Podcasts about christlike

Everyone agrees that love must be central to marriage. The question we must ask is, What kind of love? The Bible shows us that it must be Christlike love—selfless, committed, contented, intimate, and joyous. Song of Solomon 3:6 - 5:1 LINKS: Join The Crew: https://www.wisdomonline.org/lp/join-the-crew Make a donation: https://www.wisdomonline.org/give Free issue of our magazine: https://www.wisdomonline.org/lp/magazine

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Are you speaking the language of heaven or hell?  “Grumbling is the language of hell.” That statement stopped me in my tracks. It felt so poignant, so in your face, so true. And grumbling comes directly from your disposition, your attitude. Philippians 2:14-16 says, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.' Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” So what is attitude anyway? It's the mental state or position you take as it relates to your life, and circumstances surrounding you. Your attitude is not what you think but how you think it, and your attitude frames every event in your life whether you realize it or not. Out of your attitude flows your enjoyment of life and gratitude for all your blessings or your disappointment and anger at how things have turned out. Everyday your attitude is challenged by other people and by external factors. My attitude tends to be challenged when I am driving, when a coworker is getting on my nerves, or when someone is in the self-checkout lane at the grocery store with 50 items! Your attitude might tend to go sideways in similar ways or maybe it's the weather that you let affect your attitude or the fact that it's Monday… again. The point is, while you cannot control everything that happens in life you can control your attitude. You can choose your disposition on a daily basis. If you were to monitor your attitude, what would you notice? Is your attitude set on positive or negative? Glass half-empty or half full? Is your disposition dialed to joyful in all circumstances, patient, forgiving, sacrificial. Or is your attitude's automatic response set to grumpy, impatient, bitter, critical, or self-serving? When things are not going as you planned or people are not acting in the way you want, how will you react?  Will you let a negative or inconsiderate person ruin your day or tempt you to lose your cool? Or will you be in control of your own internal weather? I am not saying it is always easy, but it is possible. You are the master of your internal world and you have a Master who will help you when you ask him, Jesus. As a matter of fact, Philippians 2:5 is an imperative for every follower of Christ. The apostle Paul says, you should have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. As ambassadors of Christ, we are called to be like Jesus. And a Christlike attitude will make a difference in you and enable you to make a difference in the world around you.

Rev. Stan Gleason, Senior Pastor of The Life Church and Assistant General Superintendent of the UPCI, and Ryan sit down to discuss his recent book The Unflawed Leader: Creating a Culture of Christlike Wellness in the Local Church. They discuss some amazing nuggets within the book, including topics on humility, leadership blind spots, culture, self-care, and so much more. This interview is loaded with wisdom from a tremendous man of God. The Unflawed Leader can be purchased at any major distributor including Amazon. It is available in print and kindle. Work with me (1:1 Executive Coaching): ryanfranklin.orgThe Christian Leader Blueprint (Free): ChristianLeaderMadeSimple.comYoutube/ Blog/ Podcast: ChristianLeaderMadeSimple.comConnect with me: Email: info@ryanfranklin.orgFacebook: @rnfranklinTwitter: @rnfranklinInstagram: @rnfranklin#christianleadermadesimple, #ryanfranklin, #leadershippodcast, #leadershipyoutube, #christianleader, #leadership, #thoughtleadership, #ministry, #pastor, #pastors, #churches, #leadershiptraining, #churchleader, #churchleaders, #influence, #leadershipdevelopment, #coaching, #executivecoach, #leadershipcoaching, #productivitycoach, #productivity, #growthmindset, #theproductiveleader, #emotions, #thechristianleaderblueprint, #socialintelligence, #discipline

"It is not enough to love the young; they must know that they are loved"Come listen to the second part of Saint John Bosco's story! In this episode, we will hear how his Christlike love transformed the souls he touched. John Bosco truly believed that each one of the boys he rescued was made for greatness, made for sainthood. No matter the obstacle, John Bosco never gave up when he knew he was following the will of God. And it's because of his persistence that hundreds of boys were rescued and the Salesian order was founded! Support the showPlease rate, review and share with friends and family! Please consider helping us keep this podcast going by supporting Saints Alive on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?fan_landing=true&u=63731511 Find resources on the saints, discussion questions and more about our team by visiting our website: https://www.saintsalivepodcast.com/

There are many bad ideas out there about the role of emotions in our lives. Some put too much stock in them, letting themselves be carried away by how they feel in any given moment. Others try to shut them out and deny that God gave us these emotions for a reason. This week we look at the emotions we all deal with daily, like anger, fear, sadness, and worry and discuss the Biblical vs. unbiblical way to respond to them.

Please Pass the Roles   A role requires some thing of you that doesn't extract something from you. Roles limit you, limits define you. Roles = sacrifice The world will expose the sacrifice. The post Please Pass the Roles [S07,E185] appeared first on The Ranger Podcast.

Our goal is to enter and remain in the presence of God through the pathways He has ordained for this purpose. The presence of God is our path and our destination. In Hebrew, the word Presence and the word Face are the same. In the ancient world without zoom and facetime, you could only be in the presence of someone when you were face to face with them. There was no remote presence. Each week we are going to approach the pathways to God's presence, or the spiritual disciplines, by linking one element of prayer with one aspect of Bible intake and one facet of worship. This is our second episode in our Pathways to God's presence series. If you missed our intro, please make sure to listen to last week's episode, episode 185. We spent time laying out the land of what this series is about –the spiritual disciplines with a twist. We established that Jesus is the only pathway to God's presence, and that He offers to teach us, through the Holy Spirit, how to nurture intimacy with God through the practice of timeless biblical principles that He himself role-modeled. If Jesus catered to His relationship with His Father through prayer, Scripture intake, and worship in various forms, then we too will benefit from the same. We are seeing today that prayer, in its essential form, is adoration. All the other elements of confession, thanksgiving and intercession are rooted in adoration. God is not safe confessing to, if he is not the utterly majestic Being we adore; God is not worthy of our thanks if He is not the resplendent glorious Being who gives us all things and works all things for our good; God is not safe coming to when we have needs, if He is not the perfectly omnipotent and otherworldly generous and gentle Sovereign who has chosen to be introduced to us with the meek and loving title of Father. About prayer, Stephanie says, “you are never more Christlike than when you adore God lavishly.” We consider the study of Scripture as the essential element to know God. We adore God most when we are most aware of His perfection, beauty, loveliness and holiness. In other words, when we are saturated with the knowledge of Him. And we can only know God from the place where He has specifically revealed Himself – Scripture. It means, we need to spend time in Scripture. We need to read it widely, and deeply both. We need to rake for leaves and dig for diamonds, as countless Bible teachers have described over many centuries. We interact with Scripture first and foremost to know God. Yes, the Bible gives us much about our relationships with one another, and about ourselves too. We will discuss these elements in the weeks to come. But the main, primary, most essential purpose of the Bible is to draw us into the presence of God. When the Holy Spirit who lives within our hearts opens the words of the Scriptures to us, we are allowed into the presence of God. We get a glimpse of His face and behold His presence. It transforms us forever because, like the light that shone on Moses face when he came down the mountain after having spent time with God, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God is found in the radiant face of Christ Jesus our Lord (2Cor 4:6). So, we read and study Scripture to know who God is. The essence of this approach is actually worship. My primary goal is to meet God through the pages that He wrote. I want to know Him more. If I can discern a new glimpse into His face, if I can learn something new about the depths of His love and kindness and majesty and power, then I am a happy camper. A happy worshiper. Bible intake should always stem from adoration and lead to worship, which are essentially the same thing. So today we looked at the element of adoration in prayer, and we have seen how intricately connected it is to the element of public worship. We have looked at a fresh way to study Scripture, all with the primary goal to KNOW GOD MORE because it's a virtuous cycle: the more you know God, the more you are going to desire to adore Him, and the more you adore Him, the purer your heart gets, and this allow you in turn to experience deeper intimacy with Him, which is the ultimate form of knowledge. Which leads to more adoration, etc. I think this is the ultimate virtuous cycle, spiritually speaking, this side of heaven. I believe it is the essence of what our experience in heaven will be: utter delight in His presence, a heart growing fuller each moment because of an ever-deeper awareness and experience of His presence, beauty and loveliness. I think we have utterly no idea of how enjoyable heaven will be. We have no frame of reference, no clue for the ecstasy that awaits. This holy cycle of adoration and intimacy with God is its closest equivalent here on earth. We have the fullness of the Spirit of Christ within us, because that same spirit had been living in the incarnated Christ. Jesus is the pathway to the presence of God, and more than that. He is God Himself. Jesus is the pathway and the destination. He is the way and the goal. The Holy Spirit is your teacher and guide into the pathways to the presence of God through Jesus Christ our matchless Lord. Adore, behold, worship Him who was, and is and is to come. BECOME A MEMBER TO ACCESS EXCLUSIVE LISTENING GUIDES FOR EACH EPISODE IN OUR SERIES! IT IS FREE AT https://www.gospelspice.com/sign-up-to-be-a-member BECOME A GOSPELSPICE MEMBER TODAY! Have you noticed our brand new website? It offers FREE MEMBERSHIP that gives you access to ALL -- we do mean ALL -- the GospelSpice content we have created for you since our inception in 2019! FULL studies, including - our most in-depth, CENTERING ON CHRIST: THE TABERNACLE - our most popular to date, IDENTITY IN THE BATTLE - daily wisdom through PROVERBS - and more! Membership gives you access to all sorts of members-only bonus content, such as workbooks, listening guides, questions to go deeper in your GospelSpice experience, quiet time and group study, as well as Bible references and more. We are also committed to keep on adding new content, so there will always be fresh spices here to experience the fullness of life with Christ! Signup for free at gospelspice.com to become a member for FREE and enjoy all these resources. ABOUT THE GOSPEL SPICE LEADERSHIP TRAINING Stephanie mentioned the Winter 2023 Gospel Spice leadership training program in this episode. This free, in-depth resource equips leaders who want to take their leadership skill to the next level. It is free, and has a very small number of available seats. Find more at gospelspice.com/leadership.  Did you know that there is a FREE listening guide available for each episode that Stephanie teaches? It allows you to take notes and highlight what speaks to you most. It is available to all GospelSpice members. Go to https://www.gospelspice.com/sign-up-to-be-a-member to signup today and access ALL the listening guides to ALL the GospelSpice series taught by Stephanie. Support us!

