Podcast appearances and mentions of christ jesus philippians

“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.

Your Daily Prayer

The Divine Exchange  #RTTBROS #Nightlight   Finding Perfect Peace: The Divine Exchange "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." - Isaiah 26:3 (KJV) Have you ever watched a child peacefully sleeping in their parent's arms, even amid chaos and noise? This beautiful picture illustrates what happens when we truly surrender our burdens to our Heavenly Father. When we put our problems in God's hands, He puts His peace in our hearts. This divine exchange isn't merely a poetic idea – it's a profound biblical truth. The Apostle Peter understood this when he wrote, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). Notice the word "all" – not some, not most, but every single concern that weighs upon our hearts. Consider the story of Paul and Silas in prison. Despite their chains and wounds, they sang praises at midnight (Acts 16:25). They had mastered this sacred exchange: their circumstances were in God's hands, and His peace filled their hearts so completely that they could sing in their darkest hour. Too often, we try to make a partial exchange. We give God our problems while keeping a tight grip on them simultaneously. It's like trying to hand someone a package while still holding onto it – the transfer can never be complete. The Lord gently reminds us, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Philippians 4:6 KJV). The beautiful promise that follows this instruction reveals the outcome: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 KJV). This peace isn't dependent on our circumstances changing; it's a supernatural peace that defies human logic and transcends earthly understanding. Think of what happens when we place a document in a safe. We don't keep worrying about it because we know it's secure. Similarly, when we truly place our problems in God's hands, we can rest assured that they are in the safest place possible. After all, "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27 KJV). Dear Heavenly Father, today we come before You with our burdens, our worries, and our fears. Teach us to release them completely into Your capable hands. Help us to trust not in our own understanding but to lean fully on Your wisdom and love. As we surrender our problems to You, fill our hearts with Your perfect peace – the peace that surpasses all understanding. Remember, child of God, your Father's hands are big enough to hold any problem and strong enough to carry any burden. The exchange is simple but profound: your problems for His peace. Will you make that trade today? Daily Challenge: Take a piece of paper and write down your current worries and concerns. Then, in a prayer of faith, read each one aloud to God, physically crumpling the paper afterward as a symbolic act of releasing these burdens into His hands. Close your prayer time by meditating on Isaiah 26:3, allowing His peace to fill your heart. In the end, true peace isn't found in the absence of problems but in the presence of God. When we learn to place our problems in His hands, we discover that His peace is more than enough to sustain us through any storm. Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Welcome to The Refinery Accomplished people will tell you that goal setting is essential to achieving success in any worthy endeavour. That's all very well, but as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ we have an opportunity to engage in goals that produce eternal fruit, and are fulfilling here, and now. We use the word goal, which doesn't sit comfortably with me, because setting goals is not the way of God. But, hear me out… it's the context and word used in todays key verse. The goal we are talking about is spoken about by the apostle Paul in Philippians 3:13–14 So what goal was Paul targeting? Simply put, Christian maturity. For the remainder of his life on earth, after that incredible conversion on the Road to Damascus, Paul was committed to the passionate pursuit of this singular ambition. The English Standard Version describes the goal we press toward as “the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14, ESV).  God has called all of us upward toward His heavenly kingdom through an intimate relationship with His Son. Until next time Stay in the Blessings I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word. When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer. Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body! You're important to God, and you're important to us at The Refinery. When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you. So whatever you're concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us at www.refinerylife.org 2025 IS A YEAR OF NEW BEGINNINGS. © www.refinerylife.org  2013-2024 All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968, no part of this Article may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission.  This episode is brought to you by Refinery Life Australia: If you enjoy The Refinery Life Radio Podcast you can help support The Refinery by doing the following: Sow an offering: Bitcoin: bc1qqh6720t2zagj72dyfj348az698tdut3hlecaj4 Online: https://www.refinerylife.org/donate/ If you do send an offering then please email us so that we can say thank you Subscribe on iTunes | Spotify  | YouTube | TuneIn | Rumble | Flare | Zap.Stream | Fountain | Share The Refinery with your friends and family Subscribe to the newsletter on www.refinerylife.org Follow The Refinery on Twitter | Nostr | Instagram | Fountain |

"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.

