Podcast appearances and mentions of christ jesus philippians

Martha and Mary both loved the Lord, but their actions revealed two very different priorities. Martha was busy serving, preparing, cleaning, and trying to please Jesus through activity. Mary, however, sat at His feet and listened to His Word. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef reminds believers to beware of anything—even good things—that crowds the Lord out of our lives. Jesus gently corrected Martha because she was “worried and upset about many things,” while Mary had chosen what was better. The issue was not service itself, but preoccupation. Martha's anxiety came from being consumed with the temporary things of life instead of resting in the eternal value of God's Word and the presence of Christ. Dr. Youssef explains that anxiety often reveals where we are seeking security and peace apart from the Lord. C.S. Lewis observed that God designed the human soul to run on Himself—and that lasting happiness and peace cannot be found apart from Him. Like Martha, we may sincerely desire to please God while still stressing over unnecessary tasks, emotions, and expectations. But when Christ becomes the center of our lives, our priorities are reordered, and He fills us with His peace, assurance, and hope. Prayer: Father, pour Your peace into my heart and mind as I release the cares of this world and focus on You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon Jesus: Know Him and Live, Part 1: LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

You have everything you need. A good job, a house, the car that you want. Individual freedom to follow your dreams, be who you want to be, do what you want to do, go where you want, when you want, dress in the latest fashion—the god of freedom, an idol. Your desires define your path. That is your identity. And each day you strive to build on this identity because it isn't fixed. It evolves based on what you feel and think. There is no rest in this identity. It is an endless pursuit of self. The idol of self isn't like other things we can point to because the finish line is ever moving. We always want to be something or someone more than we are. How much are you thinking about these things? But when did this thinking of self begin? Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:1-5). Eve. She desired to be something she wasn't, having knowledge of good and evil like God. It wasn't because there wasn't perfectly good fruit in the rest of the garden. Eve fell to the idol of self. Satan got her to overthink about all she could have but didn't. From that moment on, humanity began the race with itself, to run continually seeking to be something we are not. Overthinking about ourselves and forgetting to think about God. God created us in his image but not to be gods. Our present cultural norm of self-sufficiency says we don't need anyone or anything to be successful. God? Why would you need God in your everyday decisions and thinking? What we forget is this deception in thought started in the Garden of Eden. The basic definition of self-sufficient is problematic in and of itself. “Needing no help in satisfying one's basic needs, like food.” Last I checked, we are very dependent on not only others, but also on things wildly outside of our human control when it comes to food. Last I checked, we don't control the rain or sunshine required to grow crops. While we have created technologies to help supply water when there isn't any for crops or livestock during a drought, we control less than we believe. The secondary definition of self-sufficient is emotionally and intellectually independent. Eve was seeking intellectual independence when she ate the forbidden fruit. She wanted self-sufficiency. When I think about the Garden of Eden and the beauty, provision and abundance described, my mind drifts off to a place where there was peace and a oneness with the Lord. Yet Eve was tempted. In perfect communion with the Lord, she wanted intellectual independence from God! Thanks to Eve, we don't live in Eden, and ever since the fall, the volume of temptation to self-sufficiency has been dialed up to a fevered pitch with everything in our midst competing against our thoughts of God! Peace and oneness with him seem elusive, even for those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Our days are filled with temptation to lean into idols that make us overthink about ourselves and think less about Jesus! Let's call these the idols of self. Basically, anything that prioritizes thinking of “self” above everything and everyone else, most importantly, thinking about yourself more than God. That fevered noise in our culture about how we can overthink ourselves is anything but peaceful. Appearance. How much are you thinking each day about your appearance? Has this become an idol of self? This can manifest in so many ways so let's just consider a few. Wanting to dress professionally and look nice for work is one thing, but has this become something that takes up a lot of your thinking? Do you worry about what other people are wearing? Do you comment on other people when they are dressed differently? What about your hair and makeup? Are you skipping devotional time with the Lord to make sure you look the best? Are you watching fashion reels on social media or shopping online instead of reading your Bible? Do you seek attention by what you are wearing and get an extra charge when someone compliments the way you look? On average, women spend between $1,500-$2,000 on clothing and $1,000-$3,700 on beauty products and services annually. Again, this is average, and most studies will tell you the more you make at work, the more you will spend on average. Other costs to consider are gym memberships and other cosmetic services many women are using to stay looking their best! None of this is truly “bad” but when you overthink it and it becomes an idol, anything good can quickly become a slippery slope leading you away from your identity in God and closer to what our noisy culture is demanding of you. Remember the Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). If you overthink your appearance, what does this indicate about your heart? Sovereignty. Are you someone that always thinks you are right? Is the sovereignty of self an idol for you? Even believers of Jesus can get caught in this overthinking that lives to expect others to function by their own moral compass. Even if your compass is Jesus, are you lording over people with your views and pushing them away from the true gospel with your rules instead of being loving. For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers (Titus 1:10). The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth (1 Timothy 4:1-3). God's Word says these people must be rebuked! You cannot add “your rules” to God's truth! Lately, we have seen people's thoughts on full display through social media. Somehow, we have mixed culture and politics with a message about Jesus that truly does not add up. Judgements when others don't believe what we do or how we do are quick. When you spend time overthinking how other people aren't like you or doing what you want them to do instead of focusing on how God would want you to show up to those that are different from you, sovereignty of self may be an idol. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor (James 4:12)? We are not supposed to be the judge of others. This doesn't mean we should shy away from providing good feedback to others in a non-judgmental way, but we need to avoid thinking we are the end all be all! The only truth is in the Word of God! Only God can truly change things and the more we overthink about our way being the right way, the less we remember God's way! Self-Promotion/Pride. Unfortunately, many who are overthinking about their way being the right way have a significant platform for self-promotion. Even if you don't suffer with thoughts of self-sovereignty, are you thinking a lot about your next social media post or how many views, likes and follows you have? Is the idol of self-promotion taking ahold of your time? If you post something that you feel good about, are you overly disappointed if it doesn't perform well? Maybe you only receive one “like”. How does this shift your mood? Are you angry or discouraged? On the other end of the spectrum, let's say you have a following on social media—many likes and many follows. Are you spending more time thinking about these followers than you are about God? Beyond social media, how are you promoting yourself up at work? Do you think about the next meeting and how you will comment or get noticed? Do you worry when you don't get the last word or when another colleague receives accolades? If you lead a team, how do you balance taking credit or giving it? Are you an I or a we colleague? I did this or we worked together… The Bible consistently warns about self-promotion and pride and not thinking of others. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Matthew 23:12). Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends (2 Corinthians 10:17-18) Remembering pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are; there is no God (Psalm 10:4). Bottom line, if you are thinking about exalting yourself and how it makes you feel, good or bad, more than you are thinking about what God tells you to do in his Word, you are overthinking about yourself! Covetousness. Do you spend a lot of time thinking about things you want or don't have? Even covetousness, a fancy word for jealousy, can be another way of overthinking about yourself. Described as a harmful spirit in 1 Samuel, jealousy can “rush upon us” when we least expect it. In 1 Samuel we learn how Saul is truly jealous of the attention David is receiving retuning from war. He is jealous of how people follow David, so much so that he seeks to harm David both directly and by sending him off to more conflict. Jealousy can create so many thoughts. I wish I had clothes like her. If only, I had the opportunities so and so had. I really like that car that he drives. How can I get these things, or how can I take the good attention away from someone else and get this spotlight on me?! Are you like Saul? Jealous and overthinking about how you wish someone wasn't as prosperous as you? Are you plotting ways to tear them down? Has a harmful spirit rushed upon your thinking? James 3:16 tells us where jealousy and selfish ambition exist there will be disorder and every vile practice. And this is not God's will for us! Remember, our God will supply every need of ours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). God also chooses who he will exalt and when. We are just called to follow him! Overthinking about ourselves is isolating. Whether we are overconsumed thinking about our appearance, thinking we are always right, deciding how we can promote ourselves, or coveting what someone else has, we are simply overthinking about ourselves! All these ways of overthinking don't draw us closer to God or others. These patterns of overthinking can lead to isolation and even depression. We were created for unity with God and community with other believers. Now, how can we shift this overthinking? Releasing ourselves from the culture driven notions that self is the central most important part of our life is first. People and things can never provide for our central happiness! Seeking praise from others will always disappoint us! The gospel is the direct antithesis of the culture of self-idolatry. Jesus invites us to a beautiful life of thinking about him! Start with abiding. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing (John 15: 4-5). Abide in my love (John 15:9). In Jesus, you will bear much fruit! Without him, you will do nothing. Remember why you exist. It isn't to think about yourself. You were made for God. Life itself is amazing—a gift from God each day. Turning your overthinking about yourself to thinking about God will bring joy and fulfillment beyond what you can fathom!

How's your attitude at work? Attitudes are contagious. But the question is: Would anyone want to catch yours? I believe this is one of the areas we can have a strong witness on our jobs, if we can keep our attitudes where they should be. I'm thinking one of the toughest situations to deal with—one that can really affect your attitude—is when you work with someone who gripes and complains all the time. I mean, how do you keep from developing a bad attitude when that's what you hear all day long? It's the person who loves disasters and crises! They can turn a good day into a bad one in a minute. I’ve run into this kind of person on a job or two of mine. They gripe about everything and everybody and seem to really enjoy spreading any bad news they can dig up. Even when there’s something good happening, they’ll find something wrong and do their best to spoil it for everyone else. That person can get on your nerves after a while! Have you noticed when you see this person coming, you tend to get real busy or walk in the other direction? A complaining person is not someone you love to be with. We Christians can complain and gripe as good as the next person. I know how easily I can fall into that negative complaining mode. There’s a verse in the Bible that addresses this issue: Do everything without complaining or arguing (Philippians 2:14). Everything leaves no wiggle room, because it includes your unfair wages, the difficult boss, the annoying coworker, the way the company treats you, and even the weather! Complaining is such a waste of energy, and it’s stressful on you as well as everyone around you! What can a Christ-follower do if he or she works with an eternal complainer? You need to monitor yourself and not complain! If you're able to walk away or stay away from the complaining conversation that would help. Or maybe you are able to steer the conversation and brainstorm a solution, but sometimes that's not possible. Sometimes you need to set up some boundaries—especially if you've tried other tactics. A person who does her job without complaining is one of the strongest testimonies we can have for Jesus Christ. It says something about your integrity. I think complaining can easily slide into gossip, and you really don't want to go there. Studies show almost half of the people in the workplace report they really don’t like their jobs. I can just visualize those thousands and thousands of people headed out to their jobs each day dreading it. If you start your day with discouraging thoughts—telling yourself how much you don't like your job—the people you work with can see your bad attitude in your face and hear in your voice. Because you don't like your job so much, and maybe there's some good reasons for that, you probably won't do your job as well as you should and your performance will suffer. When you regularly don't do your job as well as you could, that is not only dishonest, but it's also a bad testimony. You really can't cover up a bad attitude. It keeps coming through even when you don't realize it. If someone is stuck in a job they really don't like, they probably have told themselves they have abundant reasons for not liking their job. Could be the work itself—maybe they find it boring and dull? Or could it be the environment or the people they work with? It could be there are some unhelpful or a difficult boss. We can think of lots of reasons, or excuses, that make us feel like we have a right to complain about our job! It's amazing how we can deceive ourselves—tell ourselves things that make us feel less guilty when we know we're not representing Jesus well. As our culture is prone to say, we have a right to our bad attitude. But whatever the reason, as Christians, we don’t have such a right. We are obligated by our commitment to the principles of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to work with all our might at whatever we’re doing, because ultimately, we’re working for the Lord, not for people. What would you say to the person who has been hating her job lately? First, remember God can help you with an attitude adjustment. You may not be able to change the things you don’t like about your job, but you can, by God’s grace, change your attitude. Your attitude is your choice. There's another thing I've noticed in myself and others, and that is how upset we get over the uncontrollable things that happen in our days! It’s one of our major energy leaks, and it can really ruin your attitude. I once read if you will control the controllable, you can cope with the uncontrollable. But how often do we get upset or irritated over things which are totally out of our control? Take note the next time you're irritated by someone or something. Are you losing it over an uncontrollable thing or person? I think you may be surprised to discover how often it happens. It's a total waste of time and energy. Trying to control the uncontrollable is a futile effort and all it does is put you in a bad mood. Then, while we’re fretting over things which you cannot control, you are losing control of the things you can control. For example, we can control our words and avoid saying things that upset or discourage others. But when we’re trying to control the uncontrollable, we often lose control of the words we say and end up saying things that are hurtful or discouraging. We can control how we think and bring every thought into captivity, but when we’re trying to control the uncontrollable, we lose control of our thoughts and start thinking of all kinds of negative, unkind, and untrue things. We must remember this: if we will control the controllable, we can cope with the uncontrollable. Focus on staying in control of the things that are your responsibility; when you do, you’ll have the strength to cope with those uncontrollable events in your day. How do you do that? The Apostle Paul gave us some very good advice: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). If we really practice this principle on our jobs, we’ll have very good work attitudes, and in the process, we’ll reduce our stress, improve our productivity, and enhance our witness for the Lord. God’s Word is relevant to the uncontrollable things that will happen to you today; don’t forget it. The thing I've heard most heard from people is the problems they have with people. It reminds me of Charlie Brown's famous quote: “I love mankind. It's people I can't stand!” It just amazes me how many people don’t think like I think, don’t see things the way I see them, don’t hold the same obviously correct opinion that I hold! Scroll through social media long enough, and it's easy to think: “Why doesn't everyone see the world the way I do?” Often these conflicts can ruin our attitudes and drag us down rather quickly. We need some biblical responses to help us keep our attitudes where they should be—positive and full of grace. One thing I have learned to do when some person is bringing me down is to put them in another frame. To see them differently. This is a wonderful way to keep your attitude in good shape, and it’s right out of God’s Word: If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on whatever is true and honorable and just and pure and lovely and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8, J. B. Phillips). Often when we must deal with unpleasant people, we focus so much on their negative qualities that we totally lose sight of their good ones. Another Bible translation says to think about the good reports. I love that phrase, because so often, I’m prone to think about the bad reports. The person who is causing you trouble right now—there is some good report about him or her if you’ll just look for it. Make yourself think about the good report, the new frame you’ve put them in. You’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to get along with them. Once you get used to this practice of re-framing people who are difficult, you’ll discover the great side benefits: Reduced stress, less anxiety, better sleep, happier days. You will benefit more than anyone else when you learn to re-frame and think about the good reports, not just the bad ones. Another thing I've noticed is the lack of gratitude—being thankful for your job, for all the good things God has given us. We can get so focused on the negative things about our jobs or other people, that we forget the good things. Gratitude is so important and will go a long way in keeping our attitudes in good shape. Lately I've become even more conscious of how important it is to simply be thankful. To thank God for all his goodness; and to thank others who contribute good to our lives. The Apostle Paul wrote: Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything… (Ephesians 5:19-20). Give thanks for everything. That's clear. Aren't you glad Paul didn’t say we are to feel thankful, because often those feelings just aren’t there? But we can still choose to be thankful by reciting words of thanks and refusing to allow our attitudes to get into the griping pits. It's good to remind ourselves we have a choice each day as to what our attitude will be for that day. It's so much more pleasant and peaceful and stress-free to keep our attitudes in good shape. Our attitudes are our choice, and we should make it a matter of daily prayer.

What if the path to unity in our churches isn't found in trying harder, but in looking more closely at Jesus?Paul's letter to the Philippians reveals a powerful truth: when we have encouragement in Christ, the comfort of His love, and fellowship with the Spirit, unity should naturally follow. If it doesn't, something is interfering. That something is often selfish ambition—the desire for personal gain with no regard for others.The antidote? Adopt the same attitude as Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5). He didn't exploit His equality with God but emptied Himself, becoming a servant and submitting to death on a cross. His humility became the path to glorification and our righteousness.As a church family, we're called to work out our salvation together with fear and trembling—living in humble reliance on God rather than pride and self-sufficiency. When we do, we shine the light of Jesus in a dark world and discover that obedience brings both glory to God and joy to us.

When you look in Scripture, you can find some very stunning examples of people who had pockets of fear—and I'm talking about some great saints of old. For example, Abraham had a pocket of fear about being killed. Here is a man described in Hebrews 11 as a man of great faith. God called him from a prosperous and comfortable life and said, Go to a land I will show you, and Abraham simply obeyed. He packed up and went to a place he had never been before, leaving his family and familiar surroundings behind. Even though he did not know where he was going, he went. That took great faith. Would you be able to do what he did? He also was able to believe God could give him a son even though his wife was barren and they both were past the age of childbearing. That took tremendous faith. What really marks Abraham as a great man of faith was his willingness to offer that miracle son as a sacrifice because he believed God could raise the dead if necessary. Every time I read that story, I shake my head at this man of incredible faith. Yet, when he was traveling in Egypt, on his journey to the Promised Land, he revealed a pocket of fear. Abraham was afraid the Egyptians would kill him because of his beautiful wife, Sarah, whom they would want for their own. In fear, he told Sarah to tell less than the truth—to say she was his sister—to keep them from killing him. You’ll find this story in Genesis 12, and as I read it recently, I thought, “Abraham, what in the world was your problem? You believed God in all these huge areas, but you didn’t believe God could keep you and Sarah alive in Egypt? Where was your great faith?” Abraham had a pocket of fear, and it led him into sin. It began to dawn on me we all have these pockets of fear. We can have great faith in some areas, at some times, and then our faith falls apart the next day or the next hour or when we round the next corner. Paul wrote to the Romans: For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry. ‘Abba, Father' (Romans 8:15). Whatever you are fearful about, it’s not coming from the Lord. Of course, we have an enemy who loves to scare us to death about anything he can, because when we are fearful, it means we’re not trusting God. What is your pocket of fear? Let’s look at some of the more common ones. Is money your pocket of fear? Are you fearful of not having enough money, of losing your job, of losing your house, of going bankrupt, or of not being able to afford what you need or want? Frankly, this was a pocket of fear for me. Satan would try to get me thinking, “What if something happens? How will you pay your bills? You could lose your house, all your assets, your retirement money, and everything you own. You could go through all that in no time flat. What in the world will you do then?” That was a pocket of fear for me. Here's what I learned to do with this pocket of fear, when it started to possess me. I would say to myself, “Okay, suppose all those things happen. Imagine the worst: No money, no income, no house, no savings, no retirement. You’d survive; somebody in the family or some close friend would take you in until you could get on your feet again. It would not destroy you.” Then I would make myself claim a promise from the Bible. This was an act of my will, not my emotions. Pretty soon I began to laugh at myself for allowing my thoughts to go to this pocket of fear. It was a stronghold that held me for far too long. I'm so glad by God's grace I emptied that pocket of fear. Some good promises to claim for this pocket of fear are: Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink: or about your body, what you will wear… Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they (Matthew 6:25-26)? And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). By exposing that pocket of fear to the light, by bringing it out in the open and forcing yourself to face the fear, it loses its teeth. It can’t bite you, because you’ve accepted the worst may and could happen, and if it does, God’s Word is still steadfast. He will deliver you. A good first principle in dealing with pockets of fear is to bring them out in the open and talk to God about them. Then find a verse of scripture to counteract them. Are you afraid of being alone? This fear can really take you down the wrong path, and some people are so possessed by it they’ve come to believe nothing is worse than being alone. I know; l used to be that way. I know many single people who are intelligent, have good jobs, and are very successful in many areas of their lives. But they are so fearful of being single forever that very often this pocket of fear causes them to stay in relationships far too long or allow relationships to develop which were obviously wrong from the beginning. Are you struggling with that pocket of fear—the fear of being alone or being single or not having someone to live your life with? If you allow this fear to continue, it will grow stronger and start to control your life. It could cause you to make very bad choices, and that could lead to misery. Will you bring this pocket of fear into the light? Think about it: What is so terrible about being by yourself? You can do what you want to do, spend your money the way you want to, eat when you want and what you want. Imagine what it would be like to be with the wrong person; aloneness is highly preferable to being with someone who is not right for you. Face the fact that you might be alone or single for the rest of your life. Get it out in the open and expose it to the light. Does it mean you cannot have a meaningful life? Of course not! This fear of being alone is an unreasonable fear. And here's the thing, the more you reach out to others and start helping others, the more your life will become so full of love and meaningful relationships, you’ll covet some time alone. Then, find some Scripture to remind you of God’s eternal presence in your life. Jesus promised he will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Nothing you can name will ever separate you from the love of God that you have in Christ (Romans 8:38-39). Concentrate on God’s promises to you, and defeat that pocket of fear of being, alone. It’s a monkey on your back, and you don’t need it. Are you fearful of rejection? For some people, being accepted, liked, and having the approval of others is more important than anything else, so that can easily lead to this fear of rejection. When we are fearful of being rejected, we allow that person or group who might reject us to have a lot of control over us. If I live in fear that you may reject me, you have a great deal of leverage in my life. I will do and say things to try to please you, to avoid upsetting you, and to gain your approval. Usually, the fear of rejection looks anemic when we bring it into the light. Are you willing to do that? Just expose it—admit you are fearful of being rejected and then ask yourself, “Why? Why is it so important for me to have the approval of this person? Why am I allowing them to have such power over me?” Probably the truthful answers to those questions will surprise you and you’ll see how foolish it is to live with that pocket of fear. Are you afraid of failing? When failing is fearful to you, it keeps you from doing very much because the road to success is filled with failures. Anything worth doing is worth doing wrong until you get it right! Fear of failure will rob you of many achievements. Or it will drive you to perfectionism and workaholism. Are you afraid of facing the reality that you can and will fail, just like everybody else? Is it difficult for you to believe you’re not as good as you think you are? Fear of failure may have a lot of pride wrapped up in it. It will be a great help if you’ll bring this fear into the open and expose it. Ask yourself, “So, what will happen if I fail? If I try and it doesn’t work out, will the world stop revolving?” The sooner you expose that fear to the light, the sooner you can find victory over it through God’s Word and prayer. Why is it important for us to deal with these pockets of fear? Because any area of fear is an area we are not trusting God, and without faith it is impossible to please God. When I have a pocket of fear, I know God is very displeased since it shows I don’t have faith in that area. You’ll remember Abraham had a pocket of fear that led to a very disgraceful episode in his life. How could such a man of faith have such a pocket of fear? Abraham found himself in this predicament because he was not totally obedient. God never intended for him to go to Egypt: that was Abraham’s idea to avoid a famine. Again, Abraham couldn’t trust God to feed them in a famine, so he came up with his own plan and did it his way by going to Egypt. One fear led to another, and that caused Abraham to sin. Disobedience will get us into these places of fear, and fear will cause us to disobey. John wrote there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear… The one who fears is not made perfect in love (1 John 4:18). Back to Jesus—loving him supremely, making him Lord in every area of our lives, focusing our thoughts on him, spending time in his presence, knowing his Word better and better. This will drive out those pockets of fear. What is your pocket of fear today? Will you bring it out in the open, confess it, find Scripture to counteract it, and then focus on loving Jesus more perfectly in that area? If so, that fear will have to go, and you’ll be free from the control it has over you now. Truth sets you free, and Jesus is Truth. I urge you to pursue his victory over the pockets of fear in your life. You will please him when you do.

Why do we pray—really? In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef reminds us that the ultimate purpose of prayer is not self-fulfillment but the glory of God. Jesus Himself said He answers prayer “so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). And even when God meets our needs, the goal remains the same: His Name honored and His goodness displayed. Dr. Youssef also tackles two common extremes believers fall into: Fatalism: “Prayer doesn't matter—God will do what He will do,” Manipulation: “Prayer makes God act like He wouldn't otherwise.” Scripture, he explains, teaches a better way: God is fully sovereign, and yet within His sovereignty He truly responds when His people pray with the right focus. That's why we must avoid two unhealthy attitudes—being afraid to ask God for anything, or treating Him like a “bellhop” who exists to serve our agenda. Instead, Dr. Youssef points to our identity as God's children: we can ask boldly, but we trust the Father to give what is best—just as good parents do (Matthew 7:11). Mature prayer sounds like Jesus: “Not my will, but Yours be done.” If you want your prayer life to deepen, this episode will help you realign your requests with God's glory and grow in faith-filled dependence. Prayer: Father, thank You that You want to hear from Your children and that You glorify Yourself as You meet our needs. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon Psalm 121: LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

We are back in the book of Philippians, chapter 1. Aswe study through these verses, we are trusting that God will encourage you andhelp you learn how to have that joy that never goes away—that joy that Jesussaid, “I give unto you.” His very joy that we can enjoy every day. Butthere are some things we need to know and some things we need to practicebefore we can say Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christwhich strengthens me.” Often, I have heard people quote that verse, andthen when they face tough situations, they wonder why they can't do all thingsthrough Christ. “I am struggling. I am ready to quit.” And some of them dothrow in the towel. Why is that? It is because they do not practice Philippianschapters 1, 2, and 3. When you practice those three chapters, then you can alsosay with confidence, “My God shall supply all my needs according to Hisriches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Weare looking at some things we need to know and practice if we are going to havethat life of joy and complete what God has begun in our hearts and lives. Todaywe are looking at verse 6. Verse 6 is my life's verse. I heard Dr. JerryFalwell say, in my very first weeks at Liberty University—back then LynchburgBaptist College—that his life verse was Philippians 1:6. He used that verse,his life verse, whenever he signed his name in a Bible for someone. When he signedmy Bible for me, he wrote Philippians 1:6 under it. I thought, “Goodness, thatis good enough for him, that is good enough for me.” I am so glad I wasencouraged to take that verse as a life verse. For these past 55 years thisverse has given me encouragement to “keep on, keeping on”, despite mycircumstances or challenges that might be greatly discouraging me and making mewant to quit! Bythe way, my life chapter is 2 Corinthians 4, just in case you are wondering.You can read that, and maybe we will look at it one day. But today, Philippians1:6. Our thought is this: God finishes what He starts. This has to beone of the most encouraging verses in all of Scripture. Let us read it again: “Beingconfident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you willcomplete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” What a great promise. NowPaul has just talked, in verses 3, 4, and 5, about praying for them andremembering them with great joy. He spoke of their fellowship—their partnershipin the gospel—from the first day he met them until now. It was somethingcontinuous, something still ongoing. Then he says, “being confident”—nothoping, not wishing, but absolutely certain of this truth. And what is thattruth? That God always finishes what He starts. Oneof the verses I love to go back to in the Old Testament is Psalm 138:8. Itsays, “The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD,endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands”. God will perfectthat which concerns me. Now think about how this applies personally. When youtrusted Christ, God began a work in your life. It was not your idea—it was His.It was not your power—it was His grace. This is the good news. God does notabandon His work halfway through. We start projects and leave them unfinished.I am ashamed of how many times that has been true in my own life. We makecommitments, and sometimes we follow through—but sometimes we do not. But,my friend, God is not like us. The God who began a work in us will continuethat work. Even when you do not feel like you are growing, even when you arestruggling, even when you feel like you have taken five steps backward and arenot getting anywhere in your Christian life—God is still at work. You see, myfriend, your spiritual growth is not based on your perfection. It is based onGod's faithfulness. I once heard a great preacher this statement: “Don'tdespair. But if you do despair, work on in despair.” Why? Not because you feellike it, but because God is faithful, and He always will be faithful.

••• Strategies for Overcoming Fear, Ep 421b . ••• Bible Study Verses: Genesis 3:1-24, Matthew 14.22-31 . ••• Part-A Bible Verses: Genesis 3:1-24, Proverbs 23:7, Roman 8:15, 2 Timothy 1:7, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 10:27, Proverbs 16:6, Proverbs 22:4, Proverbs 29:25, Matthew 10:28, Matthew 6:34 . ••• “In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb. “How are we to live in an atomic age?” I am tempted to reply: “Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents. In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation... It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty. This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds” CS LEWIS On Living in an Atomic Age” (1948) in Present Concerns: Journalistic Essays † ••• “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4.6-7, NKJV . ••• What are the 5-places fear comes from? (continued) ••• What are 7-strategies for overcoming fear? ••• Are you going to ask your small group to pray that you will be more intentional about overcoming fear through the power of Holy Spirit? Part-A Bible Study Questions: ••• What are the 3-dimensions of fear? ••• What are the 3-types of fear? ••• What are the 5-places fear comes from? ••• Pastor Otuno expounds on this and much more on the exciting journey of Fresh Encounter Radio Podcast originally aired on WNQM, Nashville Quality Ministries and WWCR World Wide Christian Radio broadcast to all 7-continents on this big beautiful blue marble, earth, floating through space. Please be prayerful before studying The Word of God so that you will receive the most inspiration possible.••• This Discipleship Teaching Podcast is a listener supported production by all the beloved of God who believe in its mission through prayer and support. Thank you . ••• Broadcaster's Website - https://www.lifelonganointing.com/ .••• Exceeding Thanks to Universe Creator Christ Jesus AND photo by Etty Fidele Photography, Paris France, https://www.fideletty.com/, https://www.instagram.com/fideletty/, https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/FideleEtty, Art Direction by gil on his mac with free mac layout software . ••• † https://www.cslewis.com/us/resources/ .••• SHARING LINK: https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/ep421b-winning-the-battle-of-the-mind-pt4b . ••• Study Guides at - https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/episodes . ••• RESOURCE: FREE Max Maclean Chronological Audio Bible! https://tinyurl.com/godspeaks777 . ••• RESOURCE - PRAYER@SWRC.COM . ••• RESOURCE - https://www.soundcloud.com/thewaytogod/ . ••• FERP250321 Episode#421b GOT250321 Ep421b . ••• Winning The Battle Of the Mind, Part-4b of 10: Strategies for Overcoming Fear, Ep 421b . ††† Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

••• Strategies for Overcoming Fear, Ep 420a . ••• Bible Study Verses: Genesis 3:1-24, Proverbs 23:7, Roman 8:15, 2 Timothy 1:7, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 10:27, Proverbs 16:6, Proverbs 22:4, Proverbs 29:25, Matthew 10:28, Matthew 6:34 . ••• Part-B Bible Verses: Genesis 3:1-24, Matthew 14.22-31 . ••• “In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb. “How are we to live in an atomic age?” I am tempted to reply: “Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents. In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation... It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty. This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds” CS LEWIS On Living in an Atomic Age” (1948) in Present Concerns: Journalistic Essays † ••• “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4.6-7, NKJV . ••• What are the 3-dimensions of fear? ••• What are the 3-types of fear? ••• What are the 5-places fear comes from? ••• Are you going to ask your small group to pray that you will be more intentional about overcoming fear through the power of Holy Spirit? Part-B Bible Study Questions: (continued)••• What are the 5-places fear comes from?••• What are 7-strategies for overcoming fear? ••• Pastor Otuno expounds on this and much more on the exciting journey of Fresh Encounter Radio Podcast originally aired on WNQM, Nashville Quality Ministries and WWCR World Wide Christian Radio broadcast to all 7-continents on this big beautiful blue marble, earth, floating through space. Please be prayerful before studying The Word of God so that you will receive the most inspiration possible. ••• This Discipleship Teaching Podcast is a listener supported production by all the beloved of God who believe in its mission through prayer and support. Thank you . ••• Broadcaster's Website - https://www.lifelonganointing.com/ . ••• Exceeding Thanks to Universe Creator Christ Jesus AND photo by Etty Fidele Photography, Paris France, https://www.fideletty.com/, https://www.instagram.com/fideletty/, https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/FideleEtty, Art Direction by gil on his mac with free mac layout software . ••• † https://gracequotes.org/author-quote/phillips-brooks/ , Phillips Brooks was an American clergyman and author . ••• Study Guides at - https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/episodes . ••• SHARING LINK: https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/ep420a-winning-the-battle-of-the-mind-pt4a . ••• RESOURCE: FREE Max Maclean Chronological Audio Bible! https://tinyurl.com/godspeaks777 . ••• RESOURCE - https://www.soundcloud.com/thewaytogod/ . ••• FERP250314 Episode#420a GOT250314 Ep420a . ••• Winning The Battle Of the Mind, Part-4a of 10: Strategies for Overcoming Fear, Ep 420a . ††† Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

••• Overcoming Stress, Ep 419b . ••• Bible Study Verses: 1 Kings 19.1-18, Mark 6.31, Luke 2.52, Luke 15.18 . ••• Part-A Bible Verses: Psalm 23, John 6.35, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Psalms 118:5-6 . ••• “To be a true minister to men is always to accept new happiness and new distress. The man who gives himself to other men can never be a wholly sad man; but no more can he be a man of unclouded gladness. To him shall come with every deeper consecration a before untasted joy, but in the same cup shall be mixed a sorrow that it was beyond his power to feel before”, Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893, The Influence of Jesus, H.R. Allenson, 1875, pg191 † ••• "Difficulties and obstacles are God's challenges to faith. When hindrances confront us in the path of duty, we are to recognize them as vessels for faith to fill with the fullness and all-sufficiency of Jesus" A.B. Simpson †† ••• “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4.6-7, NKJV . ••• How does a 15-minute power nap affect one's stress levels? ••• What were 5-things that helped pull Elijah out of despair? ••• What is the “activation energy”? ••• How does receiving a touch from Our Creator affect stress in our lives? ••• What are 4-components of the healing process to regain full strength and vitality after experiencing extreme stress? ••• Are you going to ask your small group to pray that you will be more intentional about reducing unnecessary stress in your life through Godly wisdom & the power of Holy Spirit? Part-A Bible Study Questions: ••• What are 5-reasons why Elijah got so stress out that he wanted God to take his life? ••• How did Elijah get from being the bold and confident prophet to being a stressed out prophet on the run? ••• What are 7-negative consequences of being stressed out? ••• What were 5-life actions in Elijah's life that pulled him out of despair? ••• What is a reason for people to eat the wrong things? ••• What is the ‘Bread of Life'? ••• Pastor Otuno expounds on this and much more on the exciting journey of Fresh Encounter Radio Podcast originally aired on WNQM, Nashville Quality Ministries and WWCR World Wide Christian Radio broadcast to all 7-continents on this big beautiful blue marble, earth, floating through space. Please be prayerful before studying The Word of God so that you will receive the most inspiration possible.••• This Discipleship Teaching Podcast is a listener supported production by all the beloved of God who believe in its mission through prayer and support. Thank you . ••• Broadcaster's Website - https://www.lifelonganointing.com/ .••• Exceeding Thanks to Universe Creator Christ Jesus AND photo by Etty Fidele Photography, Paris France, https://www.fideletty.com/, https://www.instagram.com/fideletty/, https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/FideleEtty, Art Direction by gil on his mac with free mac layout software . ••• † https://gracequotes.org/author-quote/phillips-brooks/ , Phillips Brooks was an American clergyman and author, in 1877 he published a course of lectures about preaching, which he had delivered at the theological school of Yale University, & which are an expression of his own experience. He is best known for authoring the Christmas carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem" . ••• †† http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/A.B.-Simpson-Quotes/ .••• SHARING LINK: https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/ep419b-winning-the-battle-of-for-the-mind-pt3b . ••• Study Guides at - https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/episodes . ••• RESOURCE: FREE Max Maclean Chronological Audio Bible! https://tinyurl.com/godspeaks777 . ••• RESOURCE - PRAYER@SWRC.COM . ••• RESOURCE - https://www.soundcloud.com/thewaytogod/ . ••• FERP250307 Episode#419b GOT250307 Ep419b . ••• Winning The Battle Of the Mind, Part-3b of 10: Overcoming Stress, Ep 419b . ††† Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

••• Overcoming Stress, Ep 418a . ••• Bible Study Verse: 1 Kings 19.1-18 . ••• Part-B Bible Verses: Psalm 23, John 6.35, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Psalms 118:5-6 . ••• “To be a true minister to men is always to accept new happiness and new distress. The man who gives himself to other men can never be a wholly sad man; but no more can he be a man of unclouded gladness. To him shall come with every deeper consecration a before untasted joy, but in the same cup shall be mixed a sorrow that it was beyond his power to feel before”, Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893, The Influence of Jesus, H.R. Allenson, 1875, pg191, † ••• "As Christians, our lives should be marked by joy (Phil. 4:4), taste like joy (Gal 5:22), and be filled with the fullness of joy (John 15:11). Busyness attacks all of that" NL Demoss, †† . ••• “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4.6-7, NKJV . ••• What are 5-reasons why Elijah got so stress out that he wanted God to take his life? ••• Why did Elijah run from Jezebel? ••• How did Elijah get from being the bold and confident prophet to being a stressed out prophet on the run? ••• What are 7-negative consequences of being stressed out? ••• What were 5-life actions in Elijah's life that pulled him out of despair? ••• What is a reason for people to eat the wrong things? ••• What is the ‘Bread of Life'? ••• Are you going to ask your small group to pray that you will be more intentional about reducing unnecessary stress in your life through Godly wisdom & the power of Holy Spirit? Part-B Bible Study Questions: ••• What is the “activation energy”? ••• How does a 15-minute power nap affect one's stress levels? ••• How does receiving a touch from Our Creator affect stress in our lives? ••• How does the Christian regain full strength and vitality? ••• What is rest's affect on personal perspective? s••• Pastor Otuno expounds on this and much more on the exciting journey of Fresh Encounter Radio Podcast originally aired on WNQM, Nashville Quality Ministries and WWCR World Wide Christian Radio broadcast to all 7-continents on this big beautiful blue marble, earth, floating through space. Please be prayerful before studying The Word of God so that you will receive the most inspiration possible.••• This Discipleship Teaching Podcast is a listener supported production by all the beloved of God who believe in its mission through prayer and support. Thank you . ••• Broadcaster's Website - https://www.lifelonganointing.com/ .••• Exceeding Thanks to Universe Creator Christ Jesus AND photo by Etty Fidele Photography, Paris France, https://www.fideletty.com/, https://www.instagram.com/fideletty/, https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/FideleEtty, Direction by gil on his mac with free mac layout software . ••• † https://gracequotes.org/author-quote/phillips-brooks/ , Phillips Brooks was an American clergyman and author, in 1877 he published a course of lectures about preaching, which he had delivered at the theological school of Yale University, & which are an expression of his own experience. He is best known for authoring the Christmas carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem" . ••• †† https://gracequotes.org/author-quote/nancy-leigh-demoss/ .••• SHARING LINK: https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/ep418a-winning-the-battle-of-for-the-mind-pt3a . ••• Study Guides at - https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/episodes . ••• RESOURCE: FREE Max Maclean Chronological Audio Bible! https://tinyurl.com/godspeaks777 . ••• RESOURCE - IONA, “Burning Like Fire” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaXikLXH_sQ . ••• RESOURCE - https://www.soundcloud.com/thewaytogod/ . ••• RESOURCE - PRAYER@SWRC.COM . ••• FERP260228 Episode#418a GOT260228 Ep418a . ••• Winning The Battle Of the Mind, Part-3a of 10: Overcoming Stress, Ep 418a . ††† † † † Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trusting God for our financial needs feels especially real when life gets tight. When savings shrink, markets fluctuate, or expenses rise faster than income, the pressure exposes what—or who—we truly rely on. Long before budgets, retirement accounts, or emergency funds existed, one man stood on a mountain believing God could provide in the most impossible circumstances. His story in Genesis 22 gives us one of the most powerful names of God in all of Scripture: “The Lord Will Provide.” And it offers a blueprint for faithful stewardship today. Provision Is Forged in Pressure Trusting God's provision rarely happens in comfort. It's forged in seasons when resources feel thin, and the future looks uncertain. Throughout Scripture, God's people learn His faithfulness not at banquets, but in deserts. Not in surplus, but in scarcity. Whether wandering in the wilderness, facing famine, or standing before overwhelming odds, they discover that provision isn't merely about resources—it's about relationship. God is not simply someone who provides. He is the Provider. But biblical faith isn't naïve optimism, nor is it passive resignation. Faith rests in God's character, moves forward in obedience, and trusts Him with the outcome. Abraham on the Mountain Genesis 22 is one of the clearest pictures of this kind of faith. God asks Abraham to offer Isaac, his son of promise. It's a shocking command, and we're meant to feel its weight. Isaac is the one through whom God promised to build a nation “as numerous as the stars.” Without Isaac, the covenant appears to collapse. Yet Abraham obeys. Before climbing the mountain, he tells his servants, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there and worship; then we will come back to you” (Genesis 22:5). Notice what he says: we will come back. The author of Hebrews explains Abraham's reasoning: “He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead” (Hebrews 11:19). Abraham trusted that God's promise was more certain than the circumstances he could see. And when Abraham raised the knife, God intervened—not before the climb, not halfway up the mountain, but at the exact moment when obedience and trust met. A ram was provided in Isaac's place. It's there Abraham names the place: “The Lord will provide” (Genesis 22:14). What “The Lord Will Provide” Really Means To say God provides isn't to say He always provides in the way we expect. It means His character is generous, attentive, and faithful. He knows our needs before we ask. He meets them according to His wisdom—not our timeline. That shifts how we think about financial provision. Scripture commends diligence. “The hand of the diligent makes rich” (Proverbs 10:4). It warns against laziness. But diligence and provision are not the same thing. We work. God provides the harvest. Modern financial fear often comes from trying to secure every possible outcome. We want guarantees. We want certainty. We want control. But the great enemy of faith isn't need—it's self-reliance. When we believe we are our own providers, we shoulder a burden we were never designed to carry. The apostle Paul writes, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Notice the scale and the source: According to His riches, not ours. Three Ways Trust Changes Our Stewardship When we truly believe God provides, three things begin to shift. 1. We Plan Without Panic Wisdom plans for the future. Scripture affirms preparation and foresight. But planning becomes idolatry when it tries to eliminate dependence. Trust allows us to budget, save, and invest without fear driving every decision. Our spreadsheets serve us—they don't rule us. 2. We Give Without Fear Generosity flows from security. If we believe God replenishes, we can release. Hudson Taylor famously said, “God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.” When God is our provider, generosity becomes an act of confidence, not recklessness. 3. We Endure Lean Seasons With Hope Scarcity is not wasted space in the life of faith. Lean seasons refine us. They remind us that our ultimate security rests not in accounts, assets, or accolades—but in the Lord who sees. Abraham learned something profound on that mountain—not just that God provides, but who God is. Provision in Scripture is relational. God provides so His people know Him more deeply and so the watching world sees His faithfulness. Faithful Stewardship Without Fear Trusting God's provision doesn't mean we stop budgeting, working, or stewarding wisely. It means we do those things without trying to control the narrative. Our responsibility is faithfulness. God's responsibility is provision. When life tightens and financial pressure mounts, Genesis 22 invites us to lift our eyes beyond the mountain in front of us and remember the name Abraham proclaimed: The Lord will provide. And He still does. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: How can I have a loving, respectful conversation with my parents—especially my dad—about whether they're truly ready for retirement and financially self-sufficient? Also, he started taking Social Security last year while still working. Should he reconsider delaying benefits, and what options does he have now? A nonprofit that owned a property has shut down, and I'd like to sell it and give the proceeds to a church. Are there special forms or steps I need to take to handle that transfer properly? I'm turning 60 and want to prepare wisely for retirement. I have a seven-figure balance across my 401(k) and investments. What should I focus on over the next several years—how much is enough, withdrawal planning, Social Security timing, and long-term care—so I won't become a burden on my kids? As I plan my estate, what does the Bible mean by leaving an inheritance to our children's children, and how should I think about what to leave my grandchildren? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Splitting Heirs: Giving Your Money and Things to Your Children Without Ruining Their Lives by Ron Blue with Jeremy White Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

"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" Philippians 1:6 (NIV)A visual learner? Watch the stream back now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

February 20, 2026Today's Reading: Mark 1:29-45Daily Lectionary: Genesis 2:4-25; Mark 1:29-45“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Healings and more healings. This is what Jesus is doing. But amidst the healings is prayer. Jesus prays. We see this quite often with Jesus, that He goes off alone to pray. Sometimes it's to present specific requests to God and we get to hear them (like the High Priestly Prayer in John 17, or Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane), but sometimes we don't get to hear the conversation He has alone with the Father. We do see that once He finishes praying, He's ready for what comes next. It's almost as if spending time alone with His Father in prayer refreshes, renews, and energizes Him. In Mark 1, after Jesus prays, He sets off for what's next: more healings. Life can be exhausting sometimes. I don't know if you would describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert. All of us can get tired, exhausted, and worn down from something, whether it's the stresses we face, the pressures of school, family, work, or something else, like just living life. Some introverts are refreshed by being alone, spending time with themselves. I am not one of those people. I get refreshed and energized by being with people. Spending time in prayer can refresh us because we get to be with the One who created us, we get to cast all of our cares, concerns, worries, issues, and burdens on the One who is able to not only handle all of our stuff, but the One who can actually do something about our stuff. This doesn't mean that all of our prayers will be answered. Jesus knew what God's will was in the Garden of Gethsemane, and He prayed for His will to be done. He also asked that the cup would be removed from Him, even though He knew it wouldn't be. Paul writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, who brought peace between us and God through His death and resurrection, gives us peace no matter what God's answer to our prayers is. In Him we can have peace knowing that He is always with us when He says no, and when He says yes.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Amen, that is, so shall it be. Make strong our faith in You, that we May doubt not but with trust believe That what we ask we shall receive. Thus in Your name and at Your Word We say, “Amen, O hear us, Lord! (LSB 766:9)Rev. Glenn Worcester, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Winnipeg, ManitobaAudio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.Better understand difficult and overlooked Old Testament passages in this new book by Authors R. Reed Lessing and Andrew E. Steinmann. Their conversational yet academic writing style makes learning about the Old Testament accessible to those at all points in their Bible reading journey. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter invite you to think more in-depth about what you just read and record your answers. To stretch your understanding, a list of resources for further reading is also included at the back of the book.

January 24, 2026Today's Reading: Matthew 24:42-47Daily Lectionary: Joel 3:1-21; Romans 12:14-13:14“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?” (Matthew 24:45)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.In the space of just a couple of verses, Jesus plays the part both of a midnight thief and a delayed master. This fits with the broader context of Matthew 24, where Jesus preaches concerning the end times. He jumps from the things that will happen in the next few years to the things that will happen upon His return on the Last Day. He switches His similes just as abruptly: Noah's flood (Matthew 24:37–39); men in the field and women at the mill being taken away (Matthew 24:40–42); a thief who breaks in at an unannounced hour (Matthew 24:43–44); a master who returns after a long trip (Matthew 24:45–51). No shortage of false teachings have come from people trying to parse these sayings of Jesus and assign specific and definite meanings to the figures in His speech. But it's an impossible task. No one knows exactly what Jesus means here. But the point isn't to figure Jesus out. “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36).Whether it's a delayed master, a sneaky thief, a disappearing mate, or Noah's flood, the point is that you should never be unprepared for Jesus to return. “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).How do you prepare for Jesus to return? The last simile points you in the direction to look. “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?” Since His departure, the Lord has ordered His household to prepare for His return. This includes appointing faithful servants to oversee the household and ensure everyone gets fed. In other words, Jesus has established the ministry of the Church.On this day of remembrance for St. Timothy, we remember not just the man but his service. St. Timothy, along with St. Paul and all the ministers of the Church who have faithfully proclaimed the Holy Gospel and administered the Holy Supper, are the faithful servants of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:1) who have kept the food on the table, so to speak. Thanks be to God for his faithful servants and for His food.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lord Jesus Christ, You have always given to Your Church on earth faithful shepherds such as Timothy to guide and feed Your flock. Make all pastors diligent to preach Your holy Word and administer Your means of grace, and grant Your people wisdom to follow in the way that leads to life eternal; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Author: Rev. Jacob Ehrhard, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church and School in Chicago, IL.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.Better understand difficult and overlooked Old Testament passages in this new book by Authors R. Reed Lessing and Andrew E. Steinmann. Their conversational yet academic writing style makes learning about the Old Testament accessible to those at all points in their Bible reading journey. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter invite you to think more in-depth about what you just read and record your answers. To stretch your understanding, a list of resources for further reading is also included at the back of the book.

Are you tired of feeling stuck, unstable, and unsure about your future? God has a perfect plan already scripted for your life—and it's time to take control by surrendering to His priorities.In this life-changing message, Pastor Jerry Dirmann reveals the biblical keys to moving from instability to stability, from floundering to flying. Drawing from Ephesians 2:10, you'll discover that you are God's masterpiece, created for good works He prepared in advance for you to walk in. But here's the challenge: "Something's got to go." You cannot serve God and chase money (Matthew 6:24). You cannot reach your destiny while clinging to distractions, unhealthy relationships, time-wasters, and wrong priorities.Pastor Jerry teaches the power of pruning using John 15:1-2—God cuts away what's unnecessary so you can bear more fruit. Whether it's excessive social media, overworking, hobbies that drain your time, or relationships that pull you away from God's purpose, pruning is essential for fruitfulness. Using Stephen Covey's Four Quadrants of Time Management, you'll learn to focus on Quadrant 2: the important but not urgent things that build a solid life—prayer, discipleship, family, health, and preparation for your calling.But what holds people back from God's best? Two powerful hindrances: REGRET and RESENTMENT. Pastor Jerry shares how the Apostle Paul (who murdered Christians), Peter (who denied Jesus), and David (who committed adultery and murder) all experienced restoration and fruitfulness after major failures. There is no sin too great for God's forgiveness. If you've been carrying the weight of past mistakes—even abortion—this message includes a prophetic word of complete forgiveness and healing."Your past will not hinder your future in Jesus' name." God is declaring over you: "I am He who restores the years the locust has eaten" (Joel 2:25). It's time to forget what is behind and press toward the prize (Philippians 3:13-14).KEY SCRIPTURES:• Ephesians 2:10 - We are His workmanship• Matthew 6:24 - You cannot serve two masters• John 15:1-2 - The Father prunes for fruitfulness• Matthew 6:33 - Seek first the kingdom of God• Psalm 90:12 - Number your days wisely• 1 Thessalonians 4:4 - Possess your vessel in sanctification• Romans 8:1-2 - No condemnation in Christ Jesus• Philippians 3:13-14 - Press toward the prizeTAKEAWAYS:✅ God's perfect plan for your life is already prepared—surrender to it✅ Time management is really self-management—prioritize what matters eternally✅ Pruning is necessary for fruitfulness—let God cut away distractions✅ Regret and resentment will sabotage your destiny—receive God's forgiveness✅ "You have to give up to go up" (John Maxwell)✅ "There's a place on top if you're interested"—commit to God's prioritiesThis message is for anyone ready to stop drifting and start building a solid life on the solid rock of Jesus Christ (Luke 6:47-48). Whether you're struggling with time management, past failures, financial stress, or unclear direction—this sermon will equip you with practical, biblical wisdom to take control of your life God's way.

••• Trusting the Unknown to The All Knowing, Ep 411 . ••• Bible Study Verses: Proverbs 3:5-6, Hebrews 11.6, Isaiah 12:2, 2 Corinthians 9.7, Luke 6.38, Malachi 3.19, Genesis 26:1-14, Numbers 23:19, Daniel 11:32 . •••In 1967 when Archibald MacLeish a poet and penned the article “When We Are Gods”, he wrote “…There is, in truth, a terror in the world, and the arts have heard it as they always do. Under the hum of the miraculous machines and the ceaseless publications of the brilliant physicists a silence waits and listens and is heard. It is the silence of apprehension. We do not trust our time, and the reason we do not trust our time is because it is we who have made the time, and we do not trust ourselves. We have played the hero's part, mastered the monsters, accomplished the labors, become gods— and we do not trust ourselves as gods because deep inside we know what we really are. In the old days when the gods were someone else, the knowledge of what we are did not frighten us . . . But now that we are gods ourselves we bear the knowledge for ourselves. Like that old Greek hero who learned when all the labors had been accomplished that it was he himself who had killed his son” † ••• It is a great cause oftentimes why God blesseth not means, because we are so apt to trust in them, and rob God of His glory, not waiting for a blessing at his hands.••• The cause why our oppressors prevail oft against us is, because we trust too much in our own wits, and lean too much upon our own inventions opposing subtility to subtility, one evil device to another, matching and maintaining policy by policy, and not committing our cause to God. Abraham Wright††••• “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV ••• How can we trust others if we don't trust ourselves? ••• What are 3-things that trust in our creature God do for us? ••• What is satiation and what is it's relationship to trust? ••• What banishes fear or anxiety in a Christian's life? ••• What brings strength to a Christian? ••• What brings assurance to a Christian? ••• How can we be certain about what Our Creator has for us in the upcoming year? ••• Will you ask your small group to pray that you will be the kind of person who will put your trust in the All Knowing God of the Holy Bible in the upcoming New Year? ••• Pastor Otuno expounds on this and much more on the exciting journey of Fresh Encounter Radio Podcast originally aired on WNQM, Nashville Quality Ministries and WWCR World Wide Christian Radio broadcast to all 7-continents on this big beautiful blue marble, earth, floating through space. Please be prayerful before studying The Word of God so that you will receive the most inspiration possible . ••• This Discipleship Teaching Podcast is brought to you by Christian Leadership International and all the beloved of God who believe in its mission through prayer and support. Thank you . ••• Broadcaster's Website - https://www.lifelonganointing.com/ . ••• Exceeding Thanks to Universe Creator Christ Jesus AND Lauren Lulu Taylor, New zealand, Photography, Unsplash, https://laurenlulutaylor.com/, https://www.instagram.com/laurenlulutaylor/, https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/LaurenLuluT, Art Direction by gil on his mac with free mac layout software . ••• Study Guides at - https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/episodes . ••• SHARING LINK: https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/ep411-trusting-the-unknown-to-the-all-knowing . ••• † Pastor Godwin Otuno Podcast. †† http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/ .••• RESOURCE - https://www.soundcloud.com/thewaytogod/ . ••• RESOURCE - https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/kjv/john.1%20 . ••• FERP2601010 - Episode#411 GOT260110 Ep411 . ••• Moving Forward to a Positive Year Ahead, Part-3, Trusting the Unknown to The All Knowing ✝️ Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…" Philippians 2:5

Presented by Lauren Stibgen How do you define abundance? A quick search will tell you abundance in life is experiencing a state of more than enough in all aspects which includes but is not limited to wealth, relationships, health, joy, and fulfillment. Further defined as a mindset, abundance in living focuses on feelings of inner peace and gratitude regardless of external circumstances. Now, this is an AI overview based on a basic google search, and I would argue this isn't a far-off definition from what we are to expect from an abundant life through our salvation in Jesus Christ. True abundance isn't external at all. It is an inner feeling. Paul knew this feeling well. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11-13). In these verses, Paul points to this inner abundance that isn't reliant on a state of experiencing more than enough. His secret? Paul's deep abiding and faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, later in Philippians 4, Paul states, And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Jesus himself gave us many examples of how abundance in the world meant much less than a relationship with him. If we consider the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, we can see how Judas's worldly seeking never led to abundance at all. In John 12:1- 8, we read the account of Mary taking expensive ointment and anointing Jesus' feet, wiping his feet with her hair. Judas confronted Jesus and asked why the ointment had been wasted and not sold to give money to the poor. He said this not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to whatever was put in it (John 12:6). Knowing Judas' heart, Jesus tells him to leave Mary alone since he will not always be with them. We all know Judas then betrays Jesus for a bag of 30 pieces of silver that he later tries to give back realizing what he had done. He ultimately takes his own life. This need for monetary abundance cost Judas his life.

Watch the Devotion Based on Philippians 1:3-6 Thank You Since this is Thanksgiving weekend, I want to pause and reflect on the past year. The mission of WELS Ministry to the Military is to make Word and sacrament available to our actively serving military members and their families. To carry out this mission, the Wisconsin Synod provides financial support for 25 percent of our operating expenses. The other 75 percent comes from generous gifts from you. This past year WELS Ministry to the Military received $154,000 in gifts. Thank you! Your generosity and the work we do together as a synod reminds me of the apostle Paul's words to the Christians in Philippi: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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” (Philippians 1:3-6). Because of your generosity this past year, I was able to travel to 10 duty stations (including one aircraft carrier and 3 duty stations overseas), 16 congregations, 3 high schools, and 2 grade schools. This included a trip to Okinawa this past January where we led a retreat for service members who came from Guam, Japan, South Korea, and Okinawa. Because of your generosity, our office mailed 130 Spiritual Deployment Kits to service members around the world, not to mention a number of hymnals, catechisms, and devotion books. Thanks to you, 135 new referrals came in through our website. We were able to train seven Distinctive Religious Group Leaders to lead Bible study and worship in places we can't be. Five more are being trained right now. I want to say thank you to our European chaplain, Rob Weiss, and his wife, Rachel, for their faithful, dedicated service all over Europe: Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Poland. Thank you to the WELS pastors, teachers, and staff ministers who encourage and support our military service members, who show compassion and care to the family members when their service member is away from home. Thank you to all the grade schools, pastors' and teachers' conferences, and churches who adopted our ministry for their mission offering designation. Thank you to the WELS pastors and lay leaders who serve as contacts at numerous duty stations around the country, especially those who take extra time to visit our young people during basic training. I'd like to highlight Hope in Irmo, S.C., for serving Fort Jackson; Immanuel in Waukegan, Ill., for serving Great Lakes; Our Savior in San Antonio, Texas, for serving Lackland Air Force Base; and Risen Savior in Chula Vista, Calif., for serving Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD). At MCRD Pastor Paul Schulz leads the Lutheran service on Sunday mornings. This past year the Holy Spirit blessed Pastor Schulz' efforts with an average Sunday worship attendance of 47 recruits, and he was privileged to baptize 25 Marine Corps recruits. Thank you to the congregations in the Colorado Springs area for adopting Air Force cadets at the Academy and being their home away from home. Thank you to the Lutheran Military Support Group (LMSG) for their partnership. Because of their generosity, we led a Military Contact Pastor workshop near Hill Air Force Base in Layton, Utah, this past May. The LMSG also provided professional Christian counseling for active duty service members, veterans, and their dependents. I am grateful for our working relationship with WELS Campus Ministry. They have been helpful in identifying high school graduates pursuing ROTC or the National Guard and referring them to our ministry. Thank you to Michigan Lutheran Seminary who reached out to us, wanting to partner and provide a stable high school experience for high school-age students of our service members. I am grateful to the members and staff at Reformation Lutheran Church and School here in San Diego, where my wife teaches and we are members. You have been a huge support for our family. I want to say thank to the team that works behind the scenes to publish these devotions, for posting on our social media and website. You are so patient with me! I want to thank my Military Services Committee family: Paul, Joel, Holly, Josh, Dave, Ryan, Rob, Rachel, and Dale. It is a joy working with you. From me personally, I want to thank you for your small tokens of appreciation. The challenge coins, squadron caps and patches, letters, e-mails, and text messages—this is all so humbling and encouraging. And I am grateful for all of you every day for this partnership in the gospel. I ask that you continue to keep WELS Ministry to the Military in your prayers so that together we might reach more of our nation's service members with Word and sacrament. Have a happy Thanksgiving. Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.

Are you in a box? I'm talking about breaking out of our boxes so we can be all God created us to be. This is from my book Get Over It: Letting Go and Moving Forward with God. In the parable of the talents Jesus taught us if we don't use what he gives us, not only will he not give us more, we will lose what we have! (See Matthew 25:14-30.) As I look back on how God led me to this ministry, I realize it began with a passion to minister to women like me—women who went into the workplace regularly. I started where I was, with a Monday night Bible study in my home. Then God put a vision in my mind of how good it would be to have a radio program directed to women like me, and though I had no connection with anyone in radio and no experience or credentials, I prayed about starting a radio program. After spending about 18 months praying about it, I decided it was time to put feet to my prayers, and I decided to find out how to start a radio program. On that very day, God miraculously put me in touch with a radio station who offered to put my program idea on their station, and within a few months, we were on the air. I believe God placed a passion in my heart and since it would not go away, even though it took me way out of my box, the passion became a vision, God opened some doors, the vision became this radio ministry, and God has kept us going for more than forty years. Your experience will be different from mine, but if God has given you a vision and you're willing to step out of whatever box you are in, God will guide you step by step and will lead you to new avenues of service that shatter all the stereotypes and boxes you or anyone else has tried to impose upon you. 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 (Philippians 1:6). God won't give you a vision or a passion and then mock you or frustrate you. If it is of God, you can be confident he began it, and he will carry it on to completion.

Paul's Prison Perspective November 23, 2025 Elwyn Johnston Philippians 1 – 4 Verse of the Week: “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice.” Philippians 4:4 1. Joy comes from community “I have eagerly sent Epaphroditus back to you so that when you see him again you can rejoice” Philippians 2:28 2. Generosity blesses others “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.” Philippians 4:10 “in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once” Phil. 4:16 “I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied” Philippians 4:18 “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart” Luke 6:45 3. God's Word changes lives “the message about Christ is being preached, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.” Philippians 1:18 “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.” Philippians 4:22 “I suffer hardship even to imprisonment…but the word of God is not imprisoned.” 2 Timothy 2:9 “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me void, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 4. We know we are making an eternal impact “Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God” Philippians 2:16 & 17 5. God is in control “rejoice in the Lord” Philippians 3:1 “rejoice in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:3 “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice.” Phil. 4:4 "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

When I think of a very self-confident person, I think of the Apostle Peter. He was confident in himself. He was the only disciple who was confident he could walk on water. He was confident in his fishing abilities and knowledge. He was confident Jesus was wrong to say he was going to die and rebuked him for it. He was totally confident that he, Peter, would never deny Jesus, even if everyone else did. Even when Jesus predicted otherwise, Peter was super-confident he would never disown Jesus even if he had to die with him. Peter did not lack self-confidence. However, all that self-confidence failed him at the critical moments of his life. He began to walk on water but very soon started sinking. Self-confidence didn’t keep him up. Self-confidence didn’t fill his empty nets with fish after a long night of fishing and catching nothing. Only when he followed Jesus’ instructions was he able to catch fish. Though he was very confident in rebuking Jesus, Jesus not only did not take his counsel, but he also considered it to be satanically inspired. And within hours of his most confident assertion, he would never deny Jesus, he did so three times with cursing. Peter’s example tends to give self-confidence a black eye. We’ve been led to believe self-confidence is the key to success, the one essential you must have to get ahead, to be assertive, to be a leader. But Peter’s experiences could cause one to lose confidence in self-confidence. It didn’t seem to help Peter much when he needed it. But thank God, that’s not the end of Peter’s story. We see a transformed Peter in the book of Acts. He was still extremely confident, still assertive, still a leader, but the results were very different. You remember the story of Peter and John encountering a lame beggar at the temple. Peter looked at the lame man and said in his most confident manner, “ In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6). And guess what—the man went into the temple walking, leaping, and praising God. When questioned by the religious leaders as to how he had done this, Peter gave a most confident response: …then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed (Acts 4:10). Peter, who had failed miserably at every turn when he relied on self-confidence and who had cowardly denied Jesus three times, now stood tall among people who were seeking to harm him and proclaimed to them the gospel of Jesus Christ. When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say (Acts 4:13-14). Peter’s confidence amazed them but notice it was not self-confidence. They knew Peter was not able to heal this man or speak as he did because of his own education or training. Peter was no longer operating on self-confidence. That had been totally shattered. But his confidence and trust in Jesus Christ the Nazarene gave him a boldness and power he had never known before. The lame man was healed, he was able to persuade thousands of converts, and he led the early church as they changed the course of history. What happened to the Apostle Peter in the few intervening days between the sad scene at Jesus’ trial and this victorious display of confidence and success? In the first instance, though totally self-confident, he had failed miserably. In the second, he displayed a confident approach, yet the results were quite different. What happened was Peter lost all his self-confidence and gained in its place God-confidence. After he healed the lame man, he said to the amazed people who were watching, Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus…And on the basis of faith in his name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know (Acts 3:12-13, 16). When Peter spoke now, he was filled with the Holy Spirit. No more shooting off his mouth as before when he operated out of self-confidence. With the Holy Spirit controlling him, Peter spoke with great power and was successful in his service for Jesus. Notice, however, the loss of self-confidence didn’t turn Peter into a sniveling, cowardly wimp. He didn’t walk around with his head hanging down, quite the opposite. He was bolder than ever before because God controlled him, and his confidence was in someone much more capable and powerful than he was. My dear friends, self-confidence is a deceptive allurement fostered by this world. Like Peter, many Christians go from one sad experience to another, as their self-confidence fails them. And even when self-confidence brings some temporary achievements, it is so fragile and so easily intimidated it falls apart at the first adverse wind that comes along. I know because I’ve been there. I spent ten years building my life on self-confidence and my own achievements. I could list the successes I had in the business world during those ten years, and you might think I had done pretty well. I had self-confidence, but it kept falling apart on me all the time. I could put on a good face, but underneath, in those quiet moments of aloneness, I was anything but confident, and I knew I wasn’t doing very well on my own. I thank God my self-confidence was shattered many years ago because then I finally turned to my Savior and said, “I just can’t do it anymore. I’m a failure. I can’t cope. I’m an emotional yo-yo. I’m just a mess.” Despite the success I had stacked up in the business world, I was at the end of my self-confident rope. Once that self-confidence was shattered, I turned back to God. And that's when the God-confidence began, and each day is another opportunity to grow in my trust of God and to operate now in his power instead of my own. But it began when my own self-confidence was destroyed. Paul wrote to the Philippians: We are, remember, truly circumcised when we worship God by the Spirit, when we find our joy in Jesus Christ and put no confidence in what we are in the flesh (Philippians 3:3). He was reminding his Jewish brothers and sisters that outward rituals and signs are not the evidence of our relationship to God, but we are truly rightly related to God when we are Spirit-controlled, when we find our joy in Jesus Christ, and when we have no confidence in our flesh, in ourselves. Have you been on a misguided search for self-confidence? It could be even though you know God through Jesus Christ, you've been running your life by the world’s principles, as I did for so long. Paul wrote to the Galatians: Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again (Galatians 4:8-9)? Why would we want to run on self-confidence when God-confidence is available to us? Can we doubt God-confidence has much more to offer? Can we deny self-confidence fails us frequently? Then why do we run back to the world’s weak and miserable principles? May I suggest it is because the philosophy of self-confidence looks good, and it appears to work for some people. We swallow the bait and are deceived again by the master-liar, the father of lies—Satan. What’s the answer? There’s only one: The shattering of our self-confidence and a decision on our part to replace it with God-confidence. If you’re still running on self-confidence, you can either make a choice to abandon it, or you can keep on until it runs out of gas on its own, which it will do eventually. It is self-destructive and will, sooner or later, collapse. Maybe that’s happened to you already, and you’re now wallowing in the shambles of that failed self-confidence. Either way, if you choose God-confidence, it can be yours. To have God-confidence, you must first have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, which requires repentance and a turning away from your sins. If you don’t have that assurance, it is the essential first step. Then, you must pursue knowing God as your highest priority. You must be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to control your life, and that is your choice. Remember Peter gained God-confidence as he was filled with God’s Holy Spirit. That is available to every Christian. When you are born from above, you receive the Holy Spirit, but it is your choice whether you will allow the Spirit to control your life or not. If you do, changes will take place in your everyday routine. Priorities will undoubtedly shift. Some good things you’ve been doing may have to go to make room for the time you need with God. That will not happen by accident; it will happen as you purpose in your heart to know God. I can assure you of this, the more you know him, the more confidence you have in him. The more his Word is the central focus of your existence, the more confident you will be. God-confidence may look the same as self-confidence in some respects, but the big difference is it is humble confidence. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom (James 3:13). Humility that comes from wisdom—in other words, it is wise to be humble because you recognize your own weaknesses. And this wise humility will give you a confidence much stronger, much less dependent on you and your performance, and totally confident on God in you—the Holy Spirit. God-confidence is there even when you fail; even when you are fearful of failing. God-confidence does not rely on your abilities but relies on the truth of God's Word. 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 (Philippians 1:6). You can be totally confident of this—God has begun a good work in you, and he will not let you go; he will not fail you; he will never leave you or forsake you. That, my friend, is God-confidence.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus – Philippians 2:5

In this episode, we reflect on what it means to cultivate peace–as a fruit that grows from communion with God. The cultivation of peace is not something we control. It comes from learning to rest in God's presence, even amid life's storms. We talk practically about how to tend the soil of our hearts, so that peace can take root and grow into a fruit that becomes a visible witness to others. We also discuss how Jesus, the Prince of Peace, invites us to make room for His presence, allowing His breath to bring healing where fear and sin have disrupted our peace.    Heather's One Thing - Triumph of the Heart is now streaming! Sister Miriam's One Thing - Healed by Love: Contemplation as a Path of Healing according to St. John of the Cross by Daniel Chowning, OCD Michelle's One Thing - Feast: A Men's Devotional for Advent by Paul George    Journal Questions: What places of my heart are filled with anxiety or despair? Where am I seeking to be fixed instead of seeking communion with the Lord? What sins am I justifying that are robbing me of peace? What lies am I trying to talk myself into? Who or what are you trying to fix in your life that you need to surrender to the Lord?   Discussion Questions: How are you trying to control your life and heart rather than cultivating? What things motivate you to operate out of fear or mistrust? How can you internally cultivate peace? How can you externally cultivate peace?   Quote to Ponder: Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices. (St. Teresa of Avila)   Scripture for Lectio: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7)  Sponsor - BeeStill Design: BeeStill Design is a handcrafted Catholic jewelry and art brand founded by Louisiana artist and entrepreneur Holly Klock. A wife and mom of three, Holly has built BeeStill from a small creative outlet into a growing brand known for pieces that are both beautiful and meaningful. Her collections feature heirloom-quality jewelry, pressed flowers, and custom intaglios, along with enamel work and ornaments. From the very beginning, she has sought to bring the joy and beauty of our faith into each creation—always with the same vision: to design timeless pieces that tell stories of faith, love, and family. Whether you are looking for a piece of jewelry to be a daily reminder of God or would like to find a meaningful gift for someone in your life, head over to beestilldesign.com and use the code abidingtogether for 20% off your order.   Chapters:  00:00 BeeStill Design 01:08 Intro 01:59 Welcome 04:11 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder 06:31 Planting Peace in the Soil of Our Hearts 08:34 Cultivating vs Controlling 11:08 Fertilizing the Soil Around Us 13:56 The Breath of Peace 16:25 When We Feel Afraid 18:51 Communion Brings Healing 21:23 Wanting Peace for Those Around Us 23:26 Sin Disrupts Our Peace 27:52 Practical Tips for Cultivating Peace 32:55 Prayer 34:49 One Things

The first step "out" is prayer. The second step is service. Jesus said in Matthew 20:28, "The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve...and lay his life down as a ransom." In Philippians 2:7 Paul writes about Christ, "He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant." What does it look like for us to learn to serve others like Christ has first served us? 

For many years, I've been sharing the privilege and importance you have as a Christian in the marketplace to let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven, as Jesus told us in Matthew 5:16. In all those years, one issue surfaces most frequently—dealing with people. As Charlie Brown said, “I love mankind; it's people I can't stand!” I'm examining dealing with people who are particularly toxic, spreading their poison where you work. You must intentionally purpose not to let toxic people occupy any more of your thought life than absolutely necessary. Here's another practical suggestion: Distance yourself from them as much as possible. You've heard a lot about setting boundaries, I'm sure. The Bible teaches us to set boundaries. For example, these two passages from Proverbs: Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way (Proverbs 4:14-15). The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives (Proverbs 16:17). And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). You must be wise about distancing yourself from people who would fill your mind with evil and try to bring you down emotionally. You may not be able to distance yourself from a toxic person physically, if they are a coworker, but you can learn to distance yourself mentally and emotionally. Pray each day that God will protect your mind and teach you how to literally tune them out when you can. If you can wear headphones where you work use them as a buffer between you and a toxic person. Even if you don't listen to anything, just wearing headphones creates some distance. You have two options: You can gripe and complain about them, letting them bring you down to their level, or you can determine by God's grace, to take whatever steps are necessary to respond appropriately and in Christ-like ways to toxic, difficult people. God loves them as much as he loves you, and no one is in your life by accident.

Your Nightly Prayer

October 05 2025 Sunday Your Words Matter / Week 35 / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” John 17:23 KJV “I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” John 17:23 NLT “I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me.” John 17:23 AMPC “And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29 KJV “And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God's promise to Abraham belongs to you.” Galatians 3:29 NLT “And if you belong to Christ [are in Him Who is Abraham's Seed], then you are Abraham's offspring and [spiritual] heirs according to promise.” Galatians 3:29 AMPC “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1 KJV “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.” Galatians 5:1 NLT “IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off].” Galatians 5:1 AMPC “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5 KJV “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” Philippians 2:5 NLT “Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]” Philippians 2:5 AMPC “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 KJV “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13 NLT “[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” Philippians 2:13 AMPC Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

The question today is: How can you become a God-confident woman or man? First, you must continue to grow in your knowledge of Jesus and the Word by making them a daily priority in your life. There's no “secret sauce” here. It is back to the basics of saturating your life with the truth that comes only from God's Word. This is written Word—the Bible—and the Word made flesh, dwelling among us—Jesus Christ. As you continue to know God better, you build spiritual muscles which results in God-confidence. Then, most likely, God will give you an opportunity to do something that will be too big and too hard for you to do. Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone and follow the Lord, even if you are a bit fearful? I find when God calls me to serve in a new way, I'm always in over my head. But he who calls us to a new service gives us what we need. That's what we call walking by faith not by sight. What are your gifts and abilities you have not yet used in serving the Lord? Find ways to use them. He didn't gift you just so you could get a good job and earn more money. He wants to you to serve others. Never compare yourself to others. You don't have to do what someone else does or measure up to someone else's expectations. But you will need to step out on faith and follow God's leading. Then you will be confident of this: ...that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). You will be living in God-confidence, and it will be amazing. It will be tiring, yes, and not always easy but always fruitful and satisfying. And the joy of the Lord will be your strength.

What is hindering you from having God-confidence? Being confident in yourself is very risky because pretty soon that self will let you down. But being confident in God—who he is and how he sees you—is a firm foundation that holds up no matter what. What is keeping you from having this God-confidence? Could it be a sin you haven't confessed and forsaken? Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1). Do you give up too easily and too quickly? Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him (James 1:12). Is your past imprisoning you? Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14). Are you afraid to fail? For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). Has the enemy of your soul succeeded in making you feel unworthy, or keeping you burdened with sins which God forgave? I want to encourage you today to claim your right—your inheritance—as God's son or daughter. You have God's Spirit, and His Spirit makes it possible for you to be God-confident. His confidence is powerful, loving, and self-disciplined. Are you “taking advantage” of what is yours through God's Spirit? Are you aware of the Spirit's presence and the power you have as a result?

The second tool you need to be God-confident is to know how God sees you. God wants you to be confident in how he has gifted you and how he wants to use you. Let's begin by affirming what God has said about us: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well (Psalm 139:13-14). I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand (John 10:28). Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and said, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”? Or “I am safe in the hand of Jesus—no one can snatch me out of his hand”? As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love (John 15:9). Have you ever declared: “I am the one Jesus loves”? God-confidence depends on being totally confident of who you are in Christ. But it doesn't come in one swoop—it comes through getting to know God better and better. You have been gifted to do something good for the Kingdom. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Ephesians 2:10 NASB). When you're willing to take the next steps where God is leading you, to do those good works he prepared for you, then you can be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). That is God-confidence!

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

Two roller coasters. Only one seemed like a real option to me. I should point out that I really don't ride roller coasters much. "Because you're chicken," you say. No, because I'm too short. I just don't measure up to that little height chart that they have at the entrance to the coaster. Actually, I have a friend who declines roller coaster invitations by saying, "I can't. I have an inner ear problem." I like that. I may have to remember that one. For whatever reason, my rides on roller coasters are few and far between. But at this particular amusement park that I visited a few years ago, they had two roller coasters side by side and two lines to get to them. Over one line was a sign that said, "Forward." Over the other line, a sign that said - yeah, you guessed it - "Backward." You can ride looking forward or looking backward. Like this is a choice? I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Looking Backward, Missing What's Ahead." There are two lines in life, and two cars you can ride in. One says, "Forward" and the other says, "Backward." You choose. Frankly, I don't want to ride looking back at where I've already been. I want to ride looking ahead to where I'm going. I hope you do, too. And that's what God wants for you. In our word for today from the Word of God in Isaiah 43:18-19 - some of my anchor verses. Here's what He says: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." God wants today to be the first day of the rest of your life, not just another day of what your life has been up until now. This can be page one of a whole new volume or just another page of the same old story. Maybe you've been riding too long looking backward. You keep rehearsing and reliving the hurt of your past, your failures, and the regrets over what you've done or what you should have done. But that's the past, and none of it can be changed. But if you don't move beyond the pain, the anger, the bitterness, the self-pity, the grief, and the self-condemnation - if you keep dwelling on that, you'll miss the part of your life that can be changed - the future. One of God's great representatives, Paul, said, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14). Jesus is the Lord of new beginnings, of fresh starts, of clean slates. You need to come to Him and let Him release you from being tied to the people who've hurt you, by getting His grace to forgive them. You need to ask His help to begin to define your life, not by what has happened, but by what's going to happen; what can happen because of Jesus in your life. Just a few verses after God's call to forget the past and go for His new thing, He tells us how that's possible. He says, "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions...and remembers your sins no more" (Isaiah 43:25). That's what Jesus wants to do for you. It's why He died on that cross and why He rose again from His grave. He paid the death penalty for every wrong thing you've ever done so He could erase your sin from God's book forever, because otherwise, your sin will cost you heaven. A new beginning. A fresh start. A clean slate. If you're at the point in your life where that's what you want, then it's time to open up your life to Jesus Christ. He's the Lord of new beginnings. You can reach out to Him right where you are and tell Him something like this, "Jesus, I'm done running my own life, I'm turning it over for You to run. I'm grabbing you with both hands because you died for my sin and I want today to be the first day of a new life; of a new me." There's a lot more great information about this at our website and I pray you'll go there today. It's ANewStory.com. You've been looking back long enough. There's no reason your life has to be just more of what it's been before, because Jesus has come to you today. And with Jesus, your life will never be the same again. {module Open a chat window - needhim}

Two roller coasters. Only one seemed like a real option to me. I should point out that I really don't ride roller coasters much. "Because you're chicken," you say. No, because I'm too short. I just don't measure up to that little height chart that they have at the entrance to the coaster. Actually, I have a friend who declines roller coaster invitations by saying, "I can't. I have an inner ear problem." I like that. I may have to remember that one. For whatever reason, my rides on roller coasters are few and far between. But at this particular amusement park that I visited a few years ago, they had two roller coasters side by side and two lines to get to them. Over one line was a sign that said, "Forward." Over the other line, a sign that said - yeah, you guessed it - "Backward." You can ride looking forward or looking backward. Like this is a choice? I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Looking Backward, Missing What's Ahead." There are two lines in life, and two cars you can ride in. One says, "Forward" and the other says, "Backward." You choose. Frankly, I don't want to ride looking back at where I've already been. I want to ride looking ahead to where I'm going. I hope you do, too. And that's what God wants for you. In our word for today from the Word of God in Isaiah 43:18-19 - some of my anchor verses. Here's what He says: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." God wants today to be the first day of the rest of your life, not just another day of what your life has been up until now. This can be page one of a whole new volume or just another page of the same old story. Maybe you've been riding too long looking backward. You keep rehearsing and reliving the hurt of your past, your failures, and the regrets over what you've done or what you should have done. But that's the past, and none of it can be changed. But if you don't move beyond the pain, the anger, the bitterness, the self-pity, the grief, and the self-condemnation - if you keep dwelling on that, you'll miss the part of your life that can be changed - the future. One of God's great representatives, Paul, said, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14). Jesus is the Lord of new beginnings, of fresh starts, of clean slates. You need to come to Him and let Him release you from being tied to the people who've hurt you, by getting His grace to forgive them. You need to ask His help to begin to define your life, not by what has happened, but by what's going to happen; what can happen because of Jesus in your life. Just a few verses after God's call to forget the past and go for His new thing, He tells us how that's possible. He says, "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions...and remembers your sins no more" (Isaiah 43:25). That's what Jesus wants to do for you. It's why He died on that cross and why He rose again from His grave. He paid the death penalty for every wrong thing you've ever done so He could erase your sin from God's book forever, because otherwise, your sin will cost you heaven. A new beginning. A fresh start. A clean slate. If you're at the point in your life where that's what you want, then it's time to open up your life to Jesus Christ. He's the Lord of new beginnings. You can reach out to Him right where you are and tell Him something like this, "Jesus, I'm done running my own life, I'm turning it over for You to run. I'm grabbing you with both hands because you died for my sin and I want today to be the first day of a new life; of a new me." There's a lot more great information about this at our website and I pray you'll go there today. It's ANewStory.com. You've been looking back long enough. There's no reason your life has to be just more of what it's been before, because Jesus has come to you today. And with Jesus, your life will never be the same again.

A Sunday sermon by Pastor Brett Deal. I once found myself in conversation with a futurist. He'd published several books and was well-known for his study of the future and his predictions on where things were headed. At times it was as if he was looking past the curve of the earth and seeing what tomorrow was bringing. When I asked him how he went about making his predictions for the future, his response was just as surprising. He said the best way to predict what will happen tomorrow is to be fully present today. What a short answer but such a tall order. As we've been reading the book of Ruth, we've seen Naomi overcome by the suffering of yesterday, overwhelmed with the difficulties of today, and full of anxieties for tomorrow. It would be easy to predict a tragic ending if this was the sum and substance of the book! But all of that is outweighed by the actions of two people. Ruth's friendship and Boaz' covenant obedience foreshadow the hope of chapter four. If we've read each chapter well, the kindness of God, poured out through Ruth and Boaz into the life of Naomi, tells us where the story's going. Friends, being present today in Christ, we know what the future holds, we can see where our story's headed. In Jesus, the hope of overmorrow colors every day and every dawning. In Jesus, eternal hope is written on every page and every paragraph of our lives. We feel this hope in the Holy Spirit's invitation to unpack our past. We see it in the fellowship of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We perceive it in the empowering move of the Spirit calling us to deeper faith, to greater trust. Knowing the kindness of God, we are giving new space to surrender our anxieties, bringing our prayers and petitions to the Father with hopeful confidence, as the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guards our hearts our minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4.6-7). Today, be present in someone else's life. Share with them the hope of overmorrow, your hope for eternity.

Your Daily Prayer

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Your Nightly Prayer

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).   Visit our website at DiscoveringTheJewishJesus.com

Transcript:Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective. Arguably the most basic thing to a church culture is the shared mindset or attitude of its members. It is not so much the stated mission or strategy of a church that matters as much as the vibe its members give off, especially as they gather. This vibe flows from the shared mindset—the deep often subtle beliefs and feelings that each person has toward themselves, others, and ultimately God. Now, the gospel calls us to have a peculiar mindset. Paul exhorts the believers in Philippi saying “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5). And what is that mindset? To do “nothing out of selfish ambition (politicking for status) or vain conceit (self-glory). Rather, in humility value others above yourselves….” (Philippians 2:3 NIV). We are to understand and value the perspectives and preferences of others above our own. Now, this is deeply counterintuitive and fraught with the challenge of self-justification. We tend to flatter ourselves we are doing the “others-centeredness thing” better than our neighbor—that our self-sacrifice in loving others is greater than their self-sacrifice in having to love us. But, of course, this is the very opposite of the gospel mindset. This is why our minds must be saturated and shaped by Jesus's shocking sacrificial love for us. We need to be daily struck in the gut by this truth (gut could be another possible translation for “mindset”). If Jesus, who is in very nature God, did not think highly of Himself, how in the world can I? And that's something to think about, daily, from The Kingdom Perspective. “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!   Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”~Philippians 2:1-11 (NIV)

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” — Psalm 46:10 In moments of uncertainty and chaos, finding peace in the assurance of God's sovereignty is a source of strength and comfort. Whatever our life circumstances may be, God is in control, guiding our paths and working out his perfect plans. Chewing on Psalm 46:10, we are reminded to be still and to acknowledge that the Lord is God. His authority transcends all challenges. He is exalted above every situation. And in this we can find peace. I have experienced the calming presence of God's sovereignty even in the midst of brokenness, addictions, and sorrow in my own family. In times of turmoil or when facing the unknown, trusting in God's ultimate control brings a deep sense of peace. Knowing that his purposes prevail and his promises endure gives hope and reassurance. Drawing peace from God's sovereignty means surrendering our worries, fears, and desires into his capable hands. In faith we can rest in the truth that God works all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). As we navigate life's uncertainties, let's anchor our hearts in God's sovereignty. May his peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Lord, thank you for your sovereignty over all things. Give us peace in knowing you are exalted above every situation. Strengthen our faith and trust in you. Amen.

••• Overcoming Stress, Ep368 .••• Bible Study Verses: 1 Kings 19.1-18, Psalm 23, John 6.35, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Psalms 118:5-6 . ••• “To be a true minister to men is always to accept new happiness and new distress. The man who gives himself to other men can never be a wholly sad man; but no more can he be a man of unclouded gladness. To him shall come with every deeper consecration a before untasted joy, but in the same cup shall be mixed a sorrow that it was beyond his power to feel before”, Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893, The Influence of Jesus, H.R. Allenson, 1875, pg191. † ••• “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4.6-7, NKJV .••• What are 5-reasons why Elijah got so stress out that he wanted God to take his life? ••• Why did Elijah run from Jezebel?••• How did Elijah get from being the bold and confident prophet to being a stressed out prophet on the run?••• What are 7-negative consequences of being stressed out?••• What were 5-life actions in Elijah's life that pulled him out of despair?••• What is the “activation energy”?••• How does a 15-minute power nap affect one's stress levels?••• How does receiving a touch from Our Creator affect stress in our lives?••• How does the Christian regain full strength and vitality?••• Why can't you win in life, when you are stressed?••• What is a reason for people to eat the wrong things?••• What is rest's affect on personal perspective?••• What is the ‘Bread of Life'?••• When you are at the point, of contemplating the absurd what do you do?••• Are you going to ask your small group to pray that you will be more intentional about reducing stress in your life through Godly wisdom & the power of Holy Spirit? ••• Pastor Otuno expounds on this and much more on the exciting journey of Fresh Encounter Radio Podcast originally aired on October 12th, 2019 on WNQM, Nashville Quality Ministries and WWCR World Wide Christian Radio broadcast to all 7-continents on this big beautiful blue marble, earth, floating through space. Please be prayerful before studying The Word of God so that you will receive the most inspiration possible .••• This Discipleship Teaching Podcast is brought to you by Christian Leadership International and all the beloved of God who believe in it's mission through prayer and support. Thank you . ••• Broadcaster's Website - https://www.lifelonganointing.com/ . ••• Exceeding Thanks to Universe Creator Christ Jesus AND photo by Etty Fidele Photography, Paris France, https://www.fideletty.com/, https://www.instagram.com/fideletty/, https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/FideleEtty, Art Direction by gil on his mac with free mac layout software . ••• Study Guides at - https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/episodes . ••• SHARING LINK: https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/250215-winning-the-battle-of-the-mind-part3of9-ep368 . ••• † https://gracequotes.org/author-quote/phillips-brooks/ , Phillips Brooks was an American clergyman best known for authoring the Christmas carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem" . ••• RESOURCE - IONA, “Burning Like Fire” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaXikLXH_sQ .••• RESOURCE - https://www.soundcloud.com/thewaytogod/ .••• RESOURCE - https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/kjv/john.1%20 .••• RESOURCE - PRAYER@SWRC.COM .••• FERP250215 Episode#368 GOT250215ep368 .••• Winning the Battle Of The Mind, Part-3 of 9: Overcoming Stress .Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Yesterday we learned God is omnipresent—in all places, at all times, at once. He sees us. But God also hears us, even when we are not speaking! You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar (Psalm 139: 1-2). Psalm 139 is clear. God can discern our thoughts. Even when you are thinking something, God is Elohim Shama—a God who hears. Even so, God loves when we talk to him directly though prayer! Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). Work, family, and life in general can be frustrating. Sometimes, absent of someone to vent to, we can keep our feelings stored up. This can add to stress and even cause despair if it goes on for long enough. Especially at work, there can be challenges that are hard to speak with others about. Maybe it is a conflict with a colleague or boss, or perhaps you are contemplating a new position. Perhaps you were unhappy about feedback you received. Or, on the opposite end of this, you are happy you received a great review. God wants to hear from us! He asks we bring everything to him. Everything. With “everything” in mind, think about the last time you were angry with God about something. What about that time you told a small lie? Or maybe you are weighing a very heavy personal decision. God wants to hear about this too. In fact, you honor God in prayer because he already knows and discerns your every thought! Maybe you feel like you don't know what to pray or how to pray. That's ok too. The Holy Spirit can help us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans (Romans 8:26). The Holy Spirit intercedes for us! Whether it is God discerning our thoughts, or the Holy Spirit interceding, we also need to give thanksgiving to God. In the moments when we feel defeated and unheard, sometimes the only thing we can give to God is the thanksgiving that you know he is Elohim Shama—the God who hears you. God provides for me, sees me, hears me.

Presented by Lauren Stibgen As a working woman, you could have several different reasons you go to work. God created us for work. Sometimes this “work” can be paid. Sometimes this “work” can be volunteer based. Either way, we are Christian working women. Our roles span from grocery clerks to CEOs, ministry workers to sole proprietors running our own business. Whatever “work” we find ourselves doing, we need to look for our strength in God—Jehovah Jireh, God our provider. Maybe like me, you are the sole financial provider for your family. Or you work alongside your spouse to provide for your family's needs. Perhaps your work is as an unpaid volunteer. There isn't one right or wrong reason to go to work whether the work is paid or unpaid, but the implications of financial security for ourselves and our loved ones can create stress and a reliance on self that isn't what God wants for us at all. In revealing himself to us as Jehovah Jireh, we can better understand his will for our work. Maybe your work just seems impossible. It is something you must do, but it isn't something you really love to do. Perhaps you aren't making enough to make ends meet, which makes the going even more difficult. Maybe you have been an unpaid volunteer, but with tight finances, you need to go back to work. All of this can be a drain on our strength and can lead us into deep self-reliance. God often will call us to do hard things. In Genesis 22:13-14 God calls Abraham to hard work. God calls Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac. In obedience and great faith, Abraham sets out in obedience to God. And, just in the final moments, God provides a ram to take the place of Isaac. In the right moment God supplies Abraham with just what he needs. If your work seems impossible, the stress of financial needs seems insurmountable, or the job hunt seems never ending, know the Lord will provide for you. His will for our work is to seek him first in all things, because God is our ultimate provider. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Are you leaning into God as Jehovah Jireh? What do you need to lay before him today?

Peace is a commodity in short supply these days—wouldn't you agree? While we hear a lot of talk about peace, we recognize there is precious little of it in our world and in our lives. How about you? Are you a little short on peace right now? Have you been spending too much time in worry mode? Has fear seized your mind and heart, keeping you awake at night? I'm examining the names of Jesus—the titles he has been given by the Father. Names that show his power and his authority. And one of those names is Prince of Peace, which we read in Isaiah 9. A prince is someone who is a leader and has influence and authority. Therefore, the Prince of Peace can bestow peace on a person or situation. If you have become a believer in Jesus Christ, then you have access to the Prince of Peace. That means there is no need for you to be held captive by worry or fear, because you can claim the name of Jesus—the Prince of Peace—and he will give you peace. Ephesians 2:14 says Jesus himself is our peace. Jesus said the peace he gives us is not just temporary peace like you might find in the world. Jesus said it's peace only he can give, and Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Why are you living in worry and fear? Do you see how useless and unnecessary it is for you as a child of God because you can claim the name of Jesus, your Prince of Peace. And you do that by faith. You believe Jesus is your peace, and you claim that peace as your own. You don't have to feel it; you just have to believe Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and he has peace for you. I would suggest when you find yourself engulfed by worry or fear, you simply start repeating what the Bible says is true, that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is your peace. Resist the enemy who wants to keep you mired in doubt and worry. Run him off—out of your mind—by repeating the truth that Jesus is your peace, and then repeat that as often as you need to throughout the day. This is how you claim the name of Jesus.

Presented by Lauren Stibgen For many businesses, the end of the year can be one of the busiest seasons. Coupled with the holidays quickly approaching, we are managing the balance of work and family with extra care during this time. As a leader, or manager you are likely deep into planning for the next fiscal year and facing the results of the current year. As an employee, you may be thinking about the company's results as well, and what this means for your job. Without a doubt, this season is filled with uncertainty. What does this have to do with compassion? When we face pressures at work, especially those that are financial in nature, it is easy to feel stress, and to focus on ourselves. First, if you are in a position to help set forth the financial plans in your company, a compassionate approach to budget formation might look different. Let's think about Jesus feeding the 4000. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way” (Matthew 15:32). You know the story, his disciples fret and wonder how they will feed the crowds. They have seven loaves of bread and a few fish. Let's think of a worldview response. You are the person with enough. You hold the bread and fish, but you keep them all for yourself instead of trying to compassionately share the little you have. As a leadership team, are you focused on your bonuses to the point of cutting other positions? Or are you thinking of ways to retain employees? Maybe you are considering cutting benefits programs that your employees rely on. Now, while I realize sometimes you are called to make hard choices. I would challenge you to pray and consider how Jesus would see your workforce. He sees them like the 4000. How are you seeing them? If you absolutely cannot influence your company and need to make cuts, what are things you can do for your employees? First, clear and compassionate communication is critical. If you do face a layoff, maybe it is a wonderful reference letter or an offer to make an introduction. Can you serve as a mentor in their search? As an employee, these seasons can be stressful as you hear the office buzz about budgets and cuts or a rumor about merit increases—maybe there will be none. The pressure mounts—especially as you try to plan holidays with family. You can have compassion too. I could tell you about the many women I pray with in leadership roles who have true broken hearts over decisions they have tried to compassionately influence but cannot. They are faced with making cuts and even having to often deliver bad news of a layoff. Being impacted feels so personal, but many of the Christian leaders I know are truly grieved at the impact they know job loss will have on their employees. I know many of our listeners don't always work for a Christian leader. Consider the impact you might have on the person who delivers bad news to you. Your reaction just may change their life for the kingdom. Can you leave them asking why you are so hopeful? After all, God is compassionate for all of us. He loves us lavishly. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). God is in control.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)   You don't have to look hard to find reasons to fear. We live in a crazy world. I can't think of a scarier time than the present, quite frankly. The 24/7 news cycle and social media amplify our sense of danger by bombarding us with images of the latest mass shooting, a Chinese hypersonic missile, or yet another strain of COVID. And that doesn't even take into account our personal triggers. We all know what it's like to wake up in the middle of the night and be gripped by panic, fear, or anxiety.   What we also need to know is that we serve a God who is eternal, sovereign, all-powerful, and loving. He is in control. That's why Paul wrote, “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT).   Mark 5 tells the story of a demon-possessed man who terrorized people in the region of the Gerasenes. He lived in the tombs and was so powerful that no chains could hold him. Day and night, he cried out and cut himself with stones. He was the stuff of nightmares. Yet when Jesus approached him, it was the demons inside the man who were terrified—because they realized they were powerless against the Lord.   You probably know that when the angel announced Jesus' birth to the shepherds in the field, his first words were “Don't be afraid!” or “Fear not!” depending on your translation (Luke 2:10). But did you know that “Don't be afraid”—or words to that effect—appears more than 350 times in the Bible? That's almost one “Don't be afraid” for every day of the year. Obviously, it's a message God wants us to take away from His Word.   The angel's next sentence explains why: “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10 NLT). Our goal is to experience God's joy to the fullest. But fear robs us of that joy. It prevents us from experiencing life as God wants us to. The condition of joy is to let go of fear.   First Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (nlt). You choose to have joy. You don't wait for it to come if and when your fears go away. It doesn't matter whether you feel it. Paul was in prison when he wrote, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NLT). He was able to say, “I'm choosing to rejoice in the Lord, regardless of my very scary circumstances.” You can make the same choice.   Are you struggling with fear or anxiety? Remember God's words from Isaiah 43:2: “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (NLT).   Let go of your fear. Give it to God. Walk boldly and courageously in the path He's laid out for you. — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.