home. Register online at www.amyallgood.com  Fall Book Club Amy's community will be reading "Blessed Are the Spiraling" by Levi Lesko this October - perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed by life's unexpected turns. More info on Amy's website www.amyallgood.com  Connect with Amy Website: www.amyallgood.com Register for Refresh Retreat 2026 HYBRID on Saturday Oct 4th at www.amyallgood.com Follow for updates on masterminds, mentorship programs, and community events Reflection Questions Are you living in the "shallow end" of your faith, or are you ready to go deeper? What would change if you shifted from asking "God, what can You do for me?" to "God, what can I do for You?" Where is God calling you to bold obedience in this season? How can you create more space for listening prayer in your daily rhythm? Quote to Ponder "Be around people who are going to celebrate you and not tolerate you. Early in life we try to please people, we try to impress people, and it's exhausting and it's a waste of time and energy." - Amy Allgood Prayer Father, thank You for pursuing us even when we're content to stay in shallow waters. Give us courage to go deeper with You, to listen more than we speak, and to step boldly into the assignments You have for us. Help us find true refreshment in Your presence and rest in Your perfect love. In Jesus' name, Amen. Subscribe & Share: If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe and share with a friend who needs to hear about God's refreshing love. Your support helps us continue creating content that points women back to Jesus and His Word.

Isaiah wasn't just sent, he was OBEDIENT.  He did what God called him to do.  He stood up, when no one else would.  He spoke up, when everyone else was silent.  We, all Christ-Followers are CALLED and SENT (Matt. 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Mk. 16:15).  Therefore, we have to GET RIGHT and GET READY for what God is trying to do in this generation of believers.  Revival is happening all over this country, why can't it happen in our own backyard!?!!

"Send Us A Message"Luke 9:37-50In this episode, Josh Brockman reflects on the ongoing season of the podcast, discussing cultural events and their intersection with faith. He emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, particularly in light of recent tragedies, and explores the spiritual battles depicted in the Gospel of Luke. The conversation transitions into a detailed examination of a healing miracle performed by Jesus, highlighting themes of faith, prayer, and humility. Brockman encourages listeners to align their lives with Christ's teachings and to actively engage in their faith journey.Go and like & follow The One Truth Social Media Pages on Facebook and X to find "The One Truth Articles" as they come out. Or click "Send Us A Message" above to get them directly emailed to you as they become available.

https://media.blubrry.com/winning_with_the_word/content.blubrry.com/winning_with_the_word/2025_09_18_The_Upside-Down_Kingdom.mp3September 18, 2025 Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, Novelist and Life Coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Thursday, September 18, 2025, and this is episode #18 in Series 2025. This episode is titled, “The Upside-Down Kingdom." Before we get into our message for this week, I want to extend a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers around the world. By the grace of God, Winning with the Word now reaches 85 countries all over the globe! Praise the Lord and glory to God!I want you to know how much I appreciate your support, and I trust that Winning with the Word blesses you and encourages you during these difficult last days. Please share this podcast and blog with your family and friends. I would love to bless them and encourage them as well.Now, on to this week's message titled "The Upside-Down Kingdom."If you have been a Christ-follower for any length of time, you have likely noticed that the Kingdom of God runs by laws opposite those of the natural world. For example, in the kingdom of earth, one lives first and then dies. In the Kingdom of God, one dies first and then lives.In the kingdom of earth, one must see first before one believes, while in the Kingdom of God, one must believe first before one sees. In the kingdom of earth, one does something in order to be something. In the Kingdom of God, one is something before one does something.In a very interesting passage in Acts 17: 6, the Bible calls the disciples "the men who have turned the world upside down." We tend to think of this expression of turning the world upside down as meaning to disrupt the natural order of things. And it does mean that. But, the coming of Christ to earth also turned the world upside down in a very literal way. The old order of the way things worked passed away. Jesus ushered in a new order, a new way of seeing and doing life. And that way is the only true way.Let's take a look at this new order of things that Jesus brought by exploring each of the ways the Kingdom of God is upside down from the kingdom of earth.1) Death before Resurrection.In john 12: 24 NIV, Jesus said this: "Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." The Kingdom of God is like a seed. A seed must be planted in order to produce a crop according to the seed's kind. So it is with the one who chooses to follow Jesus Christ. That one must die to himself in order to live in Christ.This seems like a paradox, and it is. 2) Believing before Seeing.In the earthly kingdom the dictum is, "Seeing is Believing." In God's Kingdom, the dictum is "Believing is Seeing." The Kingdom of God is the Kingdom of Faith. In order to benefit from the promises of the Kingdom, one must walk in faith. Faith is the switch that turns on the power of God and enables t he Christ-Follower to experience the promises of God fulfilled in his life. Faith is the currency of the Kingdom of God whereby all transactions are conducted. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.3) Being before Doing.I find it very interesting that here in the earthly kingdom, when we meet someone new, one of the first questions we ask is, "What do you do?" Why don't we ask our new friend, "Who are you?" The reason is that the dictum for the kingdom of earth is "Doing precedes Being," while in the Kingdom of God, the dictum is "Being precedes Doing."In the Kingdom of God, we must first abide in Christ before we can bear any fruit. Jesus said this in John 15: 4 NIV: "Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me." So, let me ask you, friend, are you engrafted in the Vine that is Jesus Christ? If not, you need to be.