Send us a text“One thing I do: forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press forward to the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith...” (Hebrews 12:1-2). “I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 3:12). “Lay hold of the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18).Written and sent out from the morning prayer time of Tommy Hays each day.God bless you and may you have a great day!—Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministrieshttp://messiah-ministries.org

"Do not remember the former things, or ponder the things of the past. Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert" Isaiah 43:18-19 Heavenly Father, we stand at the threshold of a new year, 2025, with hearts full of hope and anticipation. In this sacred moment, we pause to invite Your divine presence into our lives. We seek a fresh start, O Lord, and new opportunities that align with Your perfect will. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, declares Isaiah in Your Holy Word (Isaiah 43:19). May this year be marked by transformation and renewal as we journey together with You every step of the way. Holy Ghost, we humbly ask for a great anointing of freshness to descend upon us like gentle rain on parched soil. Revitalize our spirits and fill our hearts with boundless energy to pursue Your purposes. Just as the dawn brings light after darkness, let Your refreshing spirit awaken us from any slumber of complacency or doubt. Like the eagle that renews its strength in Psalm 103:5, enable us to rise above challenges with vigor and vitality. Isaiah 58:11 says, "The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." In the midst of life's uncertainties, grant us eyes to see opportunities where others may only notice obstacles. As Jesus taught through the parable of the mustard seed, which grows into a mighty tree (Matthew 13:31-32), it reminds us that even small beginnings can lead to great outcomes when nurtured by faith. May our endeavors this year bear much fruit for Your glory. Lord, let our days be woven together with threads of grace and mercy as we trust in You wholly. For I know the plans I have for you, which affirms God in Jeremiah 29:11 – plans to prosper us and not harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. Let these words resonate within us as an anchor through trials and triumphs alike. Seal these prayers with your peace, which surpasses all understanding because we are in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Amen. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." Amen. https://maglife.org/

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?

December 15 2024 Sunday Week 33 / Your Place In Him / 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

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.

Even during the happiest season of the year, we can experience fear and anxiety. God has a gift for us in the midst of this, though. Join me (Tosha Williams) as I share a personal journey of wrestling with sadness only to discover in a new way the power of God's peace. Even when circumstances don't change, His peace will change us. In this episode, let's "unwrap" His peace. Seek Him Speak Him!**********“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace” Psalm 29:11 NIVSEEK HIM: Devotion is Meeting with God in Our Own Lives! Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble,” and even in the best of times like Christmas, life can be challenging. However, God gives us a special gift, for in the same verse Jesus also said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have PEACE” (John 16:33 NIV). Jesus came to bring peace, so let's “Seek Him” about this gift.WHAT:  What is God saying through this Scripture? God gives His people so many gifts, including, as our key verse says, the gift of peace. This peace is God's blessing for those who belong to Him. His peace is not just an occasional experience when life is good; it's His gift of completeness and wholeness throughout our lives. ~ According to our key verse, who receives God's gift of peace? Are you one of God's people? Where do you need God's peace today? WHY:  Why does this Scripture matter? The world teaches us that peace is the absence of problems; God's Word teaches us that peace is His gift in spite of problems. Jesus promised: “PEACE I leave with you; my PEACE I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV). ~ What's the hardest thing you've gone through? What does Jesus say about this? Why can you trust Him in hard times?HOW: How does God want us to respond to this truth? Scripture says, “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 NIV). Instead of fixating on hard things, God wants us to talk to Him about these. ~ What must we give God in order to receive His peace? Is there something making you anxious or afraid right now? Let's pray!SPEAK HIM: Discipleship is Making God Known to Others! One of God's promises to those who “Seek Him” is:  “All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace” (Isaiah 54:13 NIV). As we learn to unwrap God's gift of peace, others can learn from our example. This Christmas and always, let's be sure to spend time being taught by the Lord. As He fills us with His peace, then our loved ones can learn to experience His peace, too! ______________________The Family Disciple Me ministry exists to catalyze devotion driven discipleship in our homes and around the world. We believe that discipleship starts with a conversation, and FDM provides free, easily-accessible, biblical resources to encourage these meaningful conversations along life's way. Sign up through our website to be "the first to know" about upcoming releases and resources (including the FDM App - coming soon!!!) You can also follow Family Disciple Me on social media. Family Disciple Me is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry, and all donations are tax deductible. More information, blogs, statement of faith and contact info can be found at familydiscipleme.org

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.

At the age of 75 and with about 57 years of ministry behind him, our Pastor stresses the patience required for spiritual growth. He shares his personal journey, stating that his conversion continues to be a daily process. He identifies with the Apostle Paul, saying: "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12). This race is not a sprint, but a marathon, and it requires patience and trust in God's timing.

When you come into the realization of the eternal life you've received from God, and all that gives you; you will want to praise God. "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32, NKJV). All things -- all good things. ". . . as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue . . ." (2 Peter 1:3, NKJV). That's something to praise God about! PRAISE HIM, saying, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ . . ." (Ephesians 1:3, NKJV). When Jesus rose from the dead, He gave us "every Spiritual blessing" and all the good things of God. He has even given us the desires of our heart in Christ. Jesus tells us: "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10, NKJV). More abundantly than what? What the world, the flesh and the Devil [the thief] gives us. Prior to having Christ in your life, you may have believed your life was "abundant," but actually it was built on a lie, on sinking sand, and not on the eternal life that Jesus promised you. In this message, we're going to look at twelve (12) addition Scriptures to give us a foundation of why we should praise God. For example, #1: "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). In Hebrew, the word for peace [shalom] means far more than just a lack of conflict. It means "wholeness" -- health and prosperity, nothing broken nor missing, and a life guarded from conflict. We should praise God because we have peace with God, which exceeds all our understanding. Peace is the "soil" where the Word of God is planted, so we can produce the fruit of God. Join me as we look into these verses, building our faith so we can produce Godly fruit. Selah!  Let me hear from you - Charles https://www.aboundinglove.org/ Subscribe and share with someone you love.

Presented by Lisa Bishop We are examining the 5 attitudes for everyday life, and today let's look at what the apostle Paul writes about having a Christ-like attitude. 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 (Philippians 2:3-5). These verses challenge us to align our attitudes with the very heart and mind of Jesus. They're a reminder we are called to reflect Jesus in our daily lives. But what does it mean to have a Christ-like attitude? First, it means embracing humility. Even though he was God, Jesus didn't cling to his divine privileges. Instead, he emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7). A Christ-like attitude doesn't elevate self, seek status or recognition, but is willing to serve others selflessly. When we have an attitude like Jesus we find joy in lifting others up. We find ways to be generous with our words, our finances, our resources, and our time, even when it costs us something. Second, a Christ-like attitude is marked by love and compassion. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus moved with compassion, whether he's feeding the hungry, healing the sick, or comforting the brokenhearted. His love wasn't conditional or reserved for those who thought the same way he did or could give him something in return. Jesus's love was freely given to all. In our daily lives, we are called to mirror this love—offering grace, kindness, and forgiveness, even when it's hard or we think someone does not deserve it. Third, a Christ-like attitude is characterized by obedience and surrender to God's will. Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, not my will, but yours be done (Luke 22:42). He was obedient to the point of death on a cross. Similarly, we are called to surrender our desires and plans to God, trusting his ways are higher, and his plans are perfect. This requires a heart that is willing to listen, to be led, and to follow wherever he may guide us. Living with a Christ-like attitude isn't easy when we operate in the flesh. It requires renewing our heart and mind with God's Word and prayer, abiding in Jesus, and relying on the Holy Spirit. As we grow in our relationship with God, we display more of his character. We reflect his heart, and our attitudes bring glory to him in everything we do.

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.

Welcome! Church Online is a community of people all over the experiencing God and connecting with one another like never before in history. Introduce yourself in the chat and let us know where you're from! Get Connected Check us out on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram Find a Small Group www.southpoint4u.com/groups Learn more about SouthPoint at Growth Track www.southpoint4u.com/growthtrack Find out more at www.southpoint4u.com Notes: Our definition of peace is impossible to experience in the real world. Peace: Freedom from Disturbance or a State of Tranquility In a world that is broken, and where everyone is flawed, Conflict and Chaos become unavoidable. Aiming at the impossible sets us up to be continuously disappointed. Jesus's Peace: A wholeness, a wellness, and a completeness of every area of life We want PEACE: - Inner Peace - Relational Peace - Practical Peace - Spiritual Peace Peace with CREATOR Peace with OURSELVES Peace with OTHERS Peace with WORLD “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:37-40 Trying to manufacture a peace with creation…without having peace with our Creator leads to failure and futility. Only our Creator can answer these: Who am I meant to be? What am I meant to do? How do I live out who and what I am? Problem: All are naturally disconnected from our Creator. God: Perfect & Holy Us: Flawed & Sinful For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross. - Colossians 1:19-22 …Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault… - Colossians 1:19-22 Who am I meant to be? What am I meant to do? How do I live out who and what I am? See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! - 1st John 3:1 Who am I meant to be? What am I meant to do? How do I live out who and what I am? Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but ALSO the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: - Philippians 2:4-5 Who am I meant to be? What am I meant to do? How do I live out who and what I am? “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” - John 13:34 Peace with God through Jesus gives us the needed foundation to have peace with rest of creation!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Double-Sided WisdomDevotional: 2 of 5Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)We're in a series exploring five pieces of “double-sided wisdom” we see in Scripture. Today we come to the couplet of biblical commands to Plan for Tomorrow AND Focus on Today.The virtues of the first side of this double-sided wisdom can be seen in Proverbs 21:5: “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” Jesus echoed this idea in Luke 14:28-30 where he assumes that a good worker will “first sit down and estimate the cost” before “building a tower.”In these passages and others, we see that it is wise to plan for the future. But the flip side of this double-sided wisdom is to “not worry about tomorrow” and focus on today (see Matthew 6:34).So, how can we both plan for tomorrow and stay focused on today? Here are three practices that work for me.#1: Schedule recurring times on your calendar to plan for the future. If you fail to plan for tomorrow, you plan to fail and worry tomorrow. Which is why I have three recurring items on my calendar: a quarterly, weekly, and daily review to plan what I will work on in the upcoming quarter, week, and day. This level of planning massively helps me not worry about tomorrow. Why? Because, to quote David Allen, “You can only feel good about what you're not doing when you know what you're not doing.” These reviews help ensure that I know what I'm choosing not to do.#2: Block tomorrow's worries from your physical view. The Daily Review I mentioned above is the only time I look at my calendar for tomorrow. Once my review is complete, I set my calendar back to show today only. That simple habit removes a ton of temptation to worry about tomorrow, allowing me to focus on what I believe God has called me to do today.#3: When you're feeling worried about tomorrow, take it to the Lord in prayer. Anxiety is the symptom that we're not holding the tension between planning for the future and focusing on today well. When you experience symptoms of anxiety—tense muscles, a wandering mind, shallow breathing, etc.—“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).With those practices in hand, go forth and focus fully on the good works God has for you today!

Presented by Lisa Bishop How am I supposed to be grateful when life hands me lemons? How can I be thankful when life is hard? Have you ever asked yourself that? How can you be thankful when you are experiencing conflict at work or are overlooked for a promotion? When finances are tight, your dreams feel delayed, or when you have prayed that same prayer a million times, and your circumstances don't seem to change? It may not be easy, but it is possible. God's word instructs us to do more than just find the proverbial silver lining. God teaches us to be thankful in challenging circumstances because he has proven himself faithful even when life is hard. Philippians 4:6-7 are familiar verses we often quote, but do we let them instruct us when life is sour? 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). We often get the part about not being anxious, presenting our requests, and praying in every situation, but we tend to gloss over a key call to action—with thanksgiving. Why be thankful when hardships happen? Because when you are thankful in hard times, you are promised peace! Now let me just say we are not called to be thankful for all of life's challenges that come our way per se, but to give thanks because we know God is working in our circumstances. And this is also not a call to pick yourself up by your bootstraps and muster up a pretense that everything is A-OK. You are allowed to lament when things go awry. Gratitude and being disgruntled can coexist. The key is not to let the grumbling overpower the gratitude. Get real with God but also remember his character. He is for you even if you don't feel like it. Your feelings don't always tell you the truth, only God's Word is true and that is why you must renew your mind with the Word and pray with thanksgiving. As you pray and remember God's steadfast love and faithfulness, the peace of God will guard your heart and mind in Christ. If you are facing a trial right now, I want to remind you to stand firm. God is with you and will not allow your needs to go unnoticed or unaddressed. It may be hard but keep your eyes open and your heart attuned to how he is working on your behalf, even in this very moment. Hang onto the truth of God's Word to get you through hard times and be thankful.

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 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). Thank you, Jesus!

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14). Thank you, Jesus!

Leadership Kryptonite #2: Fear & Anxiety 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, ESV).   When fear and anxiety drive a team, they stifle creativity and innovation. They inhibit open communication, preventing honest dialogue. Together, they create misunderstandings and leave unresolved conflicts in their wake. They work against collaboration, create a culture of finger-pointing and blame-shifting, and bring down morale. Ultimately, fear and anxiety lead to indecisiveness and a reluctance to make bold choices that challenge the status quo.   This leadership kryptonite, left unchecked on your team, is like trying to drive with the emergency brake on full time. Get The Notes

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Thank you, Father!

Presented by Lisa Bishop What do you radiate while you wait? When you find yourself waiting on God to come through, what is your attitude? We'll examine how we carry ourselves when we are counting on God to come through. It is not easy to maintain a good attitude in times of waiting. We may start to complain, get impatient, grumpy, angry, jealous, or even resentful. What is your demeanor when you have to wait? No matter what it is you are waiting on God for, it's easy to have a negative disposition and the enemy will do his best to discourage you by getting your focus off God and fixed on the very thing you do not have. But we can't allow the devil to take us on a downward spiral of negative thoughts or emotions. The feelings that come with waiting will be real but when they arise, we need to bring them all to God. Talk to him and be honest about your frustration, your worry, doubt, fear, or resentment. After all, he already knows our hearts anyway. Scripture teaches us to remain hopeful in our times of waiting. Hope, by definition, has the connotation of waiting. It is an expectation of something to happen. We can put our hope in a lot of things, but as Christians ultimately our hope is in Christ. We can always count on him to come through at his appointed time. 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). Don't let your feelings fool you and pull you into a negative spin cycle. I know it is easier said than done, but focus on the faithfulness of God so you can radiate the spiritual fruit of patience, peace, joy, and faithfulness as you wait. Waiting is hard but wouldn't you rather look back on this time knowing you didn't get sucked into complaining but instead you practiced reigning in your thoughts and attitudes? Plus, our attitudes leak onto the people around us. We've all been around people who cannot seem to regulate their emotions when things don't go their way. This doesn't mean you aren't allowed to feel moments of impatience, disappointment, or dismay, but as a follower of Jesus, we are called to have faith as we wait. If you find yourself waiting on God to move on your behalf, how can you focus on giving off a grateful glow because you know God is faithful as you wait? It may not be easy, but it will be worth it.

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

McKenzie Denkins

Introduction A new creation! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to this series on ‘A new creation'. Today, another model that may help us understand how God changes us. This week we take a look at a model of spiritual growth put forward by James Bryan Smith. By the way, I heartily recommend his book, The Good and Beautiful God. You can also find helpful articles written by him on the Renovare site.  Smith's model is a variation on the model developed by Dallas Willard and Trevor Hudson in previous Quiet Time Coaching episodes.  We will focus on the key difference - 'Adopting the narratives of Jesus'. His key idea is that we have a narrative in our minds about how we are doing spiritually, who God is, how he views us, what he wants from us and how we grow. However, our narratives are not always accurate. Thus, it is critically important we allow the narratives of Jesus to shape our own.  "Our family, cultural and even religious narratives might have their roots in the kingdom of this world. As Christ-followers we are called to “set [our] minds on things that are above” (Colossians 3:2). Most of all, we are called to have the very mind of Jesus: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Adopting Jesus' narratives is a way we come to have the mind of Christ. Once we get the right narratives in place, change will begin." The Good and Beautiful God" p26  This practice is not just about knowing the stories of Jesus but letting them reshape our very being. What does this mean? Let's break it down.  1. Look at Father God through the eyes of Jesus  Read passages where Jesus speaks to God -- for example, John 11:41-42, Matthew 11:25-26, John 17:4-5 -- and meditate on what they reveal about the way he is seeing God at those moments. What narrative about God and himself is going on in the mind and heart of Jesus?  Imagine you've always seen God as distant and unapproachable. But through the eyes of Jesus, you encounter a God who is loving, forgiving, and present. This new narrative can fundamentally change how you relate to God and yourself.  2. Imitate Jesus  Next, let's explore imitation of Christ. Think of it as a spiritual apprenticeship. As you study Jesus' actions and attitudes, you start to reflect those in your daily life. This isn't about perfect mimicry but a heartfelt transformation where Jesus' way becomes your way.  John 13.15  “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”  When faced with a difficult situation, ask yourself: "How would Jesus respond?" This kind of active engagement with Jesus' teachings leads to real-world spiritual growth.  3. Community  Engaging with Jesus' narratives is often best done in community. In a group setting, we can learn from each other, offer support, and grow together. This mirrors how Jesus taught His disciples, fostering an environment of shared learning and encouragement.  Mark 8.27  “Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?””  We all see Jesus a little differently due to our varied life experiences and personalities.  Conclusion  When Jesus' attitudes, thinking and teachings become the lens through which we view our lives, every part of us is transformed.  For Reflection  When you meditate on the Scriptures showing us how Jesus viewed Father God, what changes in your view of God? How can you prevent imitating Jesus from becoming mechanical? What part does prayer have in this growth process? What do you see as the key ways community can aid your spiritual growth? Next time we will go on to look at celebrating disciplines.   Your brother, Malcolm Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community.   Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Could you send me your questions or suggestions? Here's the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org. If you'd like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God Grows His People”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org. Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review. "Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:19-21).   1. Fear is the Opposite of Faith (John 20:19a). “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews” 2. Peace is the Christian Response (John 20:19b). Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). 3. The Cross Is Our Hope and Motivation (John 20:20). “When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” “For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's” (Romans 14:8). 4. We Go Because Jesus Came to Us (John 20:21). Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:19-21). And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me” (Isaiah 6:8).

True peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). This peace is a deep sense of contentment and assurance that comes from trusting in God.

True peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). This peace is a deep sense of contentment and assurance that comes from trusting in God.

True peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). This peace is a deep sense of contentment and assurance that comes from trusting in God.

True peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). This peace is a deep sense of contentment and assurance that comes from trusting in God.

How can we have more of God? If we're filled with Christ, how can we be “more” full? Followers of Jesus can ask God to fill them with His fullness and have faith that “He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). There is more to come...

4 Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul. 5 I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, "You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living. 6 Attend to my cry, For I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors, For they are stronger than I. 7 Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me." Yesterday on Easter Sunday, we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. But we need to remember every Sunday is resurrection day and the truth is every day is resurrection day for the believer. Because Jesus resurrected victoriously over death, hell, sin, and the devil, we can also experience His resurrection life every day. Romans 6:4-8 teaches us this great truth: “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him”. Today, we want to pick up where we left off before Passion Week in Psalm 142. From the title we know that David wrote this psalm when he was in a cave and he wrote it as a maschil or a “contemplation”, which means a psalm of instruction. He wants us to learn something from his own experience when he was in a dark cave of discouragement and desperation.  David was probably in his early twenties when he wrote this psalm. In his late teens he had become a national hero by killing Goliath and had gain a place of honor in King Saul's court, and a position of authority as a commander in his army. But over night that all changed when Saul grew jealous of him and determined to kill him. In a low point David seems to lose his faith, and his head, as he seeks protection from the Philistines, their hated enemy. He quickly found out this was a mistake and then flees to this cave at Adullam. He no doubt is disappointed in himself, knowing that others would have been aware of his failure to trust the LORD. But David turns his cave of gloom and despair into a closet of prayer, a place of solitude and devotion. The disciples of Jesus in Luke 11 asked Jesus to teach them to pray and He told them to first enter in the closet and shut the door. David was in a place where he could shut out the sounds and distractions of the world that was crashing in all around him and where he could concentrate on the LORD. And that is what he did and we should so the same! In verses 1-2, David was confident that the LORD would hear his voice and he could make his supplication and share his complaint before Him. He could declare to the LORD all his troubles. And so can we!!!! In verses 3-4, David was assured that the LORD knew his circumstances despite his feelings that no one else cared about him. Then in verses 5-7, David believed and expressed his faith that the LORD would bring his soul out of the prison of failure and despair, and he would praise His name! He looked ahead by faith to the day that the “righteous would surround him” because the “LORD would deal bountifully with him”. No matter the circumstances around us or the feelings within us, we have the promise that God cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). We can be confident that He is working all things together for His glory and our good (Rom. 8:28). We can be assured that the LORD will meet all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). God bless!

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Do you get overwhelmed by worry? With the busyness many of us experience balancing work, family, and other commitments we can be prone to worry and anxiety. One definition of worry is an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation. Learning more about what God says about our anxiety, can help us rely more on his grace when we are feeling that overwhelming sense of worry. Common worries at work include: Missing a deadline. Worrying about being unliked by a colleague. Feeling imposter syndrome: you don't really know what you are doing. Sounding “stupid” in a meeting for speaking up. Making a mistake. Twenty-five percent of people say work is the number one stressor in their life. These worries can be compounded by issues outside of work like parenting children, health, your marriage, or financial problems. While God calls us to work with excellence, working with all our hearts as for the Lord and not for human masters (Colossians 3:23), he also cautions us about worrying. And he calls us to look to him. Unemployment was running out and Sue still had not found a new job. Her husband was out of work as well. The bills weren't stopping and anxiety was mounting. A surprising performance review: All the goals Amy had set with her boss were met and exceeded. Her mid-year pulse check was meeting expectations. Now, at year end she was suddenly rating needs improvement. Confusion and worry grew. What do these women have in common? Work created worry, which was compounded by other issues. They also had something else in common: a belief in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. While this didn't take the worry away, their faith provided a means of grace during their trials. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us to not be anxious about our life, reminding us that being anxious will not add a single hour to our span of life. Further, he calls us to look at how God provides in nature to remind us God loves and lavishes us much more than the birds or the grass of the field. We must first seek his kingdom and all of these things (food, clothing, our body) will be added to us. 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). These women were in prayer and in community with other women who were encouraging them. They were experiencing the grace of God through others who cared for their concerns and provided them comfort. Do you need to experience the grace of God in your anxiety? I would encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and find a community to pray for you and encourage you.

No Failure In God's Plan By Tammy Lacock This week, Warren discusses the importance of understanding the Trinity as integral to the heart of God's perfect plan. The Trinity of God consists of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, each a distinct personality manifestation of God and each having a significant role in God's plan. At the Cross, we see God the Son fulfilling the Father's plan. We see God in His deepest role as Father. The completion of God's plan consisted of Christ being the perfect, sinless sacrifice, His death on the Cross as atonement, not only for the original sin passed down to us by the curse of Adam, but for every sin—past, present, and future. When Christ died, we died, too; our sins and our old selves were nailed to the cross and buried with Him. When He arose, conquering death, we arose, too, with Him as our new eternal life. By His death, we are reborn. God the Father's deepest desire has been fulfilled: to fill His heavenly home with sons and daughters, made righteous by His Son's sacrifice and His life now literally living in each and every believer. They are now a new creation, a new life, by their own choosing. At the Cross, we see this deep, reciprocal love between Father and Son, as well as their unwavering, boundless, and unconditional love for a fallen world. That's us!The only way we could ever know of God's plan and His unconditional love for us through His Son Jesus is by revelation. Jesus tells us in John chapters 13, 14, and 15 the main role of the Holy Spirit, which is to comfort us and teach us of Christ and how we are to live our brand-new lives in Him now. Only the Holy Spirit can reveal to us this radical new knowledge, what the Apostle Paul calls “the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:8). God's plan is perfect. There is not one thing outside the boundary of this plan. He's got the whole world in His hands. Every person involved in Christ's death was necessary, all fitting into God's plan. It had to happen for His plan to be fulfilled. We may fail in God's plan, but He doesn't. He loves us so much, wanting us to live meaningful and purposeful lives in Christ here and ultimately with Him in Heaven, that He won't allow His plan to fail.

The Affection of Christ Jesus - Philippians 1:8 A.D. January 21st, 2024 SUBSCRIBE to WarCry Media on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChErMPtXrii04uoumBVLasQ/featured?sub_confirmation=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warcrymedia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warcrymedia/?hl=en Gab: https://gab.com/WarCryMedia ___________________________________________ Find us online and contact us at: Redeemer Community Church - https://www.redeemerlv.com WarCry Media - https://www.warcrymedia.com

Let His Mind Be In YouBy Tammy Lacock “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5 KJV).This week, Warren Litzman shows that as brand-new creations in Christ, we now have the same spirit that was in Christ by His death on the cross. And by His Spirit, we have His mind readily available (1 Corinthians 2:16).Warren takes us into the mind of Christ on the cross as a means of understanding His mind, His deep relationship with the Father and the heart of God's plan—God's deepest desire to have sons and daughters in His house—can now be fulfilled. If we can understand Christ's mind throughout His ministry and, most importantly at the cross, then we might be able to let go of our old mindsets, along with our old selves nailed at the cross, and allow His mind to come through us. The Apostle Paul was the only man raised up by Christ Himself who understood our new life in Christ and what it takes to actually live it. He knew our minds are still attached to our old selves, the self that died at the cross with Christ. He tells us to be “transformed by the renewing of [our] minds.”By the help of the Holy Spirit, who comforts and teaches us of our new life in Christ, we can begin to cultivate a unique and personal relationship with the Christ that now lives in us. As our knowledge and relationship with Him deepens, we learn to let go and let His mind come through.

Today's Bible Verse: In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus - Philippians 2:5 Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ MEET OUR HOSTS at https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

I've been pointing out some of our incredible advantages as believers in the workplace because we have the privilege of prayer. Here's another one. Advantage: You can be positive in a negative world. While everyone else around you is griping and complaining all the time, you can remain positive and joyful because each day you can pray for God to control your thoughts. Every time you start to think or say something in negative mode, to complain about the company or the boss or a coworker, stop in the middle of that thought or sentence and turn it into a prayer. Instead of wallowing in the self-pity and negativity of the moment, you have the advantage of staying positive and joyful regardless of the circumstances. Advantage: You can be peaceful instead of stressed-out. Paul wrote to the Philippians: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request 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). Because we have this invitation to present every anxious situation to God in prayer, we don't have to be stressed out even when others are falling apart around us. Isn't that an incredible benefit? Are you taking advantage of giving over all your anxiety to the Lord? I hope you're not trying to carry that burden yourself. Jesus is ready to take your heavy burden and give you a light one, as soon as you present your situation to God in prayer. And when you do, the stress of the situation goes away. People pay tons of money to try to get rid of stress, and we have the secret weapon ready to be used at any time—prayer! It's little wonder that our enemy does everything possible to keep us from praying very much, because he is fully aware of the great advantage we have through prayer. The power of heaven is unleashed in our world through prayer. The blessings of God are showered on us through prayer. The wisdom and guidance we need so often to make good decisions can be found in prayer. The comfort and assurance that keep us going come through prayer. It's our secret weapon and our great advantage. What a shame when we don't use it like we should.

Philippians 3:1-16. From the "Reahing Forward: Philippians" sermon series. Preached by Jody Killingsworth.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus – Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus – Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus – Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus – Philippians 4:7