“I know what they’re saying. But I’m telling you . . .” As a boy, I heard my mother give that speech a thousand times. The context was always peer pressure. She was trying to teach me not to follow the herd. I’m not a boy any longer, but herd mentality’s still alive and kicking. A current example is this phrase: “Only surround yourself with positive people.” Now while that phrase may be commonly heard, the question we must ask is: “Is that Christlike?” “But I’m telling you . . .” Jesus uses that lead-in a number of times in Matthew 5. He knows full well what the world is constantly telling us. But His desire is that we live differently. In this case, He says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (v. 44). Later in the New Testament, the apostle Paul uses that very word to describe guess who? That’s right: us— “while we were God’s enemies” (Romans 5:10). Far from some “do as I say, not as I do,” Jesus backed up His words with actions. He loved us, and gave His life for us. What if Christ had only made room in His life for “positive people”? Where would that leave us? Thanks be to God that His love is no respecter of persons. For God so loved the world, and in His strength we are called to do likewise.

This week on The About Her Podcast, Abigail chats with Cheryl Marshall and Caroline Newheiser about their recent book, When Words Matter Most. In the book, Cheryl Marshall and Caroline Newheiser encourage and guide women to speak God's truth into the lives of those they love who are in need. They hope that by reading, you will grow in unity, in the knowledge of Christ, and in Christlike maturity. Together, Cheryl and Caroline offer biblical motivation and practical advice to help you share the wisdom of Scripture with others. Members of the About Her Book Club are no stranger to Cheryl and Caroline because we read When Words Matter Most together during the months of November and December. On this special book club episode of The About Her Podcast, Cheryl, Caroline, and I will dig a bit deeper into the content of the book and discuss questions submitted by book club members. If you have yet to purchase a copy for yourself, @10ofthoseusa has offered About Her Book Club members a stellar 40% off discount on When Words Matter Most. Shipping is also always only $1 with 10ofThose, meaning you can purchase the book from 10ofThose for $5 cheaper than Amazon

“You become like what you worship…”Tuesday • 1/17/2023 •Week of 2 Epiphany This morning's Scriptures are: Psalm 26; Psalm 28; Isaiah 44:9–20; Ephesians 4:17–32; Mark 3:19b–35 This morning's Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 13 (“A Song of Praise,” BCP, p. 90); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

Traditions That Haven't Happened Yet   Happy new year royal ranger commander's parent's men and all of those mentors around the world who are raising up the next generation of Godly Christ followers and servant leaders.   Commander Wayne it is impossible for me to believe that we're almost into week two of 2023.   [...] The post Traditions That Haven't Happened Yet [S07,E184] appeared first on The Ranger Podcast.

The Story Ashland - Live Stream - Sunday January 15th,  2023Teaching Only

Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 36:13-28; Romans 4:1-25No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,  fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.  That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”  (Romans 4:20-22)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Abraham was a man of faith.  God gave Abraham a promise, and Abraham believed God.  God counted that faith as righteousness.  But sometimes, reading the New Testament (like Romans) about people who lived in the days of the Old Testament (like Abraham in Genesis) makes us think, “There was a lot of time between Abraham and Paul.  How does Paul know that Abraham didn't waver?”  After all, today we face all manner of challenges to our faith.  The world condemns us as outdated, the devil tells us that we misunderstand God, and our own sin-fallen flesh and mind says that we're irrational.  That makes us sound very different from Abraham who didn't waver concerning the promise of God.  Is Abraham our Father?  Do we have the same faith that Abraham did?Stop!  Thinking like that takes your eyes off Jesus.  Abraham isn't saved because he was so good at believing.  Abraham is saved because Jesus died and rose for him.  When you worry that your faith is weak or that you might waver or that you might not be able to withstand the devil who prowls around you like a roaring lion, your concerns are all about yourself – are you strong enough, good enough, faithful enough?  You're not.  If you hope to be righteous because you are good enough, you have no chance.  You aren't saved by the quality of your faith, but by Jesus whom your faith rests in.  The Holy Spirit calls you to believe the promises of Jesus.  Your faith might waver.  You might doubt.  Certainly, you will not be able to commit to perfect faith.  Your Lord, the Holy One, makes you holy.Abraham isn't saved because He was so good at believing.  Abraham is saved because God took on flesh to die and rise for him.  You aren't saved because your faith is so good, or because you have done such a good job of being faithful, or anything like that.  You are saved because Jesus died and rose for you and because the Holy Spirit has called you by the Gospel, enlightened you with the light of Christ, gathered you with the Church, and sanctified you in God's holiness.  Your faith isn't about you, but in Jesus who is the resurrection and the life for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The God of Abr'ham praise, Whose all-sufficient grace  Shall guide me all my pilgrim day,  In all my ways. He deigns to call me friend; He calls Himself my God. And He shall save me to the end  Through Jesus' blood. (Lutheran Service Book 798, stanza 3)-Pastor Peter W. Ill is Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Millstadt, Illinois..Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

Watch the full interview here -- https://youtu.be/tWxX5hyTwf4The desire to be wealthy is natural.The desire to be Christlike takes a little more effort.Striking a balance between desiring wealth and being Christlike isn't easy. In today's episode, Stewardship Pastor at Brentwood Baptist Church, Ken Schafer, walks us through why Christians struggle to tithe (even pastors!) and how we can look to scripture to know what to do about it!Modern Church Leader is a show where we talk to church and ministry leaders about what is happening in their corner of the world. Modern Church Leader is hosted by Tithely COO, Frank Barry.--Tithely provides the tools you need to engage with your church online, stay connected, increase generosity, and simplify the lives of your staff.With tools like text and email messaging, custom church apps and websites, church management software, digital giving, and so much more… it's no wonder over 37,000 churches in 50 countries trust Tithely to help run their church. Learn more about Tithely, visit https://tithely.com

Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 34:1-24; Romans 3:19-31For there is no distinction:  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:22b-24)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.  That's a stark word of judgment.  God's Law tells you this.  You haven't kept the Ten Commandments.  You haven't loved the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind.  You haven't loved your neighbor as yourself.  But that's not the end of this passage, or even the end of the sentence.  The same “all” that have sinned is also the “all” that are justified by God's grace as a gift.  Jesus died for all sinners.  Everyone is covered by Jesus' shed blood.  Not everyone believes, but Jesus has come in the flesh to die and to rise for all sinners.That matters to you because you can never say, “I'm such a terrible sinner that Jesus shouldn't care about me.”  It isn't true to think, “My sin is so great that Jesus won't forgive me.”  Certainly, the devil, the world, and your sinful nature might try to convince you that Jesus doesn't forgive you, but consider the source!  Christ declares that He has shed His blood for you.  Your guilt is covered over by Christ.  You are justified by the One who is just.  God brings justice, not on your terms but on His terms.  Is God's grace fair?  You might not think so.  You might not think it's fair for someone who has hurt you or who has lived a certain way to be forgiven.  But God acts in His justice and mercy, not just for you, but for everyone.  He brings His justice through faith and by faith to all people.  There is no distinction, and that means that you aren't beyond God's desire or ability to forgive.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lord, I believe Thy precious blood, Which at the mercy seat of God Pleads for the captives' liberty, Was also shed in love for me.  (Lutheran Service Book 563, stanza 3) Text: Public domain-Pastor Peter W. Ill is Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Millstadt, Illinois..Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

Sincere, Biblical generosity gives to others without expecting to ever be paid back. Today's devotional details how Jesus modeled the radical generosity that His people are to live out. If you would like more insight into today's devotional topic, listen to Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon series Love Gives: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOWNo matter what leadership arena a person serves in—whether leading a family, a church, a civic organization, a company—adopting the leadership example of Jesus will make that person more effective and productive. Leadership is influence, and no leader has had greater influence on the world than Jesus Christ. The lessons of His leadership style are practical, learnable skills that anyone can apply today.Dr. Michael Youssef has examined the leadership Jesus modeled and suggests Christlike qualities every leader needs in his book The Leadership Style of Jesus. But he doesn't stop there. With Jesus as the standard, Dr. Youssef considers how to deal with the temptations and pressures leaders face, including ego, anger, loneliness, criticism, the use of power, and passing the torch to others.Men and women in search of excellence in developing their leadership abilities will find much to aid their quest in this close-up look at Jesus—the greatest leader who ever lived. Order your copy today!

Today's Reading: Table of Duties: To WivesDaily Lectionary: Ezekiel 33:1-20; Romans 3:1-18“And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?'  Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:10-11)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Lord hates sin.  Scripture is clear about this.  The Lord judges sin, and the unrepentant, unbelieving souls are judged too.  But the Lord isn't like a schoolyard bully, sneaking around waiting to beat up sinners with judgment.  He Himself warns sinners to watch out, to turn, to repent.  Sometimes, when people are warned about a terrible thing that might happen, they get hopeless.  If you've heard about that algebra test, you might just think, “Well, what's the point of studying, since I can study for days and I'll still fail?”  That's what the people that Ezekiel was prophesying to said.  “How can we live?”  The Lord spoke through Ezekiel to call them to repentance.  God wanted them to leave behind their wicked ways and live.  1 Peter 3:1-6 speaks in a similar way.  Go check it out, then come back.  Peter writes to wives that even if they are married to a nonbeliever, they prophesied in their actions to the truth of God's mercy.  Peter writes to women who were married and then became Christians.  They weren't to divorce their husbands, but to continue being married to them, submitting to them in love even though the men weren't Christians.  These faithful wives, adorned with a gentle and quiet spirit, might win their husbands to the Christian faith.  But these words apply to you if you're not married, and even if you're not a woman.  The quiet and gentle spirit of faith testifies as a watchman, giving the hope of Jesus Christ to believers and unbelievers alike.You are full of hope because Jesus Christ has died and risen for you.  He submitted in quietness and gentleness to death so that you won't die.  Because He lives, you also will live.  He has won you to faith in Him.  You are part of the Church, the bride of Christ.  There is no hopelessness for you.  The Lord has turned you from the wickedness of unbelief so that you have everlasting life with Him. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Come, join in Cana's feast,  Where Christ is honored guest. He welcomes all who come to taste,The wine His hands have blessed. (Lutheran Service Book 408, stanza 1)-Pastor Peter W. Ill is Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Millstadt, Illinois..Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Romans 6:1-11Daily Lectionary:Ezekiel 18:1-4, 19-32; Romans 2:17-29For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Romans 6:5)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It seems pretty normal to think about your baptism in the past tense, like it's something from which you've moved on. But no Christian ever moves past their baptism.  Baptism into Christ Jesus isn't something that you move on from.  It's not something that you grow out of, like a set of clothes you wore when you were younger.  Your baptism into Jesus is something that you grow into.  It is the very truth of eternal life, and you will live forever in your baptismal grace.  Jesus says so!  Since you are connected with Him, you will live with Him forever.  The eternal life that you have with Jesus makes you free from sin.  Now, you are a holy saint of God, not suffering from the curses of sin or death or your sinful nature anymore.  Those problems have been answered through the baptismal waters that Jesus has washed you into.  But it wasn't the water that did such great things, it's the blood of Jesus shed on the cross for you that did it.  Jesus delivers His shed blood and His own death and His glorious resurrection for you in that baptism.  While it didn't look like much other than some splashes of water from a font of water, it is there that Jesus made you His own.  That's what makes the gift of baptism so great – it is the work of Jesus for you.  Just like His death on the cross and just like His resurrection from the dead, He did it for you and delivers you from all your sins, now and forever.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.God's own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth's treasures many? I have one worth more than anyThat brought me salvation free.  Lasting to eternity! (Lutheran Service Book 594, Stanza 1)-Pastor Peter W. Ill is Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Millstadt, Illinois..Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 3:12-27; Romans 2:1-16“I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;    I will take you by the hand and keep you;I will give you as a covenant for the people,    a light for the nations,7     to open the eyes that are blind,to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,    from the prison those who sit in darkness.8 I am the Lord; that is my name;    my glory I give to no other,    nor my praise to carved idols.9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,    and new things I now declare;before they spring forth    I tell you of them.”  (Isaiah 42:6-9)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord spoke about the One that He would send into the flesh to save humanity, to save you.  The Lord said that He called His Son in righteousness, to make the blind see and to free the prisoners.  He would fulfill everything that He had promised.  The Lord's word never refers to Him empty or void.  The Lord keeps His promises, so we shouldn't be surprised that the words of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah and the voice from heaven at Jesus' baptism are so similar, even though about 600 years separate the two sets of words.  The fact that the words are similar isn't enough to change your life, though.  What is enough to change your life is what the words say.  These words that describe Jesus are life-givingly important to you.  The Lord Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, has come to free the captives and to make the blind see.  The old things have passed away and new things are coming.  He is the Lord enfleshed.  That changes everything for you, because it is you that He forgives.  It is you that He loves.  It is you that receives the promise of eternal life.  You don't need to hope or wish that Jesus likes you.  Instead, He makes you confident that you are someone He has forgiven.  You are someone that He has baptized.  You are someone that He calls by His own name.  It's certainly not fair, but it is gracious, and your Lord is nothing if He is not gracious to you.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Go, My children, sins forgiven,  At peace and pure. Here you learned how much I love you, What I can cure. Here you heard My dear Son's story; Here you touched Him, saw His glory.  Go, My children, sins forgiven, At peace and pure.  (Lutheran Service Book 922, Stanza 2)-Pastor Peter W. Ill is Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Millstadt, Illinois..Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

Chad Lamb: Christ-like Character Developed in a Characterless Society [2:15:26] Click here for: High quality (0 B) Click here for: Low quality (868.39 MB) 4795

Today's Reading: Matthew 3:13-17Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 2:1-3:11; Romans 1:18-3213 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”  (Matthew 3:13-17)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. John the Baptist was right.  According to human reason and understanding, Jesus didn't need to be baptized.  He was perfect, being that He is God in the flesh.  On the other hand, John the Baptist, as a sinner, did need the waters of baptism and the grace that it gives.  The reality is that sinners need baptism.  According to what sinners know and understand, God's Law condemns them as breaking the words and commandments of God.  Or, more specifically, God's Word of Law convicts YOU of breaking His commands.  You are a poor, miserable sinner.  When you look at Jesus, it is right for sinners like John the Baptist and you to recognize that you have nothing to offer Jesus but that He has everything to offer you.According to human logic, that might be true that Jesus doesn't need to be baptized.  Thanks be to God that He doesn't let you do His thinking for Him!  According to His divine wisdom, He does need to be baptized.  It is there, in those baptismal waters, that your Lord Jesus is united with you in those muddy waters.  Better yet, it is in the waters of baptism that He is washed into and that you are washed into that you and Jesus, God in the flesh, are united.  In your baptismal unification, you receive the unification with His cross and with His empty tomb.  When you are united with Jesus, His perfection and His righteousness and His peace become true of you as well.  From your perspective, He doesn't need those baptismal waters.  On the other hand, you need those baptismal waters, and from His abundant grace, your Savior gives them to you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.-Pastor Peter W. Ill is Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Millstadt, Illinois..Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Introit for the Baptism of Our LordDaily Lectionary: Ezekiel 1:1-14, 22-28; Romans 1:1-17I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling,for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessèd are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2:7-11, 12c)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Reading these words probably makes you ask, “Who are these words about?”  Are these words about you?  Are you the Lord's son?  Will the nations be your heritage and will you possess the ends of the earth?  Will you use an iron staff to break the nations like clay pots?  Will kings and rulers listen to you?  If you've ever thought, “If I were the king of the world, I would do this!” These words are hopeful!  But sadly, taking these words from Psalm 2 and applying them directly to yourself isn't how we read this Scripture.  It's not all about you.Instead, these words are about Jesus.  He is the only begotten Son of the Father who has not come to condemn the world but to save it.  (John 3:16-17)  He has all authority in heaven and on earth, and at His name every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.  (Matthew 28:19, Philippians 2:10-11)  No king or ruler or government official has more power or authority than Jesus.  No nation can claim that Jesus doesn't triumph over whatever they think is best.  Every nation is like a fragile clay pot, and every ruler and all people should be warned that God's wrath is coming.  Everyone should take refuge in Jesus Christ, the all powerful one.  This all powerful One was revealed to the Magi and submitted Himself to baptism in the Jordan river.  There, the words of Psalm 2 were echoed by the heavenly voice that declared that Jesus is God's Son to whom all people must listen.  When you listen to the words of Jesus, that's when the words of Psalm 2 start to apply to you.  Because you are baptized into the baptism of Jesus, you are also God's son.  You possess the heavenly inheritance of God.  You triumph over all things. That's not because you are just awesome, but because Jesus the all-powerful One to whom you listen has died and risen for you, and He gives you every good and perfect gift from above.  Are these words about you?  Because of Jesus' grace for you, they are indeed! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.This the baptism that our Savior, Greatly longed to undergo; This the crimson cleansing needed So the world God's love might know; This the mission of Messiah,  As He stepped from Jordan's stream,He, the chosen and anointed, Son of God, sent to redeem.  (Lutheran Service Book 404, stanza 3)-Pastor Peter W. Ill is Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Millstadt, Illinois..Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Matthew 2:1-12Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 66:1-20; Luke 3:21-38When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:10-11)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. If you've ever been on a long trip, you've asked the question, “Are we there yet?”  The anticipation of finishing the trip and stretching your legs makes you really excited when you realize that you are almost to the destination.  When you see the final highway exit sign or when you hear the pilot lowering the landing gear, you get excited.  The Magi on their way to see the Messiah were excited when the star they had been following stopped.  They rejoiced!  But they hadn't even gotten to their destination yet. They still had to finish the last little bit of their journey and meet the Christ-Child.The journey of God's people through the Old Testament was also drawing nearer and nearer to its fulfillment.  There is a reason for joy as that star stopped.  All the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament were about to meet their fulfillment.  The Magi aren't the only ones who should have excitement.  You should be filled with joy too because Jesus is about to be seen by people that He has come to save.It's striking that Jesus comes to save these star-gazing Gentiles.  Their very livelihood centered on telling the future by reading the stars, a breaking of God's second commandment.  No matter their sin, Jesus came for them.  Not only was He born, not only was a star set in the sky so they would come see Him, but He also took up His cross to suffer and die for these non-Jewish sinners.  For you, a sinner, it is right for you to be filled with joy.  Christ the Lord has been born for you, and He reveals Himself to you.  You don't see Him in a house or cradled in Mary's arms, but you see Him in the words of Scripture and in sermons preached to your ears, you see Him in the waters of Holy Baptism, and you see His body and blood given for you at Holy Communion.  Rejoice with the Magi as you see the same Jesus! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.-Pastor Peter W. Ill is Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Millstadt, Illinois..Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 65:8-25; Luke 3:1-20So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. (Luke 3:18)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  A blessed and joy filled Christmas to all the Saints of God!  John the Baptist is making ready the people of God for the beginning of Jesus' ministry.  We have journeyed with the Christ child through this season of Christmas.  The angels have sung, the shepherds have shared, Jesus is named and circumcised, the Magi are arriving, and we are getting ready for the Baptism of Jesus.  John is proclaiming the law and Gospel to the people of Israel.  The kingdom of God is at hand and John is preparing the people as the last of the prophets.  John is that final prophet that ushers in the era of the Kingdom of God in our presence.  Christ will come to the waters of the Jordan, the Heavens will be open, the dove will descend and the voice from Heaven will proclaim the arrival of God's Son.  John the Baptist prepares the way for the Messiah.The final day of Christmas connects us to the ministry and work of Christ as our redeemer.  John not only proclaims the Law, but he also proclaims the “good news.”  He proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He proclaims that the Messiah is here to deliver the people of God.  The Law will be fulfilled, and the final sacrifice will be given for the forgiveness of sins.  John's words of the Gospel are for us too!  We have journeyed through Christmas and are on the eve of Epiphany.  The way for our salvation is prepared.  We have heard the message of repentance and forgiveness.  We are washed in the waters of Baptism.  We are brought into His family.  We are declared the first-born son and are given the inheritance of life everlasting. The world works on hearts and minds to deceive us that we are not ready or nor worthy of this free gift but through our Baptism we are made ready and prepared for eternal life and the glorious return of our Savior Jesus Christ.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Grant us, O God, the strength and courage, To live the faith our lips declare; Bless us in our baptismal calling; Christ's royal priesthood help us share. Turn us from every false allegiance,That we may trust in Christ alone; Raise up in us a chosen people, Transformed by love to be Your own.(LSB 600-Mark How the Lamb of God's Self-Offering stz 3)-Pastor Timothy Paul Davis is Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church  in Athens Georgia.Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

Join us as we discuss the upcoming year of 2023 and ways we can be more like Christ!

Today's Reading: Table of Duties: To HusbandsDaily Lectionary: Isaiah 64:15-65:2; Luke 2:41-52Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. (Colossians 3:19)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The gift of marriage between a man and a woman is a paradigm of the relationship Christ has with His holy bride.  As we begin to close out the season of Christmas we are drawn once again to the manger where our savior is laid.  In the manger is the church's groom who has come to redeem her and bring to her everlasting life.  The world around us delivers to us a perverse understanding of marriage.  Sin has corrupted the beautiful gift of husband and wife living as God intended.  Marriage is no longer held in high esteem rather it is seen as a cumbersome relationship where contracts are entered into before any vows are made to one another.  Marriage is for convenience and the gratification of one's desires and not for the mutual love towards a man and woman.  In many parts of the world marriage is no longer considered a part of the lives of the people.  The gift of marriage that God instituted has become a trinket of glamor and selfish adoration focused primarily on the wedding itself.  Paul directs his hearers at the church of Colossi to uphold marriage as God had intended.  It is a relationship between a man and woman that is formed under the order of creation.  God gave Eve to Adam as his wife.  The two are to become one.  The relationship between Adam and Eve is not a relationship of control and demeaning behaviors but one of love and servitude.  Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Eph 5).  Husbands are not bitter towards their wives but rather protect them, provide for them, and procreate with them.  The husband stands between his wife and the adversary just as Christ does on the cross.  As God exacts His judgment upon His Son for all the sins of the world our Holy Groom stood between us and that wrath.  He took the wrath of God upon himself that we may be given life.  He presents us Holy and blameless without blemish before His Father in Heaven.  His robe of righteousness covers His Holy Bride.  When we fail, He does not become bitter and cast us off, rather He draws us in and washes the stain of sin through Holy Absolution. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Gracious Savior, grant Your blessing, To this husband and this wife,That in peace they live together In Your love throughout their life, Christ, defend them from the tempter, And from all that would destroyLove's foundation You have laid here,And its threshold paved with joy. (LSB 860-Gracious Savior, Grant Your Blessing stz 1)-Pastor Timothy Paul Davis is Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church  in Athens Georgia.Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Galatians 3:23-29Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 63:1-14; Luke 2:21-40“for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. A blessed and joy filled Christmas to all the saints of God!  Paul gives to the church at Galatia a reminder of who they are and whose they are through the waters of Baptism.  Their identity had been stripped from them as the Judaizers had infiltrated the church and imposed the law upon the people of God.  Their identity was no longer about Christ but about what they had fulfilled in their attempts to live perfectly under the law. They had lost their identity.Our world works diligently to take away our identity.  Various social media platforms use different criteria to identify who we are as individuals.  We fill out forms that ask where we were born, where we currently live, what is our ethnicity, what religion we practice, what grade we are in, what we want to do after high school.  All these factors make up our identity.  As Paul writes, he reminds his hearers that there is only one identity necessary and that is our Baptism.  Our Baptism identifies us as the oldest son in God's family.  The oldest son is the one who receives the inheritance.  When the people of Galatia heard these words of Paul they were reminded of the customs and traditions that the oldest son was the recipient of the family's estate by nature of the birth order.  Even if the eldest son didn't deserve it, he still got it because he was the oldest.  We are certainly not worthy of the inheritance that is promised to us through Christ's life, death, and resurrection. In Baptism we are baptized into the name of Christ.  We have His name on us and we receive all the blessings and benefits of being the first-born son of God.  The world uses a plethora of ways to identify us but in Christ there is only one marker and that is our Baptism. In the Name + of Jesus. AmenGod's own child, I gladly say it; I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth's treasures many?  I have one worth more than any, That brought me salvation free, Lasting to eternity! (LSB 594-God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It stz 1)-Pastor Timothy Paul Davis is Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church  in Athens Georgia.Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

A new MP3 sermon from Christ Presbyterian Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: We Need CEO's in the Church (Christ-like Example to Others) Subtitle: 1 Peter Speaker: Rev. David Boxerman Broadcaster: Christ Presbyterian Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 1/1/2023 Bible: 1 Peter 5:1-4 Length: 32 min.

Today's Reading: Numbers 6:22-27Daily Lectionary:Isaiah 62:1-12; Luke 2:1-20“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”(Numbers 6:27)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. A blessed and joy filled Christmas to all the saints of God!  We have just been given the name of Jesus as He was circumcised eight days after His birth and now we again hear about the name of God's people and that His name will be upon them.  His name will be their name.  In the history of God's people, names are very important.  We have names of individuals, names of families, names of tribes and names of nations.  In all the names that are given, the only name of the Lord God is the one that will bring salvation.  When the people of God have His name on them His blessings accompany that name.  The people of God didn't always want His name upon them.  They liked the names of the other gods around them.  The names that would appear on the statues and monoliths of the pagan nations.  The names of the false gods were appealing to the people as those names were associated with the desires of the flesh.  The names of the other gods had earthly freedoms connected to them and with those freedoms came earthly wealth and power.The world around us wants to give us other names.  The world wants us to indulge in the philosophies derived from sin and Satan.  The world wants to draw us away from the name given to us in Baptism and immerse us in the names of deceit, selfishness, self-centeredness, greed, and all the vices of the world.  In our Baptism, the name of Jesus is placed upon us.  We are baptized into the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The waters of baptism are poured over us as the name of the one true God is spoken marking us in His name.  All the benefits and blessings of His name are given to us free of charge.  The name of God the Father is upon us, the name of Jesus the Son of God is upon us, the name of God the Holy Spirit is upon us.  In our Baptism we stand firm in the name of God and hold fast to His blessings and promises. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.What is the world to me, With all its vaunted pleasure. When You and You alone, Lord Jesus, are my treasure! You only, dearest Lord, My soul's delight shall be; You are my peace, my rest. What is the world to me! (LSB 730-What Is the World to Me stz 1)-Pastor Timothy Paul Davis is Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church  in Athens Georgia.Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

Pauls instructions to Timothy was to labor for godliness or to be Christlike. Are we laboring for Christlikeness?

Today's Reading: Luke 2:21Daily Lectionary:Isaiah 61:1-11; Luke 1:57-80And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:21)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It takes eight days before the baby Jesus is finally given His official name of Jesus.  Up until that point in time everyone knew what His name was to be, but it wasn't official until the eighth day when the priest circumcised Him.  The priest would perform the duties of the law as the foreskin was removed.  It is the event in which Jesus' entire family had been waiting for, in eager expectation.  No longer was He referred to as Joseph and Mary's baby boy but rather Jesus.  The name that was given to them by the angel nine months ago.In the Christmas hymn Away in the Manger, it states that Jesus did not cry as He lay in the manger.  On this day as He is brought before the priest, there is a different set of circumstances compared to when Jesus was lying in a manger.  The earthly parents of Jesus give Him to the priest and the priest goes through the rite of circumcision.  Now blood is shed from the baby Jesus.  A foretaste of what is to come.  As a baby in the arms of the priest, He is no longer silent as the knife is laid to the child and skin is removed.  The mark is placed upon Him as the law is fulfilled.  The mark of circumcision is only the beginning for Jesus as He will fulfill all aspects of the law for the redemption of His people.  The fulfillment will culminate in the shedding of blood.  It won't be just a mere removal of the foreskin but rather a vicious and brutal beating delivered by the hands of the Roman guards.  It will be nails in the hands and feet and spear thrust into His side.  Blood, lots of blood, will be poured out as the Messiah is sacrificed upon the cross.Today circumcision is no longer the mark that is placed upon us to identify us as God's people.  Instead, Christ has given to us the sacrament of Holy Baptism.  In our Baptism we are baptized into His circumcision.  No more blood is to be shed as Christ has all the blood necessary for our salvation. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lord God, You made Your beloved Son, our Savior, subject to the Law and caused Him to shed His blood on our behalf.  Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit that our hearts may be made pure from all sins; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit; one God, now and forever. Amen. -Pastor Timothy Paul Davis is Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church  in Athens Georgia.Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Luke 12:35-40Daily Lectionary:Isaiah 60:1-22; Luke 1:39-56You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Luke 12:40)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Tonight, many will be celebrating the ringing in of the New Year.  Tomorrow families will gather around the dinner table again as the celebration of a New Year begins.  Unfortunately for many in our midst the true significance of these two days will be overlooked.  The Circumcision of our Savior Jesus Christ.  As Luke leads his reader to the faithful witness of Jesus Christ and delivers the certainty of the events he witnessed, he delivers the words of Christ regarding being ready for the return of the Son of Man.  Christ did not come to just die and resurrect but the rest of the narrative is His glorious return.  The world around us does not want to be a part of that message.  Main line Christianity focuses only on our death and life in Heaven but forgets the rest of the story, “The return of Christ.”  Christ reminds His hearers to be ready for His return.  He likens it to the thief in the night.  We do not know when he is coming, only that he is coming.  We do not know the day or the hour when He will return but we do know for certain that He is going to return.  He merely says, “Be ready.”  We have been made ready for the return of Christ in our Baptism.  We have been marked in the waters of reconciliation and carry the name of Christ both upon our hearts and upon our heads.  We have been given faith that holds fast to the promises of Christ that His works are sufficient for our salvation.  We are made ready!On the eve of Jesus' Circumcision, He was made ready for the next day.  He would be presented before the Priest and part of His body would be removed.  The night before He was prepared for that significant day in His life.  The day that He received the mark of Circumcision.  In the same manner we are made ready for the Day of Christ's return.  We wait as if each day were the eve of His return.  We are anxious for His return.  We do not know the exact day or hour, but we do know that He is coming again, and we are ready. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Prayer:Eternal God, we commit to Your mercy and forgiveness the year now ending and commend to Your blessing and love the times yet to come.  In the new year, abide among us with Your holy Spirit that we may always trust in the saving name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ToDP 1075)-Pastor Timothy Paul Davis is Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church  in Athens Georgia.Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Hebrews 1:1-12Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 58:1-59:3, 14-21; Luke 1:26-38He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (Hebrews 1:3)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. A blessed and joy filled Christmas to all the Saints of God!  The glory of God is in the manger wrapped in swaddling clothes.  He is the perfection of God in the flesh.  The baby in the manger is the creator of all things and in Him all things came into existence.  Our God has come to us in the flesh to redeem flesh by flesh.  The author of Hebrews delivers to us the message of satisfaction.  Jesus is the satisfaction for the sins of the world.  He is the Holy, unblemished, first-born sacrifice for all the sins of the world.Christ Jesus will make purification for our sins. Sin which we have inherited from Adam brought death and condemnation into the world.  No longer is the world deemed “good” as God declared it in the first two chapters of Genesis.  In sin, death was brought into the world.  The desires of Adam and Even were to be like God.  They bought into the lie of Satan and ate the forbidden fruit.  The consequences of their selfishness were that mankind would be condemned to eternal damnation.  Nothing that we could ever do would make it right.  We could not and can not make satisfaction for our sin.  We are no longer pure.  We are no longer Holy as God created us.  We needed to be restored from outside of ourselves.It was at just the right time that Jesus came into this world to make satisfaction for our sins.  Jesus' fulfillment of all the requirements of the law brought our purification.  He lived the perfect life that we can not live.  He died the perfect sacrificial death that was the purification of our sins.  He conquered the grave so that we may have life eternal.  He restores the dead creation to life by His life.  Now we wait.  Just as the first Christmas came in long expectation we wait for the return of Christ.  Christmas is more than just about looking back but it is also about looking forward to the return of Christ on the last day when He will raise our lowly immortal bodies to immortality. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The infant Priest was holy born  For us unholy and forlorn; From fleshly temple forth came He, Anointed from eternity. (LSB 624-The Infant Priest was Holy Born stz 1)-Pastor Timothy Paul Davis is Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church  in Athens Georgia.Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

How to respond like Jesus in all circumstances. Wilderness Lessons.1 Thessalonians 5:16-18We are (LIVE) on the [Morning Devo] podcast on our website now!:::: https://live.soulwinnerz.org and we want to see who you are by simply clicking here https://chat.restream.io/fb :::::Visit our Sponsor: https://djsamrock.com/Strong

Be A Christlike Example - Bill Chinnis

Devoted disciples emulate Christlike attributes: faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. Click or tap here to read the speech on our website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No matter what you have done or haven't done, your lovability stays the same. In this episode I describe how this relates to heartbreak being 'the loss of love', and how "The brokenhearted are the bravest among us-they dared to love." I also read the book called "You Are Special" by Max Lucado. I read the story to illustrate how impactful it can be to care more about what others think of us, than how we think of ourselves, or how our creator thinks of us. Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown Rising Strong by Brene Brown website: camillescowcoaching.com Work with Me:https://calendly.com/camillescowcoaching/30min?month=2022-12

Beth and Missy are talking about the role of suffering in the life of a believer and how it should not surprise us but grow us in our faith, molding us to be more Christlike. ----- Find us on Facebook and Instagram Sign up for our newsletter here Send us a message to openthewordpodcast@gmail.com ----- Scripture Mentioned: Philippians 3:10-12 That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Resources Mentioned Suffering by Paul David Tripp Safely Home by Randy Alcorn Daughter of China by C. Hope Finchbaugh Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer

Boundaries can feel like a touchy topic.How do we love others without losing the best of who we are? Lysa TerKeurst has wrestled with how to do boundaries well, and she understands the tension they cause in relationships. That's why she wrote her new book Good Boundaries and Goodbyes. This episode comes from a live Q&A with Lysa where she answered the six most-asked questions she gets about boundaries. Both practical and personal, Lysa addresses how to set boundaries when you struggle with people-pleasing; what to do when it feels unchristian or unforgiving to tell someone "no"; and how to process disappointment from other people, especially around the holidays. We can't wait for you to dive in with us!Related Resources:Is it unloving or selfish to set a boundary? Are boundaries even Christlike? Process questions like these alongside a community of women who also want to make progress with their relationships during the next Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Study: Good Boundaries and Goodbyes by Lysa TerKeurst. During this study, Lysa will show you through a biblical lens how boundaries help you love others without losing the best of who you are. The study starts on January 23, so here are three steps you can take to join us:—Sign up for the FREE Online Bible Study here.—Get your copy of the book here. —Share this episode with a friend and invite her to join the study too!Click here to download the transcript.

In this final episode I will continue sharing some verses to help us all, especially me; as we remember how to walk a Christ Like life. If you have not watched or listened to Episodes 1 and 2 please go ahead and do that first. I want you to confidently be able to answer the question…… Do We really Know Him? Thanks for tuning in as always and I look forward to hearing from you all. Relevancefortoday.org Relevance For Today Podcast Show Spiritual Spotlight Podcast Show Kingdom Community TV Kingdom Community APP Interested in more shows? Connect with Me by following my LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/RelevanceForToday #kingdomseries #episode220 #Salvation #GospelMessage#Podcastepisodes, #TVepisodes #Relevancefortodaypodcast #RelevancefortodayTVshow #kingdomcommunitytv #TimeInGodsWord #Discipleship #TrainingandEquippingtheSaints #learningtheword #Christlikeliving #HiphopwithChrist #ChristianContent

Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Youth By Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Watch this talk at- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/12uchtdorf?lang=eng   For The Strength of Youth Pamphlet PDF- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/ForTheStrengthOfYouth-eng.pdf   Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Youth By Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Put your trust in Jesus Christ. He will lead you the right way. He is your strength. In preparing for this message today, I have felt strong promptings to address the young women and young men. I am also speaking to those who used to be young, even to those who can't really remember it anymore. And I speak to all who love our young people and want them to succeed in life. For the rising generation, I have a message especially for you from our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Savior's Message to You My dear young friends, if the Savior were here right now, what would He say to you? I believe He would start by expressing His deep love for you. He might say it with words, but it would also flow so strongly—just from His presence—that it would be unmistakable, reaching deep into your heart, filling your whole soul! And yet, because we're all weak and imperfect, some concerns might creep into your mind. You might remember mistakes you've made, times you gave in to temptation, things you wish you hadn't done—or wish you had done better. The Savior would sense that, and I believe He would assure you with words He has spoken in the scriptures: “Fear not.”1 “Doubt not.”2 “Be of good cheer.”3 “Let not your heart be troubled.”4 I don't think He would make excuses for your mistakes. He wouldn't minimize them. No, He would ask you to repent—to leave your sins behind, to change, so He can forgive you. He would remind you that 2,000 years ago He took those sins upon Himself so that you could repent. That is part of the plan of happiness gifted to us from our loving Heavenly Father. Jesus might point out that your covenants with Him—made when you were baptized and renewed each time you partake of the sacrament—give you a special connection with Him. The kind of connection the scriptures describe as being yoked together so that, with His help, you can carry any burden.5 I believe the Savior Jesus Christ would want you to see, feel, and know that He is your strength. That with His help, there are no limits to what you can accomplish. That your potential is limitless. He would want you to see yourself the way He sees you. And that is very different from the way the world sees you. The Savior would declare, in no uncertain terms, that you are a daughter or son of the Almighty God. Your Heavenly Father is the most glorious being in the universe, full of love, joy, purity, holiness, light, grace, and truth. And one day He wants you to inherit all He has.6 It is the reason why you're on the earth—to learn, grow, and progress and become everything your Father in Heaven has created you for. To make this possible, He sent Jesus Christ to be your Savior. It's the purpose behind His great plan of happiness, His Church, His priesthood, the scriptures—all of it. That is your destiny. That is your future. That is your choice! Truth and Choices At the heart of God's plan for your happiness is your power to choose.7 Of course, your Heavenly Father wants you to choose eternal joy with Him, and He will help you to achieve it, but He would never force it upon you. So He allows you to choose: Light or darkness? Good or evil? Joy or misery? Eternal life or spiritual death?8 It sounds like an easy choice, doesn't it? But somehow, here on earth, it seems more complicated than it ought to be. The problem is that we don't always see things as clearly as we would like to. The Apostle Paul compared it to looking “through a glass, darkly.”9 There's a lot of confusion in the world about what is right and wrong. Truth gets twisted to make evil seem good and good seem evil.10 But when you earnestly seek the truth—eternal, unchanging truth—your choices become much clearer. Yes, you still have temptation and trials. Bad things still happen. Puzzling things. Tragic things. But you can manage when you know who you are, why you are here, and when you trust God. So where do you find truth? It is contained in the gospel of Jesus Christ. And the fulness of that gospel is taught in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”11 When you have important choices to make, Jesus Christ and His restored gospel are the best choice. When you have questions, Jesus Christ and His restored gospel are the best answer. When you feel weak, Jesus Christ is your strength. He gives power to the weary; and to those who feel powerless, He increases strength. They who wait upon the Lord will be renewed by His strength.12 For the Strength of Youth To help you find the Way and to help you make Christ's doctrine the guiding influence in your life, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has prepared a new resource, a revised version of For the Strength of Youth. For over 50 years, For the Strength of Youth has been a guide for generations of Latter-day Saint youth. I always keep a copy in my pocket, and I share it with people who are curious about our standards. It has been updated and refreshed to better cope with the challenges and temptations of our day. The new version of For the Strength of Youth is available online in 50 different languages and will also be available in print. It will be a significant help for making choices in your life. Please embrace it as your own and share it with your friends. This new version of For the Strength of Youth is subtitled A Guide for Making Choices. To be very clear, the best guide you can possibly have for making choices is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the strength of youth. So the purpose of For the Strength of Youth is to point you to Him. It teaches you eternal truths of His restored gospel—truths about who you are, who He is, and what you can accomplish with His strength. It teaches you how to make righteous choices based on those eternal truths.13 It's also important to know what For the Strength of Youth does not do. It doesn't make decisions for you. It doesn't give you a “yes” or “no” about every choice you might ever face. For the Strength of Youth focuses on the foundation for your choices. It focuses on values, principles, and doctrine instead of every specific behavior. The Lord, through His prophets, has always been guiding us in that direction. He is pleading with us to “increase [our] spiritual capacity to receive revelation.”14 He is inviting us to “hear Him.”15 He is calling us to follow Him in higher and holier ways.16 And we are learning in a similar way every week in Come, Follow Me. I suppose the guide could give you long lists of clothes you shouldn't wear, words you shouldn't say, and movies you shouldn't watch. But would that really be helpful in a global church? Would such an approach truly prepare you for a lifetime of Christlike living? Joseph Smith said, “I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.”17 And King Benjamin told his people in the Book of Mormon, “I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.”18 King Benjamin went on to say, “But this much I can tell you, … watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of … our Lord, even unto the end of your lives.”19 Is it wrong to have rules? Of course not. We all need them every day. But it is wrong to focus only on rules instead of focusing on the Savior. You need to know the whys and the hows and then consider the consequences of your choices. You need to put your trust in Jesus Christ. He will lead you the right way. He is your strength.20 The Power of True Doctrine For the Strength of Youth is bold in declaring the doctrine of Jesus Christ. It is bold in inviting you to make choices based on Christ's doctrine. And it is bold in describing the blessings Jesus Christ promises those who follow His Way.21 President Russell M. Nelson taught: “When your greatest desire is to let God prevail [in your life], … many decisions become easier. … Many issues become nonissues! You know how best to groom yourself. You know what to watch and read, where to spend your time, and with whom to associate. You know what you want to accomplish. You know the kind of person you … want to become.”22 A Higher Standard Jesus Christ has very high standards for His followers. And the invitation to earnestly seek His will and live by His truths is the highest standard possible! Important temporal and spiritual choices should not only be based on personal preference or what is convenient or popular.23 The Lord is not saying, “Do whatever you want.” He is saying, “Let God prevail.” He is saying, “Come, follow me.”24 He is saying, “Live in a holier, higher, more mature way.” He is saying, “Keep my commandments.” Jesus Christ is our perfect example, and we strive with all the energy of our soul to follow Him. My dear friends, let me repeat, if the Savior were standing here today, He would express His endless love for you, His complete confidence in you. He would tell you that you can do this. You can build a joyful, happy life because Jesus Christ is your strength. You can find confidence, peace, safety, happiness, and belonging now and eternally, because you will find all of it in Jesus Christ, in His gospel, and in His Church. Of this I bear my solemn witness as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and leave you my heartfelt blessing in deep gratitude and love for you, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.     Glorious Unfolding Song by Steven Curtis Chapman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rolTdI7I_4M Lyrics Lay your head down tonight Take a rest from the fight Don't try to figure it out Just listen to what I'm whispering to your heart 'Cause I know this is not Anything like you thought The story of your life was gonna be And it feels like the end has started closing in on you But it's just not true There's so much of the story that's still yet to unfold And this is going to be a glorious unfolding Just you wait and see and you will be amazed You've just got to believe the story is so far from over So hold on to every promise God has made to us And watch this glorious unfolding God's plan from the start For this world and your heart Has been to show His glory and His grace Forever revealing the depth and the beauty of His unfailing Love And the story has only begun And this is going to be a glorious unfolding Just you wait and see and you will be amazed We've just got to believe the story is so far from over So hold on to every promise God has made to us And watch this glorious unfolding We were made to run through fields of forever Singing songs to our Savior and King So let us remember this life we're living Is just the beginning of the beginning Of this glorious unfolding We will watch and see and we will be amazed If we just keep on believing the story is so far from over And hold on to every promise God has made to us We'll see the glorious unfolding Just watch and see (unfolding) This is just the beginning of the beginning (unfolding)

Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D., is a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. He is also an associate leadership professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources from Indiana University, and a B.A. from Brigham Young University. As a consultant, he works with organizations to develop their leaders and improve their culture. Ryan is the author of The Elevated Leader and Success Mindsets. He has written multiple articles for Leading Saints, presented at a live event about mindsets, and is a repeat podcast guest. As Ryan reviewed leadership research, he found it primarily answered one question: “What do leaders need to do to be effective?” The focus of his work has been on “What do leaders need to be to be effective?” This podcast is a follow-up to a previous discussion about vertical development as individuals and leaders in the church. Listen to Part 1 here. Highlights 02:10 Introduction and Ryan talks about the book that he recently released 04:40 Focus on vertical development not only works in the office but within the family 06:15 Ryan breaks down vertical development and how it's different from horizontal development 09:00 Retreats are to help focus on our own character development or vertical development. It's so much more than just gaining more knowledge. 13:00 Researchers have found that adults can develop but most don't 16:00 We force our youth to get into uncomfortable situations where they can learn and grow. However, as adults we refuse to do things that are uncomfortable. 18:00 A heat experience. They are externally or internally driven. These are experiences that cause us to change. 19:30 Can we apply this idea of vertical development in our church meetings? 23:00 A necessary prerequisite for vertical development is vulnerability. So as church leaders it's important to be vulnerable and create a space for others to be vulnerable too. 25:20 Ryan shares some of his past trauma and what he has learned from it in his vertical development journey. He applies it to church leaders. 30:20 What makes us, as leaders? 32:40 Experiences as a child can affect us as adults and how we lead. Even if you didn't have dramatic trauma in your past, everyone has some sort of trauma. 33:40 Kurt shares his personal experience 36:15 Look into your past. What has happened to you? What type of leadership have you experienced? What was your testimony development like? How are all these things impacting or impeding your vertical leadership development? 36:50 Ryan gives examples of how past trauma affects current leadership 41:30 The journey to becoming a more positive influence, a better leader, and more like our Savior is foundationally a healing journey 45:00 We need to stop comparing our pain and trauma. Everyone's pain matters. 51:00 It can be helpful to look into the history of trauma in your family 54:15 Past trauma affects how we parent and connect with others 58:00 Less vertically developed leaders focus on results and outcomes. The best leaders focus on the leading indicators, not the lagging indicators. 1:00:00 Watching other people go through vertical development 1:06:20 Vertical development is a focus on elevating our being and not just focusing on our doing 1:08:40 The first step is self awareness. Take the time to learn more about vertical mindsets. Once we become self aware and learn we can take action. 1:14:00 Final encouragement that Ryan has for leaders Links Part 1: The Research Behind Becoming Christlike | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson Success Mindsets: Your Keys to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership The Elevated Leader: Level Up Your Leadership Through Vertical Development

When most folks think about giving, they automatically default to money. It makes sense because money is vital to living well in God's world. But if money is the only thing we think about regarding giving, we will miss out on some of the most incredible life experiences we could have. God is calling all believers to a level of generosity that touches every sphere of our lives, not just our finances. When we get to this generous place with our walk with the Lord, we are about as Christlike as we can become. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/when-you-give-more-than-money-youre-more-like-christ/ Will you help us to continue providing free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Today Christians are expressing a variety of considerations and needs as it relates to their financial decisions. We'll talk about that today with David Spika of Guidestone. David Spika is the Chief Investment Officer at Guidestone, a financial services firm helping those in ministry as well as the broader Christian population. Guidestone is an underwriter of MoneyWise. GuideStone was founded in 1918 to provide financial support to pastors and their widows. And over the ensuing century, it has become a multi-line financial services firm, providing insurance, retirement, and investments to Christians, institutions, and Christian individuals. GuideStone is the largest faith-based investment firm in the country. They manage more than $18 billion dollars in total. Spika says its mission and vision for helping Christian investors are based on three verses: 1. The Great Commandment found in Matthew 22: 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. 2. The Great Commission in Matthew 28: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 3. Essence of the Gospel found in John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Spika also explains how GuideStone helps Christians to invest with confidence that their money isn't being used by the companies they invest in to do or support things contrary to biblical values. He also details how the organization uses shareholder advocacy to encourage those company management teams to operate in a more Christlike fashion. And he explains what he calls impact investing. That is proactively investing in companies that are doing good around the world and helping to spread the Gospel. To learn more about GuideStone and its services, visit.Guidestonefunds.com. On today's program, Rob also answers listener questions: ● What are the tax implications of I-bonds? ● Is it possible to have a will made for free? ● How should you go about tithing on a business? Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000 or email them to Questions@MoneyWise.org. Also, visit our website at MoneyWise.org where you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, join the MoneyWise Community, and even download the free MoneyWise app. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29

Have you ever wondered if you're hearing God or just listening for what you want to hear? Me too, friend! This is why I'm re-airing an episode  I had earlier this year with Pete Greig as he talks with me about how to hear God, which I believe to be one of the most important topics we've ever covered on the show. (Hence the re-air because it never hurts to hear important information more than once, am I right?!) Pete and I discuss why hearing God speak to us is so challenging for some. And we also talk about how to identify what's actually the voice of God and ways to sort through delusion and deception. We are covering so much ground in this episode! Pete has committed his life to help people hear the voice of God and facilitating the supernatural outpouring of His word and truth throughout the world. In addition to being a best-selling author, Greig is one of the founding champions of the earth-rattling 24-7 Prayer Movement and Senior Pastor of Emmaus Road Church in the south of England. Listen in to hear all about: Why we are comfortable talking to God but not so much talking with God. Differentiating between when God is speaking to us and what isn't actually God at all. How to determine the difference between God's word and God's whisper (and why it matters!).  Favorite quotes: ~ How do ordinary, normal people, grow in the most important thing we'll ever do, which is walking and talking with God? ~ Ask yourself : a) Is this affirming? b) Is it Biblical? c) Is it Christlike? If the answer is yes, this is affirming, biblical, and Christlike, then it will be good even if it isn't God. ~ We need to hear God in community. We often need to discern God's will with other people, not just our own thoughts. In this episode I answered this question: I feel uncomfortable building a platform. How can I do it in a healthy way? (42:12) Links to great things we discussed:  Connect with Pete Greig @ 24/7 Prayer  How to Hear God -Book Lectio 365 app Taylor Swift - Red Belfast Movie The Land of the Living - Jonathan and Melissa Hesler  The Fabelmans Oh Come Let Us Adore Him Sacksy Thyme     Join the Confident Motherhood Community here. Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli 

The message of the 2022 Light the World campaign for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is simple: “By following Jesus Christ, the true Light of the World, you can bring a little light into the lives of friends, family members, coworkers and even strangers.” This episode of the Church News podcast focuses on sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ light through the Light the World initiative this Christmas season — and throughout the year. Joining the podcast is Elder W. Mark Bassett, a General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Missionary Department, and Aaron Hall, director of finding for the Missionary Department. Share light as part of this effort by finding a Giving Machine and supporting one of many charities, joining the Church's kindness conversation on Facebook, and receiving daily prompts.  The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson visits with Blake Long about his book about displaying Christlike character in the practice of evangelism.

Fr. Josh answers a question about building bridges through Christlike relationships with our Protestant brothers and sisters. He also encourages us to dive into Scripture this Advent by following the example of St. Joseph, a man also rooted in the Word of God. Snippet From the Show Jesus said in the Gospel to go out and make disciples of all nations, of all people. Jesus didn't say to go and make disciples of fellow Catholics, but all people. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh's shownotes or go to www.AscensionPress.com/askfatherjosh Submit your questions and feedback to Fr.Josh by filling out a form at www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in September 2021. Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D., is a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. He is also an associate leadership professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources from Indiana University, and a B.A. from Brigham Young University. As a consultant, he works with organizations to develop their leaders and improve their culture. Ryan is the author of The Elevated Leader and Success Mindsets. He has written multiple articles for Leading Saints, presented at a live event about mindsets, and is a repeat podcast guest. As Ryan reviewed leadership research, he found it primarily answered one question: “What do leaders need to do to be effective?” The focus of his work has been on “What do leaders need to be to be effective?” In this podcast, Ryan and Kurt discuss the concept of vertical development and how it applies to individuals and leadership. Highlights 06:25 Vertical development is the next topic Ryan has been studying and writing about. It applies to us emotionally and spiritually, and possibly even physically. 07:40 Overview of mindsets: Mindsets are the mental lenses we wear that shape how we view the world 09:10 What vertical development is Three adult developmental stages that are a function of effort, both horizontally and vertically Elevating our ability to make meaning of our world in more cognitively and emotionally sophisticated ways 12:00 Examples of how people in different levels respond to constructive criticism 13:45 The three different levels Mind 1.0: Focused on our comfort, safety, and belonging. Self-protective. Dependent thinkers, exchanging power and independence for these needs. Mind 2.0: Focused on being seen, advanced, and getting ahead. Independent thinkers, in self-reward mode. Mind 3.0: Focused on contributing and adding value, externally focused on lifting and elevating others. Interdependent thinkers, able to see from different perspectives and sit with complexity. Only 1% of adults get to this place. 20:00 Becoming more like the Savior happens through vertical development Example of Mind 1.0 recommendation for seeking information Approaching teaching from the perspective of vertical vs. horizontal development 25:15 The tension between safety and truth Example of people protecting the safety of beliefs in a Sunday School lesson Being a seeker of truth and learning to sit with complexity instead of becoming defensive It is in the interpreting that we connect with God 31:05 Leaders operate differently depending on their vertical development Do we even allow for a conversation about interpretation? “Aspiring” fits into Mind 2.0 Mind 3.0 leaders are focused on creating a culture that is inclusive and allows for growth and development 37:25 The culture of aspiring to leadership 39:00 How do we go about developing vertically? What makes meaning for us are our mindsets Example of an inward vs. outward mindset and how it helps us become more like Jesus Christ Seeing others as doing their best: “What has happened to you?” vs. “What is wrong with you?” 46:20 Learning acceptance: Healing from our own traumas as we recognize Christ accepting us Vertical development involves calming our response so we have a greater tolerance The new “Sunday School answer”: get to where you can have 100% acceptance before doing anything 51:35 When we help people repent we help them change their hearts and how they make meaning with their world, not their behaviors and actions 55:00 Where to start 57:55 Our vertical development is about healing our minds and hearts Links Success Mindsets: Your Keys to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership