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Peter stands up and preaches a sermon that cuts its hearers to the heart. The people want to know what to do. Turning to the God you killed and being baptized in His name is not the answer you would expect, but it is the only answer. Have a listen. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley More from the hosts: Daniel Emery Price Erick Sorenson
Today on the Christian History Almanac, we continue our week of mailbag shows with a perennial question about the “P” word. Show Notes: Germany / Switzerland - Study Tour Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird https://www.amazon.com/Untamed-Prayers-Devotions-Christ-Psalms/dp/1964419263 Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales https://shop.1517.org/collections/new-releases/products/9781964419039-remembering-your-baptism Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug https://shop.1517.org/products/9781964419152-sinner-saint The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize More from the hosts: Dan van Voorhis SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: https://www.1517.org/podcasts/the-christian-history-almanac CONTACT: CHA@1517.org SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Overcast Google Play FOLLOW US: Facebook Twitter Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (outerrimterritories.com).
“You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.” (Exodus 20:4 NLT) The second commandment must have resonated powerfully with the Israelites because when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments, the people were worshiping a golden calf—an idol they had created while Moses was away. Understanding their mindset helps us understand the importance of the second commandment. The first thing we need to recognize is that before they started worshiping the golden calf, the people had a feast dedicated to the Lord that included peace offerings and burnt offerings. They mingled what was right with what was wrong. Essentially, they were saying, “This godliness of Moses is too high for us. We want a spirituality that we can relate to. Something we can see and touch. Something that appeals to the senses. We don’t want to feel guilty if we don’t do what God says. So, we will just make up our own version.” That describes the spirituality of many people today. But what if we applied the same logic to other areas? Imagine an airline pilot saying, “I’m tired of all these charts, buttons, lights, and gauges. Let’s just take off and go with the flow.” Or a surgeon saying, “I don’t know what this artery or this section of the brain does. Just give me a scalpel, and let’s see what happens.” Or a person saying, “Traffic laws are your truth, not mine. You’re free to believe that red means stop, but you must also respect my belief that red means go.” We recognize that there are absolute truths that we all must live by—in aviation, in medicine, and on the road. But instead of recognizing that there are absolute truths about God, people try to give Him a twenty-first-century makeover. People say, “My god would never judge a person” or “My god would never send a person to Hell.” That’s the spirit of idolatry—substituting a concept of God that appeals to us for the God who makes Himself known in His Word. The goal is not to conform God and the teachings of Scripture to the shifting winds of culture. The goal is to try to bend the culture back to the teaching of the Word of God. The same principle applies to rituals or religious tchotchkes that take the place of genuine worship and prayer. You don’t need a picture of Jesus or a crucifix or any other icon to get close to God. Any object or ritual that works its way into your relationship with the Lord has the potential to become an idol. If you have a personal relationship with Christ, and if you have a Bible, you have everything you need to worship and serve God. Celebrate the true God. Don’t let facsimiles take His place in your life. Reflection question: What facsimiles of faith do you see in the lives of people around you? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
DRB Kids is a part of the one year Bible family of podcasts from the Daily Radio Bible. DRB Kids is a daily Bible reading podcast for kids. Children and families around the world gather to listen to amazing stories from the Bible. These short 5 minute podcasts will encourage your family, inspire your children, and help root your Child's life in the story of God's love for the world. Find out more at www.drbkids.com DONATE TO THE PODCAST to help kids around the world recieve these podcasts free everyday. Thanks! Listen to the Bible in a Year HERE on Spotify HERE on itunes Podcast Listen to our Daily Proverb Podcast HERE on Spotify HERE on itunes Podcasts Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible email Hunter for more information: hunter@dailyradiobible.com
Today's devotion is written by Christy Isinger.
Send us a text→ Stay Connected Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifechurchuk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifechurchfolkestoneYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifechurchuk1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertmaasbach/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertmaasbach/→ Give It's the generosity of many that enable Life Church to fulfil all that God has called us to do https://www.lifechurchuk.org/give/→ New to Life Church?If you're new we would love to get in touch and connect with youhttps://lifechurchuk.org/new-to-life-church/
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 5:20–22 (NLT) “What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever. What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinking wine and boast about all the alcohol they can hold.” In this passage, God warns of the sorrows that come when people change the meaning of right and wrong. Isaiah speaks of those who redefine morality—calling evil good, excusing sin as freedom, and celebrating what God calls destructive. This is the reality we still see in our world today, where definitions are constantly shifting to justify corruption, immorality, and disobedience. As believers, we are called to stand firm in the truth of God's Word. The Bible—not the world's changing standards—defines what is good, righteous, and holy. Instead of conforming to a culture that blurs the lines, we are to hold fast to Scripture and live by God's eternal truth. Join Daily Devotions with Pastor David Sumrall at Cathedral of Praise as we grow together in the Bible and apply the Scripture to our daily Christian walk. ------ Don't forget to like, subscribe to Cathedral of Praise TV https://www.youtube.com/c/cathedralofpraiseTV/?sub_confirmation=1,and hit the bell icon
Today on the Christian History Almanac, we continue our week of mailbag shows with another question about Christian athletes. Show Notes: Germany / Switzerland - Study Tour Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird https://www.amazon.com/Untamed-Prayers-Devotions-Christ-Psalms/dp/1964419263 Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales https://shop.1517.org/collections/new-releases/products/9781964419039-remembering-your-baptism Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug https://shop.1517.org/products/9781964419152-sinner-saint The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize More from the hosts: Dan van Voorhis SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: https://www.1517.org/podcasts/the-christian-history-almanac CONTACT: CHA@1517.org SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Overcast Google Play FOLLOW US: Facebook Twitter Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (outerrimterritories.com).
“I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me.” (Exodus 20:2–3 NLT) “You must not have any other god but me.” God placed this commandment first because it gets to the heart of the matter. If God isn’t first in your life, everything else is going to break down. A man once asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said, “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” The Bible tells us that the man “went away sad, for he had many possessions” (see Mark 10:17–22 NLT). This was not about the man’s possessions; this was about his heart. Jesus could tell that the man was in love with things, and that they were more important than God to him. He had another god before the true God and refused to give it up. That’s why he went away sad. Everyone has a god. Everyone bows at some altar. Everyone worships someone or something. For some, it’s possessions or money. For others, it’s physical appearance. For others, it’s success or fame. Your god is what you spend your time pursuing. The problem is, if your god is anything but God, the result of your pursuit will be emptiness. No other god can bring you genuine joy, fulfillment, or purpose. God isn’t an aloof deity who simply demands exclusive claim on our lives. Look at His words in Exodus 20:2: “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery” (NLT). The words “I am the Lord” convey a profound and fundamental truth about God. With these words, He is refuting all other belief systems. He is revealing His personal nature. He is, in essence, saying, “I feel. I think. I act.” To the pantheists who believe that everything is God, the Lord says, “No, I am God. Nothing else is.” To the polytheists who believe in many different gods, God doesn’t say, “We are the Lord your gods”; He says, “I am the Lord.” Singular. To the deists who believe that God is indifferent to His creation, that He has no plan or purpose for our lives, the Lord says, “I rescued you from slavery.” He is the God who sees, hears, and cares. He leads, protects, and blesses His people. In the first commandment, God is saying, “I love you. You belong to Me. I brought you out of bondage. And because I’ve done all that for you, I expect that you will want to serve Me. I want an exclusive relationship with you, and you can have one with Me as well. I did these things for you. Now you should respond in kind. So, have no other gods before Me.” We all worship someone or something. At what altar do you bow? Reflection question: What might become a god for you if you’re not careful? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's devotion is written by Sister Maria Kim Bui.
Send us a text→ Stay Connected Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifechurchuk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifechurchfolkestoneYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifechurchuk1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertmaasbach/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertmaasbach/→ Give It's the generosity of many that enable Life Church to fulfil all that God has called us to do https://www.lifechurchuk.org/give/→ New to Life Church?If you're new we would love to get in touch and connect with youhttps://lifechurchuk.org/new-to-life-church/
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:5, 9–10 (NLT) “That experience is worth boasting about, but I'm not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses… Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” The Apostle Paul reminds us that true strength in the Christian life does not come from our abilities, popularity, or achievements—it comes from God's grace. Paul faced hardships, insults, persecution, and constant opposition, yet he learned to rejoice in weakness because that's where God's power shines the brightest. Instead of relying on himself, Paul relied completely on God's grace. This is a lesson for us today. When life feels overwhelming, when insults or troubles come our way, we don't have to be ashamed or defeated. We can say, “Lord, I rely on Your grace. I boast in my weakness so that Your strength may be seen in me.” In every trial, His grace is sufficient, and His power will carry us through. Join Daily Devotions with Pastor David Sumrall at Cathedral of Praise as we grow together in the Bible and apply the Scripture to our daily Christian walk. ------ Don't forget to like, subscribe to Cathedral of Praise TV https://www.youtube.com/c/cathedralofpraiseTV/?sub_confirmation=1,and hit the bell icon
Rabshakeh makes promises he has no intention of keeping while insulting God. Isaiah says not to be afraid. And Hezekiah prays a good prayer. Have a listen. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley More from the hosts: Daniel Emery Price Chad Bird
Today on the Christian History Almanac, we head to the mailbag to answer a question about Christians and Sports throughout history. Show Notes: Germany / Switzerland - Study Tour Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird https://www.amazon.com/Untamed-Prayers-Devotions-Christ-Psalms/dp/1964419263 Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales https://shop.1517.org/collections/new-releases/products/9781964419039-remembering-your-baptism Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug https://shop.1517.org/products/9781964419152-sinner-saint The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize More from the hosts: Dan van Voorhis SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: https://www.1517.org/podcasts/the-christian-history-almanac CONTACT: CHA@1517.org SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Overcast Google Play FOLLOW US: Facebook Twitter Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (outerrimterritories.com).
“Then God gave the people all these instructions.” (Exodus 20:1 NLT) Years ago, I was looking out the window into our backyard and noticed that my German shepherd was staring intently at something. There, nestled deeply in the grass, was a brightly colored little bird. Not the kind of bird you would normally see in the wild. It looked more like something you would get from a pet shop. I went out to investigate and found this pretty little finch shaking in fright as my dog eyed it. The bird was fearing for its life. And justly so because I think my dog was looking at it as lunch. I stooped down and held out my index finger, and the little bird hopped right on. So, I thought, “This is someone’s pet that got away.” I walked into the kitchen where my wife was making lunch. I said, “Cathe, look what I just found in the backyard.” She stared at the beautiful little bird, still very nervous, sitting on my finger. We didn’t know what to do with it. We knew it probably belonged to someone, but we didn’t know who. My son Jonathan recalled that there was a little girl down the street whose pet bird had died and who still had its cage. He ran down the street, came back with the cage, and set it on the counter. I opened the door and very carefully brought my finger next to it. The bird immediately jumped in. The moment that bird was in the safety of the cage, he started acting like he was home. He chirped cheerfully. He moved from perch to perch. He was happy. And then it dawned on me what was going on. This was a bird of captivity, one that was most comfortable living in a cage. Some people might say, “Oh, that’s so cruel. Don’t put animals in cages. Set them free.” This bird was fearing for his life. He didn’t look at those bars as a prison keeping him in. He saw them as walls of protection keeping his enemies, like my dog, out. He found security in the safety of that little cage. That brings me to the topic that we will be covering next in these devotions. God has given us His absolute truth—in the Ten Commandments, among other places. These commandments let us know what’s right and what’s wrong, what’s true and what’s false, what’s up and what’s down. They create a framework for our lives—a spiritual cage, of sorts. But their purpose is not to trap us or keep us in bondage. Instead, they provide a barrier of protection to keep evil out. Our enemy, the devil, tries to chip away at it. He downplays the effects of disobeying God or ignoring His commands. He tries to convince us that our protective barrier keeps us from a more exciting, fulfilling life. In other words, he lies. Over the next ten days, we’re going to examine each of God’s Ten Commandments so that you will see the life-giving truth behind each one. Reflection question: What impact do God’s commands in Scripture have in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song, “In Reality”, from the recording, Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1." That mp3 is available at https://www.dennisjernigan.com/store/product.php?c=24&p=2353 The lyrics can be found below. You can join Dennis and the people of All In All Church for live-stream worship on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/therealdennisjernigan at 7 PM CST. Mark it in your calendar. Worship with All in All Church - First Wednesday of each month. Daily Devotions for Kingdom Seekers, Vol. 3 is available at https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Devotions-Kingdom-Seekers-Vol-ebook/dp/B081K8TZLX Check out my Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/DennisJernigan and read through the various tiers of support and discover the myriad of benefits you will receive based on the level of support you choose. If you're willing, go ahead and sign up!
Craig and Troy close out Peter's first epistle to the Church. Humbling yourself requires you to realize who you are and who God is. But when you realize those things, you will have a place to put away your anxiety. Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley More from the hosts: Troy Neujahr Craig Donofrio
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Luke's parable of the Lost Sheep. With the shepherd who seeks out the one lost sheep, leaving the other ninety-nine, we see the scandal of God's grace and the recklessness of Christ who seeks out the sinner. We also see that repentance is not something we do, but something that is properly done to us by Christ with his words of law and gospel. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley More from the hosts: John Hoyum Steven Paulson
Today's devotion is written by Leana Bowler.
The Book of Psalms is far more than ancient poetry—it's the prayerbook of the Church and a vital guide for encountering Jesus. In this episode, we interview Chad Bird, author and scholar who specializes in teaching the Old Testament to Christians. We ask a variety of questions related to his newest book "Untamed Prayers." We explore why the Psalms are essential for Christians today. We discuss how the New Testament interprets the Psalms, the connection between David and Jesus, and how to see Christ even in Psalms that aren't quoted in the New Testament. We also talk about the beauty of reading the Psalms in Hebrew, the intentional structure of the book, and how the Church Fathers used the Psalms for formation and devotion. From wrestling with the language of enemies to learning how to pray through every season of life, this episode is a call to dive deeper into the Psalms and meet Jesus there.Chad Bird is a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He holds master's degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He has contributed articles to Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Modern Reformation, The Federalist, Lutheran Forum, and other journals and websites. He is also the author of several books, including The Christ Key & Limping with God.Untamed Prayers - 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms: https://a.co/d/eeZ9ilMChapters0:00–1:08 Intro1:09–3:29 Why Psalms is important3:30–7:06 How the New Testament interprets Psalms7:07–11:45 Thinking about David and Jesus11:46–16:19 Seeing Jesus in Psalms even if the chapter isn't quoted in the New Testament16:20–22:31 Insights from Reading Psalms in Hebrew22:32–31:14 Intentional ordering of Psalms31:15–34:11 Psalms as the prayerbook of the Church34:12–37:50 Church Fathers and Psalms37:51–41:30 Prayerbook of the soldiers of Christ41:31–45:38 Encountering Jesus in Psalms45:39–53:04 Understanding “enemies” in Psalms53:05–56:34 Admonishment to read the PsalmsJoin our Bible Study: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights WHERE TO FIND US Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRSNQ7xVw7PjQ5FnqYmSDA Website: https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com
Send us a text→ Stay Connected Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifechurchuk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifechurchfolkestoneYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifechurchuk1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertmaasbach/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertmaasbach/→ Give It's the generosity of many that enable Life Church to fulfil all that God has called us to do https://www.lifechurchuk.org/give/→ New to Life Church?If you're new we would love to get in touch and connect with youhttps://lifechurchuk.org/new-to-life-church/The Balance of GrayFaith That Challenges. Conversations that Matter. Laughs included. Subscribe Now!Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
1103: 1 Timothy 2 Pt 8 Daily Devotions by Pastor Tim Dodson of Believers City Church in Menomonie, WI. Tim Dodson is the lead-pastor of Believers City Church in Menomonie, WI. These devotionals are designed to take the listener through the Bible verse-by-verse.
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 1:21, 18 (ESV) “How the faithful city has become a whore, she who was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers… Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” One of the hardest lessons in the Christian life is realizing that people change—not only from bad to good, but sadly, sometimes from good to bad. Isaiah shows us how God's people, once faithful and pure, had turned away into sin. They kept bringing offerings, but their hearts no longer belonged to Him. God wasn't interested in empty rituals—He wanted obedience, holiness, and true devotion. The same is true for us today. Maybe you once walked closely with God but drifted back into old habits, wrong influences, or spiritual coldness. Yet the Lord still says, “Come, let us reason together.” His mercy is greater than our failures, and when we return to Him with obedience, He restores, forgives, and blesses. Brothers and sisters, if your heart has changed, don't stay far from Him. Sit down with God today, settle things with Him, and let Him make you clean again. Join Daily Devotions with Pastor David Sumrall at Cathedral of Praise as we grow together in the Bible and apply the Scripture to our daily Christian walk. ------ Don't forget to like, subscribe to Cathedral of Praise TV https://www.youtube.com/c/cathedralofpraiseTV/?sub_confirmation=1,and hit the bell icon
What does it mean to give generously to the church? In this insightful conversation with Amber and her guest, Josh Birkholz, you are invited to explore generosity and giving from a fresh, meaningful perspective grounded in faith and community. Josh, a fundraising consultant, reveals how giving is not merely an obligation but a source of genuine joy that connects people to something greater than themselves. The discussion challenges conventional views on philanthropy, emphasizing personal involvement, spiritual gifting, and the importance of inviting everyday donors into ministry. This is one of several conversations Amber had at the Christian Leadership Experience in La Crosse, Wisconsin, earlier this summer. The conference was a chance for those in ministry to learn from leaders. Josh Birkholz gave a keynote address titled, "Bold Generosity: How to Excel in the Grace of Giving."Amber wants to hear from you! If you have feedback or ideas, drop her a line at amber@timeofgrace.org
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 11:1-4 2 Corinthians 11:1-4 – “I hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness. I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” In today's Daily Devotions, Pastor Sumrall reflects on Paul's godly jealousy for the church at Corinth. Paul's concern was not about control or ownership, but about protecting the believers' pure devotion to Christ. He observed that others were stepping into their spiritual lives, teaching false ideas, and subtly pulling them away from the faith he had nurtured. This teaching applies to us today by reminding us to stay rooted in the truth of Christ and recognize the shepherds God has placed in our lives. Leaders who guide us faithfully care for our spiritual growth, and it's natural for them to feel a godly concern when our devotion is at risk. We are encouraged to discern teaching, remain loyal to Christ, and honor those invested in our spiritual journey. ------ Don't forget to like, subscribe to Cathedral of Praise TV https://www.youtube.com/c/cathedralofpraiseTV/?sub_confirmation=1,and hit the bell icon
In this episode, we begin our series commemorating the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's treatise, de Servo Arbitrio — The Bondage of the Will. We begin by reading Dr. Steven Paulson's theological analysis of what's at stake in Luther's treatise, as well as its sharp-edged consequences for churches today. As it was received then, so it is now by dedicated students of this work: it cleaves those who seek Jesus plus philosophy, ideology, or personal interests from those who insist on Christ alone in all things relating to matters of salvation, faith, etc. SHOW NOTES: The Captivation of the Will: Luther Vs. Erasmus on Freedom and Bondage by Gerhard O. Forde https://amzn.to/4mOYuPx The Field (1990) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099566/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_26 Donavon Riley: Screwtape, Temptation & Aslan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLapivFF_3g Jiro Dreams of Sushi https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1772925/ More from 1517: Support 1517 Podcast Network: https://www.1517.org/donate-podcasts 1517 Podcasts: http://www.1517.org/podcasts 1517 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@1517org 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/1517-podcast-network/id6442751370 1517 Events Schedule: https://www.1517.org/events 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education: https://academy.1517.org/ What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird https://www.amazon.com/Untamed-Prayers-Devotions-Christ-Psalms/dp/1964419263 Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales https://shop.1517.org/collections/new-releases/products/9781964419039-remembering-your-baptism Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug https://shop.1517.org/products/9781964419152-sinner-saint The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize More from the hosts: Donovan Riley https://www.1517.org/contributors/donavon-riley Christopher Gillespie https://www.1517.org/contributors/christopher-gillespie MORE LINKS: Tin Foil Haloes https://t.me/bannedpastors Warrior Priest Gym & Podcast https://thewarriorpriestpodcast.wordpress.com St John's Lutheran Church (Webster, MN) - FB Live Bible Study Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/356667039608511 Gillespie's Sermons and Catechesis http://youtube.com/stjohnrandomlake Donavon's Substack https://donavonlriley.substack.com Gillespie's Substack https://substack.com/@christophergillespie Gillespie Coffee https://gillespie.coffee Gillespie Media https://gillespie.media CONTACT and FOLLOW: Email mailto:BannedBooks@1517.org Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BannedBooksPod/ Twitter https://twitter.com/bannedbooks1517 SUBSCRIBE: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@BannedBooks Rumble https://rumble.com/c/c-1223313 Odysee https://odysee.com/@bannedbooks:5 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/banned-books/id1370993639 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2ahA20sZMpBxg9vgiRVQba Overcast https://overcast.fm/itunes1370993639/banned-books