God is calling us to join and serve (Luke 10:25-37) – All too often we see things that just are not right. The question is, “what will we do about it?” We believe Christ Follower have to be willing to be lead by Jesus and get involved in three ways: spiritually (by being willing to submit to God's plan), physically (by giving our time and energy) and financially (by sacrificing our money to help those in need).

Spiritual Fitness Coach Jon Winkelman reminds us that living life with others is like holding an egg -- it requires gentleness and self-control!  Discover how to exercise these two key characteristics of a Christ Follower! As a thank you for your support this month, we'd love to bless you with a gift of your choice.Choose from three excellent books -each designed to encourage and equip you as you grow in Christ.Tracing His Promise: Donna Amidon shares 25 OT stories revealing Jesus in God's redemptive plan.Tactics:  A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions  -   Practical tools to share and defend your faith with confidence and grace.Discovering a Living Faith: Explore James with Pastor Bryan Clark – Insightful and practical guidance.Yours with a gift of any amount.Thank you for supporting the mission of Christ.

Henry E., better known as “Hank” Erwin, is widely known as the “storyteller of motivation!”   His talent for telling stories that both entertain and result in commitment and action on the part of his listeners is legendary. Hank learned the art of storytelling from his late father, Medal of Honor Recipient Henry “Red” Erwin, who held small crowds spellbound with stories of bravery in World War II.   Hank became a committed Christian in college and married his sweetheart Shelia Daniel the day before his graduation. They have now been together for 53 years and have two married sons, and seven grandchildren. They reside in Spring Hill, Tennessee.   But it was telling stories that guided Hank's life. He attended Dallas Seminary in Texas to become a preacher. But during those days, God opened a door into radio and TV leading him to become an on-air personality. So, instead of becoming a preacher, Hank plunged into media for nearly thirty years as a journalist and talk show host. He soon became a media advocate for pro-life and family values, patriotism, and conservative issues. All that eventually won him awards and notice in Alabama among voters looking for fresh faces in the world of politics.   So in 2002, Hank was elected to the Alabama State Senate, serving two terms as a firebrand for conservative family values across the state. He fought to bring gambling to a standstill and helped usher in a whole new Republican government for the people of Alabama.   However, strange as it may sound, it was his bedtime stories that really changed history! As a loving father, he told his two sons bedtime stories when they were very young. For example, he used Woodlawn football stories that were so colorful that it ultimately ignited their imaginations to the point that they wanted to become movie makers! So, forty years later the world now knows the famous Erwin Brothers, Andy and Jon, who have gone on to produce and direct ten faith-based motion pictures, all of which that have garnered Dove Awards for outstanding achievements in Christian film! You will undoubtedly recall many of them, including “October Baby,” “Woodlawn,” “I Can Only Imagine,” “Jesus Revolution” and “House of David.”   Hank now spends some of his time traveling around the country telling stories in banquets and churches to entertain and motivate people. But, recently Hank also assumed the role of leading a nation-wide movement for revival and spiritual awakening called the Great American Prayer Revival, or GAP26. This effort has the potential to be used by God to bring much-needed healing to America.   In this podcast, Hank tells how, when he was in college, God lovingly brought him to faith in Christ and then, through a wide variety of career moves, to where he currently is now leading GAP26, a nation-wide effort to bring much-needed revival and spiritual awakening to America. You will find his call to get involved with this important effort very compelling! For more information, go to GAP-event.org.

Christ Followers as People of Shalom

Today we started a sermon series looking that the vision statement of St. Mark's UMC. We looked at what it means to FOLLOW JESUS

Spiritual wisdom often comes from daily reading of God's Word. How do you read God's Word? Is it hard to understand? Does the Bible have anything practical that applies to me? How can God speak directly to me? What do I need to take out of my life? What needs to be put into my life? Does God care about me? All this and more in this podcast. More conversations on faith: Vertical Living With Ronnie Stevens  The Audible Voice of God 5 Things I Know About Heaven A Passionate Advocate for Women's Mental Health: Donna Robart Lies Women Believe   Books on HOME and FAMILY: Nurturing My Nest: Intentional Homebuilding and Custom Built Education Hum of the Home: Routines and Rhythms of Homemaking More Inspiration at www.nurturingmynest.com     

As Christ Followers our heart and desires should reflect the heart and desires of our Heavenly Father. As we grow in our relationship and knowledge of God we begin to care about what Jesus cares about. With that in mind we believe that at the core of every Christ Follower there should be a passion, urgency and involvement to see others be changed by Jesus.

Loving God First: Is God Truly My 1st Love? How can Christ Followers devote themselves to loving the Lord First? Please join us in hearing what God's Word says. I am so thankful to God for the discipleship given through Richard Burr's book, Developing Your Secret Closet of Prayer. 

Recorded live on Sunday, June 29th, 2025.

In John 17, Jesus prays for the disciples and for all who will follow Him. Join us as Pastor Justin Carlton unpacks this chapter as we continue our series, "Behold the Lamb of God." 

Pastor Ethan shares a message about how to face evil and suffering in a broken world as a Christ Follower.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, "Rock Solid" and discussed key pillars of the Christ follower's life. One of our guests was Dr. Sam Storms, Founder and President of Enjoying God Ministries. He's an award-winning author and specializes in spiritual warfare and prayer. Dr. Storms talked about the power of praise in our lives and what consistent, heartfelt praise can do. Greg Dempster, Founder and Director of ChristLife Ministries, helped us unpack the top three bedrock truths every disciple of Christ needs to stand on. Finally, Arlene Pellicane shared three solid truths that help set up kids for faithful success. She is an author, speaker, and host of the Happy Home podcast. You can hear the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, "Rock Solid" and discussed key pillars of the Christ follower's life. One of our guests was Dr. Sam Storms, Founder and President of Enjoying God Ministries. He's an award-winning author and specializes in spiritual warfare and prayer. Dr. Storms talked about the power of praise in our lives and what consistent, heartfelt praise can do. Greg Dempster, Founder and Director of ChristLife Ministries, helped us unpack the top three bedrock truths every disciple of Christ needs to stand on. Finally, Arlene Pellicane shared three solid truths that help set up kids for faithful success. She is an author, speaker, and host of the Happy Home podcast. You can hear the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, "Rock Solid" and discussed key pillars of the Christ follower's life. One of our guests was Dr. Sam Storms, Founder and President of Enjoying God Ministries. He's an award-winning author and specializes in spiritual warfare and prayer. Dr. Storms talked about the power of praise in our lives and what consistent, heartfelt praise can do. Greg Dempster, Founder and Director of ChristLife Ministries, helped us unpack the top three bedrock truths every disciple of Christ needs to stand on. Finally, Arlene Pellicane shared three solid truths that help set up kids for faithful success. She is an author, speaker, and host of the Happy Home podcast. You can hear the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top Ten from 2024: #6 Friendship is Essential as a Christ-Follower with Justin Whitmel Earley   Genesis 2:18a (NIV) "The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.”   **Transcription of original episode**  225. Friendship is Essential as a Christ-Follower with Justin Whitmel Earley   Justin Whitmel Earley is a writer, speaker, and lawyer. He is the author of the award-winning books Habits of the Household and The Common Rule, though he spends most days running his business law practice. Through his writing and speaking, Justin empowers God's people to thrive through life-giving habits that form them in the love of God and neighbor. His latest book, Made for People, delves deep into the profound impact of friendship and offers transformative strategies to combat loneliness. He lives with his wife and four boys in Richmond, Virginia, and spends a lot of time around fires and porches with friends.   Questions We Discuss: How does becoming more like Jesus look similar to becoming more like a friend? What are some questions we can ask our friends the next time we get together, in hopes of taking our conversation and connection to a deeper level? Will you share your experience when you recognized friends are essential in the battle against evil?   Thank You to Our Sponsor: The Homeschool Printing Company   Additional Recommended Episode from The Savvy Sauce: 90 Friendship with Drew Hunter   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV)   Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Do you ever wonder if Sunday church attendance is enough to build lasting faith in your children? This question lies at the heart of my conversation with Shawna Goldstein, a passionate Bible teacher and mother of three teenage boys who's on a mission to equip parents for their most important role - discipling the next generation.Shauna shares a startling statistic that changed her perspective: while about 60% of Americans identify as Christians, only 4% are living as disciples of Jesus. This gap isn't just concerning - it's reshaping how we understand what it means to raise children in faith. "We can't just shove that job off on the church," Shawna explains. "We are the main ones responsible for the spiritual growth of our kids.”• Finding God in everyday moments makes faith real and accessible• Bible teaching should be age-appropriate, interactive, and engaging• Different parenting stages require different discipleship approaches• Praying aloud over children models the importance of prayer• Listening well to teens creates opportunities for deeper conversations• Everyone has a role in discipling the next generationWhether you're a parent seeking practical tools, a grandparent wondering how to influence the next generation, or someone without children looking to make disciples, this conversation offers wisdom for bringing faith beyond Sunday morning and into everyday life. Listen now to discover how small, consistent efforts can transform not just your family's spiritual journey, but potentially an entire generation.See the complete interview ⬇️https://youtu.be/ikAp8evtersBuy Shawna's 2 Bible Studies on Amazon...

