Podcast appearances and mentions of christ galatians

Tuesday Church Service Date: 10-06-25 Topic: PATHWAYS TO BLESSINGS 2  Preacher: Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Okronipa   THE BLESSING A blessing when it comes upon you causes you to be significant. There's a state of being blessed (Genesis 12:2). When you are blessed, you don't need healing; health becomes generic for you. COMPARING BLESSINGS AND CURSES The Blessing vs. The Cursed: Life vs. Death Blessing vs. Curses: Good vs. Evil Prosperity Fruitfulness Productivity Health Protection Victory UNDER THE BLESSING Adam Abraham Jesus Christian UNDER THE CURSE Fallen Adam Gentiles Non-Christian SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES Romans 12:2 Deuteronomy 30:19, 30:7 Ephesians 1:3 Proverbs 10:22 CHARACTERISTICS OF BEING BLESSED Being a carrier of blessing (Acts 3:26, Hebrews 12:22) Blessed because we are in Christ (Psalm 72:17, Ephesians 1:3) Blessed because of faith in Christ (Galatians 3:13-19) Blessed because we are the seed of Abraham (Isaiah 61:9, Galatians 3) PATHWAY TO BLESSING Association (Psalm 1:1-3) Avoiding association with cursed people CORRECTING ERRORS If you are seeing backwardness, pains, grief, sadness, it is an error. Correct it by faith, using your word, and ask the Holy Spirit what you can do. THE BLESSING'S EFFECT The blessing affects your way of thinking. The blessing can give you things for free.

Tuesday Church Service Date: 10-06-25 Topic: PATHWAYS TO BLESSINGS 2  Preacher: Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Okronipa   THE BLESSING A blessing when it comes upon you causes you to be significant. There's a state of being blessed (Genesis 12:2). When you are blessed, you don't need healing; health becomes generic for you. COMPARING BLESSINGS AND CURSES The Blessing vs. The Cursed: Life vs. Death Blessing vs. Curses: Good vs. Evil Prosperity Fruitfulness Productivity Health Protection Victory UNDER THE BLESSING Adam Abraham Jesus Christian UNDER THE CURSE Fallen Adam Gentiles Non-Christian SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES Romans 12:2 Deuteronomy 30:19, 30:7 Ephesians 1:3 Proverbs 10:22 CHARACTERISTICS OF BEING BLESSED Being a carrier of blessing (Acts 3:26, Hebrews 12:22) Blessed because we are in Christ (Psalm 72:17, Ephesians 1:3) Blessed because of faith in Christ (Galatians 3:13-19) Blessed because we are the seed of Abraham (Isaiah 61:9, Galatians 3) PATHWAY TO BLESSING Association (Psalm 1:1-3) Avoiding association with cursed people CORRECTING ERRORS If you are seeing backwardness, pains, grief, sadness, it is an error. Correct it by faith, using your word, and ask the Holy Spirit what you can do. THE BLESSING'S EFFECT The blessing affects your way of thinking. The blessing can give you things for free.

Curious about how God's promise to Abraham impacts us today? Listen in as Pastor Steve explains from Galatians 3:15-29! God's Word reveals how this ancient promise truly unites all believers, Jew and Gentile, in Christ. Our Great God makes no distinction among sinners when it comes to salvation!

How to study the BIBLE: Part III. The SEED; The promise he made to Abraham (Genesis 17:17) 4. Through the Seed all nations will be blessed. The Seed is Christ; As we study the Bible prospectively and retrospectively we can see the Seed is Christ: (Galatians 3:16).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/chatting-from-the-word-hosted-by-oscar--4081759/support.

Clothed With Christ Galatians 3:1-94 Groups in Early Church Communities:• Jewish Christ-followers observing the Torah• Jewish Christ-followers not observing the Torah• Gentile Christ-followers not observing the Torah• Gentile Christ-followers who might observe the TorahGalatians 1:1-4 CSBGalatians 1:4-5 The MessageWe know the meaning of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue. Glory to God forever! Oh, yes!Galatians 1:6-10Paul understands how deeply tempting it can be to turn back to a more familiar, comfortable version of faith—one that demands less but feels safer.Galatians 2:19-3:6Galatians 3:1-6 The Message3 You crazy Galatians! Did someone put a spell on you? Have you taken leave of your senses? Something crazy has happened, for it's obvious that you no longer have the crucified Jesus in clear focus in your lives. His sacrifice on the cross was certainly set before you clearly enough.2-4 Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God's Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren't smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? Did you go through this whole painful learning process for nothing? It is not yet a total loss, but it certainly will be if you keep this up!5-6 Answer this question: Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, workingthings in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you? Don't these things happen among you just as they happened with Abraham? He believed God, and that act of belief was turned into a life that was right with God.Paul's Questions in Galatians 3• Who has cast a spell on you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? • Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by believing what you heard? • Are you so foolish? After beginning by the Spirit, are you now finishing by the flesh? • Did you experience so much for nothing—if in fact, it was for nothing?• ...does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law?Who has cast a spell on you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? • This is a question of proportion.• The cross of Christ is the central event to which all other events are subordinate.Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by believing what you heard?  • This question puts us in touch with our own experience.• The primary experience is faith, the basic trust that God is for us and shares his life with us.  Are you so foolish? After beginning by the Spirit, are you now finishing by the flesh? • This question puts in touch with common sense.  • Only as we remain rooted in the gospel can we apply the great truths of love and forgiveness and grace to everyday affairs.Did you experience so much for nothing—if in fact, it was for nothing?• This is a question of values.• If we lose touch with our values, we are at the mercy of every seduction, every inducement, every claim on our money, our energy, our time. ...does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law?This question puts in touch with God.God is an overflowing source of blessing—He supplies us abundantly in every way.When we lose touch with God's abundance, we lose our way.Apart from the reality of God's grace, we live clumsily—grasping, fearing, faltering. But Paul urges us to stay rooted in the truth of the gospel so that we live with holy abandon: freely trusting, freely hoping, and freely loving.