“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NLT) When I was a kid, I attended Southern California Military Academy in Long Beach. We would have mandatory chapel every Sunday. Not being raised in a Christian home, I can recall it was the only time, for the most part, that I was ever in a church service. I remember one of the songs we sang in chapel was “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” At the time, I was experiencing a storm of my own because of the way my mom lived as an alcoholic. I remember singing, “When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high, and don’t be afraid of the dark. At the end of the storm there’s a golden sky and the sweet silver song of the lark. Walk on through the wind. Walk on through the rain.” The problem was that there was no mention of God in those lyrics. As we sang, “Walk on with hope in your heart, and you’ll never walk alone,” I thought, “Who is with me? The lark that we’re singing about? Who is here?” As Christians, we do walk through storms in life. But we can hold our heads high—not because of some bird singing but because the Lord is with us. He was with me as a little boy, though I hadn’t yet put my faith in Him completely. God was there as I cried out to Him. God was there when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace because they refused to bow down to an idol. King Nebuchadnezzar, who ordered that the sentence be carried out, expected to see their incineration. Instead, he saw something amazing. “‘Look!’ Nebuchadnezzar shouted. ‘I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!’” (Daniel 3:25 NLT). God was there when Daniel was thrown into a lions’ den for faithfully praying to Him. When King Darius (Nebuchadnezzar’s successor) came to check on him, Daniel said, “My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me” (Daniel 6:22 NLT). God was there when Jonah—who tried to get away from Him by boarding a boat—was thrown overboard in the middle of a terrible storm and swallowed by a great fish. Jonah 1:17 says, “Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah” (NLT). These stories and countless others in Scripture reinforce an important lesson. We’re safer with God in a storm than anywhere else without Him. I would rather be with Jesus in a storm than in the plushest, most luxurious place on earth without Him. The Bible tells us that “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1 NLT). Sometimes God will calm or even stop the storms, but He is always with us through them. Reflection question: When have you gotten the sense that you were not walking alone through a storm in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's devotion is written by Susanna Spencer.
“The Lord says, ‘I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.’” (Psalm 91:14–15 NLT) An old sea captain who was quite vocal about his atheism was washed overboard one night during a storm. His men heard him crying out to God for help. After his rescue, someone said, “I thought you didn’t believe in God.” He replied, “Well, if there isn’t a God, there ought to be for times like this.” Some people must hit rock bottom before they will cry out to God. C. S. Lewis wrote, “The atheist too has his moments of shuddering misgiving, of an all but irresistible suspicion that old tales may after all be true.” Sometimes the hardships of life are the very things that bring us to God. I remember a letter from someone who made a commitment to Christ at a Harvest Crusade. Her husband had a stroke, and she also was having problems with her mother. This woman became upset with God as all these things hit at once. Then her eight-year-old daughter heard about the Harvest Crusade and wanted to go. She wrote, “When the invitation was given, my daughter wanted to go forward, so I went with her. But little did I know that God was sending me down, too.” She went on to say, “After a few minutes, I fell on my knees, and I felt His love. I knew that He loves me and has forgiven me. You have saved my life, not only my soul.” That is a beautiful letter from someone who had hit rock bottom. Some people recognize rock bottom immediately. They can tell that their situation is far beyond their ability to do anything about it. So, they cry out in desperation. Other people refuse to surrender. Their pride won’t let them. They struggle and struggle, convinced that they can change their circumstances through sheer force of will. They want to claim credit for their own salvation, not realizing that they’re only prolonging their misery. Proverbs 29:23 says, “Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor” (NLT). And James 4:6–7 says, “And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ So humble yourselves before God” (NLT). Once they let go of their pride, they discover something infinitely more valuable: God’s presence. In Psalm 91:14–15, God says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them” (NLT). In the midst of our storms, we need to cry out to Jesus. Reflection question: What happened the last time you cried out to God in the midst of a storm in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's devotion is written by Beth Davis.
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’” (Matthew 8:23–25 NIV) The film The Perfect Storm tells the story of an actual storm off the coast of Massachusetts in 1991—in fact, the strongest storm in recorded history. This so-called perfect storm was the result of three storms that combined into one, creating an almost apocalyptic situation in the Atlantic Ocean. Two existing storms were hit by a hurricane, ironically dubbed Hurricane Grace. The combination of these three weather elements produced a monstrous, two-thousand-mile-wide hurricane that triggered one-hundred-foot waves. In Matthew 8 we find a story of Jesus’ disciples facing what could be described as a Hurricane Grace of their own. We are told that Jesus “got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping” (verses 23–24 NIV). Notice that verse 23 says, “His disciples followed him” (NIV). And where did that lead? Right into a storm. This storm came because the disciples obeyed the Lord, not because they disobeyed Him. Sometimes when troubles come, we say that it’s a result of disobedience. But it may be that the storm is a result of obedience. God can use the storms in our lives to accomplish His purposes. As the saying goes, the same hammer that shatters glass also forges steel. Sometimes it seems as though it would be better if we never went through a storm. We think life always should be easy. But there are things we learn in storms. There are things we learn in hardships and crises that we don’t learn anywhere else. For one thing, we learn what we’re capable of—or, more specifically, what God is capable of, working through us. Until we’re faced with a crisis, we can only guess at our potential. In the eye of the storm, our potential is realized. We expand our concept of what our faith can accomplish. For another, we learn what genuine dependency on God feels like. Many people approach the Christian faith cautiously. They’re not as apt as Peter to jump out of a boat onto a choppy sea to walk with Jesus. Instead, they prefer to keep at least one foot in their comfort zone. Storms have a way of obliterating our comfort zone. We have no choice but to rely completely on God. And for another, we learn how to help others who are struggling. Our storm-tossed struggles give us experience and legitimacy. Instead of offering sympathy, we can offer empathy. We can be valuable to others because we know what they need. Where there are no trials in life, there are no triumphs. God has His purposes in the storms. And just as Jesus was with His disciples, He will be with us, too. Reflection question: What have you learned from storms in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's devotion is written by Mytae Carrasco Wallace.