Part 3 – Three Daily Decisions for Every Christ Follower

Jerri Jameson was a drug addict. She hated her life and wanted to stop using... but she couldn't kick the habit. Then one night, she cried out in desperation to a God she wasn't even sure existed... and He answered. Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/jerri-jameson ++++++++++++ Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world. These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened! Want to help make new episodes? Either make a one-time gift, or become a Monthly Partner at: https://compelledpodcast.com/donate Perks of being a Monthly Partner include: EARLY ACCESS to each new Compelled episode 1 week early! FULL LIBRARY of our unedited, behind-the-scenes interviews with each guest... over 100+ hours of additional stories and takeaways! Become a Monthly Partner by selecting the "Monthly" option during check-out.  Show notes, emails, and more at: https://compelledpodcast.com Compelled is a member of the Proclaim Podcast Network: https://proclaim.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Revelation Chapter 4, everything shifts. After addressing the churches on Earth, Jesus invites the Apostle John to "Come up here!"—giving him (and us) a glimpse into Heaven's throne room and a preview of future events. This moment marks a pivotal point in Bible prophecy, and many believe it represents the Rapture, which is the moment Jesus returns to rescue His followers and take them to Heaven.But when will the Rapture happen? And where will Christians be during the seven years of intense suffering known as the Tribulation? Well, there are three major views of the Rapture's timing:

This week Jon talks about the need to rely on the daily sustenance that is Jesus: the Bread of Life.  The problem is that many of us rely on stale bread, not daily bread.   Scripture: Ephesians 5.1-2, John 6.35, Exodus 16, Matthew 6.11 As always, feel free to reach out to Jon to further discuss this week's devotional at Jon@christianoutdoors.org

We are excited to be bringing back Devotions with Christian Outdoors.  Jon Goodwin, a frequent guest, occasional co-host, and friend of the show and Pete will be hosting this new mid-week mini lesson.  We hope that it will be a blessing to you and draw you closer to our Savior!

Episode: Artists and Christ followers walk a similar path, as those who discern the truth about the world. The artistic gift of intuitive discernment, of expressing reality with clarity and soul, […] The post “I Practice Scales to Become a Saint” – Coltrane: Christ Followers & Artists first appeared on OnScript.

Kristina Constanza was a well-known paranormal investigator with her own show on the Travel Channel, diving deep into the supernatural world. But everything changed when she encountered the true power of Jesus Christ! In this powerful interview, Kristina shares her journey from exploring haunted locations to fully surrendering to Christ.We'll discuss: