Podcasts about Comforter

Nothing is as all-encompassing and all-inclusive as the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Comforter is the truth of all things, quickens all things, makes alive all things, knows all things, and has all power. Christ began and concluded His mortal ministry teaching about the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ask almost anyone what they most want in life and love, joy and peace in some combination will surface in the discussion. Paul taught the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace….” He also said, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” The best of all human conditions in this life is to be endowed with heavenly power, to be born again, to have the gift and companionship of the Holy Ghost. Nothing is worth the loss of the spirit. This world is too difficult to traverse alone.

In this Weekly Prophetic Word, Dr. Candice Smithyman teaches on the month of Av, the three weeks of Between the Straits, and the faith needed to step into your inheritance.This is not the week to doubt God. This is the week to believe in His goodness. Dr. Candice shares from Numbers 13 and 14, where the 12 spies saw the promised land, but only Joshua and Caleb believed God was able to bring them in. She also teaches from Numbers 27 on the daughters of Zelophehad, who stood before Moses and asked for the inheritance of their father.God is calling you to stand, believe, and speak in faith. Your inheritance will not come through fear, doubt, or a bad report. It comes through faith in the goodness of God.In this teaching, you will be encouraged to:Believe God for the land He promised you Stop focusing on the giants Stand for your family legacy Increase your faith Prepare for promotion Step into the inheritance God has written over your lifeDr. Candice also shares about the month of Av, God our Comforter, and how this prophetic season is preparing you for promotion from August 1 through August 15.Watch now and be encouraged to stand for your inheritance. Visit: CandiceSmithyman.com for books, courses, & prophetic resourcesJoin Dr. Candice Smithyman's FREE Ascend prophetic calls every month for spiritual teaching and prophetic insight.

(This podcast was previously published on August 25, 2021)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   In the previous Podcasts, I shared Words God spoke to Abraham which are recorded in Genesis.   I suggest that you list some of those Words that God has spoken to you.  For if you are born again, God will communicate with you by HIS Spirit.  I will give you examples of words God has sent to me at various times in my life.   There are far too many times God has spoken to me for me to list all of those Words, but I will share with you some of those Words which God has spoken to me during my life.  

The Promise of the Holy Spirit. We read and learn of God's wonderful promise of the empowerment by the Holy Spirit, in our life, from both Luke chapter 24 verse 49 and John chapter 14 verse 26. The apostles of Jesus were to remain in Jerusalem until they were fully equipped with the Holy Spirit's power from heaven. Their Helper, the Holy Spirit, would be their Comforter, Counsellor, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener and Standby. The Father would send the Holy Spirit, as Christ's representative and He would act on the Lord's behalf. He would teach every Christian everything they needed to know as long as they were willing to allow Him to do so. He would also bring everything to their remembrance.

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Nehemiah chapters 1 & 2Yahweh is My ComforterBurdens for revival lead to boldness in prayer

The sermon explores the multifaceted work of the Holy Spirit in salvation and the believer's life, emphasizing doctrines such as unconditional election and eternal security. It contrasts the law of sin and death with the liberating power of the Spirit of life found in Christ Jesus. The speaker highlights the Holy Spirit's role as Comforter, Teacher, and Guide who reveals truth and convicts the heart. By referencing passages like Romans 8 and John 14, the message assures believers that God preserves them through trials and sovereignly applies redemption to their souls. The central intent is to encourage trust in God's unchanging plan and to find peace amidst worldly chaos through faith in Christ.

Hey, Out of the Boat family! Chris, Ronny, & guess Zoe talk about campus ministry and the Precious gift of the Holy Ghost. If you enjoyed this week's episode, be sure to like this video and drop a comment on what you thought about this week's podcast. Click the notification bell so you never miss an episode! If you'd like to see a certain topic covered, comment it! ORDER ACTS 2:38 STICKERS:https://www.stickerevangelism.com/shopConnect with us on Instagram: / outoftheboatpodEmail us @ outoftheboatnetwork@gmail.com

അവൻ്റെ വഴിയിൽ നടക്കുക | Walk In His Way | Malayalam Christian Message | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory 1965 | 08 July 2026ജീവിതത്തിൽ എങ്ങോട്ട് പോകണമെന്നറിയാതെ ഭാരപ്പെടുന്നവരും ഭാവിയെ ഓർത്തു നീറുന്നവരും ഇതൊന്നു കേൾക്കൂ! നിങ്ങളുടെ ചുവടുകളെ കൃത്യതയോടെ നയിക്കാൻ സ്വർഗ്ഗത്തിൽ നിന്നും ഒരു വഴികാട്ടിയുണ്ട്.This foundational Malayalam Christian message reveals how to accurately walk in His way by actively yielding to the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit. If you are battling worry, deep-seated stress and situational anxiety about your hidden future, understand that the Comforter does not just offer emotional consolation; He acts as your personal supernatural guide who perfectly knows the final destination, the exact timing and every hidden danger or enemy plot laid against your life. Relying on Isaiah 48:17, Psalm 32:8, and John 16:13, this teaching outlines four structural pillars of spiritual direction.ദൈവവചനത്തിൻ്റെ അനുഗ്രഹങ്ങൾക്കായി Blessing Today ചാനൽ ഇപ്പോൾ തന്നെ Subscribe ചെയ്യൂ! ✨പുതിയ വീഡിയോകൾക്കായി Bell Icon അമർത്തുക.

Pastor Al Dagel tells us that Jesus, Who came to comfort us, spoke of another Comforter, The Holy Spirit.  Both comfort us.  It is Cod's plan.

The sermon explores the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in salvation, emphasizing that believers are freed from the law of sin and death through unconditional election. It highlights the internal change where the Spirit bears witness with our spirit, confirming adoption as children of God rather than leaving us in bondage to fear. Drawing on Romans 8 and John 14, the message assures listeners of eternal security and the indwelling presence of the Comforter who sustains them through life's trials. The preacher encourages replacing anxiety with trust in God's sovereign control and love. Ultimately, the teaching affirms that salvation is entirely God's work, securing the believer's future glory and present peace.

Do you know God as a Comforter? Everyone experience hardships from time to time. Jesus said in this world you have tribulation but be of good cheer He overcome the world. God desire to be your Comforter today.

July 3, 2026Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - 7th PetitionDaily Lectionary: Joshua 8:1-28; Acts 11:1-18“But deliver us from evil. What does this mean? We pray in this petition, in summary, that our Father in heaven would rescue us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation, and finally, when our last hour comes, give us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.” (Small Catechism: Lord's Prayer - 7th Petition)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.I don't know about you, but it feels like there is a lot of evil all around. Voters in any major party these days will talk of their opponents as evil, even when they don't use that specific word. News on television or the Internet is constantly filled with stories of violent assaults and murder. Abortions are justified and even celebrated by massive amounts of people. And just about everyone knows someone with an ex-spouse who became vindictive and cruel in their dealings with them.But settle down, Christian. You have that log to pull out of your own eye, again. There is lots of evil that Old Adam has swum back to the surface and accomplished. You're not just an innocent bystander.Our loving and forgiving Lord knows that. And He died and rose for that. He suffered the absolute worst that evil could unleash at Him, and He won. Evil is defeated. The evil one is limited and knows he is doomed to the prison of hell. That is why his misery-loves-company self hurls all that he can at us, to attempt to drag us down with him in unbelief. The evil one wants you to get so discouraged that you “curse God and die.” (Job 2:9) Daily, he rages against Christ and His Church, with anything he can think of. But try as he might, even Satan can not steal you from God. He is a created angel, and can never overcome the Lord God. No one can snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:28)The Lord sends the Comforter, who calls you by the Gospel, enlightens you with Christ's gifts, sanctifies you and keeps you in the one true faith.That's really what we are praying for here. That the Lord continues to give His gifts and keep us in the faith, even when the devil is hurling evil at us. Jesus keeps you. Jesus preserves you. And even when you suffer assaults to body, mind, and spirit, He delivers you from evil by keeping you in that one true faith.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.From evil, Lord deliver us; The ties and days are perilous. Redeem us from eternal death, And, when we yield our dying breath, Console us, grant us calm release, And take our souls to You in peace. (LSB 766:8)Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

(This podcast was previously published on August 10, 2021)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   Genesis 3   6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.   7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.   8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.   (Now they knew sin.  And they no longer wanted to be around anyone who might see their sin.)   9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?   10 And he said, I heard THY voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.   11 And HE (God) said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?   12 And the man said, The woman whom THOU gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.   13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.   Penalties come because of sin:   14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:   15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.   16 Unto the woman HE said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.   17 And unto Adam HE said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;   18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;   19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.  

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26) ~~~~ A morning devotional taken in the lounge of the Bethesda aged people's Home, Hove. ~~~~ *https://www.gospelstandard.org.uk/Bethesda/Welcome* **Sermon Summary:** This devotional explores the person and work of the Holy Spirit as revealed in John chapters 14 and 16. The speaker identifies the Spirit as the Comforter and Spirit of Truth, sent by the Father and the Son to abide with believers. Key functions include teaching all things, bringing Jesus' words to remembrance, and guiding into truth. Additionally, the Spirit reproves the world regarding sin, righteousness, and judgment while glorifying Christ. The message emphasizes the Trinity's unity in sending the Spirit and provides assurance of divine presence and guidance for God's people.

Asst. Pastor Melvin Gaines

Asst. Pastor Melvin Gaines

For Edge God in Podcast Edge God In Podcast 327 Healing Takes Time: Trusting God's Process EdgeGodIn.com | Host: Estella Chavous Championing Human Potential in Christ Download Bible Study Template Learning Objective:By the end of this episode, participants will be able to recognize that healing is a God-guided process requiring time, identify emotional and spiritual behaviors that may hinder healing, and apply the Emotional Intelligence in Christ (EIC) framework—Encounter, Identify the Behavior, and Course Correct—to respond with faith, patience, and trust in God’s promises. Scriptures: Philippians 1:6 | Deuteronomy 31:8 | Romans 12:2 | James 1:4 | Psalm 147:3 Ecclesiastes 3:1 | Psalm 147:3 The book helped them understand five key areas: Trusting and understanding the timing of healing Remembering God is on your side Developing Patience within Yourself Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for being our Healer, our Comforter, and our constant source of hope. When healing feels slow, help us to trust Your perfect timing. Renew our minds, strengthen our bodies, restore our hearts, and deepen our faith. Help us by giving us patience to embrace the process and confidence to know that You are always working for our good. Let the message in the teaching help all those who need healing, by reminding us all that in each day we never walk alone because You are with us every step of the journey. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Support Resources: Books & Resources: Understanding and Acting on Behaviors that lead to Christ-Filled Relationships: Designed to uncover the key behaviors that influence how you relate to Christ-Awareness, Discernment, Emotion, and Renewal. Situational Meditation Theory and Practice: Finding this space and learning to engage in meditation, contemplation and reflection. Situational Meditation Journal: A companion to the book, cultivating a lifestyle of presence and full engagement in the moment. Emotional Intelligence in Christ Project: Book, 6-Week Study Guide & Course

Through Claire's experience at a family gathering, Dr. Judith shows how becoming more conscious can make old conversations, roles, and emotional patterns feel too small. She explains the spiritual importance of the vertical relationship with God before the horizontal relationships with others, using the image of the cross to show why God must come first.You'll learn the HOME framework:H — Hear the ache
O — Open to at-one-ment with God
M — Make God your first Source
E — Extend love outwardIf you have been feeling alone, unseen, or spiritually restless in midlife, this episode offers a deeper reframe: your loneliness may not be the end of connection. It may be the soul's invitation to come home to God.Time Stamps00:00 — Loneliness Is a Signal
01:38 — Why Midlife Loneliness Feels Different
03:07 — When Spiritual Awakening Changes You
05:01 — Claire at the Family Gathering
09:04 — Why the Vertical Relationship Comes First
11:38 — The Sacred Reframe: God First
15:51 — Claire Turns Toward God
18:51 — The HOME Framework
19:18 — H: Hear the Ache
24:54 — O: Open to At-One-Ment
28:47 — M: Make God Your First Source
32:34 — E: Extend Love Outward
34:47 — Final Reflection and PrayerDaily prayer from this episode:
“God is my Source, Comforter, and Lover of my soul. Help me to feel that Oneness throughout my day.”

The sermon centers on the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, emphasizing that salvation begins with the Spirit's indwelling presence, which renews the heart and enables true spiritual life. Drawing from Ezekiel 36, it highlights God's promise to replace the hardened, stony heart with a new heart and spirit, making obedience to His statutes possible through divine enablement rather than human effort. The passage from John 14 underscores the Spirit as the eternal Comforter, uniquely received by believers because He dwells within them, a reality the world cannot perceive due to spiritual blindness. Through the life of Joseph as a type of Christ, the sermon illustrates how God's sovereign plan unfolds through suffering and divine empowerment, culminating in the believer's destiny to be conformed to Christ's image. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit's presence is the foundation of assurance, strength, and holy living, securing the believer's eternal hope and intimate communion with God.

Heidelberg Catechism Q & A 38

 This sermon focused on how Christians can faithfully care for those who are suffering by following the example of Job's friends in Job 2:11–13. Pastor Cole Rhodes emphasized that true comfort often comes through presence, sympathy, patience, prayer, and sometimes even silence rather than having the perfect words to say. Drawing from his own experience of deep personal loss and disappointment, he reminds us that Jesus understands our suffering, welcomes our honest struggles, and offers mercy instead of condemnation. The message encouraged believers to bear one another's burdens and walk alongside hurting people for the long haul. Ultimately, the sermon pointed to Christ as the ultimate Comforter who uses suffering to draw us closer to Him and assures us that we are never abandoned in our pain.   Website: redeemermidland.org Instagram: instagram.com/redeemermidland Facebook: facebook.com/RedeemerMidland   At Redeemer, we seek to be a Gospel-Centered, Missional Family. We sing songs to worship our Lord, we preach the Word of God from the Bible, and we love one another.   We would love to see you on a Sunday morning at 9:00 or 11:00 am at 3601 N. Lamesa Rd in Midland, Texas. 

DR OKEY ONUZO ANTIOCH BIBLE STUDY

What do you do when your internal world doesn't match your Sunday theology? When you love God, but trauma, anxiety, or deep pain leaves you stuck?In this episode of Interviewing Jesus, host Kristen Wambach bridges the gap between clinical mental health and supernatural deliverance. Sitting down with licensed counselor Kate Massey, author of Purpose in the Pain, we move past religious platitudes toward raw restoration.Kate shares her journey of surviving trauma and the moments God met her in the mess to rewrite her reality. We tackle why we must stop running from our history, stop pretending the pain doesn't ache, and stop trying to just "suck it up." When we manage our own protection, we block the Holy Spirit from being our Comforter.You do not define your own worth—the Master Artist already settled that on the cross. Your job is to surrender the brush, drop the exhaustion of people-pleasing, and let Him speak your true identity over your life.

What is the Father doing? (Sermon Series on John) - Sunday, 7th June 2026[Episode 22 - John Chapter 5 KJV]1. What is God doing?John 5:17  But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work What is God doing. 2. Sustaining the universeColossians 1:16-17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 3. Working in our lives.Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 4. Reaching out to the lost.John 16:7-11 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 2 Peter 3:9-10 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 5. Comforting the hurting.2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.6. Guiding the hearts of men. Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.7. Setting up and taking down rulers.Daniel 4:25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.8. Ruling in the affairs of men.Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?9. New thingsIsaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. Revelation 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Heidelberg Catechism Q & A 37

Overcomer Covenant Church exists to advance the Kingdom of God, locally and globally, by preaching the Gospel, partnering with other ministries, and planting churches. To support Overcomer and help us continue to reach people all around the world, click here: https://overcomercc.org/give If you've just made a decision for Christ, click the link today - https://overcomercc.org/saved If this is your first time joining us, click the link today - https://overcomercc.org/newhere —— Stay Connected! Website: https://overcomercc.org YouTube: https://youtube.com/@overcomercc Instagram: https://instagram.com/overcomercc Facebook: https://facebook.com/overcomercc

Overcomer Covenant Church exists to advance the Kingdom of God, locally and globally, by preaching the Gospel, partnering with other ministries, and planting churches. To support Overcomer and help us continue to reach people all around the world, click here: https://overcomercc.org/give If you've just made a decision for Christ, click the link today - https://overcomercc.org/saved If this is your first time joining us, click the link today - https://overcomercc.org/newhere —— Stay Connected! Website: https://overcomercc.org YouTube: https://youtube.com/@overcomercc Instagram: https://instagram.com/overcomercc Facebook: https://facebook.com/overcomercc

What if the help, wisdom, and guidance you've been searching for are already living inside of you? In “God In You: The Indwelling Spirit, Part 2,” Pastor DeWayne L. Wright continues his study on the Holy Spirit by exploring the believer's daily relationship with the Spirit of God and the life-changing benefits of His presence. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 13:14, John 14:15–26, and John 16:12–15, Pastor Wright teaches that the Holy Spirit is more than a doctrine to study—He is a divine Helper, Teacher, Comforter, and Guide who desires intimate fellowship with every believer. Through practical teaching and biblical insight, this message encourages Christians to develop a greater awareness of God's presence, learn to listen for His leading, and rely on His wisdom in every area of life. This encouraging message reminds us that we were never meant to navigate life alone. The Holy Spirit has been sent to strengthen, teach, guide, and transform us as we grow in our relationship with Christ and walk in the truth of God's Word.

The Holy Spirit still speaks, guides, comforts, and anchors believers in truth today. In this devotional on listening to the Holy Spirit, Michelle Lazurek reflects on a frightening health scare that led her into fear, anxiety, and catastrophic thinking—until God’s gentle voice broke through the lies. Rooted in Psalms 37:23, this message reminds us that God establishes the steps of those who delight in Him and that the Holy Spirit helps believers discern truth in difficult seasons. Through personal testimony and biblical encouragement, this devotional explores spiritual discernment, obedience, and learning to recognize God’s voice amid fear and uncertainty. It highlights how Scripture, prayer, and Christian community help believers test what they hear and grow more sensitive to the Spirit’s leading. As we mature spiritually, the Holy Spirit becomes not only our Comforter but also the One who silences lies and strengthens our identity in Christ. Highlights The Holy Spirit often speaks peace into moments filled with fear and confusion. God’s voice will always align with Scripture and His character. Spiritual maturity grows through consistent prayer, obedience, and time in God’s Word. Fear and negative thinking lose power when replaced with biblical truth. Christian community helps believers discern and confirm God’s leading. God—not circumstances or diagnoses—holds authority over our lives and future. Listening to the Holy Spirit requires intentional stillness and spiritual attentiveness. Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Listen to the Holy SpiritBy: Michelle Lazurek Bible Reading:“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.” - Psalm 37:23 A couple of years ago, I started a new medication. This medication had side effects, one of which was nausea, and I had a lot of it. In addition, I felt it was affecting my throat, as I kept feeling a lump there. Because I have had hypothyroidism for many years, my doctor wanted to check to see if it was causing harm to my thyroid, and she wanted to see if it was cancer. She ordered an ultrasound to check it. No cancer! But the test results revealed I probably had an autoimmune disease that had gone undiagnosed for some time. This was difficult news to hear, to say the least. After I visited with the doctor, I got into my car and drove to the grocery store. Just as I was getting into the car after getting some groceries, I hit my head on the rearview mirror. I bawled my eyes out for the next half hour in my car. A myriad of thoughts ran through my head: I won’t live long enough to see my kids grow up or their grandkids. God didn’t care about my health. God didn’t care about me. All I had done was for nothing. After I had my emotional meltdown, I went back into the store. Walking down the aisle, I sensed the Holy Spirit speak to my heart: “I tell you when you’re done. Doctors don’t tell you when you are done, I tell you when you are done.” Immediately, all those lies that filled my head were gone. Because I regularly practice listening for the Holy Spirit, I was in tune and aware enough of how God speaks to me that when He spoke, I knew it was Him. I not only knew from my previous encounters with the Spirit, but also being anchored in God’s word, that when I tested the words I heard, they aligned with Scripture. Those words inspired me not to give up. I changed my diet and tweaked my exercise routine. I started taking supplements, upped my water intake—anything I could do to live as healthily as possible. If you are unsure whether you are hearing from the Holy Spirit, ask yourself these questions: As you read Scripture, does a verse speak to your soul in a way it hasn’t before (especially if you’ve read the scripture before)? Do you sense the Holy Spirit speaking to you during your prayer time? If he does, write down what you believe he is saying. If you have experienced either of these things, test what you are hearing with others you trust (they can be in your church or not). Community is key to sharpening your ability to hear from the Holy Spirit. When we mature in our spiritual walks, we rely more on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's voice becomes clearer to us the more we listen to it and obey what it says. Not only is it important to listen to the Holy Spirit, but it also helps to dispel the lies that Satan plants in our minds. Just as I believed the lie that my life was over simply because of a doctor's diagnosis, the Holy Spirit had more to say to me on that subject. The minute I heard those words in the spirit, all those lies disappeared. I was able to replace the truth of the above verse with the lies that my life would be cut short. Are you someone who hears from the Holy Spirit? Have you had encounters like this where the words you hear from him align with Scripture, changing not only your life but the lives of those who hear them? Vow to be more attuned to the spirit. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you in ways that only you will understand. When you hear those words, be obedient to do as they say. When we align our minds and hearts with the Holy Spirit, we solidify our identity in Christ and can respond to the still, small voice in our lives. Father, let us listen to you. Make your voice unmistakable in our lives. Let us be people who are known to obey you rather than the lies in our minds. Amen. Intersecting Faith & Life: Have you heard from the Holy Spirit? What did he say? Were you obedient to what you heard? Further Reading: John 14:26 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit | Pentecost Sunday at Cornerstone ChurchWhat is the baptism of the Holy Spirit?Is speaking in tongues biblical?Why did Jesus tell His disciples to wait for the Promise of the Father?In this powerful Pentecost Sunday message, Pastor Jonathan Morgan and Trevin Durant teach on the person, power, and purpose of the Holy Spirit. From Acts 1 and Acts 2 to the ministry of Jesus Himself, this sermon explores what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit and how the Spirit empowers believers to live beyond empty religion into a supernatural life of boldness, power, intimacy, and transformation.Jesus didn't only come as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world — He also came as the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.In this message:• The difference between salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit• Why Pentecost still matters today• What the Bible says about speaking in tongues• How the Holy Spirit empowers believers• The purpose of spiritual gifts and supernatural power• How to receive the Holy Spirit by faith• The role of the Holy Spirit as Comforter, Teacher, Counselor, and HelperScriptures referenced:John 1:29–34Acts 1:4–8Acts 2:1–181 Corinthians 6:19____________________________ Sundays at 8:30 & 10:30 AMWe are branded by the fire of God. We carry the fire of God to ignite our generation to burn for Jesus. Find us:www.fuquayrevival.comwww.facebook.com/cornerstonefuquayig: @cornerstonechurch.fv

Every believer is becoming one of two things: driftwood, carried aimlessly by the currents of culture, offense, and emotion, or dynamite, an earthen vessel filled with the explosive supernatural power of God. Apostle Raley preached a powerful message, drawing from Acts 1:8, unpacking 5 reasons we desperately need the Holy Spirit: He is our Comforter and Advocate, He helps our weaknesses in prayer, He teaches and illuminates truth, He gives us miracle-working power, and He tames the one thing no human strength can control, the tongue. The promise of the Holy Spirit is not for a past generation but for every hungry believer today, because God never called us to drift through life; He called us to carry fire! Visit https://calvaryfl.com for more!

Welcome to week 2 of our Holy Spirit Series. We all come to a place in our lives where we need to be comforted. The Holy Spirit is a comforter to those who are hurting and broken. We hope you are encouraged to move into a deeper relationship with God through discovering more about the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. Thanks for listening. 

In this passionate Pentecost message, Pastor Art challenges believers to seek a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit rather than relying on past spiritual experiences. Drawing from Acts 2:1–4, the sermon emphasizes that the armor of God and the Christian life are only effective when empowered by the Holy Spirit. The message explores the significance of Pentecost as both a historical event and a present-day call for revival. Just as the believers in the upper room were filled with the Spirit and empowered for ministry, Christians today are urged to seek the same spiritual power, boldness, and transformation. Pastor Art highlights that Pentecost is not merely a denominational identity but an experience with God that equips believers to live holy lives, witness effectively, and overcome spiritual battles. Throughout the sermon, listeners are encouraged to examine their hearts through repentance, prayer, and the renewing of their minds. The Holy Spirit is presented as the believer's Comforter, Helper, Guide, and source of strength. The message warns against having a form of godliness without the power of God and calls the church to contend for genuine revival rather than settling for routine religion. Ultimately, Fresh Fire is a call to spiritual renewal, urging believers to welcome the Holy Spirit's presence, pursue holiness, and be empowered to impact their families, communities, and the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This is message 47 in Gospel Record of John John 14:16-31 Believers are never left alone, because God Himself comes to dwell within them through the Holy Spirit, bringing continual fellowship, guidance, strength, and peace. The presence of the Spirit becomes most evident in a life that loves Christ enough to obey His Word, as obedience deepens awareness of His nearness and truth. While the world searches for peace through outward means, true peace comes from trusting the finished work of Christ, resting in His promises, and living with confidence that He remains present and will one day return for His own. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ Donate through PushPay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc

Pastor Colins Nwosu began a new teaching series titled The Trinity of the Godhead, leading the church into a deeper and more enriching understanding of our relationship with the Triune God. Drawing from several scriptures, we explored the biblical foundation of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit existing distinctly yet perfectly united as One God. From the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3, we saw all three persons of the Godhead revealed together: the Father speaking from heaven, the Son being baptised, and the Spirit descending like a dove. This teaching emphasised that the Trinity is not merely a theological concept, but a revelation of God's nature and His desire for relationship with humanity. From the absolute unity of creation in Genesis 1:1–3 and John 1:1–5, to the ongoing ministry of the Comforter in John 14:26 and John 16:5–11, we see the perfect harmony and cooperation of the Godhead at work. Pastor Colins explained that understanding the Trinity strengthens our faith, deepens our worship, and enriches our walk with God because we are invited into fellowship with the fullness of who He is. The message also pointed us toward unity, reminding us from John 17:21 that just as the Godhead exists in perfect oneness, believers are also called into unity and communion with God and with one another. Confession: Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself to me as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Deepen my understanding of who You are, strengthen my walk with You, and help me live daily in fellowship with the fullness of Your presence and love.

"Leprosy"; tzedek-resh-ayin-tav; Modern disease - Hanson's disease?; Destruction of the Temple; Pharisees rejected Jesus; "Religion"; Priests; Spaniard's story; Healing from Priests? Or doctors?; Tree of Knowledge vs Tree of Life; Organizing in Tens, Hundreds and Thousands; Abandoning common purse; Pilgrims; Socialism; Free men under God; "Theos"; Bring ancient scripture into modern time; Degeneration of society; How to use knowledge; Revelation; Bible misinterpretation; Squelching truth; The divine solution; Reserve fund; Gen 2:15; Dress and keep the garden; Dominion; "Eating" of the trees; Organization of knowledge; Caring for others; Loving truth; Two trees; Hiding from God; Substitute solutions; Opened eyes; Treacherous clothing?; Torah vs Torat; Guidance from Tree of Life; Deception; Accepting Jesus?; Mt 7:20 By their fruits; Kingdom of Heaven/God; Foundation on the "rock"; Divine revelation; Foolish men; Not to be that way with you!; Winning back your government?; Becoming merchandise; "We the People"?; Biblical constitutions; Deut 17; Christ's COMMANDS; Voluntaryism; Being doers of the word; Responsibility; Rev 18:11; 1 Cor 16:9; Adversaries; Deut 6:12; Rom 11:9 Welfare snares; 2 Pet 2:3; Covetousness; Sureties for debt; Your relationship to government; Wars and rumors of wars; Debt notes; The rule of force and violence; vs Freewill offerings; Sharing; Charity; US Notes vs Just weights and measures; God of agreements; Allegiance?; Exercising authority; Addiction to benefits; Caring about your neighbor; Usury; License plates?; Use tax; Legal title; Lacking knowledge; Wanting to see the truth; The right way; Government of, for and by the people; "Tens"; Taking back your responsibilities; Love = Charity; Bondage of Egypt; "Israel"; Eating habits; Not wanting to change; Today's "Rome" (image of the beast); Changing of the courts - Equity; The Comforter; Fervent charity; Livestock?; Setting the captive free; "Idolatry"; "Socialism"; Finding God's heart in others; Choose truth!

Doesn't it seem like the older you get, the sadder visiting Las Vegas becomes? Bryan just went there and returned with some wonderful examples of the sadness. Let's talk about that, having a giant black sex toy glued to your forehead for five years, drawing on fake mustaches in order to bypass age requirements online, raising money for brain cancer treatment through a lemonade stand, and more on today's episode of Can You Don't?!*** Wanna become part of The Gaggle and access all the extra content on the end of each episode PLUS tons more?! Our Patreon page is LIVE! This is the biggest way you can support the show. It would mean the world to us: http://www.patreon.com/canyoudontpodcast ***New Episodes every Wednesday at 12pm PSTWatch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/YbHL_2K6678Send in segment content: heyguys@canyoudontpodcast.comMerch: http://canyoudontpodcast.comMerch Inquires: store@canyoudontpodcast.comFB: http://facebook.com/canyoudontpodcastIG: http://instagram.com/canyoudontpodcastYouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3wyt5rtOfficial Website: http://canyoudontpodcast.comCustom Music Beds by Zach CohenFan Mail:Can You Don't?PO Box 1062Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816Hugs and tugs.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jesus Gave His Followers the Holy Spirit to Walk with Them in Their Personal Relationship with God MESSAGE SUMMARY: Isaiah tells us about Jesus Followers' communications with the Holy Spirit in Isaiah 30:21: "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.". We know, from the New Testament, that Jesus Followers are given the Holy Spirit to walk with them -- "a voice behind you". Since the Holy Spirit takes up residence in you, the way the Lord speaks to you is through the inward witness of the Holy Spirit -- the Spirit will speak, and you will know that it is the Lord. In John 14:26, Jesus reminds us about His promise, to His followers, of the “Helper” (Holy Spirit): “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”. Additionally, in John 16-7, Jesus tells us that not only will the Holy Spirit be your “Helper”, the Holy Spirit will be your “Comforter”: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I now take a deep breath and stop. So often I miss your hand and gifts in my life because I am preoccupied and anxious. Grant me the power to pause each day and each week to simply rest in your arms of love. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 132). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Fear. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Faithfulness. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Ezekiel 22:30-31; Isaiah 30:21; John 14:23-27; John 16:7-13; Psalms 134:1-3. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Come Holy Spirit”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

In this message, we explore who the Holy Spirit truly is. The Holy Spirit is not a force or a feeling, but the personal presence of God actively involved in our daily lives. Using the analogy of a GPS, we discover how the Holy Spirit guides, reroutes, comforts, and strengthens us along the journey of life. We see how God's Spirit meets us in our mess, our guilt, our weakness, and our desperate prayers. Whether you're new to faith or have walked with Jesus for years, this message is an invitation to welcome the Holy Spirit into every area of your life as your comforter, advocate, helper, counselor, and intercessor.0:00 - Welcome & Series Introduction1:42 - The Car as a Sanctuary3:29 - The Holy Spirit as God's Positioning System5:09 - Who Is the Holy Spirit? (John 14:16-17)7:25 - "I Am With You Always" (Matthew 28:20)9:10 - David's Story Begins10:29 - Out of Place: When Trouble Finds Us11:25 - David and Bathsheba13:58 - Psalm 51: "Do Not Cast Your Spirit From Me"14:43 - The Spirit as Our Comforter15:48 - The Spirit as Our Advocate16:21 - The Spirit as Our Helper16:56 - The Spirit as Our Counselor17:43 - Jesus, Our Intercessor18:22 - David's Cry From the Cave (Psalm 142)24:20 - The Way, the Truth, and the Life25:15 - An Invitation to Daily Life With God26:42 - Closing PrayerSupport the showMade a decision to follow Jesus? We want to know about it! Fill out our connect card here: https://local.churchcenter.com/people/forms/115766Thank you for your generosity. For information on how to give, visit https://localvineyard.church/give.

Picture the night before the cross: Jesus, surrounded by those who gave up everything to follow Him, drops a startling truth—He must go so someone greater for their daily life can come. In John 16 we follow that moment as He unveils the Comforter: a Person who will live in them, guide them into truth, empower their prayers and worship, and be the seal of their salvation. This episode tells their story and ours, turning sorrow into advantage and the loss of a presence into the gain of a constant, guiding companion. Join us as we unpack Scripture, witness the Holy Spirit's practical work, and learn how to recognize, speak to, and rely on the Helper living within you. Listen, share, and take your next step at cfccampusministry.com.

The Fire That Remains Life in the Spirit After the Collapse of the Religious Self Week IV — The Heart That Bears the World Love, Intercession, and the Hidden Life in the Spirit ⸻ Opening Invocation O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, Come and dwell in us, Cleanse us from every impurity, And save our souls, O Good One. ⸻ I. The Return — But Nothing Is the Same At the beginning, the Spirit leads a man inward. Into exposure. Into poverty. Into silence. And it can seem as though the path is one of withdrawal. A leaving behind. A diminishing. But this is not the end. Because the same Spirit who leads a man into the desert of his own heart leads him back again. 1 Not outward in the old way. Not into activity rooted in self. But into a different kind of presence. The man returns to the world. But he does not return as he was. ⸻ II. The End of Living for Oneself Something has been broken. Quietly. Deeply. The constant reference to self. The need to interpret everything in relation to oneself. The subtle movement of: How does this affect me? What does this mean for me? Where do I stand? These begin to loosen. And with this a space opens. A freedom. Where others can begin to exist without being filtered through the self. This is the beginning of love. Not as an emotion. 2 Not as an effort. But as a way of being. “Love seeketh not her own.” (1 Corinthians 13:5) And for the first time this is not an ideal. It is something that begins to happen. ⸻ III. The Heart Enlarged by the Spirit The heart changes. Not outwardly. Not visibly. But in capacity. It begins to hold more. Not by effort. But by grace. You begin to feel: The weight of others. The pain of others. The confusion of others. Not in a way that overwhelms. But in a way that includes. The boundaries of the self soften. And the heart becomes... spacious. 3 “My heart is enlarged.” (Psalm 118/119) This is not sentimentality. It is not emotionalism. It is participation. A sharing in something greater than yourself. ⸻ IV. Intercession That Is Not Chosen Prayer changes again. Not in method. But in direction. Before, you struggled to pray. Then prayer began to live within you. Now something else happens: Others begin to appear in your prayer. Not because you decide to pray for them. But because they are given to you. A face. A name. A burden. And it remains. Quietly. Persistently. 4 You carry them. Sometimes without words. Sometimes without understanding. And this is intercession. Not as an activity. But as a participation in the love of Christ. “I could wish that myself were accursed for my brethren...” (Romans 9:3) A love that does not calculate. A love that bears. ⸻ V. The Hidden Nature of This Life And yet, outwardly, very little may change. You may still live in the same place. Do the same tasks. Speak with the same people. There is no need to appear different. No need to manifest anything. Because this life is hidden. Deep within. And this hiddenness is essential. Because the moment it becomes something seen something recognized something affirmed 5 the old self begins to stir. So the Spirit preserves this life in obscurity. In simplicity. In what appears to be ordinariness. “Your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3) And this hiddenness is protection. ⸻ VI. Love Without Self-Consciousness There is a further purification. Even love becomes purified. Because at first we can become aware of loving. We notice it. We reflect on it. We take some subtle satisfaction in it. But here, even this begins to fall away. Love becomes unselfconscious. It acts without referring back to itself. It gives without knowing that it gives. It responds without constructing meaning. 6 And this is freedom. Because the self is no longer at the center even of what is good. ⸻ VII. The Bearing of Suffering As the heart expands so does its capacity to suffer. Not in a destructive way. But in a participatory way. You begin to feel more. To see more. To carry more. And yet there is no resistance. Because this suffering is no longer meaningless. It is no longer isolated. It is held within something greater. Within the life of Christ. “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) This is not something you choose. It is something you are drawn into. ⸻ 7 VIII. The Absence of Claims At this point something remarkable appears. Or rather something disappears. The need to claim anything. You no longer need to: Define your state. Explain your path. Assert your identity. Even inwardly. You do not need to know where you are. You do not need to measure. You do not need to conclude. You simply live. Before God. With others. And this simplicity is a great freedom. ⸻ IX. The Life That Becomes Prayer Everything begins to unify. Prayer is no longer separate from life. Life is no longer separate from prayer. 8 Silence speaks. Speech can remain rooted in silence. Action flows from stillness. There is less division. Less fragmentation. More wholeness. And this is not something you maintain. It is something given. Sustained quietly. By the Spirit. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20) Not as an idea. But as a mystery slowly becoming real. ⸻ X. Closing Exhortation Do not seek this. Do not attempt to become this. Do not imitate what has been described. Remain faithful to what has been given to you. Remain in poverty. Remain in prayer. Remain in truth. And the Spirit will do His work. 9 Quietly. Hidden. Beyond your understanding. And what will emerge will not be something you have made. But a life. A heart. Capable of bearing others. Because it is held within Christ. ⸻ Closing Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Thou who didst bear the sins of the world in Thy Body, grant us the grace to bear one another in love. Enlarge our hearts. Purify our love. Deliver us from ourselves. And grant that, hidden in Thee, we may become a place where others are held in Thy mercy. For Thou art the Lover of mankind. Amen. 10

IntroductionThis guide covers the four Revised Common Lectionary readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A (May 10, 2026). Ascension Thursday falls four days later (May 14), and these texts are shaped by the awareness that Jesus is preparing to leave — and that what he leaves behind is not a void but a presence. Acts shows the gospel reaching into Athens. The psalm testifies to coming through hard places intact. First Peter calls the church to be ready to explain its hope. And John 14 promises the Spirit to people who are afraid of being left alone.From Art in the Christian Tradition, Vanderbilt Lectionary PageThe ReadingsActs 17:22–31The First Lesson — Paul at the AreopagusSummaryStanding before the Areopagus in Athens, Paul addresses a sophisticated audience of philosophers and civic leaders. He opens by observing that the Athenians are clearly a religious people — he even found an altar inscribed ‘To an Unknown God.' That unknown God, he says, is the one he has come to tell them about. This God made the world and everything in it, does not live in human-built temples, and does not need anything from us — God is the one who gives life and breath to all people. God made every nation from one source and set their boundaries, so that people might search for God, who is never actually far from any of us. Paul quotes their own poets: ‘In him we live and move and have our being,' and ‘We are his offspring.' If that is true, then God cannot be represented by gold or silver or stone carved by human hands. God has overlooked times of ignorance, but now calls all people everywhere to turn around, because a day of judgment is coming — appointed through a man God raised from the dead. At that, some laugh, some want to hear more, and a few believe.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The Sixth Sunday of Easter falls just before Ascension, and this reading from Acts, while jumping ahead in the timeline a bit, bridges the two: it shows the gospel already moving outward into the wider world, beyond the familiar territory of Jerusalem and Judea. Paul is standing in the intellectual capital of the ancient world and holding his own. We may want to use this as a moment to reflect on what it means for faith to travel into unfamiliar places.2. Paul finds common ground before he makes his central claim. He does not begin by telling the Athenians what they are missing — he starts with what they have already built and what they are already reaching toward. That approach is worth examining as a posture for the church's engagement with people outside it.3. The description of God in this passage is notable for what it does not say as much as what it does. God needs nothing, is not confined to a building, and is closer to every human being than they realize. This is a picture of God that many in a congregation may not have fully absorbed. A sermon could simply dwell in it.4. The mixed response at the end — mockery, curiosity, belief — is a realistic picture of how proclamation lands in the world. Not every sermon ends with a packed altar call. As preachers, we may need to remind ourselves — and help congregations hold this reality — with some peace rather than treating every unresolved response as a failure.Significant Cautions⚠ This passage overlaps significantly with last week's NL reading (Acts 17:16–31 is the same text). Preachers who used the Narrative Lectionary last Sunday should be aware their congregation has just heard this passage. Consider either going deeper into a specific element they did not explore, or framing the repetition as an opportunity to return to something worth sitting with longer.⚠ Paul's opening compliment about Athenian religiosity has limits — he goes on to call them to turn from what they have built toward the God he is proclaiming. Preachers should hold both moves together rather than presenting Paul as simply affirming whatever spiritual seeking people are doing.⚠ The phrase ‘times of ignorance God overlooked' needs care. It is not a blanket dismissal of all religious life outside Christianity, but it does signal that Paul sees this moment as a turning point rather than a continuation of business as usual. There is truth, even truth about God, that can be learned outside of our religious traditions.Psalm 66:8–20The Psalm — Tested, Tried, and Brought ThroughSummaryThis portion of Psalm 66 shifts from a call to general praise into something more personal and hard-won. The speaker describes a period of severe testing — God allowed the community to be burdened, passed through fire and water, and brought to what felt like a breaking point. But they came through to a spacious place. The psalmist then moves to personal testimony: I cried out to God, and God listened. If I had held on to anything wrong in my heart, God would not have heard — but God did hear, and did not take away steadfast love. The psalm closes with praise for a God who kept listening.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The testing described in this psalm is not metaphorical softness — it involves being ridden over, fire, and flood. This is real hardship, and the psalm does not apologize for naming it. We may use this as an opening for honest conversation about seasons of life that feel like they are breaking something in us.2. The movement from ‘you brought us through' to ‘I cried out and was heard' — from communal memory to personal testimony — mirrors what often happens in a healthy congregation. Corporate faith provides the framework; personal experience fills it in. Both matter, and neither replaces the other.3. The conditional in verse 18 — ‘if I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened' — is worth addressing carefully. It is not a claim that only morally perfect people get heard. It is an observation that a life turned deliberately away from God is also a life turned away from the relationship that makes prayer possible.4. The phrase ‘brought us out to a spacious place' is one of the most evocative images in the Psalter for what deliverance feels like. It is not just relief — it is room. We can use this image to describe what life on the other side of a hard season can look like.Significant Cautions⚠ Verse 18 — about God not hearing those who cherish wrongdoing — has been used harmfully to tell people whose prayers seem unanswered that they must have some hidden sin. That is a pastoral minefield. The psalm is a personal expression of gratitude, not a theological formula for how prayer works.⚠ The testing in this psalm is framed as something God allowed or even directed. That raises honest questions about theodicy that, as preachers, we should not sidestep or resolve too quickly. It is fine to acknowledge that the psalm holds this tension without resolving it neatly.⚠ The call to ‘bless our God' at the opening of this section can feel jarring if a congregation is in the middle of the fire rather than on the other side of it. Preachers should be aware that not everyone in the room is at the thanksgiving end of this psalm's arc.1 Peter 3:13–22The Epistle — Ready to Give a Reason for Your HopeSummaryThe letter addresses people who are vulnerable — outsiders in their communities, prone to mistreatment for no good reason. The writer asks: who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if they do, you are blessed for it. Do not be frightened. Instead, set Christ apart as holy in your heart, and be ready at any moment to give anyone who asks a clear, gentle account of the hope that lives in you. Keep your conscience clear so that those who slander you will be put to shame. It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong. Christ himself suffered once for sins — the just person for the unjust — to bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit. The passage ends with a reference to Noah and the flood, connecting that rescue through water to baptism, which the writer describes not as the removal of dirt but as an appeal to God from a clear conscience, made possible through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The phrase ‘always be ready to give an account of the hope that is in you' is one of the most practical calls in the New Testament. Many people in a congregation have never been asked to articulate what they actually hope in, or why. We can use this as an opportunity to help the congregation practice that clarity — not as a debate technique, but as an honest personal testimony.2. The instruction to give that account ‘with gentleness and respect' is often overlooked. The call to be ready is not a call to be aggressive or combative. The manner of the answer is part of the witness. We can explore what it looks like to speak about faith in a way that invites rather than shuts down.3. The passage puts suffering for doing right in the context of Christ's own suffering. This is not abstract — the writer is speaking to people who know what it is to be mistreated for no good reason. The solidarity offered here is not a philosophical argument but a shared experience.4. The Noah and baptism connection at the end of the passage is compressed and a little hard to follow, but the key idea is worth lifting out: what saves is not the water itself but the resurrection of Jesus, to which the water points. Baptism is described as an appeal — a turning toward God. We can use this to open up what baptism means in practice for people who were baptized long ago and may not think of it often.Significant Cautions⚠ The question ‘who will harm you if you are eager to do good?' can sound naive to people who have experienced serious harm despite living with integrity — victims of injustice, discrimination, or abuse. We need to acknowledge this rather than letting the verse imply that right living guarantees protection (the Job Principle).⚠ Like last week's epistle text, this passage has a complicated history of being used to demand passive endurance from people in genuinely harmful situations. The same cautions apply: this is not a command to remain in danger. Naming that history explicitly can be a pastoral gift.⚠ The Noah passage has been used in Christian history to make exclusivist claims about who gets saved — only eight people, and so on. I think we should resist this reading. The writer's point is not about the narrowness of rescue but about its reality and about what it points toward.⚠ The reference to Christ preaching to spirits in prison is one of the most debated passages in the New Testament. Preachers do not need to resolve what it means, but they should not pretend it says something it does not. It is fine to acknowledge the difficulty honestly and keep the focus on the surrounding text.John 14:15–21The Gospel — The Promise of the SpiritSummaryThis passage continues Jesus' farewell conversation with his disciples on the night before his death. He tells them that if they love him, they will keep his commandments — and he will ask the Father to give them another Advocate who will be with them forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees nor knows the Spirit. But the disciples know the Spirit, because the Spirit lives with them and will be in them. Jesus then says something that sounds paradoxical: he is going away, but he is also coming back. He is not going to leave them as orphans. On that coming day, they will know that Jesus is in the Father, they are in Jesus, and Jesus is in them. The passage closes with a restatement of the love-obedience connection: whoever has and keeps Jesus' commandments is the one who loves him, and that person will be loved by the Father and by Jesus himself, who will make himself known to them.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The word translated ‘Advocate' or ‘Comforter' or ‘Helper' (depending on the translation) is the Greek word paraclete — literally, one called alongside. The image is of someone who comes to stand next to you in a difficult situation. We can explore what it means in practice to live as though that presence is real and active.2. Jesus says he will not leave them as orphans. That word — orphans — is striking in this context. It captures the specific terror of being left without the primary person who oriented your life. This is the emotional reality Jesus is addressing, and it is one many people in the congregation may know in various forms.3. The connection between love and obedience in this passage runs both ways: love leads to keeping Jesus' commands, and keeping his commands is itself the expression of love. This is not about earning anything — it is about the natural relationship between genuine love and the way it shapes behavior. Preachers can help the congregation feel the difference between obedience as duty and obedience as the overflow of a real relationship.4. The mutual indwelling described at the end — Jesus in the Father, believers in Jesus, Jesus in them — is one of John's central images for what resurrection life looks like. It is not a distant, transactional relationship. It is something more like being woven into one another. This image can do real pastoral work for people who experience faith as mostly external obligation.Significant Cautions⚠ The love-obedience connection has been used to make people feel that any struggle or failure in keeping Jesus' commands is evidence that they do not really love him. That reading turns the passage into a source of shame rather than invitation. The context is encouragement, not accusation — Jesus is promising the Spirit precisely because he knows his followers will need help.⚠ The statement that the world cannot receive the Spirit because it does not see or know the Spirit should not be used to draw a sharp line between insiders and outsiders in a way that produces contempt for those outside the church. The passage is about the disciples' particular relationship with the Spirit, not a verdict on everyone else.⚠ The ‘coming back' Jesus describes in this passage is not straightforwardly about the second coming. In John's Gospel it more likely refers to the post-resurrection appearances and/or the coming of the Spirit. Watch out for confident claims about eschatological timelines.Thematic ConnectionsAll four texts this week are, in different ways, about what sustains people when familiar support is removed or threatened. Paul speaks to people whose religious frameworks offer them something real but incomplete. The psalmist has come through fire and flood and has a story to tell about it. First Peter speaks to scattered, vulnerable people and tells them to hold their hope clearly and gently, ready to name it when asked. And John 14 speaks directly to the fear of being left — promising that what comes next is not abandonment but a new and closer kind of presence.John 14:15–21 is the natural preaching center this week, especially with Ascension approaching. The promise of the Spirit — the one who comes alongside, who will not leave the disciples as orphans — is exactly the word that the season calls for. But First Peter's practical charge to be ready to give a gentle account of one's hope is an equally powerful angle, especially for congregations who want to think carefully about how they talk about faith with people outside the church. Either text rewards a sermon that takes its time.Narrative LectionaryIntroductionThis guide covers the Narrative Lectionary reading for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year 4 (May 10, 2026). The primary text is from Paul's letter to the Philippians — one of the warmest and most personal letters in the New Testament. Paul is in prison when he writes it, and he opens by telling the Philippians how grateful he is for their partnership with him in the work of the gospel. Even his imprisonment has turned out to be good news of a kind, and he finds himself genuinely glad no matter what. The supplemental text from Luke 9 gives a sharp image from Jesus about what greatness looks like in the kingdom of God — it looks like a child.The ReadingPhilippians 1:1–18aThe Primary Text — Partnership in the GospelSummaryPaul writes from prison — we do not know exactly which one — to the congregation at Philippi, a community he clearly loves. He opens with warmth and unusual candor: every time he thinks of them, he gives thanks. He is confident that the good work God began in them will keep going until the day of Christ. He holds them in his heart, and he longs for them with something that sounds almost like homesickness. He prays that their love will keep growing in knowledge and discernment, so they can tell what really matters and arrive at the day of Christ full and unblemished.Then Paul gets honest about his situation. His imprisonment, far from shutting down the gospel, has actually spread it — the whole imperial guard has heard about Christ, and other believers have been emboldened to speak more freely. There are people preaching Christ out of goodwill toward Paul, and there are others doing it out of rivalry, trying to stir up trouble for him while he is stuck in prison. But Paul does not seem to care much about their motives. Christ is being proclaimed, he says, and in that he rejoices.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The tone of this letter from the very first lines is worth naming. Paul is in prison. His situation is objectively bad. And he opens by saying he gives thanks every time he thinks of the Philippians, that he holds them in his heart, that he longs for them. This is not forced positivity — it is a picture of what genuine community does for a person in a hard place. Preachers can open up the question of what it means to be the kind of congregation that someone in trouble thinks of with that kind of warmth.2. Paul's confidence that God will complete what God began is stated simply and without qualification. He is not worried about the Philippians' spiritual state. He trusts that the God who started something in them will see it through. Preachers can explore what it looks like to hold people in that kind of faith — not anxiously checking whether they are keeping up, but trusting that God is at work in them even when you cannot see it.3. The imprisonment has spread the gospel rather than stopped it. The whole imperial guard knows about Christ because of Paul's chains. This is a striking reversal — the attempt to silence him has given him a captive audience. Preachers can use this to explore the theme, repeated across Acts and the epistles, that what looks like a setback for the church often turns out to be a door.4. Paul's response to people preaching Christ out of bad motives is remarkable: as long as Christ is proclaimed, he is glad. He does not pursue the rivals or try to correct them from prison. He chooses to focus on what is actually happening — the name of Jesus is getting out — rather than on the impurity of some people's intentions. This is a mature and somewhat counterintuitive posture, worth examining honestly with a congregation.5. The prayer in verses 9–11 is one of the most beautiful in Paul's letters. He prays not that the Philippians will be protected or comfortable, but that their love will grow in knowledge and discernment — that they will be able to tell what really matters. That is a prayer worth sitting with. What would it look like for a congregation to grow in that specific kind of wisdom?Significant Cautions⚠ The joy and gratitude in this letter can be preached in a way that makes suffering sound easy if you just have the right attitude. Paul's joy is real, but it is the product of deep relationship with God and with this community — it is not a technique anyone can simply adopt. Preachers should present it as a witness to what is possible rather than a standard people are failing to meet.⚠ The people preaching from rivalry and selfish ambition are a real presence in this passage. Paul dismisses their motives but celebrates their message getting out. Preachers should not use this as a blanket endorsement of any and all Christian proclamation regardless of how it is done. Paul is making a specific observation about his specific situation — he is not saying that motives never matter.⚠ The confidence that God will complete what God began can become a way of avoiding accountability — if God is going to finish it anyway, why does anything we do matter? That is not Paul's intent. (cf. “God forbid” in Romans 6.) His prayer for growing love and discernment assumes that the Philippians have real work to do. God's faithfulness and human responsibility sit alongside each other in this letter without one canceling the other.Luke 9:46–48The Supplemental Text — Greatness and the ChildSummaryThe disciples have been arguing about which of them is the greatest. Jesus, knowing what they are thinking, takes a small child and stands the child beside him. Whoever welcomes this child in my name, he says, welcomes me — and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Then comes the line that turns the argument upside down: the one who is least among all of you is the one who is great.Key Ideas for Preaching1. Placed alongside Paul's letter to the Philippians, this passage reframes what Paul's partnership and humility actually look like in practice. Paul is grateful, generous with his affection, and completely uninterested in asserting his own status in this letter. The disciples are arguing about rank. The supplemental text makes the contrast sharp: the way of the kingdom runs in the opposite direction from the way of competition.2. The child in this passage is not a symbol of innocence or charm — in the ancient world, a child had no social status whatsoever. Welcoming a child meant extending care to someone who could give you nothing in return. That is the act Jesus holds up as the measure of greatness. Preachers can use this to ask who the equivalent of that child might be in the congregation's own context.Significant Cautions⚠ The image of the child can easily slide into sentimentality — a cute child as a feel-good illustration. The passage is actually quite pointed. It is addressed to people who are in a dispute about their own importance. Preachers should let the sharpness of the original moment come through rather than softening it into a general lesson about being kind to children.⚠ The phrase ‘the least among all of you is the greatest' has been used to romanticize powerlessness — as if suffering itself confers spiritual status, or as if people with no power should be content with their situation because they are actually the greatest. That is a distortion. Jesus is speaking to people with power about how to use it. He is not telling people who are already marginalized that they should be grateful for their position.Thematic ConnectionsBoth texts this week describe what a life shaped by genuine partnership and genuine humility actually looks and feels like. Paul in prison is more concerned with the Philippians' flourishing than with his own circumstances. He rejoices when Christ is proclaimed even by people who mean him harm. He prays not for his own release but that his friends' love will keep growing in depth and discernment. The disciples argue about who is the greatest, and Jesus answers by standing a powerless child in the middle of them. These texts hold together a vision of community where status is not the organizing principle — love and welcome are.The Philippians passage is substantial enough to anchor the sermon entirely. Paul's joy from prison is one of the most compelling images in the New Testament, and there is more than enough in verses 1–18a for a full message. The Luke text works best as a brief bookend — either opening with the disciples' argument to frame what kind of community Paul is describing, or closing with Jesus' answer to let it land as a final image. Either way, the two texts together press the same question: what does it look like to care more about others' flourishing than about your own standing? This is a public episode. 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In this message, Samuel Goulet unpacks the biblical meaning of “Paraclete” (Paraklētos)—the Holy Spirit as the One who comes alongside as helper, teacher, comforter, and advocate—and shows how Jesus models this role for us. Walking through key passages in John 14–16 and 1 John 2, he invites listeners to trust the Spirit's guidance, correction, and encouragement in everyday life, from overcoming insecurity to receiving conviction without condemnation. The sermon closes with a practical challenge: don't let God's grace “pool up,” but let it flow outward as we comfort, strengthen, restore, and bear burdens for one another in real community.

The Fire That Remains Life in the Spirit After the Collapse of the Religious Self Week III — When Prayer Begins to Live Itself The Emergence of the Heart in the Life of the Spirit ⸻ Opening Invocation O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, Come and dwell in us, Cleanse us from every impurity, And save our souls, O Good One. ⸻ I. After Endurance — Something Begins That You Did Not Initiate There comes a point after long endurance after remaining without clarity after refusing to rebuild when something begins. Not suddenly. Not dramatically. But unmistakably. And the first thing you realize is this: It is not coming from you. You did not produce it. 1 You did not initiate it. You cannot sustain it. It appears. Quietly. Like water beneath the surface beginning to move. This is the beginning of prayer that is no longer merely your effort. But something alive. ⸻ II. The Shift From Doing to Being Drawn Up until now, prayer has largely been something you have done. Even when it was poor. Even when it was dry. Even when it was stripped of feeling. You remained. You turned. You endured. But now something shifts. You begin to sense that prayer is no longer something you initiate. You are being drawn into it. There is a movement within. Gentle. Persistent. Not forcing. Not demanding. 2 But calling. And if you are attentive you will notice: You are not holding prayer. Prayer is beginning to hold you. “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3) Even the simplest turning of the heart is not your own. It is given. ⸻ III. The Warming of the Heart There may come a warmth. But it is not like the warmth you knew before. It is not emotional. It is not something you generate. It is subtle. Steady. Quiet. A sense of life within the heart. A softening. A gathering. Where before the heart was scattered pulled in many directions restless 3 now it begins to collect. To come together. To become one. “Humility collects the soul.” — St. Isaac the Syrian And with this gathering comes a new kind of attention. Not forced. Not strained. But natural. As though the heart has found its place. ⸻ IV. The Prayer That Continues Beneath the Surface You begin to notice something else. Prayer does not end when you stop speaking. It continues. Beneath thought. Beneath activity. Beneath distraction. There is a quiet remembrance. A presence. A turning toward God that does not require constant effort. And this can be confusing at first. 4 Because you are used to measuring prayer by what you do. By words. By attention. By duration. But now prayer is no longer confined to those moments. It begins to permeate. To underlie. To become something like breath. “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Not as a command to strive. But as a description of something that begins to happen. ⸻ V. The Guarding of the Heart But this is fragile. Very fragile. Because the old patterns are not gone. The mind still wanders. The ego still seeks to reassert itself. The world still presses in. And so a new kind of vigilance is needed. Not harsh. Not anxious. 5 But attentive. You begin to guard the heart not out of fear but out of love. You begin to notice: What disturbs this quiet? What scatters the heart again? What pulls attention outward in a way that dissipates this life? And slowly without rigidity you begin to choose differently. Not because you must. But because you do not want to lose this. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) This is the beginning of watchfulness. ⸻ VI. The Subtle Temptation to Possess Grace And here again a danger arises. Very subtle. You begin to recognize what is happening. You begin to value it. You begin to desire its continuation. And without realizing it you begin to try to preserve it. 6 To hold onto it. To repeat it. To secure it. And in doing so you begin to lose it. Because grace cannot be possessed. It can only be received. And received again. And again. The moment you try to make it yours it withdraws. Not as punishment. But because its nature is gift. ⸻ VII. The Deepening of Humility If you remain faithful here something deepens. Not dramatically. But steadily. A humility that is no longer forced. No longer constructed. No longer spoken about. 7 It simply is. You begin to know not as an idea but as a reality: That everything is given. That you cannot produce even the smallest movement toward God. That without Him you return immediately to dispersion. And this does not lead to despair. It leads to gratitude. And a kind of quiet reverence. “Keep thy mind in hell and despair not.” — St. Silouan the Athonite You see your poverty. And yet you are not crushed by it. Because something else is present. ⸻ VIII. The Emergence of the Heart as Person There is a further shift. Difficult to describe. But unmistakable. You begin to exist not as a collection of thoughts or reactions or roles but as a presence. 8 A person. Not defined by activity. Not defined by identity. But simply present before God. And this presence begins to extend. Into your interactions. Into your speech. Into your silence. You become less reactive. Less driven. More able to be with others without needing to assert yourself. This is not something you achieve. It is something that emerges. As the heart becomes unified. ⸻ IX. The Quiet Joy That Has No Object And there may come a joy. But it is unlike the joys you have known. It is not tied to circumstances. Not dependent on outcomes. Not even dependent on consolation. It is quiet. 9 Almost hidden. A sense of rightness. Of being where you are meant to be. Even if outwardly nothing has changed. Even if difficulties remain. Even if suffering continues. This joy does not remove suffering. It coexists with it. And transforms it from within. ⸻ X. Closing Exhortation Do not grasp at this. Do not analyze it. Do not try to secure it. Remain as you have been taught: Poor. Attentive. Open. Receive what is given. Let it come. Let it go. Let it return. Do not make it into something. 10 Do not make it into yourself. Because what is being formed here is not an experience. It is a heart. Alive in the Spirit. ⸻ Closing Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Thou who hast kindled the fire of Thy Spirit in our hearts, grant that we may not extinguish it through our grasping and our fear. Teach us to receive what Thou givest. To remain where Thou placest us. And to become what Thou art forming within us. That our hearts may live in Thee and Thou in us. Amen. 11

How can I encourage my friend who is depressed? Her belief system seems to be the source! What do the five spiritual senses represent in your book, "Heaven is Now"? Who is the antichrist? Who is the man of lawlessness? When was the book of Revelation written? Did Jesus return in A.D. 70? Is there "soul sleep" or are we with God immediately upon our death? My friends tell me we are still under the law and that we're fulfilling it as we love people. Is that right? What is grace? When Jesus ascended, whom did He send as the Comforter? Is there a person we should be waiting for?

Erika is back with SeaJay and Deborah, bringing a much-needed spiritual perspective as they dive into the comfort of the Holy Spirit. This conversation centers on what it truly means to relate to God as our Comforter and how different our lives might look if we actually embraced that truth. Too often, we take comfort into our own hands, but what happens when we surrender that instinct and allow God to meet us right in our pain and our need for peace? Follow along on social media for new episodes and updates or to connect with us. We'd love to hear from you! Authentic You Women’s Community https://www.instagram.com/authenticyou.ay Jesus Culture Podcast Network https://www.instagram.com/jcpodcastnetwork To learn more about our Authentic You Women’s Community, check out our website: https://jesusculture.com/sacramento/communities/authentic-you For access to helpful resources, visit: https://jesusculture.com https://www.youtube.com/@jesusculturepodcastnetwork