1102: 1 Timothy 2 Pt 7 Daily Devotions by Pastor Tim Dodson of Believers City Church in Menomonie, WI. Tim Dodson is the lead-pastor of Believers City Church in Menomonie, WI. These devotionals are designed to take the listener through the Bible verse-by-verse.
“O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” (2 Chronicles 20:12 NLT) Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, was in trouble. The armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir had joined forces to attack their common enemy, Judah. Military strategy, no matter how brilliant or daring, would not be able to overcome the size differential of the fighting forces. The armies that were descending on Judah had the potential to annihilate. King Jehoshaphat recognized that this was no time for false bravado. All he could do was pray and trust in God’s mercy and strength. In 2 Chronicles 20, we find him standing with his men, along with their families and children, praying, “O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help” (verse 12 NLT). God’s answer came through Jahaziel, one of the men standing with the king. “This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (verse 15 NLT). I love that scene. Humanly speaking, it is a picture of weakness. King Jehoshaphat was saying, in effect, “Lord, here we are. We have the kids. We have an army coming toward us. What am I going to do here? Our eyes are on You.” That is a good thing to pray. God answered Jehoshaphat’s prayer, intervened, and rescued the people of Judah. In the New Testament, we read of a time when there was a storm at sea, and the disciples were calling out to God for help. Jesus finally showed up, walking toward them on the water. He had arrived during the fourth watch of the night, which is the last part of the night, right before the sun begins to rise. Technically, it’s the morning, but it still feels like it’s night. This means the disciples had been toiling at sea for hours, trying to get through that storm, and Jesus came along at the last possible moment. The point is that He did come to them. And He will do the same for you and me. He always will—when the time is right. We need to just trust Him. God’s reckoning of time is much more accurate than ours is. He is eternal. He can see past, present, and future with perfect clarity. He knows the ripple effect of every action. He also knows how to bring good from any situation. He is the perfect Consultant—One who wants only the best for us and knows when and how that best can be achieved. Remember this: He loves us with an everlasting love. That love is not fickle. That love doesn’t change. That love is persistent. That love is consistent. We are loved by God. Reflection question: When have you experienced God’s amazing timing? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's devotion is written by Sarah Zentner.
1101: 1 Timothy 2 Pt 6 Daily Devotions by Pastor Tim Dodson of Believers City Church in Menomonie, WI. Tim Dodson is the lead-pastor of Believers City Church in Menomonie, WI. These devotionals are designed to take the listener through the Bible verse-by-verse.
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:2–3 NLT) Have you ever gone through a hard time and wondered where God was? I can tell you where He was: He was right there with you. Not only that, but He will be with you tomorrow and the day after. And He will be with you on the day you leave this earth for Heaven. In Isaiah 43:2–3, God says, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (NLT). You’ll notice that He doesn’t say, “I will keep you in the shallow end.” He doesn’t say, “I will make sure that you stay on the riverbank.” He doesn’t say, “I will keep you a safe distance from the fire.” God doesn’t promise comfort. The paths He lays out for us aren’t always smooth and level. He doesn’t guarantee a life free from failure, devastation, pain, anxiety, loneliness, or doubt. He guarantees that you will never face any of those things alone. You will never have to rely solely on your own strength to endure any of them. The psalmist David wrote, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” (Psalm 23:4 NLT). God is with you. He will be with you. You don’t have to fear evil. God will be with you on your good days and on your bad days. He will be with you in your grief of a lost loved one and in your joy of a baby’s birth. You don’t have to be afraid. Jesus said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5 NLT). Also, the Bible tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NLT). There will never come a time when He changes His mind and leaves you. Sometimes when we pray, it may seem as though God is late in answering. Sometimes when God comes through for us, it is later than we expected. God is never late. His delays are delays of love. Even God’s silence can be a silence of love. He wants us to pour our hearts out to Him. He will enter into that pain with us. He will answer in the way He chooses. Call on Him. Reflection question: What does it mean to you that God is always present in the midst of pain, suffering, and struggle? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's devotion is written by Lani Bogart.
Join Pastor Balla for an inspiring daily devotion exploring Psalm 17:3-5 and David's bold prayer of integrity. In this powerful Christian message, discover how God tests our hearts and calls us to walk in determined obedience. Perfect for your morning devotions, Bible study, or spiritual growth journey. Pastor Balla delivers encouraging biblical truth about God's searching gaze, the importance of guarding our words, and finding strength in Christ's righteousness. Whether you're seeking daily inspiration, Christian encouragement, or deeper understanding of the Psalms, this devotional message will strengthen your faith walk. Experience God's peace through this uplifting sermon that challenges believers to live with integrity and trust in God's sustaining grace.Support this ministry: https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalph Visit: buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphSubscribe for daily devotions, biblical encouragement, and Christian inspiration. Share this message to bless others in their spiritual journey.Hashtags: #DailyDevotion #ChristianDevotion #PastorBalla #BibleStudy #ChristianEncouragement
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” (Romans 5:3–4 NLT) Years ago, I had a friend who was very sick and asked me to pray for him. I did. He got worse. He said, “I don’t ever want you to pray for me again.” In our estimation, sometimes things go the wrong way. We may pray, “Lord, heal this person. Be glorified through this.” But the Lord might say, “I will be glorified, but I’m not going to do it the way you want Me to. I’m going to do this other thing instead.” Sometimes God will remove the affliction. Sometimes God will heal the illness. Sometimes God will take away the cancer. But sometimes the person will get worse. We usually don’t like that. But it is in these times that God can be glorified. Everyone suffers in life. Christians suffer, too. When a Christian is suffering and can still glorify God, that is a powerful testimony to a lost world. When non-Christians see us honoring the Lord through our suffering, it shows them how real our faith is. And guess what? It shows us how real our faith is, too. Do you think your faith would get stronger if everything were easy in life? No, your faith will get stronger through hardship. Here’s something that might surprise you: You will develop even more hope through tribulation. Romans 5:3–4 says, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation” (NLT). We must remember that as steel is tempered to make it stronger, God is tempering us to give us strength. Hebrews 4:16 says, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (NLT). But that boldness must also be tempered with a sense of humility, recognizing that we don’t know what’s best in a given situation. So, instead of offering suggestions as to how God might relieve our suffering, a better approach is to ask Him for the strength, courage, and faith to endure. Ask Him for the wisdom and discernment to recognize the lessons in our predicament. We must learn to look at every circumstance as an opportunity to grow and to understand the Lord better. Hope grows in the garden of pain. It doesn’t grow without challenges or difficulty. It grows in hard times. It’s sort of like building muscle. You build it up by breaking it down. Then, as you keep working out, that muscle will get stronger. You develop strength through your weaknesses. This is true of Christians in their spiritual lives as well. Reflection question: What would it look like for you to glorify God when you’re suffering? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song, “You Are Holy” from the recording, Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1." That mp3 is available at https://www.dennisjernigan.com/store/product.php?c=24&p=2353 The lyrics can be found below. You can join Dennis and the people of All In All Church for live-stream worship on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/therealdennisjernigan at 7 PM CST. Mark it in your calendar. Worship with All in All Church - First Wednesday of each month. Daily Devotions for Kingdom Seekers, Vol. 3 is available at https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Devotions-Kingdom-Seekers-Vol-ebook/dp/B081K8TZLX Check out my Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/DennisJernigan and read through the various tiers of support and discover the myriad of benefits you will receive based on the level of support you choose. If you're willing, go ahead and sign up!
Today's devotion is written by Sarah Damm.
Welcome to Daily Devotion with Pastor Balla for September 1, 2025. Today's devotion, “Hear My Righteous Plea” from Psalm 17:1–2 (ESV), is a prayer of urgency and trust in God's perfect justice. David cries out to the Lord with “lips free of deceit,” showing us what it means to pray with sincerity and integrity. He knows that vindication does not come from defending himself before people, but from God's presence alone. In a world where accusations and misunderstandings abound, Psalm 17 reminds us to place our confidence in the Lord, who sees all and judges rightly. Ultimately, this psalm points us to Jesus Christ, the only One whose lips were perfectly free of deceit. Though falsely accused and condemned, He was vindicated by His resurrection. In Him, we too are declared righteous, beloved, and secure.Support the ministry: https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphOr visit: buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphHashtags:#DailyDevotion #Psalm17 #PrayerOfFaith #GodsJustice #ChristOurRighteousness
In this message Pastor Chad Narayan closes out our “Daily Devoted” series with a powerful word titled “My Route Runs Through His Word.” He reminds us that following Jesus is not just about Sundays, but about living daily with devotion, purity, and a singular focus on God. Through Psalm 119 and Luke 9, Pastor Chad shows us how the Word of God becomes our guide, our defense, and our source of fruitfulness in life. At Zoe, our mission is simple: People Saved, Disciples Made, Leaders Raised, and The Church Released. Through every service, we seek to share the love and hope of Jesus, impact lives, and see transformation in communities in Los Angeles and around the world. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this stream with friends and family!
How do we define worship? Amber and her guest Brian Davison, lead singer of the band Koiné, explore that question. They discuss how Koiné puts modern spins on traditional hymns and what worship really means—both personally and in a church setting—stressing that worship doesn't have to follow a strict format. The conversation also covers how different styles of worship can connect with different people and the importance of being open to change while keeping Christ at the center. This is one of several conversations Amber had at the Christian Leadership Experience in La Crosse, Wisconsin, earlier this summer. The conference was a chance for those in ministry to learn from leaders. Brian led worship during the conference.Amber wants to hear from you! If you have feedback or ideas, drop her a line at amber@timeofgrace.org
“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.” (Philippians 1:27 NLT) Revival is necessary because sometimes our Christian faith becomes routine. It loses its spark. If this “routineness” continues, it can lead to backsliding—that is, a turning away from God and His will to pursue the pleasures of this world. If you’ve experienced it or seen it happen firsthand, you know that backsliding doesn’t happen overnight. You don’t call up your mature Christian friend and say, “Hey, do you want to backslide tonight? Seriously? Okay, I’ll pick you up at seven.” Backsliding usually starts with tolerating something that’s sinful, something you never would have gone near before. Maybe it’s curiosity, maybe it’s the influence of other people, but instead of rejecting it out of hand and making sure to avoid it, you open your mind to it. You sort of put up with it and maybe even play around with it, thinking, “This isn’t going to hurt me. I’m too strong, too mature in my faith. I’ve walked with the Lord for a long time. I could recite a half dozen Bible verses about resisting temptation and making wise decisions.” All the while, the devil is grinning as he watches you justify your shift in thinking and blur some of the lines you previously refused to cross. And then he does whatever he can to facilitate the process. Feeding the urge to backslide is one of his most potent battlefield maneuvers. Have you ever seen a baby rattlesnake? As you would imagine, it has little fangs and a little tail and a little rattle. You might even call it cute if you’re into that sort of thing. Until it bites you. Did you know that the venom of a baby rattlesnake is more potent than that of an adult rattlesnake? In the same way, the subtle shifts away from God and His will may seem harmless at first. Backsliding starts with accommodating. You turn a blind eye to something. Then you give in to it and legitimize it. And then you start making excuses for it and defending it. The next thing you know, you embrace it as a normal lifestyle. But that’s not the behavior of a real saint, of a real follower of Jesus. If you want to finish well in the race of life and live joyfully, if you want God to complete the work He has begun in you, then you need to press on as a follower of Christ. He will give you the strength to do it. But you need to ask for that strength every day. Reflection question: What are you being tempted to turn a blind eye to? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's devotion is written by Susanna Spencer.
“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” (Luke 18:1 NLT) Even if prayer were a difficult thing to do, which it is not, or an unpleasant thing to do, which it is not, we still would have every reason to pray because we are commanded in Scripture to do so. The apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT). And Luke 18:1 tells us that Jesus used a story to show His followers “that they should always pray and never give up” (Luke 18:1 NLT). Prayer is God’s appointed way for us to obtain things. This doesn’t mean that God is like some big Santa in Heaven. He’s not standing by, ready to grant our every wish. Prayer concerns something much more important: our needs. God invites us to take our every need to Him. We see it in Paul’s words in Philippians 4. We see it in David’s psalms. We see it in Jesus’ alone time with His Father. We see it in the lives of countless Bible characters. Whatever was on their minds, whatever was in their path, whatever was impacting their lives, God wanted them to involve Him in it. Jesus said, “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need” (Matthew 6:9–11 NLT). If you need it, God wants you to tell Him about it. Do you have needs right now? Pray about it. Do you need His provision? Pray about it. Do you need His healing touch? Pray about it. Go to God with your requests, and your heavenly Father, who knows you need these things, will hear you. James wrote, “You do not have because you do not ask God” (James 4:2 NIV). Think about that. You might ask, “Why is it that I never know what the will of God is for my life?” Answer: You do not have because you do not ask God. You might ask, “Why is it that I never have the opportunity to lead people to the Lord?” Answer: You do not have because you do not ask God. You might ask, “Why don’t I feel more confident when I face spiritual battles?” Answer: You do not have because you do not ask God. I wonder how many answers to prayer would be waiting for us if we were to just pray about things. What would happen if we just said, “Lord, I’ve never actually brought this before You, but I’m praying about it now.” The worst-case scenario is that God will say no. But what if God says yes? Reflection question: What need will you take to God in prayer today? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's devotion is written by Rachel Balducci.
“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:15–16 NLT) When hardship strikes some people, they will turn away from God. If something bad happens to them that doesn’t make sense, they conclude there can’t be a God—or that if there is a God, He doesn’t care about them. So, they turn against Him and essentially find a belief system that accommodates their feelings. It should come as no surprise that the devil does some of his most effective work during times of hardship and suffering. Given half a chance, he’ll turn our attention away from the big picture of God’s plan to strengthen, nurture, and care for us through our struggles and difficulties. Instead, the devil tries to shift our focus to the smaller picture of our immediate circumstances. He’ll appeal to our sense of privilege. “Why should I have to face any hardship or suffering? Why doesn’t God do something about it?” But God isn’t to blame for our difficulties and struggles. Trials and hardship are the byproducts of a fallen world. We suffer because we sinned. God is the One who gives us hope amid our suffering. Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT). To give us that hope, God had to suffer, too. Jesus Christ was God incarnate, and no one ever suffered like Jesus. Not only did He endure the physical pain of being whipped, beaten, and crucified, but He also bore the sins of the world on Himself as He hung on Calvary’s cross and cried out, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46 NLT). When you’re suffering, you need to know that you’re talking to a God who knows what you’re going through. You’ll find in Jesus a merciful High Priest and a faithful friend who feels your pain. Hebrews 4:15 says, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (NLT). We can’t live in a pain-free world, as much as we would like to try. When trouble comes (and it will come), when crisis knocks at your door (and it will knock), you can either become angry at God or turn to Him and trust in Him. Here’s your choice in life: You can become better or bitter. It’s usually one or the other. When something bad happens, you can say, “I’m mad at God. I’m bitter with God.” Okay. That’s your choice. But you can also say, “I’m going to trust in God. I’m going to cling to God.” And you will become better as a result. It’s really up to you. Reflection question: What situation in your life right now has the potential to make you either better or bitter? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.