This week we are reading from Galatians 3:1-9 and 23-29, which may be the most challenging and vulnerable interfaith conversation we've had over the years. What exactly is Paul saying about Torah Judaism and those who follow it? Is there a way to talk about this fundamental shift in history that he perceives without erasing or degrading everything that was before – everything that set the stage for his cherished moment? How can Christians today take the real power and beauty at the core of Paul's message, and also recognize and mitigate the hurt that his words can cause? 

Oftentimes we find ourselves judging how we compare with others. We silently and even subconsciously create a ranking of people's status. This is a problem that has plagued every society in various ways. Galatians 3 shows us that there is a different way. The social and cultural walls that bring division come crashing down when we are one in Christ.

This week we're beginning our foray into Paul's letter to the Galatians with Galatians 1:13-17 and 2:11-21. This is a difficult text, particularly for an interfaith podcast, as Paul pushes back against the Judaism of his past as he wrestles with the significance of Christ for the Gentiles. As we read, though, we begin to realize that what Paul rejects is not Judaism, per se, but rather against the sort of religious striving that makes a person's worth before God dependent on our own actions rather than on God's gracious commitment to us. For Paul, and for Christians today, that graciousness takes the form of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, who lives in and through us, insisting that indeed we are enough, just as we are.

The Psalmist writes, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 118:6) And yet, we are so often swayed in thought, word, and deed by the Fear of Man, the second-to-last sin on our list.Fear of Man, or rather fearing the thoughts and judgments of other people, can so often hide behind the guise of empathy, of people-pleasing, of wanting to do what is best for others. And yet, it can so easily "lay a snare" for Christians, to be caught in a trap of longing for others' approval, while true safety and gospel rest comes through trust in the Lord (Proverbs 29:25). For seeking the approval of man is futile and worthless, and cannot be accomplished in congruence with a life committed to Christ, as Paul writes, "If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10). Though commendation and recognition from one's peers is a temptation unlike any other, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man" (Psalm 118:8).So join us to learn how this so often manifests, how to help one another through it, and how to live a life free of fear of man!Be sure to come back every Tuesday for new episodes and Thursday for bonus content, and find us on the following platforms as well:Find us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/oneanotherpodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Find us on YouTube:https://youtube.com/@oneanotherpodcast?si=7-JJ9raR9Fr0cQ9bFind us on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4RGIMhed26LZsl9TI56yPN?si=2924a1be839549b9Find us on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/one-another/id1797190030

We pause our Leader Equip series to interview Evangelism Minister Reid Overall where we discuss all things baptism in anticipation of Baptism Sunday, April 27. For Kids  We have a free baptism booklet designed for children ages 5-12 to help guide conversations about baptism. To receive a booklet, reach out to your Kids Ministry Team at the Welcome Desk. Use the QR code inside the booklet to let us know about any next steps your child may want to take.  For Students  Younger students (6th-7th grade) may still find the baptism booklet helpful.  One-on-One Conversations: Students can schedule a meeting with their campus student minister to discuss baptism further. We also encourage parents to have open conversations with their students about baptism, offering guidance and support as they explore this important step in their faith.   Ready to Take the Next Step? Baptism Sunday is coming up on April 27, and we can't wait to celebrate with you! If you've been considering baptism, this is your opportunity to take a bold step in your faith journey. Baptism is a public declaration of your decision to follow Jesus, and we're here to walk with you every step of the way. Whether you're ready to take the plunge or just have questions, we'd love to connect. Let's take this step together—sign up today and be part of this powerful day of transformation! Baptism Sign Up  Talking to Your Kids About Baptism  Baptism Revival and the Next Generation  NT Wright - Do I Need to Be Baptized?  Baptism is: · Commanded by Jesus: Baptism is a key part of making disciples, commanded by Jesus in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). · Repentance and Forgiveness: It symbolizes repentance and the forgiveness of sins, with a promise of receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). · Salvation through Faith: Baptism is tied to belief and salvation, showing outward faith in Jesus (Mark 16:16). · Union with Christ's Death and Resurrection: Through baptism, believers are symbolically buried with Christ in His death and raised to a new life, identifying with His resurrection (Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12). · New Identity in Christ: Baptism represents putting on a new identity, being clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:27). · Spiritual Rebirth: Jesus teaches that baptism represents being born again by water and the Spirit, necessary for entering the kingdom of God (John 3:5). · Conscience before God: It's not just an external act but a spiritual appeal for a clear conscience through the resurrection of Jesus (1 Peter 3:21). · Cleansing from Sin: Baptism is a symbolic washing away of sins as believers call on the name of Jesus (Acts 22:16). · God's Mercy and Renewal: Baptism reflects God's mercy in regenerating and renewing believers by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). FAQs about Baptism What is baptism? Baptism is a beautiful ceremony where a person who has decided to follow Jesus Christ is immersed in water to demonstrate their faith in Him by publicly declaring Jesus Christ as their Lord and King. Baptism is the way Scripture teaches that we are united with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). Baptism was a command of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20) and Jesus himself was baptized (Luke 4:21-22). Baptism is for everyone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and has decided to give their lives to him. Why does the Hills practice baptism by immersion (going under the water)? The word “baptism” we find in Scripture comes from a Greek word “baptizo” which means “to dip or immerse.” The examples we see in the New Testament show that the people who were being baptized went down into the water (Acts 8:26-38). And going completely under the water shows that we are participating with Jesus in his death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). When we go under the water, it's as if we are dying and being buried. When we come back up from underneath the water, it's a sign of our resurrection and coming out of the grave as a brand new person. These are several reasons why we practice baptism by immersion at the Hills. Should I be baptized if I was baptized as an infant? Many people are baptized as an infant because their parents desired to dedicate them to the Lord and for his protection to be on their lives. We believe that choosing to be baptized later on in life honors that choice made on your behalf by someone else. As we read the New Testament, we see that the examples of all those who are baptized are people who are older and who are able to commit themselves to following Jesus Christ. So we welcome all those who have been baptized as an infant to be baptized again as a way to declare I personally choose to follow Jesus the rest of my days. Should I wait until I get my life together before I am baptized? We would emphatically say “no”! Waiting to come to Jesus until you get your life in order is like telling someone with a broken leg to set the bone themselves, splint it, learn how to walk on it, and then go see the doctor. We would never keep someone from the person who could heal them. The same is true with baptism. You come to Jesus, not because you have it all together, but precisely because you don't. The only thing we've proven on our own is that we can't do it on our own. Jesus is the only one that can put us back together. And it is by surrendering to Jesus that we receive his life, his healing, and the power of the Holy Spirit who begins to transform us from the inside out. Staying away from Jesus keeps us away from the only power that truly can change us. Come to Jesus, surrender to Him, be baptized, and watch what God can do in your life! How much do I or my children need to know before we are baptized? We have often made entrance into the Kingdom of Jesus a matter of information, when in reality it is a matter of surrender. A person does need to understand that Jesus declared that He was the Son of God and that our faith in Him is what saves us. A person needs to be able to understand that Jesus invites us to give up control of our lives so we can follow his ways and not our own. Beyond that, a person is free to come and learn about Jesus with Jesus instead of learning about him from a distance. Baptism is a starting place on our spiritual journey, not a test we must pass before we can begin. Jesus wants us to walk with him, learn from him as we go, and share as much life together we possibly can. Remember, Jesus is a person to love, not a subject to study. If you or your children believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and you are ready to follow Him, you are ready to begin that journey. We invite you to come and be baptized this Sunday! I've been baptized before but I'm not really sure I knew what I was doing or I haven't really followed Jesus since then. Do I need to be re-baptized? Certainly, when people are baptized, they need to be able to make a commitment that they believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that they want to surrender to Him. But remember, the power of salvation comes not from our knowledge and understanding of every aspect of the spiritual journey but from Jesus' grace. Often what is needed is not re-baptism but a deeper surrender to the decision that was already made. In some cases, a person made the decision to follow Jesus and was baptized but then decided to follow their own path which could've even led them into deep sin and wandering. In situations like this, what is needed is not re-baptism but repentance. Jesus' grace is so immensely powerful all that God is expecting from us is to turn our faces back to him and come home, making the decision to honor the commitment we've already made to follow him. And sometimes people are baptized because they had a parent or grandparent or friend who wanted them to be baptized and it wasn't really a commitment they were making on their own. In these situations, we would encourage the person to consider being baptized again. Going through the practice of being baptized without commitment and without faith and is just an exercise in getting wet. It is faith that saves us, not water. What should I expect on Baptism Sunday? Baptism Sunday will be a very exciting day! We will have our regular worship service at the Hills. At the end of our time of preaching and sharing God's Word, Pastor Rick will invite everyone who would like to be baptized to come towards the stage. There will be people there at the stage who will welcome you and walk with you back to get you registered. After we get you registered, we'll take you back to the dressing rooms where we will have clothes you can change into for your baptism. The dressing rooms are private and are separated for men and women. After you change into your clothes, you can leave your things in the dressing rooms and they will be watched and kept safe while you are baptized. You can choose someone to baptize you or one of our ministers at the church can baptize you. If you are going to have someone personal to you baptize you, they will need to change into clothes, as well. They can bring their own if they'd like or they can change into clothes we will have available. You then will go into the baptistry (the water is warm and is heated) and you will be baptized in front of the church. You'll then go back and change into your clothes. After changing, one of our elders will pray over you and your family and friends as you begin your new journey. There will also be photo backdrops set up so you can take pictures with family and friends on your big day! Reach out to us at nextgennow@thehills.org and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.  

Texts: Galatians 3:27-28; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Colossians 2:11-13; Romans 6:1-6   Baptism Portrayed in Following Jesus The significance of being baptized into the body of Christ (Galatians 3:27-28; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13). The theology behind being baptized into the body of Christ (Colossians 2:11-14; Romans 6:1-6).   Baptism Practiced Within the Church The Biblical mode of baptism The appropriate age of baptism The central goal of baptism

Rebekah's Website (Host)Let's contemplate a question together... Why are you? What am I? Would you believe me if I told you that it's essential to have a good (right) answer to this question or it will negatively affect your whole life and every relationship in it? Yes, it's that important. Listen in today as I chat with one of my very closest friends about this question.... and boy, does it get good. Also, as promised, here are some names and identities that God gives His children in the Bible:Children of God – John 1:12, 1 John 3:1Beloved – Romans 1:7, Colossians 3:12Saints (Set Apart, Holy Ones) – 1 Corinthians 1:2, Ephesians 1:1Chosen – 1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 1:4Royal Priesthood – 1 Peter 2:9Holy Nation – 1 Peter 2:9God's Special Possession – 1 Peter 2:9Ambassadors for Christ – 2 Corinthians 5:20The Light of the World – Matthew 5:14Salt of the Earth – Matthew 5:13New Creation – 2 Corinthians 5:17More Than Conquerors – Romans 8:37Heirs of God and Co-Heirs with Christ – Romans 8:17Temple of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19Friends of God – John 15:15Branches of the Vine (Connected to Christ) – John 15:5Citizens of Heaven – Philippians 3:20Redeemed – Galatians 3:13, Titus 2:14Forgiven – Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:13-14Sealed with the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:13Workmanship (Masterpiece) of God – Ephesians 2:10Adopted into God's Family – Romans 8:15, Ephesians 1:5Victorious in Christ – 1 Corinthians 15:57Sheep of His Pasture – Psalm 100:3, John 10:11Justified by Faith – Romans 5:1Rescued from Darkness – Colossians 1:13Salt and Light – Matthew 5:13-14God's Inheritance – Ephesians 1:18Called and Sent by God – 2 Timothy 1:9Free in Christ – Galatians 5:1

In this episode, host Steve Wood discusses finding your true self through Christ, based on St. Paul's letter to the Galatians. He explores how being "crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20) means moving away from self-centeredness and embracing God's transformative love. The episode critiques modern psychology's focus on self-worship and highlights how sin distorts our identity. Listeners are encouraged to embrace God's grace, surrender the ego, and live a life rooted in faith and love. Referenced in this episode: Galatians 2:20 Galatians 2:21 Bible translations Steve recommends: RSV-CE – Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition ESV – English Standard Version, if you don't want to use a Catholic bible After 25 years of Faith & Family broadcasts, we are still, perhaps now more than ever, grateful for your prayers & support. Visit us online anytime at www.bibleforcatholics.com. If you like what you're listening to, please share with a friend!  

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Galatians 5:22-6:10 (especially 6:10 compared to James 1:27 and even 1Corinthians13 → Where it all lands!)Paul writes these conciliatory, comforting words in the context of a rebukingdiatribe to the churches of Galatia. They were receiving and listening to Judaizingbeliefs from Jerusalem. They were teaching his gentile converts that they needed to follow the law and be circumcised along with faith in Jesus to be saved. This was a call to arms for Paul and this letter mirrors his opposition to these ideas, especially for the gentiles. Paul emphasizes that it's not the law or circumcision that saves but only by faith in Christ (Galatians 3). He even rebuked Peter, who seemed intimidated by thesevisiting Judaizers (2:11-21). Paul was opposed to this message, and he expressed hi opposition to this message in very strong language. The author of 1 Corinthians 13pronounces curses and a coarse rebuke both against heretical angels (1:8-9) as well as Judiazers (5:12)All just prior to writing the beautiful words of Galatians 5:22-25 concerning the“Fruit of the Holy Spirit”. Was he speaking in the context of the fruit of the Spirit” when in prior chapters he issues such rebukes or is he reflecting on his own, “Acts of the flesh”(5:19-21)? I think Paul the very human Apostle of the Spirit was upset at what the damage these Judaizers were causing to their gentile brothers and sisters that he behaved confrontationally, urgently so he might mitigate the damage that would be done to the key message that would unite as one people, Jew and Gentile. And once he dealt with this hot issue he seems to calm himself down to a more “Fruit of the Spirit” inspired strategy that would unite and be conciliators to are body, both Jew and Gentile; In 6:1-10 illustrates some of how the Spirit inspired qualities would look like and what the central aim would be “to do good to all.”1) How to treat those entrapped in a sin: possibly one done against the teacher; 6:1:“People that are spiritual enough to restore sinners, are still possible sinners;”a) There cannot be any holier than thou Christians in Paul's view.2) To fulfill the central law of Christ (Galatians 5:22 & 6:2 “Love must help carryeach others overbearing burdens (see also Galatians 5:14)a) (Rather than trying to take the speck out of someone else's eye take thebeam out of our own eye (Matthew 7:5) follow Jesus's example in 1 Peter5:7, he accepts all our cares and anxieties, when you help someone withthe burdens, they cannot carry alone, ask yourself why are you or I doingit?3) Stay far away from relational pride: comparing, comparing, evaluating, constantlycomparing! Rather focus on self (It's our actions compared to God's word andSpirit (See the acts of the flesh 5:19-21)4) Learn to Lead by example and don't be lazy: teach others to be responsibleespecially in spiritual matters (note verse 5 is not equal to 6:2 which impliesburdens that come upon others like 6:1 that our brother and sister cannot carryalone. (See also 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 → comforting each other!)5) Be generous especially to your teachers, verse 6 (Again the fruit of the Spirit5:22-26) (See also 2 Corinthians 9:6-15)6) Reaping and sowing: We can never fool God (Verses 7-8) (or mock God like, forexample Ananias and Sapphira Acts 5:1-11. Note here the negative ordestructive effect doesn't come from God but “from the flesh” the positive effectsfrom the SpiritConclusionWarning that this will not be easy for human Christians: Verse 9, but the clearestevidence that we are keeping in step with the Spirit(5:26) is summarized in verse10: again not perfectly done but done with humility, honesty and hunger for God'sglory.Again read 6:9-10;

Pastor Jim Cecy

This was Eilidh Proudfoot looking at Galatians 3:1-25 from our 10 am service on Sunday 26 January 2025. This is part of our "Free at Last" series.

This was Andy Croft looking at Galatians 3:1-25 from our 7 pm service on Sunday 26 January 2025. This is part of our "Free at Last" series.

Galatians 5:16-17 New Living Translation   16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

Zac Thress presents a message entitled "Called In The Grace Of Christ" - Galatians 1. Audio Jan 5th pm - "Called In The Grace Of Christ" - Galatians 1 - Zac Thress.mp3File Size: 22391 kbFile Type: mp3Download File [...]

Do I Know Who I Am?John 8:14 “Jesus responded, “Just because I am the one making these claims doesn't mean they're invalid. For I absolutely know who I am, where I've come from, and where I'm going. But you Pharisees have no idea about what I am saying.”This was not the verse I thought I would be using this morning. I first went to look at John 8 for verse 12, which says, “Then Jesus said, “I am light to the world, and those who embrace me will experience life-giving lights, and they will never walk in darkness.” Is that a great verse, or what? I think we all know Jesus is the light of the world. We have probably even said that before. However, I am not sure we all know that means we will never walk in darkness. Some of us may feel like we are walking in darkness right now. However, this verse is telling us that if we embrace Jesus, we will experience life-giving lights and will never walk in darkness.Why do we feel like we are walking in darkness, then? Is the enemy blocking out this life-giving light? Are we looking for this light in all the wrong places? Why isn't this life-giving light shining through into our darkness? I know some people who are very close to the Lord, and yet this year has been really tough for them. They feel they are walking in darkness right now, and they feel like they can't even pray. Maybe you are in this place too? If so, I want to assure you that the Lord is with you, even in this darkness.I have studied something called the Dark Night of the Soul in depth this year as some of the women in my mentoring group really wanted to learn more about it. One big thing that I learned is that even though the Lord seems really far away from you when you are going through it, He has actually never been closer to you. I learned sometimes it is necessary for us to go through a dark period where we receive no consolation from the things that used to bring us consolation so that we can learn to rely only on the Lord and not on the feelings we get from Him. We need to continue to have faith in doing the things we are used to doing, even when they don't bring us great joy, comfort, or even peace.The people who have gone through a Dark Night of the Soul all have at least one thing that helped them: being faithful in their prayers and their spiritual habits, even when they received nothing back from them. People who are going through a Dark Night of the Soul feel extremely far from the Lord. They can't feel His presence, they don't hear His voice, they don't feel any consolation. Yet, God is right there by their side, giving them the strength to persevere, and when they come out of it, they will be so much stronger and closer to the Lord.I thought that was what this whole episode was going to be about. They I read on a bit further, and I saw the verse for today. When I read it, the words just pierced my heart immediately. Let me read it to you again. “Jesus responded, “Just because I am the one making these claims doesn't mean they're invalid. For I absolutely know who I am, where I've come from, and where I'm going. But you Pharisees have no idea about what I am saying.” the words that pierced my heart were, “For I absolutely know who I am, where I've come from, and where I'm going.” As soon as I read it, I heard that voice inside me say, do you? Do you absolutely know who you are, where you've come from, and where you are going?”I knew those questions were ones that I needed to share with all of you because they are great questions. I was praying with some youth over the weekend, and identity seemed to be something they struggled with, too. There is so much confusion and chaos in the world today. That is from the enemy. God is not the author of confusion and chaos. He is the author of peace. The enemy wants us to question who we are. He wants us to question where we came from and where we are going. If we are looking to the world to help us define who we are, then, of course, we would be confused. Our identity doesn't come from the world; it comes from God. He is our creator. He knows exactly who He created us to be.We tend to associate our identity with our vocation or our jobs. For instance, I am a mom and a wife. I might think that is my identity. However, my most important identity is that I am a child of God.There are so many songs out there that remind us of who we are in God's eyes. They remind us of our identity. There is a Lauren Daigle Song called I Believe. The chorus of that song says, “ You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing. You say I am strong when I think I am weak. And you say I am held when I am falling short. And when I don't belong, oh You say I am Yours, And I believe (I). Oh, I believe (I). What You say of me (I). I believe. The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me. In You, I find my worth, in You, I find my identity.As you can see in this song, God's truth is contrary to most of what we hear from the world. God says we are loved. He says we are strong. He says we are held; we are never alone. The world tells us we are on our own. It tells us we aren't good enough, and it tells us no one will love us unless we pretend to be someone that we aren't. Those lies are not from the Lord. I bet it makes Him so sad when we believe those things about ourselves. Kind of like how we feel when we hear our kids say they don't like things about themselves.One of my sons used to say that he hates how he looks. He said he looks in the mirror and hates how the person looking back at him looks. He is now starting to love the way he looks. He has found a style of clothes that he likes. He has found out how to wear his hair. I am not sure if he likes it because others are starting to notice him more or if people are starting to notice him more because he is more confident in who he is. It makes my heart so happy that he likes who he is right now. I imagine that is how the Lord feels when we are loving on ourselves too. When we are secure in who He says we are.One of my newest favorite songs is called The Truth by Megan Woods. The chorus of this song says: “The truth is I am my Father's child. I make Him proud, and I make Him smile. I was made in the image of a perfect King. He looks at me and wouldn't change a thing. The truth is I am truly loved by a God who's good when I'm not good enough. I don't belong to the lies; I belong to You. And that's the truth.” I love the song because it reminds us of the truth that we are children of God. He is our Father, and he is proud of us. He looks down at us and smiles. He made us in His image, and He loves us just as we are. He wouldn't change a thing. God is good, even when we aren't. He makes us good if we let Him.We do not belong to the lies of this world. We belong to God. If we wonder who we are, we can look to the Bible to see who God says we are. You can search the internet with the key words who does God say I am in the Bible and you will find lots of scripture verses. I will put the link to one article I found in the show notes. (Click Here for the article) Here are a few to get you started.I am a child of God. (John 1:12)I am a friend of Jesus (John 15:15)I have been justified and redeemed (Romans 3:24)I will not be condemned by God (Romans 8:1)I have been called to be a saint. (1 Corinthians 1:2; cf. Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2)I am a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)I have been set free in Christ (Galatians 5:1)I am chosen, holy, and blameless before God. (Ephesians 1:7)There are so many others, but I don't want to keep you here all day. I invite you to click on the link below and read all the different parts of your identity in Christ. It really is amazing. We think we don't know who we are, but then, when we read the Bible, it tells us very specifically who we are. Can you imagine how different your life would be if you absolutely knew who you were, where you've come from, and where you're going? You can find those answers in the Lord. He will show you if you just spend some time with Him and ask Him. What have you got to lose? I promise you will find better answers than you have been getting from the world.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today. Lord, help us to learn who we are to you. Help us to learn our true identity.  Help us to know, like Jesus did, who we are, where we came from, and where we are going. Help us turn to you for those answers. We love you, Lord. We are tired of believing the lies of the enemy. Help us to believe the truth of who we truly are. We ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name. Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I felt convicted as I was doing today's episode that next month's theme for mentoring will be identity. Why not start the year off knowing who we truly are and who God created us to be? I hope you will join us as I think it will be amazing to finally be able to replace the lies of who the world says we are with the truth of who God says you are. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you, just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in June 2024 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Leave all behind that is troublesome to you. I will heal it. I will fix it.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

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Sunday, November 17, 2024

“Christ is to us just what the cross is. All that Christ was in heaven or on earth was put into what he did there. You do not understand Christ till you understand his cross” (P. T. Forsyth). We consider three things about what it means to boast in the cross of Christ: 1. Never forget the one and the why 2. Uphold the majesty of the gospel 3. Live a cruciform life

Watch today's episode on YouTube. In this episode of Footnotes, we're discussing the sermon from November 4,2024 , titled "I Will Boast in Christ," which you can listen to at the link below: Listen to the SermonWatch the Sermon  In this episode, we focus on Galatians 6:15, where Paul underscores that “neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.” Here, Paul speaks to the heart of the gospel: salvation is through faith alone, not by external rituals or observances. This leads us into a discussion on sacraments versus ordinances—are these practices necessary for salvation, or are they symbols of our faith and obedience? As we explore these ideas, we'll see that while sacraments and ordinances hold an important place in Christian worship, they do not contribute to our salvation; rather, they point us back to the transformative power of grace.

Send us a textJourney with us as we engage with the allegorical depth through the stories of Hagar and Sarah, as Paul masterfully contrasts the bondage of the law against the freedom of divine promise. This allegory isn't just a history lesson; it's an essential insight into the nature of salvation. Is it through our efforts or God's grace? Far from mere doctrine, Paul's message resonates with personal concern and an urgent call for the Galatians to return to true faith. Tough conversations with loved ones who stray from the right path reveal the depth of our care, and Paul's allegory becomes a powerful tool for understanding this challenge. Support the show

Somebody's Watching Me! #RTTBROS #Nightlight ". And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed - Deuteronomy 31:8 (KJV) A pastor who does streat preaching on college campuses shared this story "Mark and Susan had been married a few years when suddenly she began to lose her eyesight and she got really depressed and sank into a deep slow of despond. But Mark said, listen, honey, I'm going to stick with you and I'm going to help you learn how to do your job. And so they worked hard at it. He went with her to the office every day, showed her how to do her job as a blind woman, and then he would leave for his work at an army base. Well, one day he turned her and said, Susan, I'm sorry, but I'm getting to work too late. You're going to have to go to job on your own. And she was freaked out. There's no way I can ride the bus, walk the streets, go up the stairs, go into the office building, go upstairs, and sit at my desk and do this on my own. And he said, no, honey, I'm going to stay with you. I'm going to teach you. And so they did it for a couple of weeks. And then eventually he said, OK, I think you know it well enough. I've got to go to work at an earlier hour. So Monday came, she got on the bus, walked the block, walked up the stairs, seamless. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, it went beautifully. Friday, as she's getting on the bus, the bus driver says, you know, you're a really lucky woman. And she says, stop it, I'm a blind woman. He said, well, yes, ma'am, but every day this week that you've gotten off the bus, there's a man standing on the street corner in a military uniform, and he never takes his eyes off of you. And when you walk down the sidewalk, he's watching you carefully like a hawk. You cross the street at the right time, he's watching you like a hawk. You go up the stairs, you open the door, you go in. And as soon as that door closes, he stands ramrod tall, gives you a salute, blows you a kiss, and then turns to go away. And all of a sudden, Susan understood, that's my husband. He's been watching me tirelessly for all this time. I'm not alone. He's watching me." God is always present, even when we can't see or feel Him. As the Psalmist writes, "The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand" (Psalm 121:5, KJV). Mark's silent vigil, carefully observing Susan's progress without interfering, teaches us about God's wisdom in allowing us to grow through our struggles. Sometimes, God steps back, not because He's abandoned us, but because He's giving us the opportunity to exercise our faith and develop resilience. Moreover, this story illustrates the beauty of Christian marriage and, by extension, the body of Christ. We are called to "bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2, KJV). Mark's selfless love and support for Susan exemplify how we should care for one another in the family of God. As we reflect on this touching story, let us remember that we are never truly alone. God is always watching over us, even in our darkest moments. Let us also consider how we can emulate Mark's example in our relationships, offering unwavering support and encouragement to those around us who may be struggling. May we find comfort in knowing that our Heavenly Father is always present, guiding our steps and cheering us on. And may we, in turn, be that source of support and love for others, reflecting God's tireless care in our own actions and relationships. Class Dismissed! Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros

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When my grandson was playing Upward basketball as a boy I told him about Jeremy Lin who at that time was lighting up the scoreboard for the New York Knicks. Now, he was not your typical professional basketball star, that's for sure. He was a Harvard grad. He was Asian-American. He was refreshingly humble. Oh, and you could tell that he unashamedly loved Jesus. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Playing for Jesus" Now, he actually wore a bracelet that revealed where his heart was. It said, "For Jesus' name I play." Yeah, he played on the New York Knicks, but he played for Jesus. Which suggested a pretty good self-exam question to be asking, even for a sports klutz like me, "Who do I play for?" Now, that probing question demands that I stop and take stock on two fronts: whose glory am I playing for and whose approval am I playing for? Well, our word for today from the Word of God in 1 Corinthians 10:31 lays it down straight on the glory issue. It says, "whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." And in Isaiah 42:8 it says, "I am the Lord; that is My name! I will not give My glory to another..." Boy, you don't want to mess with that! So how much of what I do is to get people to notice me; to give me strokes? That's not a question any of us can answer once and for all. We've got to answer it before every "game." Can I honestly say it's "for Jesus' name I play", that I want Him to get all the attention, all the credit? At the moment I catch myself thinking, "Hey, ain't I somethin'!" I've got to aim that spotlight toward heaven and say, "No! Isn't He somethin'!" The alternative is to hijack God's glory. And He just isn't going to let that happen. But it's not just "whose glory?" that is the issue. There's the whole "whose approval?" thing. See, I'm a firstborn child, but I'm otherwise normal. And they say we oldest kids grow up wanting to please mom and dad, and we get real good at it. And soon, well we can intuitively figure out what it will take to please a teacher, or a boss, or friends, or people in general. We're not alone, of course, in being people-pleasers, but we're pretty good at it. Now, it's easy to become an approval junkie, playing to get people to like you, to validate you. But ultimately, it's a life of slavery. It's a life of fear. You become, to a large extent, shaped and defined by other people's expectations - a slave. Oh, and then there's the fear thing: fear of rejection, fear of not being liked, which will, at some point, keep you from doing the right thing. People-pleasing becomes the gateway drug to sinful compromise of the truth, your integrity, your purity, your convictions, your Savior's name. It's a price that's too high to pay. The Bible nails it again, "Fear of man will prove to be a snare" (Proverbs 29:25). The Bible writer, Paul, asks disturbingly: "Am I trying to win the approval of men or of God? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10). Ouch! And then, listen to Jeremiah, "Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not" (Jeremiah 45:5). Now, if Jeremy Lin, that former NBA player, was playing for Jesus, then he was a free man. Free from the dead-end street of stealing God's glory; free from the bondage and insecurity of trying to make everybody happy. Life is honestly a whole lot less confusing and conflicted when you've got only one person to please - the Person who loves you unconditionally, unendingly, unsparingly. Jesus, who abandoned His glory in heaven and the acclaim of angels to rescue you and me. I'll never forget the lesson I learned the day that my young son was helping me with yard work. I was mowing, and he was doing the clipping after me. And at one point, I kind of flashed a smile his way. And a few minutes later, he came over and he shouted above all the mower noise, "Daddy, could you please do that again?" I turned down the mower and I said, "Do what again, son?" "Could you just smile at me again, Daddy? It's your smile that keeps me going." That's what I want. I want to live for one thing - my Father's smile.

General Theme for the Week: Freedom From Performance-Based Living. On this edition of One Single Story, Pastors Stephen Mizell and Alyssa Bream discuss the following questions: Why do you think trying to be a Christian by performance is like slavery? How does this principle set us free from perfectionism and condemnation? The reading for the day is Galatians 4.

Thank you for Listen! We want you to encounter God with us. If you are a new listener to Centerbranch Church, click this link: https://admin.centerbranch.org/Survey?SurveyId=46&fbclid=IwAR2dB2Ug84UVa5lQkuCOQe4qGGPfsNI9dTqwnu8fBOjftYYqHuTUBDoetR4_aem_AUv0sWPToyy7T6T-lDYT6XnkP0SSlg1Wxo4FFD4kpVtg6aNBlSkfV-Fv23Qi_jlQWbBkCBZ4a9A5jrFxBjTk-E5u   If you would like to give, click this link: https://www.centerbranch.org/give

In this episode of Wisdom Journey, we delve into Galatians 5:1-17, where Paul outlines the practical responsibilities that come with our spiritual freedom in Christ. Just as the Israelites faced challenges after their exodus from Egypt, believers today must navigate the responsibilities of their newfound freedom. Paul emphasizes two key responsibilities: standing firm in our freedom and not submitting again to a yoke of slavery, and using our freedom to serve others in love rather than indulging in sinful desires. Join us as we explore how to live out these responsibilities, empowered by the Holy Spirit to apply biblical truth to our lives.

In this episode of Wisdom Journey, we explore Galatians 3:26–4:31, where Paul passionately outlines the benefits of our freedom in Christ. Just as a former prisoner might struggle with newfound freedom, believers can sometimes find it challenging to fully embrace the freedom offered by the gospel of grace. Paul reveals the incredible blessings that come with being sons and daughters of God, the unity we share as heirs of Abraham, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Discover why returning to legalism is a step back into spiritual bondage and how to live fully in the freedom Christ has given us.

What is “the law of Christ” — and how does our fulfilling of this law relate to justification by faith alone?

Those who seek to be justified by the law sever themselves from Christ, fall away from grace, and commit eternal suicide.

Can We Make God Jealous?  TS Wright Scott Wright is back with us today. Scott has been teaching us about the different ages of the Church and significant things the Bible and history has to say about them. Amen. Today, we will be answering the question, “Can We Make God Jealous?” To do that, help me welcome back to the program, our good friend, Scott Wright!  Scott, good to talk to you again, buddy! Alright, let's jump into this… So, let's start with this question… “What is Jealousy?”  The dictionary defines “Jealousy” as, “…a feeling of resentment, bitterness or hostility toward someone who has something that you don't.” That sounds like a “sin” – kind of like “coveting” – wanting something you cannot have. Since God cannot sin – is God Jealous?  If so, why? We see throughout Exodus 20:5 where the Bible says, “You shall not bow down to them or serve them (false idols), for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.”  John 17:21 states, with Jesus praying here, “I pray that they all will be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also, may be in us so that world may believe that you have sent me…”  Since Jesus and the Father are One, is Jesus jealous? So, if “we are on in Christ” (Galatians 3:28), does that mean we can be jealous as well and not have it be a sin? Why is this relevant to what is referred to as “the end times” which we live in today? What should we, as Christians, take from this discussion today? Scott, this has been so interesting as we discussed the “jealousy of God. If someone wants more information or would like to ask a question, how can they get in touch with you? I'll put links to all of this in the show notes below… Drop down into the show notes and reach out to Scott Wright. Get in touch with him. Subscribe to his podcast.  And be sure to purchase his journal and start learning all about the “God Centered Concepts” that he specializes in. Amen! Do it right now before you forget about it later. Amen! CONTACT INFORMATION: Email:   gccgodcenteredconcept2038@gmail.com Book:  “God Centered Concept Journal: Making God's Word My Ways.”  - on Amazon Podcast:  The God Centered Concept