Podcasts about Dear Father

During the last months there has been a period of refresh and rebuild as Ps Paul & Wendy have been away on Sabbatical. Now, Waterside congregation enters a period of Embracing a New Season. For this we needDiscernmentObedienceThankfulnessOpen HandsA Tight GripPs Steu explores each of these areas in detail with appropriate scripture references and ends by inviting the whole congregation to pray....Dear Father,I accept that I cannot live up to your perfect standard, and I turn away from my sin.Thank you for sending Jesus to pay the price for my sin.I believe that You forgive me and make all things new.I surrender to you and want to take your path for my life.So please fill me with Your Spirit and empower me to live a life that honours You.Thank you for loving me! Amen.This is a cardinal message for Family Church Waterside Congregation.

Your earth father may not have been loving or caring. You may have even spent a lifetime in vain trying to win his favor and approval. As a result, you may struggle when comes to addressing God in prayer as "Our Father." If this is true for you, then you're going to want to hear what Paul has to say in this text.  It will change the way you pray forever.

Bride's Ministry to the Lost (1)  (audio) David Eells – 7/12/26 Our Brother's Keeper Eve Brast - 12/19/2015 (David's notes in red) Since yesterday afternoon, the Holy Spirit in me has been very grieved. I felt sadness from the Father's heart but I didn't understand why. Then again, on the way home from the Friday night meeting, His sadness and grieving were heavy upon me again. I began to pray as I pulled into my driveway that Father would help me to help His people and that He would make me His eyes and ears and mind and that He would help me to be His hands and feet. I understood in general that this was what the Spirit was grieved about, and He desired that this would be the desire of His people above all else. (Please read my word below from the Father on 12/07/15. It's so very important to Him that my heart breaks at the earnest longing from His Spirit that He allowed me to feel.) Eve Brast - 12/07/15: I asked Father what was on His heart to say to us today and He told me to get a pen and paper. He said, “My people who are called by My name, humble yourselves before Me this day. Fast and pray with weeping and lamentations for your brethren who are in this land, for swift destruction is coming and distress from every side and there shall be none to deliver! But I will deliver, by My power and strong arm, those who will repent and turn to Me in that day. Take care to be mindful of your fellow brethren! Lay down your lives, for you are your brother's keeper. Offer up to Me the sweet smell of sacrifice and I will honor it. Fast! Pray! For the day draws near. All things will be accomplished according to My Word”. (Pray for gifts to be able to help the brethren.) When I lay down to sleep last night, I asked Father for a dream to share with the brethren at the morning prayer meeting on Saturday morning. I received it on 12/19/15. I dreamed that I was making rounds with David and Michael in a nursing home/mental hospital. (The Church is supposed to be gifted to heal the spiritually old and mentally sick in the body.) David was a surgeon dressed in light blue scrubs, and Michael was a resident surgeon in training dressed in royal blue scrubs. (They represent the Man-child ministry “who is like God”.) (Which is the meaning of “Michael”. To be like God, we need His fruit and gifts to be able to help the brethren.) There were others with us from UBM and some nurses I currently work with at the hospital in real life. David was a very talented and important doctor and was well-respected in this dream. He had come there to perform a new procedure that would restore these patients in this facility. We all desired to assist him in this procedure. (Those who followed are like the disciples of Jesus' day who followed Him.) As we all followed David, he would stop at the different rooms and areas of this nursing home/mental hospital and point out different patients and explain to us what he needed us to do to help him. Many of the patients were demented or just old and feeble (in spirit). Many were half naked (not dressed up with the works of Christ) and very obese (meaning overcome by flesh). They wandered around aimlessly and out of their right minds (which is the renewed mind of Christ). (These are our brothers and sisters in Christ who have not come out of the ways of the Harlot church yet or who have fallen back into worldly lusts and the mind of the flesh and their old beastly nature. {Isa.63:9} In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.) It was dark as we approached some double glass doors that led out into a courtyard filled with green grass. And as we stood outside on the lighted, covered porch area, it began to rain very large drops of water. (Michael Hare says these represent the trials and sacrifices we endure for the sake of our brethren. As faithful priests, this is what is required of us.) (Also, the rain can be the anointing and gifts God gives to those who sacrifice their lives to help the brethren. As we give of ourselves, He gives to us.) David and Michael stepped out into the rain, and they turned to face us. David held out his hand and said, “I need someone to come and get the stretcher in order to transport these patients”. (The word “stretcher” is a play on words. In order to be at rest, you must “stretch” your faith.) (Those who are able are called to help carry a spiritually sick Christian until they can walk for themselves.) All the others who had been following David and Michael were unwilling to step out into the rain with them in order to go get the stretcher for the “patients”. They began to turn and walk back into the nursing home/mental hospital and murmur as they went, saying that this was too hard, too difficult. {Joh.6:66} Upon this many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him. My heart sank as they walked away and I felt so alone and sad for David. I said, “I'll go”. (The true Bride will help to save God's people, like Esther did.) I didn't want to get out in the rain either, but to my surprise, even though it was cold as the large raindrops hit my face and my arms, I wasn't getting wet. The water was just soaking into my skin and filling me up inside. I felt encouraged and strengthened. {Isa.28:11} Nay, but by men of strange lips and with another tongue will he speak to this people; {12} to whom he said, This is the rest, give ye rest to him that is weary; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. People avoid the rain as though it were acid, but in actuality, it doesn't hurt at all and is refreshing; so it is with tribulations and trials, but the refreshing of the Spirit will help us. {Rom.5:3} And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; {4} and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope: {5} and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us. {Jas.1:2} Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; {3} Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. {4} And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing. (Missy said this reluctance to help God's people reminds her of the book of Esther, where it says: {Est.4:14} For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father's house will perish: and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? When we choose obedience, Father will strengthen us for the task, just like He did for Jesus. {Rev.22:17} And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take of the water of life freely.) (The verse that came to M.L. the morning when I shared this dream was: (Jas.4:17} To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Please, brethren, fast and pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ. (Ask for the Holy Spirit and gifts from God for them.) Ask for ears to hear the Holy Spirit's pleadings with us on their behalf. {Rom.9:3} For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren's sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh: {Luk.12:50} But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished.) The three of us walked across the grassy courtyard together (with the flesh under our feet) to another building on the other side that was white brick (representing righteous works to serve the needy). This was where David would perform the new procedure. (Jesus said, “Behold, I make all things new”.) (I asked Eve, and she thought that the following correction applies well to some in all of UBM. I believe it speaks of many who have had much training but as yet have not entered into the work of restoring their brethren in whatever capacity they have a gift for.) There were many UBM members sitting in the doctor's lounge, along with all the children of UBM, including my two sons, Elijah and Josiah. (Even the two witnesses at this time need the anointing to serve.) They were all sitting around waiting for David to come and perform the new procedure. They were all busy and absorbed in their conversations. They all wanted to talk about the procedure but didn't want to take any action. (Like perpetual students needing to put their knowledge to work.) The children were all over the floor and sitting in chairs and on ottomans that were blocking the path to the procedure room. David told me to move the chairs and ottomans out of the way and clear a path for the stretcher to go through. (Take away their resting in the flesh so they have to stand on their own feet.) This was difficult because the children wouldn't get up off the furniture, and the room was very crowded with people and furniture. (Insisting on resting in the flesh.) The adults wouldn't make the children obey and wouldn't help me move anything. It was like they were unable to hear my requests. I found the strength to move the furniture with the children still on it and clear a path. (In short, we can't be perpetual students; it's time for the more mature to get to work restoring the Kingdom people. Even the children can do something to help. Not all are ordained to be elders, but all have gifts, or should have, to help in restoring the Kingdom. In 1 Corinthians 12, the Lord says to forsake the idols and seek the gifts to be able to help God's people become a defensible body.) After this, Michael and I went to find the right stretcher that would accommodate a very obese patient. (Representing those overcome with flesh.) We finally found an old, faded forest green recliner that was very wide, and when we reclined it all the way, it transformed into a stretcher with wheels. We rejoiced when we found it. (Representing enabling the spiritually sick Christians to rest from their labors through faith.) When I woke up, I asked Father for a word for this dream and received Isaiah 33:16. In context: {Isa.33:10} Now will I arise, saith Jehovah; now will I lift up myself; now will I be exalted. (First, the Lord addresses the fate of those who believe themselves to be a part of Zion but do not have the fruit.) {11} Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath (Hebrew: “spirit”) is a fire that shall devour you. (In other words, be careful of the spirit that goes forth from you through what you speak because that is what you will receive.) {12} And the peoples shall be as the burnings of lime, as thorns cut down, that are burned in the fire. (Jesus said, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit is cast into the fire”.) {13} Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. {14} The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling hath seized the godless ones: Who among us can dwell with the devouring fire? who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings? (The sinners cannot stand to dwell among those who offer up their flesh as a continual burnt offering; their fear drives them out.) (So who can dwell in the fire? Who can keep their flesh on the altar?) {15} He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from taking a bribe, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from looking upon evil: {16} He shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks (meaning those who are defended by the Word); his bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. (He shall have God's supply.) {17} Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: (They shall see the visitation of the Lord in His body.) they shall behold a land that reacheth afar: (They shall have much freedom living in their Promised Land.) Seek the gifts of God to build up His people. {1Co.12:1} Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. {2} Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might be led. {3} Wherefore I make known unto you, that no man speaking in the Spirit of God saith, Jesus is anathema; and no man can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit. (So forsake the worldly idols and seek gifts to edify God's weak people.) {4} Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. {5} And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord. {6} And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all. {7} But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal. {8} For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: {9} to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; {10} and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues: {11} but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will. {12} For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. {13} For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. (They were all filled with the Holy Spirit that manifests the gifts to defend the body. {Act.19:2} and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given.) {1Co.12:14} For the body is not one member, but many. {15} If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. {16} And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. {17} If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? {18} But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him. {19} And if they were all one member, where were the body? {20} But now they are many members, but one body. {21} And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. {22} Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary: {23} and those parts of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness; {24} whereas our comely parts have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked; {25} that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. {26} And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. {27} Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof. {28} And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues. {29} Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? {30} have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? {31} But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you. {13:1} If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. {2} And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. {3} And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. {4} Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, {5} doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; {6} rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; {7} beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. {8} Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. {9} For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; {10} but when that which is perfect (complete) is come, that which is in part shall be done away. {11} When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. {12} For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. {13} But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love. {14:1} Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. ... {12} So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church. ...{26} What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. {27} If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret: {28} but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. {29} And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern. {30} But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence. {31} For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted; {32} and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; {33} for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.   Pray the Church Will Hear and Go Back to School  G. M. 2/27/18 (David's notes in red) I was an observer in this dream. I was in a place where there were classrooms with clear glass walls. There was a wooden coat rack in the hall. There were several boys walking in the hall who were very focused on where they were going. (12-14 years old [man-child], not messing around or wasting time, like they were on a serious assignment). (These are the teachers in this school who themselves hear the Holy Spirit)  There was a very cute little girl (the Church or the ‘little sister') with blonde hair jumping rope in the hallway (appeared to be about 5 years old (Grace). She was dressed all in pink with a pink puffy winter coat (Time of winter - tribulation). She had on pink snow boots and was also wearing a pink headband with fuzzy muffs over her ears. I could tell these were special earmuffs and were not just to keep her warm, but had a headset built into them so the teacher was able to speak to her wherever she was. (She is capable of hearing the teacher, the Man-child by the Holy Spirit.)  The little girl was having a good time singing and jumping rope in the hall. (The young and immature play games.) I could hear the teacher calling her name and trying to get her attention. The teacher had called to the little girl often to get her attention, but she didn't hear because of all her singing and jumping. Finally, she did hear the voice. (Pray for this) She stood real still and cupped her hands over her earmuffs so she could hear clearly. A big smile came over her face as she heard her teacher call her to the classroom. (Father will see to it that she goes to the class of the Holy Spirit.) I felt this little girl could represent many in the apostate church who are busy doing their own thing and not hearing the voice of the Lord. He is calling each of us to spend time with Him each day. Sometimes He has to use an extra-loud voice or circumstances to get our attention. Once we hear Him, we gladly come to Him and let Him teach us those things dear to His heart. I was given by faith at random for this dream Luk.24:23 and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. (The Church does not know the Living Risen Lord, the Jesus of promises and miracles, Who they were talked out of by false shepherds. Jesus and His disciples are our examples of what a Christian is. Heb.13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and for ever. Joh.14:12: Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. Joh.7:38: He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.) The scripture that came to my mind was Rev.3:20 Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and him with Me. 21 He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with Me in My throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with My Father in His throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. I believe He may use v19 to get the attention of His children. As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent. Other verses that spoke to me were: Joh.8:47 He that is of God, heareth the words of God: for this cause ye hear them not, because ye are not of God. Joh.10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: 28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.    Bearing Our Cross Will Save Souls Sean Lynch - 07/01/2009 In a dream last night, the Lord showed me about a coming crucifixion for the brethren. In the dream, I was in either a hotel or some type of big castle. During this dream, there were many events going on, but the Lord is only bringing certain things to my remembrance. In one of the events, I remember I was outside of the hotel, and I heard on a loudspeaker tuned to a secular radio station, David's voice. He was preaching the gospel to the world. I thought this was awesome because now David's message was going to the whole world and was reaching many people. (Representing the David Man-child reformers.) The next event I remember, I was inside this hotel, and I saw a group of people approaching me. Then the fire of God fell upon me with holy boldness because I started preaching the Word with boldness and no fear, like the early apostles did when the Holy Spirit fell upon them. (Normally, I'm very shy and not bold. The Lord has been working on me with this, and I believe He has shown me that He is going to make me speak with boldness. “God's power is made perfect in our weakness”. However, these people did not receive the message of the gospel, as they started laughing and scoffing and went their own way. The next scene I remember, I was in a long walkway with doors on both sides. I believe I was with another brother in Christ. Suddenly, a mountain of a man with long hair, very strong and looking like a professional wrestler, walked in to pummel whoever got in his path. The other brother took off, and both doors shut, and I was left alone with this man. (The Lord was forcing me into crucifixion.) I decided I was going to preach the gospel to him, which at the time seemed crazy because this man looked like he wanted to rip me limb from limb; however, I felt holy boldness rise up in me and went and stood by the man and preached the Word with boldness to him. After I was done preaching, he just stood there and looked at me and then proceeded to beat me up very badly. I did not strike back but let him pummel me. I do not know if he had killed me or not, but I knew the Lord was showing me to turn the other cheek. I was then taken to another scene where I saw this same man had changed because I did not fight back. He was now a fire-breathing gospel evangelist and was preaching to other people. I then remember him preaching to a group of people, and then he was beaten, as well. I do not know if he was killed. (The Lord had shown me that because of my testimony of turning the other cheek and going to my cross, this man was saved and was allowed to go to his cross.) I remember being deeply touched by this brother who had gone to his cross. I remain touched even now as I'm writing this because the Lord is truly showing me how to lay my life down for the brethren and what is meant to go to our cross. The Lord has shown me that there are many brothers and sisters in the world who will come into the kingdom as a result of our willingness to turn the other cheek and overcome evil by laying our lives down. Please read our book, How Shall We Die.   Are You a Yielded Vessel? Sandy Shaw - 11/03/2015 (David's notes in red) In a dream, I was high in the air with a big angel on each side of me; each of them was about 10 feet tall. They glowed and stood arm-to-arm with me. One angel asked, “Sandra, what do you see?” I said, “I see a storm approaching; a lot of lightning; sheets of water and wind coming closer and closer”. Then the angel asked me, “Sandra, do you hear the Master speaking?” I had to get very quiet and still. And then I said, “Yes, I do”. Then the angel of the Lord said, “Do it without ceasing”. (It is better to find the will of God in the quiet before the storm. {1Ki.19:11} And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before Jehovah. And, behold, Jehovah passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before Jehovah; but Jehovah was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but Jehovah was not in the earthquake: {12} and after the earthquake a fire; but Jehovah was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (Ah, there He is!) {13} And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? Uh-oh, he should have asked before the storm. The flesh is impulsive, moved by fear and self-preservation. Don't obey these enemy spirits or you will end up in deeper trouble. {14} And he said, I have been very jealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. {15} And Jehovah said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, thou shalt anoint Hazael to be king over Syria; {16} and Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. Uh-oh, lost his ministry, just like Saul, who got ahead of God.) Don't be moved by fear; it is an evil spirit; it is their job to lead you wrong. {Amo.5:19} As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. (Do not be reactionary; get quiet and ask for the Lord's instructions concerning direction and judgments to come.) {Isa.28:16} therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner- stone of sure foundation: he that believeth shall not be in haste. (We don't have to get in a hurry because the Lord must go before us, as with Israel in the wilderness. {Isa.52:12} For ye shall not go out in haste, neither shall ye go by flight: for Jehovah will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rearward.) I started praying in tongues and I put my right hand out and I could feel the cold rain and the wind. I could see the wind make depressions in my skin as the force of it blew against my arm. {2Co.5:7} (for we walk by faith, not by sight). {Heb.10:38} But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. Now I'm a little farther up, higher than before, and the angel of the Lord said, “Sandra, what do you see?” I said, “I see a second storm approaching me and five tornadoes”. I could see beyond these storms and see the devastation that they left. Buildings were gone and turned to rubble. But some weren't even touched. {Psa.91:11} For he will give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways. {Mat.7:24} Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: {25} and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. {26} And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: {27} and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. The angel asked, “Do you hear the Master's instructions?” I had to get really quiet and still so I could hear. And I said, “Yes”. Then he said, “Do it without ceasing”. (Be trained to seek, hear and act on the Lord's instructions concerning the coming judgments so that when they come you may act in the rest of faith and have a Passover and be able to help others.) The first time I couldn't hear because of the storm, the crackle of the lightning, and the thunder. And the whole time I kept hearing John 4:21-24. John 4:21-24. John 4:21-24 ... {Joh.4:21} Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father. {22} Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. {23} But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. {24} God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (Worship = Greek: Proskuneo, meaning “to kiss toward”. A reverential act of love toward God. Any act of love toward God. Every act of obedience is an act of love toward God, for we love Him when we keep His commandments, as He said. We are commanded to worship God with our whole being, with songs, with instruments and dance, etc. Worship should be in spirit, with the heart, meaning not in flesh. It should be in truth, meaning not an act of show to impress others.)   11/07/15 I dreamed this all again. The difference this time was that I could hear the Lord. He spoke very softly, barely above a whisper. He kept saying, “Pray in the spirit and in truth without ceasing. Pray in the spirit and in truth without ceasing”. {1Th.2:13} And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe. {5:17} pray without ceasing; {18} in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. Everything was completely tuned out. I did not hear the storm.   11/08/15 When I woke up in the night, the clock showed 3:33. And the Lord asked me a question: “Are you a yielded vessel?” {Jer.33:3} Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and will show thee great things, and difficult, which thou knowest not. (Call to the Lord in the quiet of the night, when men don't see.) {Mat.6:6} But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. I went back to sleep and woke up at 4:44. And I heard the same question: “Are you a yielded vessel?” (The Greek gematria for “perfect love” is 444.) Then I went back to sleep and in the dream, He showed me and reminded me of something that happened when I was a child. In the dream, I was reminded that there was a Pentecostal church across the street from my mom's house. And my dad was related in some way, to most of the people in that church. Great aunts and uncles and cousins went to that church. Now they were having a special Jubilee celebration with lots of music on Saturday because nothing could interfere with the Sunday service. There were three much older women who asked if I could go to the Jubilee, but Mom said, “No!” Then my dad's great-aunt asked, “Why not?” And Mom said, “Because I'm teaching her Catholicism”. So I went to my room and cried myself to sleep. I really didn't understand at four, almost five years old. Then my dad knocked on my door and grabbed a blanket. He took my hand and we went to the front yard, putting the blanket on the ground, and I sat down. And he went to the kitchen and got some grapes and cheese. Mom came out a few minutes later, very upset with my dad. She said in Spanish, “Why are you deliberately trying to go against what I said? He said, “What you are teaching her is wrong. As long as they are praying and singing and lifting up Jesus, that is all that matters”. She went back into the house, slamming the door. Then the music started. The songs that I remember were “This Little Light of Mine” and “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”. I learned that song that day with all its verses and I knew I was singing that from my heart. I woke up again and the clock showed 5:55 (grace multiplied), but later that day I went to sleep and dreamed all of that again. But this time the dream went further. Dad came home from work and said, “Why don't you sing that song again, ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus'?” Then I did. And when the part came, “Though none go with me, still I will follow”, I started to cry and then sob. Then my dad said, “I thought you liked that song”. And I answered, “Daddy, someday I will be by myself. Jesus has to be enough”. And that's when I heard again, “Are you a yielded vessel?” (Meaning, would we follow Jesus if none of our family or friends or people we respected went with us? Obviously, God's grace, 555, will help us, if we desire this.) Because we know the storms are going to come, He is constantly giving us instructions. So are we yielded vessels? Are we listening and obeying God? We are supposed to be hearing Him, even in the midst of chaos. {Joh.4:21} Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father. {22} Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. {23} But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. {24} God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (Are we willing to love and obey Him when no man sees?) {2Co.4:7} But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; {8} we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; {9} pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; {10} always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. {11} For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (If the life of Jesus is manifested in our mortal flesh, we will say with Him. {Joh.5:30} I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. He will speak to those who are willing to do His will. {7:17} If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself.   Love Your Neighbor as Yourself My Hiding Place 8/23/22 (1 Cor.13:1-8a)(KJV) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth.  Dear brothers and sisters,  Lately, my prayer has been for Father to teach me His way to love. Here is how He responded to my prayer. On August 17, 2022, I needed to run a few errands. I got ready with my 2 boys when my daughter popped her head through the door and said, ‘Hey Mom, do you still need to go to the store? I can take you. My car needs to go for a spin.'  Off we went to the first and second stores. On the way back, I needed to stop at a third store, but my daughter decided she needed to go home. So I made arrangements to be dropped at the last stop with the boys, and then my husband would come to pick us up. While shopping, I received a call from my husband that he was on the way. But when he reached us, he made a strange announcement. He said that our daughter had arrived home accompanied by a homeless man who desired to get baptized! I have to confess that my initial reaction was not very friendly. I thought, ‘Why did our daughter bring someone to our home without asking for permission? Why did she bring in a stranger knowing my husband was heading out to get me and the boys from the store?' I was not pleased and couldn't come up with any good answer. But on the way back home, I told my husband, ‘Let's just pray for wisdom that Father will help us to deal with whatever may be going on this evening'. We got home and sure enough, there was a homeless man sitting in our kitchen. He looked very shy and spoke very quietly. My first approach was to get my boys situated with their snacks and their bedtime routine, while my husband had a chance to talk to the man. Once I felt my husband was a little more comfortable, I took the time to come over and offer the man some food and drink. Then I asked him to share his testimony. While telling his story, he asked in a rhetorical way, “Why can't people just love? Do you see me? Because I see you.” He wasn't trying to address the question at us, but that didn't matter. To me, it pierced my heart! It was as if the Holy Spirit had uttered those words through his mouth, convicting me. Why was my heart not immediately happy at this man coming to our home? Would I have acted differently if he had shown up wearing fancy clothes? Had I been too busy to notice the needs of those less fortunate? While the Holy Spirit did the job of convicting me, it became clear that I needed some repenting. As he continued to share, I was overcome with Jesus' compassion. Tears began streaming down my face while remembering Jesus saying, ‘They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick'. So I gave my daughter the go-ahead to get the bathroom ready. I grabbed some clothes for the baptism and a clean change of clothes for afterwards and within a half hour, all was ready to go. There was our new friend, in our bathtub, ready to confess Jesus as His Saviour and turn from his sins, acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God and renouncing Satan for good. Hallelujah!  Afterwards, we got a chance to share a tea and some refreshments around the table and we encouraged him to pray. Then it was time to drop him off at his request while I tidied up. As I said my goodbye for the night, he reiterated how thankful he was for our hospitality. Then I gave him a big hug and blessed him in the name of the Lord. Everything had happened so fast, too fast for me to absorb it all. While I wiped down the bathroom, I examined my heart. ‘Father, I'm sorry that my heart was not ready to have this gentleman over at first, that I questioned what You had in mind rather than just trusting in You.' As I continued with my cleaning, I remembered that our home is not ours but the Lord's. On this night, Father had welcomed one of His prodigal sons home through us. We rejoiced with the angels in heaven for this awesome occasion. My heart still felt heavy and desperate for Father's intimacy. I wanted my alone time with Him and have a chance to properly confess my shortcomings. That's when I retreated into our secret place to pray and to listen. This is when the Holy Spirit came upon me with such sweet presence and impressed these words into my Spirit. Mat.25:34-40 (KJV) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Thank You, Father, for knowing the desire of my heart so intimately – that of seeing many souls come into Your kingdom. Thank You, Lord, for giving me a heart to share with those less fortunate on various occasions and to open our home to our new friend this evening. May Your Word be engraved on his heart and may he follow You all the days appointed for him. May his life bring You glory and may he share Your salvation with many more. Dear Father, empty me of all of me and fill me with more of Your Spirit. I pray I may be found worthy to be used mightily for Your Kingdom. To You is all power and glory, forever and ever, in Jesus' name. Amen! Titus 3:3-5 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. That's right, brothers and sisters. It wasn't that long ago when we also wandered around without the Lord, chasing after the things of the world, giving ourselves over to sin. And Father had great mercy on us. Now, it's our turn to do the same to others. The harvest is ready; the fields are ripe. Let's pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out His laborers. Let's also pray for His love to abound and overflow in us to be able to share generously. (Hos.6:6a) For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice. 1 John 3:16-18 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. Today, the Lord is calling us to love His way, through actions and not just words. The kind of love our Saviour displayed for us is so deep. Lord, help us to keep dying to ourselves daily and to embrace our crosses, laying our lives down for our brethren. Let us not grow weary of doing good. May the Lord find us occupied in His work and loving each other when He returns! 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  Mark 12:30-31 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.  1 Tim.6:17-19 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.    A Cry For Souls Solitary Man 4/4/25 So many souls! So many souls hanging in the balance! So many souls perishing. With the whole world being shaken as never before, who in My body is focusing on what really matters? Which one of My servants still dwells on what is most dear.  Do My people think that the world of mammon is what they should pay attention to? Do My children think their finances are what matters most? How about patriotism? Should pledging allegiance to this empire or that be what dominates your soul? Perhaps it should be politics. Or seeking ever more information on one topic or another. Maybe more facts and figures are what you need!  The planet has never resembled Babel as much as it does today. Voices are crying out over every cause and crusade imaginable. Lies piled upon lies. Ignorance coupled with anger and unholy passions. The noise is deafening. And My people have fallen into this bottomless pit of the unending babble of Babel. Where is the voice of My church today? How is it, as the knowledge of God being all but erased out of the land, that My people have forgotten the first principles? Where is the cry over the lostness of souls? Have you ever seen such a great multitude hurtling themselves towards the eternal flames of hell as you see today? Have you ever witnessed such a hatred of all things holy and pure as you do at this time? While you fight for your freedoms, you pay, oh so little heed to those perishing all around you. While you focus all your energy worrying and fretting over what comes next, those even in your own household that are destined for eternal torment, you have made accommodations for in your own soul. While you lament over others' political persuasions, unless they all repent, they will all likewise perish, regardless of which leaders they admire or hate.  The curse of social media has deceived your souls. Do you ever stop and consider exactly how you are spending your life? When was the last time you took stock of how you are using the days that I have allotted you? Where is your heart? Remember what I have told you. Where your heart is, that is where your treasure is to be found.  Is your heart consumed with mammon? Is it obsessed with current evils? Maybe it's your entertainment. Or the latest conspiracy of wicked men. Perhaps all you care about is your children. Identify your passion, and there is where your treasure lies. But what about the lost? Have the cares of the world so choked the flame of the Spirit of God that souls no longer matter? Have you convinced yourselves that there is nothing that you can do? Since no one seems to want to listen to the things of God, have you given up?  But what about prayer? Have you given up on the power of prayer as well? Did I not wonder whether, when I return, I would find faith on the earth? Is there anyone left who believes that prayer will move heaven? But will you pray, not on your own behalf, but rather die to your own desires, and spend yourself by standing in the gap for those who are dead in sin? Many are in terror, not knowing what comes next. Yet, what does it matter what comes next if one does not know Me? What does it matter if this nation is made great [again], or that war is averted, or this economic collapse is halted, if one loses his own soul? Why has My church stopped weeping over the lost? I said My burden would be easy, and My yoke light. But only for those who have truly put their desires aside and fully embraced Mine. I guarantee that those who refuse to lose their own lives shall never find satisfaction, fulfilment, or peace. But those who lose their life for My sake shall not only find purpose and meaning, but a fulfilment that only I can provide.  Children, you know that the time is short. Unless you choose to stop what you are doing and find your way back to the cross, your heart will never become one with Mine. And My heart beats for the lost. For every soul that slips off into eternity without Me, I am wounded anew. Will you not go forth and be My hands and feet, My voice to those who have no one else? Will you find the courage to obey Me when I call you to spread the good news before it's too late? Will you put down your phones and sacrifice your time to petition heaven unceasingly, until I send My Spirit to open the eyes of the blind once again? Who amongst you shall find the resolve to return to your first love, and be that light to those who grope about in darkness? Which of My children shall decide to re-enlist in the Lord's army of prayer warriors, of soldiers who are fearless and unashamed in their witness of Me? To those who let My words of challenge sink in and once again reignite the fire of evangelism, there is great reward that awaits you. Let not this day pass without asking My Father to quicken the truths found here, so that you will not be found wanting on that final day. I long to tell each and every one of you that you have done well, and now it is time to enter into the joy of your Master! Heed the warning, and this shall be yours. Heed it not, and risk it all. The choice is yours alone to make. Scripture References Mat.6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  Luk.6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Mat.6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Luk.8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. Luk.21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.  Mat.10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Lam.2:11 Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city. Joe.2:12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.  Mat.11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Mat.6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Mat.16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Joh.12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.  Joh.17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Joh.3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Rom.10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  Luk.18:2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?  2Jn.1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Dan.12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.  Mat.25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been fa

Make the most of each moment by staying faithful in the season God has you in today. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 3:1, this devotional reminds us that every season has a purpose, and God calls us to faithfully steward the present instead of becoming consumed by the future. Whether you're waiting for answers, stepping into a new opportunity, or navigating a busy season, God invites you to trust His timing and remain fully present with Him. Rather than striving to control every outcome, we can rest in knowing that the Lord establishes our steps. Like Mary, who chose to sit at Jesus' feet, we're reminded that our relationship with Christ matters more than simply checking off spiritual or daily tasks. As we pursue our goals and responsibilities, we can find joy in slowing down, embracing God's presence, and living faithfully in the moment He has given us. Highlights: Every season of life has purpose and is part of God's perfect timing. Faithfulness means stewarding today's assignments instead of worrying about tomorrow. God establishes our steps as we trust Him with our plans. Time spent with Jesus is just as important as the work we do for Him. Don't become so focused on the future that you miss God's blessings in the present. Join the Conversation What season of life are you in right now? How is God inviting you to be more present with Him instead of becoming distracted by what's next? Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ 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: Make the Most of Each Moment By Hannah Benson Bible Reading:“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV) Recently, on a beautiful spring afternoon, I rose from my desk and stepped outside. After working for the past several hours, I needed a break. And some fresh air. One of my favorite things to do is take a walk around my family’s lush land, past the woods on one side and our neighbor’s horses on the other. And pray. This particular afternoon, as I quieted my heart to be still like the grass underneath my feet, I admitted to God I had lots of questions. Of course, He already knew that, both because He knows everything and because I’d been asking these questions for weeks and months on end with seemingly no answer. If I were being honest, I realized I was trying to approach this specific situation with my own strength, believing it was up to me to see a breakthrough when I knew deep down it would take a move and a miracle from God. As I reflected on the previous several weeks, I asked God what He wanted me to know, what He was telling me. Why did it feel like He was being so silent? And then. In my heart, God reminded me to make the most of each moment. Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV says: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Some seasons are busier than others. Some bring change. Some bring new assignments. In my heart, as I reflected on all this, I realized that I wanted to make the most of this season. Whenever God calls me into a new season, perhaps assignments will shift slightly. I want to make the most of the time I have now and be a faithful steward of what God has given me in each season. As I write this, I’m prepping to travel out of town for a month to work on a film project, effectively entering a new season. While I want to have a heart that sits at the feet of Jesus like Mary, I also realize that making the most of each moment means not delaying the assignments God has clearly placed before me. Sometimes, we procrastinate, thinking we can delay the assignment, but if God has called us to a task, the wisest thing we can do is walk in obedience. We must steward the moment by saying “yes” to the work of today, trusting that He will provide everything we need. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6 ESV). I want to have an open heart for what the Lord wants to do in my life. It’s okay to dream and work towards goals. It’s okay to make plans, but as the Scriptures in Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) say, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” God alone knows the plans He has for our lives. On the flip side, sometimes, we get so caught up in the big picture that we forget to enjoy the present. To take a break from the busyness of life and just be. My love language is quality time, so one of my favorite things to do with those I love is simply spend time with them. To just take a moment to pull away from the busyness of life and just be. Lately, God has been convicting me to spend deeper, intentional time with Him. If I love quality time, how much more does God love when I spend time with Him? Intersecting Faith & Life: I think of the story of Mary and Martha, famously found in the Gospels. One specific account is Luke 10:38-42. The Bible says “Martha was distracted with much serving” (v. 40) while Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching” (v. 39). Don’t get me wrong. We are called to serve God, but like any good parent, His love for us is not dependent on what we do. He loves us and wants time with us. He doesn’t want us to get so distracted doing things for Him that we forget to simply be with Him. Keep in mind that Jesus didn’t scold Martha for serving Him. Far from it! No, He gently and lovingly pointed out that she was “anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary” (v. 41). So many times, we allow our serving to distract us from spending time with Jesus. As we walk through busy seasons, sometimes, there are a thousand “necessary” tasks calling for our attention. Sometimes, we look forward to the future with anticipation, dreaming of things that lie in “someday.” That’s not necessarily a bad thing; it’s important to have hope for the future. But I don’t want to get so caught up in the “someday” that I miss the here and now. The beauty of the present sunset. Family laughing around the dinner table. The crush of grass underneath my feet as I breathe in the scent of spring. The view of the mountains outside our kitchen window. It’s amazing to dream. Let’s keep hoping, but let’s not forget to make the most of each moment we’ve been given. To serve God exactly where He has us, to love the people He has placed in our path. Let’s be people who plan our ways with open hands, allowing the Lord to establish our steps, and choosing, above all else, to simply be with Him. Dear Father, thank You for the beauty of today. Help us to dream big dreams for the future while remaining fully planted in the present. Teach us to sit at Your feet like Mary, even when our to-do lists look like Martha’s. As we step into new seasons and assignments, let us never miss the miracle of the “here and now.” In Jesus’s Name, Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

“I don't find myself funny… it came as a surprise to me that I didn't really learn anything by watching myself.”In June 1969 BBC2 broadcast a documentary in which comedian and writer Marty Feldman tried to discover the essence of comedy by speaking with some of its leading lights such as Eric Morecambe, Dudley Moore, Denis Norden and... Peter Sellers. According to a critic on The Daily Mirror: “Given the low state of comedy on the box right now – well, there's Father, Dear Father and The Gnomes of Dulwich to name triers; but no Till Death and no Steptoe – a high-flyer like Marty might have chosen to show us how it's done. He could have played a few bad jokes off against his writing partner Mr Barry Took (who was present and correct), batted them about, and come up with an extemporary routine or two. But no. Marty was sold on contradiction.”Ignore that grump. The programme was a thoughtful, leisurely exercise in getting to the nub of of a very knotty topic where Marty philosophised and sometimes agonised while smoking a seemingly endless chain of cigarettes. From a bleak fairground in Margate via a kids' Punch & Judy show, a textile factory run by an ex-radio ventriloquist and a smoky jazz bar to a railway station in Henley where Peter Sellers was filming The Magic Christian, Marty never faltered in his pursuit of the truth: What is comedy? Joining Tyler to talk about the programme and in particular the very revealing bits with Sellers is returning guest and podcaster Jon Auty. They also look at the early career of Marty Feldman and a couple of Spike Milligan TV appearances. You can watch the programme on YT here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0it6iARj64&t=1907sBehind The Stunts: https://www.youtube.com/@behindthestunts

Whether it’s relationships, dreams, plans, or unanswered prayers, God invites His children not only to release control but to confidently trust His heart and His timing. This devotional encourages Christians to stop living in fear over what God might do with their surrendered lives and instead rest in His faithfulness. God is not withholding good from His children. Even when doors close or circumstances disappoint, He is still working for His glory and our ultimate good. Trusting God means believing that His plans are better than our own and finding peace in His presence, even in uncertainty. Highlights Surrender is a daily choice, but trust must follow surrender. Believers often struggle with taking back what they’ve already given to God. Fear of losing control can make trusting God difficult. God’s closed doors may actually be acts of protection and grace. Philippians 4:19 reminds us God faithfully provides what we truly need. Pain and uncertainty can deepen intimacy and dependence on God. Psalm 37 calls believers to trust God, remain faithful, and delight in Him. 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: Trusting God with What You Have Already Surrendered By Hannah Benson Bible Reading:“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday” (Psalm 37:3-6 ESV) Have you ever prayed, “Lord, help me to surrender?” We all have things we need to surrender daily to the Lord. Our hopes and dreams for the future, our plans, our calling, relationships, and the list goes on. I’ve been in a season where my continual prayer has been one of surrender, which isn’t necessarily wrong. As I said, the prayer of surrender and the heart that gives everything to Jesus must be renewed day by day. Surrender is a daily choice to give it to Him. A few months ago, I was walking around our yard after work, as I often do to clear my mind. I found the same words leaving my lips that I’ve prayed for months, maybe even the past year or two: “Lord, help me surrender.” And then, I froze. It was almost like God whispered to my spirit, “You have surrendered. Now do you trust Me with what You’ve surrendered?” I stopped in my tracks. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. To be honest, I’d never thought of it that way before. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not implying that surrender is a one-and-done deal. It’s a process. I’m also not saying that surrender and trust don’t go hand-in-hand. They absolutely do. But like little children asked to yield a favorite toy to an adult for reasons they don’t yet understand, once they have taken that leap of faith and placed it in their parent’s hand, the “act” is finished. Now, they must trust the parents’ hearts with what matters most to them. They have already surrendered, but now they must trust. We’re like little children more than we realize. What if once we release into the Father’s hand, we are called to stop reaching back for what we’ve let go of? I find that’s one of the hardest parts for me. I’ve admitted to myself that sometimes, I struggle to trust God and want to take it back into my own hands. Why? He hasn’t proven Himself untrustworthy. I know He isn’t going to fail me. But if I’m honest, I think it’s because deep down, I want something so badly that I fear losing it. I fear God will ask me to give it up, that things won’t go my way, or I won’t get what I want. God will always provide what I need, even if it’s not what I think I want. Philippians 4:19 (ESV) reminds us that “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” I’ve seen it in my lifetime and again. Why would I doubt Him now? If He closes a door, then perhaps it’s protection. You ever heard the phrase “rejection is God’s protection”? Yep. So have I. And as much as I hate to admit it, it is often true. When God closes a door we thought we were meant to walk through, we can be tempted to become angry at God. We can wonder why He did that. We can feel like we deserve [fill-in-the-blank]. But the truth is, every good thing comes from above and is a gift of grace we could never earn (James 1:17). Yes, but God loves to give good gifts to His children. Not just good gifts but the best for us (Matthew 7:11). It may not look like the gifts He chooses to bless someone else with, but that’s okay. It doesn’t have to. It will be the best for us. And you know something else? God desires fellowship with us. I have found many times in my own life that God will allow things that will draw me to Him. Those things force me to rely on Him, to trust His plan, or to choose to worship Him even in a valley. He didn’t force us to Himself, but in those moments, He gives a choice: we can either allow the pain to pull us towards God or push Him away. Intersecting Faith & Life Recently, I wrestled with anger towards God. I knew I didn’t want to be angry, and I was angry at myself for even feeling that way. I knew God had a plan, and I wanted to trust Him. In the dark of night, I finally whispered to Him: “God, please write my story in the way that brings You the most glory.” I can’t explain it, but after that night, I’ve had peace regarding that specific situation in my life. I realized that Psalm 37:3-6 isn’t just about committing my way to the Lord. It was also about trusting Him once I did. We are called to trust in the Lord, do good, dwell where He has placed us, and be faithful in even the small things. If we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts, which is ultimately a relationship and fellowship with Him. It’s so hard sometimes, but there is such beauty and freedom in committing our ways to the Lord, trusting in Him, and watching Him write our stories in ways only He can. And I know that no matter what happens, no matter what pain or unpleasant situations come up in my life, God will be there. And if He uses the pain to draw me to Him and to use in glorifying Himself and calling others to Him, then by His strength alone, I can say, “Bring it on.” If the pain is the path to His presence, then I count it all joy. It’s worth it. Pray with me: Dear Father, thank You for being patient with me, for being a loving Father whose heart I can trust even when I don’t understand Your plan. Forgive me for the times I’ve tried to take back what I’ve already surrendered to You, and for the moments I’ve let what I want cloud my view of what You have for me. Today, I’m not just surrendering my plans. I choose to trust You with what is already in Your hands. Help me to leave my story in Your hands, knowing that if You are writing it, it will be for my ultimate good and Your greatest glory. I am Yours. In Jesus’s Name, Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Generosity Equilibrium (EQ) Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Everyone can be more generous.TEXT - Genesis 1:27-31How can we grow an abundance mindset?Genesis 1:27-31, 2:15-17James 1:17How can we grow hearts that are more satisfied?Psalm 34:10Philippians 4:11-12Genesis 2How can we grow lives with more margin?Romans 8:32Ephesians 1:3NEXT STEPS1. Thank God for his good gifts. Use this Journal prompt to help you give thanks - God has given me these good and perfect gifts: _____________2. Pray the prayer on the back of this outline.3. Give something away before next Sunday.JOURNAL PROMPTGod has given me these good and perfect gifts: PRAYER TO GROW GENEROSITYDear Father,Grow in me an abundance mindset and a satisfied heart. I know that I will face challenges in both while living in this broken world. But as someone who has every reason to overflow with thanksgiving, I praise you for your good gifts.I praise you for being the “changeless Father of heavenly lights,” as opposed to being the impetuous god of shifting shadows. We cannot predict or control you but we can completely trust you to always be good and faithful.I praise you for the gospel of your grace - the gift of Jesus, who lived and died in our place to make us yours. In him we have every spiritual blessing as a gift of your outrageous generosity.I thank you because of the many specific gifts given to me and my family. You have given us______________________. Your generosity in big things and small knows no limits. Thank you. Father, these are just a few of the many, many gifts that come down from you all the time.In Jesus name, Amen. 

What does it really mean to crucify the flesh and follow Jesus daily? Romans 8:13 reminds believers that true spiritual life comes through surrendering sinful desires and living by the power of the Holy Spirit. In this devotional, Hannah Benson explores the biblical meaning of “taking up your cross,” showing how God leads us into deeper peace, freedom, and abundant life through daily surrender. Highlights Romans 8:13 teaches that living by the Spirit requires putting sinful desires to death. Jesus modeled surrender in Gethsemane by choosing the Father’s will over His own. Carrying your cross means daily surrendering control, pride, and self-centered desires. Honest prayer and dependence on God are essential in seasons of struggle. Abundant life is found in God’s presence, not in comfortable circumstances. God often asks us to release things we tightly cling to so He can fill us with peace. The Holy Spirit gives believers strength to walk in obedience and freedom. Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below: Take Our Survey! 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: What Does Crucifying the Flesh Really Mean? By Hannah Benson Bible Reading:“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13 ESV). What a way to start a devotional. Aren’t devotionals supposed to be uplifting and encouraging? Yes. Aren’t they also supposed to be challenging? Yes. What does this verse mean? Jesus tells us in the Gospels to take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23), but what does that actually mean? Most of us don’t have a physical cross we’re called to bear. Jesus’s cross was by no means easy for Him to carry, even though He is the Son of God. He had to humble Himself, even to the point of death. Death by a cross was not only humiliating but the most excruciating death imaginable in those days. Matthew 26:39 (ESV) says: “And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’” Yes, Jesus wanted to save humanity and was willing to endure death on a cross if it was the only way. But Gethsemane shows us that as a man, if there had been any other way to accomplish the mission without the agony of the cross, He would have taken it. He chose the nails because there was no other way to save us. Matthew writes that His “soul was very sorrowful, even to death” (Matthew 26:38b). Luke 22:43, 44 (ESV) includes that as He prayed, “And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Have you ever known anyone who has been so stressed or in such great agony that they sweat blood? We can’t even begin to imagine how much Jesus loves us to not only die for us, but to endure the most unimaginable death possible. If He bore the cross for us, can we not bear ours if He asks us? But that doesn’t mean we are called to carry a literal cross. So, what does it mean to “carry our cross” each day and to “put to death the deeds of the body”? It starts with honesty, with ourselves and with God. Like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, it’s okay to admit we wish there was another way. Like David in many of the Psalms (Psalm 13 is a great example of this), it’s okay to tell God we’re struggling with anger towards Him. Second, we need to be willing to surrender. As Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39b). Job is another example. He had to surrender everything he didn’t understand, his desire for answers, and recognize that God was in complete control (Job 42:2-3). What about Paul? He begged God to remove the thorn from his flesh, but God responded: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Just as the angel came to strengthen Jesus, we must rely on God’s strength to help us. We cannot rely on our own strength to carry us through. We may want to be angry, and maybe we even think we have a good reason for it. Our flesh will tell us we have a right to hold grudges, that we deserve what we want, and that we need to be the ones in control. Sound familiar? News flash. We were never meant to write the stories of our lives. We may think we want to hold the pen, but that is no way to live. Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Abundant life comes through death and surrender. He tells us in Matthew 16:25 (ESV): “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Jesus wasn’t just talking about physical death here. As believers, we need to die daily to our wants, desires, and even the things that may be good. Anything we desire more than God needs to be put in its proper place in our lives. Intersecting Faith & Life: Sometimes, dying to ourselves might mean sacrificing the very thing we hold dear, what we clench in our fists and refuse to yield. You know what I’m talking about? There have been seasons in my life where the Lord allows something I’d considered good to be removed from my life. Sometimes it’s shocking, and it hurts. Okay, let me rephrase that. Usually, it always hurts. We were never meant to hold the pen or be the director of our story. Only God can do that. In Psalm 81:10 (ESV), God tells the Israelites: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” If we want to experience the abundant life Jesus has for us, then we need to “open our mouths.” If we cling to the past and what we think we want, then we don’t have hearts open to what the Lord has planned. Don’t mistake the word “abundant” for “easy” or a life filled with material goods. The abundance Jesus promises isn’t found in our circumstances. If it were, Paul wouldn’t be able to write about overflowing joy while sitting in prison. While sometimes God does bless us circumstantially, the abundant life He promises us is found in His presence as we draw near to Him.When God gently pries our fingers open, it’s not to leave us empty-handed. It’s to make room for His peace, which is our portion, and His presence, which fills us to overflowing. We need to die to ourselves each and every day. Romans 8:13 tells us that if we put these things to death, we will live. Not merely survive, but truly live. Today, if you’re clenching your fists around something that God is asking you to yield, be honest. Tell Him you don’t want to let go. Tell Him it hurts. And then, by His strength, let it go. Whatever He asks you to surrender will pale in comparison to the abundant life He desires to give you. Pray with me: Dear Father, I’ll be honest. I’m tired of trying to hold the pen. I admit that I’ve been clenching my fists around my plans, my timing, and my “good” things, afraid to let go. Thank You for the unimaginable way You love me and for Your death on the cross so I may live. Please give me the strength I don’t have on my own to put my self-will to death today. I open my hands and my heart to You. Fill the empty spaces with Your peace and help me to trust Your presence is my greatest good. In Jesus’s Name, Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In the theme of "We Value New Life", Ps Steu speaks about Grace and Truth. Jesus dealt with people with tremendous grace but also in complete truth. The two go hand in hand not one or the other. Ps Steu quotes 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (NKJV), "Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new".As a church, we value NEW LIFE - unpacking this..We value the truth that everyone who accepts Jesus as Saviour is a new creation in Christ! Their once-dormant spirit is awakened and made alive to God.We value the truth that old things have passed away and all things have become new.We value the truth that we stand right before God because of His mercy and grace - not because of our works or performance.We value the truth that God has called us to live as new creations; He has called us to walk in righteousness, as God's holy and set-apart people.Its important to see oursleves as God sees us...Our ability to walk as new creations starts by accepting what God has done; seeing ourselves as God sees us. This involves letting go of the old and taking hold of the new!Ps Steu then spoke about some situations in scripture where Jesus spoke to people with the utmost Grace but also in Truth....The Woman at the Well for example, the Prodigal Son...It is God's mercy poured out through Jesus that welcomes us into His presence in the father's arms.As a church, it's time to up our game when it comes to seeing people as God sees them. For those who are still lost, can we be ready to welcome them into God's House with the same love and mercy that the Father showed his son in Luke 15? (The same love and mercy that our Heavenly Father showed us!).Can we commit to being a ‘house of mercy' rather than a ‘court of judgment'?Ps Steu ends this challenging message with a prayer...Dear Father, I accept that I cannot live up to your perfect standard, and I turn away from my sin. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay the price for my sin. I believe that You forgive me and make all things new. I surrender to you and want to take your path for my life. So please fill me with Your Spirit and empower me to live a life that honours You. Thank you for loving me! Amen.

He Is Series Day #11: Abba (Father) — Why It's Hard to See God as a Loving Father (and What to Do If You Can't) Romans 8:14-16 “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.  For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption when we cry, “Abba! Father!”  it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” Today we are talking about Abba, Father. I love scripture verses that talk about how we are the children of God.  I love the image of God being our father.  At the same time, I understand how that image can be hard for some people.  I had a wonderful father.  I had a dad who wasn't perfect. I am sure he feels he made a lot of mistakes, but he learned from them and then changed.  I am from a large family, and I know he was a different father for us, the younger kids, than he was for the older kids.  That is to be expected.  None of us knows how to be parents before we become parents.  The younger kids benefit from having parents who have learned from making mistakes with the older kids.  Even the older kids would agree that our dad is pretty great.  He is such a great example of walking in the faith.  Both of my parents are.  He also made sure we felt loved.  I never questioned if my parents loved me.  I know not everyone can say the same. The idea of God as our Father makes it easier for me to feel loved by God.  I know a Father's love, and since He is God, I can believe that His love is ever greater than any love we could receive from a Father here on earth.  However, what about those who didn't have a great father?  What about those whose father was mean, abusive, absent, unloving, cold?  There are all kinds of people in the world and all kinds of fathers.  If you did not have a loving father, if you did not have a kind and generous father, then it may be hard for you to see God as your Father.  If this is the case, I would suggest you read the verse about God the Father.  Read scripture and get to know who God truly is. Another way to learn more about God as your Father is to ask Jesus to reveal who God is to you.  Jesus says in Luke 10:22, “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”  Guess what?  Jesus chooses to reveal God the Father to you; all you have to do is ask and then sit and listen.  God knows all you have been through.  He has been there every step of the way with you.  He is not surprised that you struggle to see him as your Father because you struggle with the idea of a Father.  He knows all of this.  Take your struggle to Him, and talk to Him about it.  Talk to Jesus about it.  Ask Him to help you see God as your Father.   God is not a Father like anyone of us has seen before.  Even if we had great dads, they still can't compare to the love of our Father in heaven.  His love for us is complete and immovable.  There isn't anything we can do to make Him stop loving us.  I know it is hard for us to believe this, but it is 100% true.  He loves us even when we are choosing evil over good.  He loves us when we turn away, he loves us when we are weak, and he loves us when we are strong.  He loves us when we repent and come back, and yet he loves us just as much even if we don't come back.   What I love about this verse is that it says, “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption.”  We don't have to fear anything because God is our Father and He is taking care of us.  We fear things because we think we are on our own.  We fear things because we forget that God is in control.  We think we have to be in control of everything, and when we think like that, it makes sense that we would fear things because who are we to solve all of our problems?  However, we are not in control and we were never meant to be.  We don't have to fear things because we know that our Father in heaven is looking out for us.  We know He is arranging all things for our good.  We have been adopted by God the Father, and we are His children. He is our protection and our refuge.  We do not have to fear anything.   I also love when the verse says, “When we cry, ‘Abba! ' " Father!”  it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”  I am not sure most of us think we have a close enough relationship to call God Father, Abba, or Dad.  When I hear most people pray, and when I pray, I mostly say Lord, although I do tend to start my prayers with Heavenly Father.  I think if we want to have a more intimate relationship with God, it is up to us to ask for it and begin to cultivate it.  God wants to be closer to each one of us, and yet He will not force it on us.  If you want to feel comfortable calling God Abba, or even Dad, then it is up to you to start.   I wanted to think of God more intimately as my Dad.  I wanted to feel that closeness as if I were a little kid, and I could just climb up on his lap and fall asleep.  I didn't really know where to start.  In my journal writing, I decided to address the daily entries to God more informally.  I started with “Dear Father” because I felt “Dad” was too informal, and I didn't want to be disrespectful.  As I continued to write to Him daily, or as consistently as I could, I felt I was growing closer to Him, and I no longer felt uncomfortable with calling Him Father, and then I switched to Dad, and that feels right now too.  I have grown a lot closer to Him, and I do think of Him as my Father.  It is not difficult for me to believe that I am loved by Him and that He delights in me.  Do you know that He delights in you, too?  He does, it's true!  Your heavenly Father delights in you, and you bring Him joy, unspeakable joy.   That doesn't mean He likes everything you do, or say, but it does mean that He loves you always.  I heard something at a conference last night from Peter Herbeck that I want to pass along because it was so good.  He woke up one morning, and he opened his eyes, and he felt as if he could see God smiling at him.  Kinda like when a parent watches their child sleep.  He felt as though he “caught” God watching him sleep and smiling at him.  He asked God if He wanted to tell him anything, and he felt God said, “It's really good you exist, Peter.  You were my idea, and I don't have any bad ideas.”  This message is not just for Peter; it is for each and every one of us.  It is really good that you exist, Joanie, Peggy, Nancy, Kelly, and everyone else who is listening.  Put your name at the end of that statement.  For instance, it is really good that you exist, Catherine.  God is saying that to you today, He wants you to know He is so happy you are here.   I also think it is great that He said, “You were my idea, and I don't have any bad ideas.”  Sometimes we can think it was a mistake that we are alive.  We can think we don't belong here, or that no one wants us here.  However, if we ever start to think this way, we can remember that it was God's idea to put us here, right now, in this time and in this place.  God doesn't have bad ideas, so what is the good in all of this?   I am meant to be here; I am here for a purpose.  God loves me and is happy I exist.   Dear Abba, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today.  Father, I ask you to heal all of our hearts.  I ask you to help those who didn't have loving fathers see you as the loving Father they missed out on.  I ask you to show them all the ways, over the years, that you were there, loving them through the difficult times in their lives.  Lord, open us up to seeing that you are our Dad, our Abba.  Soften our hearts so we can allow your love in.  Open our hearts so we see that you did not give us a spirit of fear.  Help us grow closer to you, Dad.  Help us want to grow closer to you; help us seek you.  We love you, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus holy name, Amen! Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I look forward to spending time with you tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just the way you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day! Today's Word from the Lord was received in October 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Never forget or become complacent with that power within you. I am the power, and my presence in you can transform those you encounter and bring them into my heart of love and mercy.”  www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Send your stories to letsnotmeetstories@gmail.com.    Stories in this episode: The Scariest Moment of my Life | Jana (0:39)Dear Father's Ex-Girlfriend, Let's Not Meet Again | Pink Palid Bat (9:44) Man Outside My Window | ExspectedTexas52 (17:38) The Worst Date I've Ever Had | skyheart628 (22:44) Duct Tape Man | RoughYoghurt777 (27:46) My Dog Might Have Saved Me From a Home Invasion | krissi510 (33:38) I Think Someone Was In My House | err0rr--err0rr (38:03) Near Abduction | Alaena (41:27) Stranger in the Attic | Anonymous (44:13) Extended Patreon Content: Creepy Uber | Caitlin3 Balloons | AnonymousEerie Fairy Woman at Renaissance Faire | check_the_morgueMachete Man | GeorgiaA Lesson? | News LemurDue to periodic changes in ad placement, time stamps are estimates and are not always accurate.Want Bonus Weekly Stories? Hate Ads? Join our Patreon for only $5 a month for over 100 hours of bonus content, and it's all ad-free!Join the Discord:https://discord.gg/84WXQud4gEFollow:- Twitch - https://twitch.tv/crypticcounty- Website - https://letsnotmeetpodcast.com/- Patreon - https://patreon.com/letsnotmeetpodcast- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/letsnotmeetcast/Right now, Momentous is offering our listeners up to 35% off your first order. Just head to livemomentous.com, and use promo code MEET!For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you visit Nutrafol.com and enter promo code MEET!All of the stories you've heard this week were narrated and produced with the permission of their respective authors. Let's Not Meet: A True Horror Podcast is not associated with Reddit or any other message boards online.

God calls us to step forward in faith, even when we don’t see the full path ahead. Hannah Benson reflects on Abraham’s journey, emphasizing that trusting God often requires waiting, patience, and obedience despite uncertainty. Abraham’s story illustrates that God’s promises are trustworthy, even when fulfillment seems slow or beyond human logic. By believing God’s Word and following His direction, we can experience His faithfulness and become a blessing to others. Highlights God calls us to act in faith, even without knowing all the answers. Abraham’s journey teaches patience, trust, and obedience in the waiting season. God fulfills His promises in His timing, not ours, reminding us that no word from Him returns void (Isaiah 55:11). Taking matters into our own hands, as Abraham and Sarah did with Hagar, can complicate God’s plan. Trusting God’s Word requires both courage to move and patience to wait. This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: Believe the Word the Lord Has Spoken By Hannah Benson Bible Reading:“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed’” (Genesis 12:1-3 ESV). Recently, I re-read Abraham’s story through new eyes. Isn’t it amazing how we can read the same stories in Scripture again and again, yet every time we read them, the Lord will often reveal things we’ve never realized before? God called Abraham (then called Abram) to leave his homeland and everything he knew and was familiar with to go to a land that He would show him. How did Abraham feel about that? Was he afraid at all? Excited? Probably both. But regardless of how he felt, note that he stepped forward in faith even though he didn’t have all the answers. Read that again. If God calls us to do something, we must step forward in faith even if we don’t have all the answers. In fact, I have found that God doesn’t always give us the answers all at once. He’ll tell us the first step we need to take. So many of us look at the long road ahead of us and think we need all the answers before we move forward. A friend pointed out to me recently that in Exodus 24, Moses went into the fog of the mountain. Clarity came through hearing God’s voice and not from what he could see. I do want to include a disclaimer here. Sometimes, the Lord puts something on our hearts, but it doesn’t mean the time is now. Just because something may be a God-thing doesn’t mean it’s always God’s time for it. But when God calls us to step forward in faith, even when we can’t see the path ahead? Step forward. Go for it. Even if you aren’t sure how, take the next step. God didn’t just call Abraham. He gave him a promise. He promised He would make him a great nation, bless him, and make his name great so that he would be a blessing (Genesis 12:1-3). Imagine what it meant for Abraham to believe that promise. He had to leave everything familiar behind. He had to step forward in faith even though it was frightening. No matter what ran through Abraham’s mind, he chose to believe the promise God spoke, not knowing how or when it would come to fruition. He probably thought he would see the promise soon. If God were to make him a great nation, then that meant God would give him a child. At this point, Abraham was 75 years old and his wife, Sarah, was 65. Perhaps he thought God would fulfill the promise within the next couple of years. After all, that made logical sense. Already, they were advanced in years and past childbearing age. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 ESV). In other words, God doesn’t always do what makes logical sense to us. And that’s what happened. The promise took time, and in that time, Abraham grew discouraged. He asked God questions. He wondered when it would happen, if the heir to his house would be Eliezer (Genesis 15:2). God reassured Abraham that “your very own son shall be your heir” (Genesis 15:4 ESV). The Lord made a covenant with Abraham. Covenants in those days were made when two parties sacrificed animals, and the persons making the covenant passed between the split animals (or in the case of a king and his servant, the servant would pass through by himself), symbolizing, “May I be torn apart like these animals if I don’t keep my promise.” Sounds intense, doesn’t it? Usually, the servant would walk between the animals. But instead, God put Abraham into a deep sleep and passed through the animals Himself. In other words, He was saying that He would be the One to pay the price if the covenant was broken (Genesis 15). Abraham didn’t always remain perfectly faithful because, like the rest of us, he’s a sinner and unable to be perfect before a holy God. And one day, God fulfilled His promise, allowing Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, to be broken in atonement for all the sins we’ve committed and the broken promises we’ve ever made. Isn’t that such a beautiful picture? In Genesis 16, however, Abraham and Sarah (at the time still called Abram and Sarai) took matters into their own hands. Sarah suggested to Abraham that he “go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her” (v. 2b). Abraham listened to his wife and had a child through Hagar. God doesn’t waste anything, and every child, no matter how they are conceived, is a gift and a blessing. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t pain and conflict as a result of our actions. Intersecting Faith & Life: When we wait so long for something, we often begin to lose hope and think we must take matters into our own hands. 10 years after God made the promise that he would make of Abraham a great nation, the man and his wife still didn’t have a child. Sometimes, the Lord asks us to knock, move forward in faith, and do something (Matthew 7:7). Other times, the Lord asks us to quiet our hearts and be still before Him (Psalm 46:10). In Abraham and Sarah’s story, God asked them to believe (Hebrews 11:11, Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:18). God called them to go from their country and kindred to a land that He would show them, but after that, He didn’t have specific instructions. No doubt it made them wonder if they were supposed to do something, which is why Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham as a wife. Perhaps then she could bear a child through her servant. But that was not what God had meant. No, Sarah herself would bear a son. The Lord had spoken the word. No word from the Lord will return empty. It shall accomplish that which He has purposed and shall succeed in the thing for which He sent it (Isaiah 55:11) and “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3 ESV). Pray with me: Dear Father, I thank You that Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105). I confess I often doubt Your Word and want all the answers rather than trusting You to take the next step. When I am in a season of “fog” like Moses, help me to listen for Your voice. When I am in a season of “waiting” like Abraham, help me to trust Your timing over my logic. Protect me from taking matters into my own hands, and give me the grace to be still when You say “wait” and the courage to move when You say “go.” Thank you for keeping Your promises, even when I am weak. In Jesus’s Name, Amen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Luke 11

minor O My Dear Father Heavenly King by Beth McGinnis

When words fail and grief feels overwhelming, God does not leave us alone. This Crosswalk Devotional is rooted in Romans 8:26–27, reminding us that the Holy Spirit actively meets us in our weakness—interceding, comforting, and strengthening us when we don’t know how to pray. For believers walking through loss, anger, exhaustion, or spiritual dryness, this passage offers deep reassurance: God’s Spirit is already at work within us. Rather than being distant or passive, the Holy Spirit is fully God—our Helper, Comforter, and constant companion. From the moment we place our faith in Christ, He dwells within us, guiding our hearts back toward peace, hope, and renewed strength. Even in seasons of confusion or emotional pain, the Spirit faithfully prays on our behalf according to God’s perfect will. Highlights The Holy Spirit meets believers in moments of weakness God understands our prayers even when we cannot find the words The Holy Spirit intercedes according to God’s will Grief, anger, and doubt do not disqualify us from faith The Spirit brings comfort, peace, and renewed strength God is always present—especially in seasons of loss Believers are never alone in their pain 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! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: Finding Comfort in the Holy SpiritBy Vivian Bricker Bible Reading:“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). When I first became a Christian, I had trouble finding peace due to the grief I was experiencing. Living in the aftermath of the death of a loved one changed me, and I began to struggle with anger. Instead of conducting myself with kindness, love, and grace, I often lashed out or said something I would later regret. If you find yourself in a similar situation, take comfort in knowing you are not alone. This does not mean we are not believers. Rather, it simply means we will face more challenges in growing in our faith. At these times, we need to find comfort in the Holy Spirit. Sadly, many people, including believers, are unfamiliar with the Holy Spirit. They may even view the Holy Spirit as an inferior person within the Trinity. However, it’s essential to understand that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, which means He is God. The Holy Spirit is an especially important Person in our Christian walk as He is our Helper, Protector, and Comforter (John 14:26). Instead of distancing ourselves from Him, we need to draw closer to Him. This is especially true when we are feeling alone or disconnected from God. The Holy Spirit is our friend, and He is already living inside of us from the moment we place faith in the Lord (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19). For all eternity, the Holy Spirit will be with us. He can give us comfort when our days feel overwhelming and bleak. Intersecting Faith & Life: The Apostle Paul tells us, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). Allow these words to bring your heart comfort today. Through this passage, we see that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. Whether we are struggling with our Christian walk, anger, or grief, we can rely on the Holy Spirit. Moreover, when we are too tired to pray or don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. We might not know what to pray for, but the Holy Spirit does. During times of intense emotional turmoil or overwhelming pain, it can be hard to pray. The Holy Spirit will intercede for us at these times and bring comfort to our hearts. Instead of doubting Him, we can find great comfort and peace in His presence. The Holy Spirit will bring joy, hope, and renewed strength back into our hearts. Dear Father, I praise You for always being with me. Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit. Please give my heart and soul comfort today. Sometimes I don’t know what to pray for, or I’m too weak to pray. Please help the Holy Spirit to intercede for me and bring my concerns to You. Thank You, Father, Amen. After reading this devotional, do you feel your attitude toward the Holy Spirit has changed? How can you find comfort in the Holy Spirit today? Further Reading: Galatians 5:22-23 Luke 11:13 2 Corinthians 3:1 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Title: “A Pure and Honorable Vessel” Part 1 Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5 FCF: We often struggle with sexual temptation and sin. Prop: Because God's will for His children is for them to be holy, we must abstain from all sexual sin by controlling our bodies. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. In a moment we will begin reading from the Legacy Standard bible starting in verse 1. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. We are at the beginning of a chapter yet again which means we need to review where we have been so far. In chapter 1, Paul expresses his thankfulness to God for the Thessalonian church because he knows they are elect of God, because the gospel came to them in the power of the Spirit and because he has observed how the Thessalonian church has become imitators of Christ amid affliction. In chapter 2, Paul zooms in to affirm that their visit among them was profitable. Probably to counter claims of unbelieving Thessalonians, Paul insists that it was a profitable visit because God gave them boldness to speak, they became a spiritual family, and because it produced the same results they had seen in previous outpourings of the gospel. Paul concludes chapter 2 assuring them that he greatly wished to visit them but had been hindered by Satan. But he assures them that they are his hope, joy, and glory in that they stand firm in their faith. In chapter 3, Paul reveals that he sent Timothy to them because he was overwhelmed with godly concern for their faith. He also reveals his joy at the report from Timothy that they stood fast in their faith but that he hopes to see them again soon and complete what is lacking in their faith. He ends chapter 3 with a benediction, good and comforting words, praying to God to bring them into fellowship again, to cause their love to abound and their holiness to be perfected for the Lord's return. The benediction ends the apologetic section of the letter, where Paul is defending their visit and the gospel they preached by the impact it had on the Thessalonians. He now begins a new portion of the letter, where he will seek to complete their faith by instructing them in things that he was not able to fully teach on while the evangelists were with them. With that please stand with me to focus on and give honor to the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Holy God, You are pure and distinct. There is none like You. You are Alpha and Omega. You are the beginning and the end. You are neither tempted to do evil, nor do you tempt anyone with evil. You are morally pure in all Your ways and You are always good in character and in action. Teach us today from Your Holy Word, by impressing Your Son's example on our lives, and by imparting Your Spirit's power and passion to know how to please You with our bodies. You have given these bodies to us to reflect Your character. You have saved us to be light in a world of darkness. May we be holy as You have willed us to be. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] While I will not be intentionally explicit or irreverent, we will discuss quite plainly and openly the will of God for sexual ethics among His people. As such, there will be plenty of concepts and principles relayed today that could generate lots of questions among young listeners. I recommend that any who are preteens, who normally sit in the service continue to do so and listen intently. But I also recommend that parents be ready to answer those questions and have those discussions and if they feel their child is not ready, that they should be excused from the service. Never had to give a parental advisory for a sermon before

ScriptureHope of all hopes, dream of our dreams,    a child is born, sweet-breathed; a son is given to us: a living gift.And even now, with tiny features and dewy hair, He is great.    The power of leadership, and the weight of authority, will rest on His shoulders.His name? His name we'll know in many ways—    He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Dear Father everlasting, ever-present never-failing,    Master of Wholeness, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (The Voice)The GistMelissa takes us through several questions that help us reflect on the past year, settle into the lessons, laugh a little, and leave space for tears and gratitude. Digging DeeperPick three words to describe your year.What was most challenging?Who was God/ How did God show up for you this year? What did you learn about God this year? What did you learn about yourself this year?

True revival doesn’t begin with better habits or stronger resolutions—it begins with humble repentance and a renewed pursuit of God. Drawing from 2 Chronicles 7:14, this devotional reminds us that healing, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal start when God’s people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their sin. Highlights Revival is deeper than emotion; it begins with repentance. God’s call to humility starts with us, not others. Pointing out sin in the world without self-examination blocks spiritual growth. Repentance is an intentional turning away from darkness and toward God. Revival flows from obedience, not performance or perfection. When God’s people respond with humility, He promises forgiveness and healing. Personal surrender can ignite widespread spiritual renewal. 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: We Don’t Need a Resolution… We Need Revival. By Hannah Benson Bible Reading:“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” - 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV As we are in the midst of New Year’s resolutions, I want to challenge you with an alternative option: instead of simply making New Year’s resolutions, what if we prayed for revival? Now don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with making New Year’s resolutions. There’s nothing wrong with saying “I want to do more of this” or “I want to do less of that”. But more than making New Year’s resolutions, what if we prayed for revival? We all need revival. We pray for it. We’ve seen it sweep across college campuses. We’ve studied the Great Awakenings in our history books, and now, we’re praying for it to happen again. We have always needed God, and we’ll never stop needing Him. But if we look around the shattered state of our country and our world, I think we can all agree we need Him now more than ever. Revival isn’t based on feelings. We recognize our nation needs revival, yes. Our world needs it, yes. But revival doesn’t happen because we have an amazing pastor or top-notch worship leader. I think a lot of people hear stories of revival and want the feel-good emotions they think will come with it. But honestly, revival is messy. Revival starts with us, and it starts with repentance. So many people desire the revival, but they would prefer to ignore the call to repentance that precedes the revival. Without repentance, there is no revival. Sometimes, we may look at the people around us and think, “This person needs God. They need revival, and they need to change.” Which is true. They absolutely need God, and maybe they do need to change. We all do. But look at what Jesus says in Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV): “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” This is a call of conviction. We are so quick to look at other people, at the rest of the world (and I’m not saying this world is not messy. It absolutely is). But we all need Jesus. Your kids’ nemesis at school who just won’t seem to leave them alone.The politician who makes you so angry when he steps up to the podium. The list could go on. Me. And you. But revival starts with each one of us individually. If we want revival? We must repent. What is the first thing God commands His children to do in 2 Chronicles 7:14? Humble themselves. Not their neighbor. Not the bully at school. Not the politician in the opposing party. Themselves. Next, they need to pray and seek the Lord’s face and turn from their wicked ways. This is part of the repentance and is the decision to surrender the sin we cling to—the conscious turning away from the darkness that has crept into our hearts. Intersecting Faith & Life: If we do these things, then God promises: “I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV). Don’t get me wrong. Revival is not dependent on our good works. But we do need to be obedient to God’s call. If we keep pointing fingers and saying “They need to repent” while ignoring the log in our own eye, then we are no better than the hypocrites Jesus called out in the Bible. That humble individual act of turning away from sin and seeking the Lord—that is what is going to fan the flame and spread genuine revival throughout the entire world. Do we believe it? More importantly, do we live like it? Pray with me: Dear Father, we confess that we often desire the blessings of revival without repentance. We confess we are too quick to see the sins of others while ignoring the “log in our own eye.” Lord, make us humble. We lay down our self-righteousness today. Please help us to sincerely pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways. We ask You to forgive our sin and, starting with us, heal our land. In Jesus’s Name, Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Praise Series #13 Let's Have A Conversation With Our Heavenly FatherPsalm 145:8 “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”I heard this as the verse of the day on KLOVE radio, and I instantly knew it was one I wanted to talk about because I have been thinking a lot about God lately and who we think He is.  I have heard several people say lately that they think of God as a task master in the sky who is watching us carefully and is just waiting for us to mess up so he can punish us.  I can't say that I ever thought of God in this way.  However, I used to think I needed to do the right thing or say the right thing in order to make God happy, in order to earn his love or his approval.  I can also see how one can look at God like He is up there waiting to judge us.  I mean, we are taught to fear God, and yet I don't think we are taught what that actually means.  When it says we should fear God, it actually means to have reverence for God.  Our fear of God is not negative but a positive attitude of reverence that helps us ascribe to God His due: Omnipotence, Sovereignty, and Supremacy.I now think God is Love.  I know God loves me.  I know He delights in me and that He is pleased with me.  I know I am His beloved daughter.  I know I don't have to do anything to earn these feelings; they are freely given.  I know he is not up there waiting for me to mess up so that he can punish me, although he is waiting with open arms for me when I mess up so that I can come back to Him.  When I try to think about how I know this, I am not too sure.  When I was on the Big Life New Year's Retreat, I was reading one of my journal entries to two of the ladies there, and I felt like the Holy Spirit said to me, “This is how you know.  This is where your confidence in yourself and in my love for you comes from.”  I took a minute to think about it, and I knew He was right.  I mean, He is the Holy Spirit, so of course he was right.  But I could see how He was right.  I learned about writing letters to God in my journal and then asking Him to write back to me using my pen in 2019, when I was learning to be a life coach and a spiritual coach.  I started doing this regularly sometime in 2020.  I was listening to the Bible in A Year Podcast, and Father Mike was talking about how if we want a more intimate relationship with God, we could start by speaking to Him more intimately.  I don't know what he said exactly, but that is what I heard.  I started writing in my journal as if it were a letter to God.  I began addressing it, Dear Father, because Dad felt too informal, and I wanted to make sure I was being reverent.  However, over the days to come, I experimented with other terms: Dad, Daddy, Papa.  It felt strange at first, but the more I did it, the more comfortable I felt with it. I was growing closer to Him.  I went back and looked in my journal.  I am not sure which journal I used before this one, but his one starts May 1, 2020. I was writing pretty often during this time. That is probably because it was during COVID, and so the world kind of slowed down, and we had more time.  The first time that I can see in this journal that I asked God to answer me through my pen was June 2, 2020.  This is what I felt He said to me:“Dear Holy One, I love you!  I do not feel you lack trust.  You are a good and faithful servant.  Thank you for getting the prayer group online.  I missed you, ladies, and the praise and worship.  I am here for you, lean into me.  I love you, my daughter.  I love what you are becoming.  I will mold you if you let me.  Help the leaders of the prayer group, as the leaders are tired.  You can bring new energy into the group.  The workshop is a good idea.”Can you see how hearing words like this from your heavenly Father would help you see that God is love? How would it help build your confidence and help you better understand who He is and who you are in His eyes?  It is not always super positive.  It is not as if the letters are always filled with compliments, and that is it.  Sometimes we need correction and guidance, and sometimes we don't want to hear that.  However, when it comes from God, correction is given with love and grace.  When you spend time listening to what God is actually saying, you realize He is not a mean task master waiting for us to screw up.  He is a loving Father who wants to help and protect us.  Here is an example from June 24, 2020.  This is the second time in this journal that I have asked to hear from God.  This is just a portion of what I felt He was saying:“You will do a great many things.  I will show you when you are ready. Stay the course.  Your work pleases me.  Your effort pleases me.  Notice the good more in Tony.  Point out the light you see.  Live by “will this matter in 5 years?”  Help bring more light into your family, not darkness.  No sarcasm, no teasing, just building each other up.  You are better than that.  Be a good listener, put first things first.  You are doing great, keep going.  I love you, my daughter, and I am with you. I know your name.  I love you.”Again, can you see the love in His words?  I know that not every word might be from God.  Sometimes our own thoughts can get mixed in as well.  However, I asked God to answer me, and when we ask God, He answers, so I trust most of this is from God.  Another way you can tell when you are writing that the words are not primarily from you is that we are not this kind to ourselves.  We are our own worst critics, and we don't believe in ourselves as God does.  We don't say nice things to ourselves as God does.  God loves you, and He wants to tell you how much. We are just too busy to listen.  I have found that sometimes, even when I do sit down and find quiet time to listen to God, I can't hear anything.  I think for me, this is because I get too much in my head.  I tell myself I won't hear anything, or I question everything.  This is why, for me, writing letters to and from God helps me listen to him better.  When I am writing, I am not thinking too much.  I am not questioning or overanalyzing.  I am just writing down all that comes to mind. Sometimes it was a few things, and sometimes it was longer.  There were times when we had a conversation back and forth.  I would write something, then write what I felt God said in reply, then write again, and so on.  It was amazing!  Have you ever wanted to sit down and talk with God?  A real back-and-forth conversation, you can.  All you have to do is start it and then listen for God's reply.  If you are listening and can't hear Him, try writing down what comes to mind.  We don't usually hear God's voice as a loud booming voice from the sky.  Usually, He sounds more like your own voice in your head.  It is more like a thought than an audible voice.  Writing these letters to God and having Him write back has been amazing.  I truly think it has helped to cement my knowledge of who I am in His eyes.  I have less stress and anxiety because I don't just think God is looking out for me, I know He is because He tells me often.  I don't just believe that God loves me, I know he does because He tells me often.  I don't wonder if He is proud of me or if I am doing a good job, I know I am because He tells me often.  He is longing to tell you too.  All you have to do is ask and then listen for His response.  Give it a try, I know you will be blown away by the love He gives you.  If you try it and nothing happens, please reach out to me.  I would love to help you with this, as I know God is longing to talk to each one of us individually.  He tells me often, and also tells us at the prayer group, that His people aren't listening to Him.  If you struggle to see God as a loving Father, start writing letters to Him and ask Him to reply.  You will see just how much He loves you, and who couldn't use more love in their life?The reason I decided to include this in our praise series is that part of the reason it can be hard to praise the Lord is that we struggle believing that He is a loving Father. We struggle to believe He has our best interest at heart. However, when we are constantly hearing from the Lord, and we realize how intimately He knows us, then we might find it easier to praise Him. If you are struggling to see God as a loving Father, bring that struggle to Him. Talk to Him about it, and He will help you.  He is a good good Father.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today.  Lord, I ask you to show each person listening who they are in your eyes. Thank you for all the times you have answered my letters, and I ask you to encourage others to write to you as well.  Lord, I pray that each person listening begins to listen more to what you have to say.  I pray that your words will fill their soul and they will see just how amazing you are.  I pray they will know that you are not waiting for us to screw up so you can punish us, you are waiting to welcome us back with open arms.  You are a good, good Father, and I pray that every person listening will be able to see that for themselves, not just take my word for it. We love you, Lord, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I.  Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in July 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “I enrobe you with My power, with My love, with My strength. You are my creation. You are the heart of My heart. Open yourselves up like the petals of a beautiful flower and receive all I have to give you.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Michael Porter Jr clearly has a bone to pick with the WNBA. Juelz Santana has a opinion on reading that we can not ignore! But first lets discuss Summer Walker wanting to be a side chick!Subscribe to the Patreon Today(08:03) Should your wife have access to all of your passwords. Also Gavin has a suggestion on how artist can fix their catalogue - (22:00) Welcome to the Black Dads Club Podcast - Jan 24th We're hosting the Dear Father's Event with the Charlotte Hornets - (25:25) Shedeur Sanders wins in his first start as a Cleveland Brown - (34:50) Happy Thanksgiving Weekend! - (40:30) Gavin believes everybody should work in Food & Beverage for at least 6 months in America! - (53:45) Draymond Green and Kenyon Martin are still fighting and Kenyon Martin names 200 players better than Draymond. - (59:00) Dispset Rapper Juelz Santana said we don't need to know how to read - (01:05:00) #AskABlackDad Is Fatherhood your biggest accomplishment in life - (01:14:25) Michael Porter Jr clearly has a bone to pick with the WNBA - SUPPORT THE PODCAST - Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Us On: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠Submit to #ASKADAD: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.blackdadsclub.org/join-the-show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Mike: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/pastormikewill/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/PastorMikeWill⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Gavin: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/iam_gavinb/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/iAM_GAVINB⁠⁠

A powerful story of prayer, persistence, and divine timing inspired by Matthew 7:7–8 — “Ask, seek, knock.” For years, Hannah dreamed of serving in the Christian film industry, but doors remained closed—until one act of obedience changed everything. This devotional reminds us that sometimes faith means waiting, but other times, it means having the courage to knock and trust that God is already working behind the scenes. Highlights God invites us to bring our bold prayers and desires before Him (Matthew 7:7–8). Dreams placed in your heart often serve a divine purpose, even when they seem delayed. Faith sometimes looks like stillness, and other times, like courageously knocking on a closed door. God’s timing is always perfect—He arranges opportunities long before we recognize them. Don’t let fear keep you from stepping toward what God has already prepared. Join the Conversation Have you ever hesitated to “knock” on a door God might be calling you toward? Share your story of faith, persistence, or answered prayer in the comments. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #AskSeekKnock #FaithInAction #DailyPrayer to join the conversation.

One of the most fascinating conversations recorded in Jesus's life was with the “rich, young ruler,” evidently a young man that “had it all.”Matthew 19:16-22 NLTSomeone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.'” “I've obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.This young man's life was all about what he had, what he had done, and what he hadn't done. His focus was on behavior, not his heart. How things looked to others, not how things actually were. Jesus knew his treasure was not in pleasing God, so He challenged the man to find a greater, more valuable life than the one he had.For many of us, we treasure how things look, how we are perceived and how we measure up to others. Imagine this conversation is with you and Jesus asks you to let go of all worldly possessions and perceptions...How do you respond?What comes to mind as the hardest thing to let go of?You are not alone... in our current culture, how we look, what we have, and what we want can be more important than a relationship with Jesus.For our purposes in this time together, let's close with a focus on Jesus's words: “You will have treasure in Heaven when You follow Me.” Can we be satisfied with that? Will you allow His treasure be enough today?Let's pray: “Dear Father, I am grateful that when I first encountered You, I said ‘yes' and didn't walk away. But help me every day to keep saying ‘yes' to You, to put You before money, stuff, and the things of this world that distract and attract. Help me to keep selling out for You and following You. As above, so below.”

Today's meditation is Psalm 8. This Psalm reminds us to look up. To stand for a few minutes in awe of the skies and nature. To realize the Creator of it all, made us to rule with Him! He entrusted us with this world. It should make us stop and wonder – who are we that the God of the universe would care, would bother with us! Dear Father, forgive us for not paying attention; for not noticing the intricacies and details of life around us. Give us wisdom to know we need You to teach us how to care for creation, how to care for each other – how to care about what You care about…Daylight Meditations is a daily podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and online courses. If you are encouraged by this podcast, please consider supporting us. Contributors: Michelle DeChant, Nancy Holland, and Adam Maddock

Romans 6:12-14 NLTDo not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace.Granting forgiveness, experiencing total freedom, and letting go for good is a mental, emotional, and spiritual experience. And yes, it can even be physical. Holding onto bitterness affects our ability to smile, facial expressions, countenance, and body language.When our hearts are closed, we look closed off. Giving ourselves completely to God, as Paul tells us here, is as much as about what we let go of as what we take up. To block forgiveness from someone is to allow sin to be our master and keep us under the law, not under grace. And when we can't give grace, we can't embrace grace.If there is someone you struggle to let go of and forgive, think about how this makes you feel, even physically, how it affects your being in every manner? Refusing to let go creates more pain as we work harder to hold on.Listen once again to Paul's commands:Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. (Romans 6:12-14 NLT)Forgiveness and letting go diminishes sin's control, allowing us the freedom to give ourselves completely to God, to glorify Him, for Him to be our Master, not sin. To live under the freedom of God's grace.Pray with me, using Paul's words: “Dear Father, help me to not let sin control the way I live; to not give in to sinful desires, to not let any part of my body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Help me to give myself completely to You and experience new life, to use my whole body as an instrument to do what is right for Your glory. I do not want sin to be my master or live under the requirements of the law. Instead, let me live under the freedom of Your grace. As above, so below.”

In this heartfelt devotional, Hannah Benson reflects on Psalm 37:4 and God’s promises about the desires of our hearts. While we often pray for dreams, relationships, and opportunities, Hannah reminds us that true fulfillment comes when we delight ourselves in the Lord first. God wants to transform our desires to align with His will — not to give us idols that take His place. Through personal stories and biblical insight, this devotional invites us to surrender control, trust God’s timing, and find contentment in Him above all else. ✨ Highlights The deeper meaning of Psalm 37:4 — why God shapes our desires before He fulfills them How good things like careers, relationships, or ministry dreams can become modern-day idols Why God sometimes says “no” and how His redirection protects our hearts A practical way to test your desires: “If God asked me to give this up, would I?” Encouragement to trust that God’s plan is always better than anything we could imagine

Your Daily Prayer

I continue the story of our friend, Fran and Jesus on the Job. A few months ago, Fran was faced with an ethical decision. She actually refused to make a presentation to a client using deceptive methods—even though her manager asked her to do it—and as a result the account was taken away from her. She made the right choice, though it wasn't easy. Today, as Fran arrives at work, she's a little nervous because it's the day for her appraisal with her manager, Marilyn. She says to Jesus: "I'll be glad when this is over. I hate appraisals. But I hope it goes well because the better the appraisal, the more raise I get, and I could use a nice raise." Jesus replies: "Fran, I'll go right into that appraisal with you, so take a deep breath and know that whatever happens, I'm in this with you." "Thanks, Lord," she smiles at Jesus' words of encouragement. It really helps her to keep her perspective. After all, she works for Jesus not for Marilyn, and as long as he is pleased with her work, she has the approval that is important. "You know, Lord, my track record is good this year. I was second highest in sales volume in the whole office, and my account retention record is the best. And, you know, I got that big order from John Warton last week; nobody's been able to break that account before. So, I think I'm in good shape." "Do you think Marilyn will have anything to say about the D3 University account, Fran?" Jesus asks. The D3 University account is the one Fran had to give up because she refused to submit deceptive figures in her proposal. Marilyn gave it to Tom, a young salesman, who blew it and lost the business. "Well, who knows, Lord, but with my good record, I don't see how she can refuse to give me a good rating on my appraisal. After all, I didn't lose that account; Tom did! Well, it's about time to go.” Fran starts to rush out. "Why don't you have a quiet moment of prayer before you go in there? Do you have time?" Jesus asks. Fran smiles, as she shuts her office door. "Of course I do, Lord. I can't afford not to take time for prayer, can I?” She sits down beside Jesus and prays quietly, "Dear Father, give me your strength, your perspective, your calmness and your peace as I go into this appraisal. I ask you to put the right words in my mouth. I pray for a favorable appraisal, if that is your will. Thanks for giving me Jesus to be right here beside me during this. That helps a lot. I pray this in his name. Amen." Together they head toward Marilyn's office for the appraisal.

Your Nightly Prayer

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comActs 17 Paul continues his second missionary journey with stops in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. In Thessalonica, Paul reasons with the Jews in the synagogue, explaining that Jesus is the Messiah who fulfilled the scriptures. While some believe, others incite a riot, forcing Paul and Silas to flee to Berea. The Bereans are praised for their eagerness to examine the scriptures daily to verify Paul's teachings. Many believe, but opposition arises again, prompting Paul to leave. In Athens, Paul is stirred by the city's idolatry and engages with philosophers in the Areopagus. He proclaims the one true God, emphasizing His power to create all things and His call for everyone to repent of their sins. He informs them that God will judge the world, providing proof by raising Jesus from the dead. The centerpiece of the gospel is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Nearly every sermon in Acts highlights the evidence for and significance of this momentous event. In Thessalonica, Paul uses the resurrection to demonstrate that Jesus is the Christ. In Athens, the philosophers are challenged by Paul, who is “preaching Jesus and the resurrection.” Paul concludes his sermon to the Athenians by declaring Jesus as the final Judge, a truth established by God raising Him from the dead. God created us to seek Him, and He offered and raised His Son so that we can find Him. Some sneer at this, while others delay their response. However, true believers in the resurrection accept it and join the cause.  Dear Father, thank You for raising Your crucified Son from the dead. Thank You for the evidence of His resurrection and for the incredible, eternal assurances that accompany His victory over sin and death. Lord God, we believe. We believe You made all things and created us to seek and find You. We also believe that Your Son's death and resurrection are the only path to reach You, forgiven by His blood and granted the promise of eternal life in His name. We know Jesus will judge the world. Lead us to repent and prepare for our Savior's return.   Thought Questions: -       Why do you believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead? Are you prepared to elaborate in order to teach others about Jesus? -       The Berean listeners are commended for examining scripture to confirm Paul's words. Why should you do that when you hear teaching? -       Do you believe that God created you and that in Him you “live and move and exist”? How does this belief shape your daily life and choices?

This week at Lifetree we continued our sermon series entitled "The Secret of Contentment." "Dear Father in Heaven, I am not able to do all I want. I acknowledge that doing more does not promise me contentment. You have given me work to do, and I commit to doing my best with whatever You entrust to me. Most of all, I know that You have done the greatest work. On the cross, You died for me. You forgave my sins. You gave me eternal life. This is where my contentment is found."

Your Nightly Prayer

In this episode of the Success is a Choice podcast, our guest is Larry Elder (radio personality, author, and former candidate for California Governor and U.S. President).   Twitter - @LarryElder Website - LarryElder.com Facebook - Facebook.com/TakeBackThisCountry Instagram - @LarryElderShow YouTube - youtube.com/@LarryElderHighlights Freedom Chat - Freedomchat.com/elder Larry Elder covers a lot of ground in this conversation including ... Thoughts on racism, social justice, and oppression Police and black America Controlling what you can control Having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ... and much more!!! The "Sage from South Central" is a New York Times best-selling author, award-winning documentary filmmaker, and one of the best-known media figures in America today. His flagship daily radio program, “The Larry Elder Show,” was heard every weekday in all 50 states and on more than 300 stations. Larry was voted one of the "The Top 25 Most Influential Talk-Radio Hosts" by NewsMax magazine in 2008. He also won a Los Angeles area Emmy. Larry was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, and his family's story represents every bit of the American Dream. His father was born in Athens, Georgia, served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, and moved to California to open his own restaurant—Elder's Snack Bar. Larry's mother, originally from Huntsville, Alabama, was a clerical worker for the U.S. Department of War (now the U.S. Department of Defense) and raised three boys as a stay-at-home mom. Larry ultimately received a bachelor's degree from Brown University and his law degree from the University of Michigan. After running for Governor of California in 2021 and securing millions of votes, Larry announced his presidency for U.S. President. He's also produced the documentaries "Uncle Tom" and "Uncle Tom II".  Some of his books include "Dear Father, Dear Son", "The Ten Things You Can't Say in America", "A Lot Like Me: A Father and Son's Journey to Reconcilliation", and "As Goes California". Episode Timestamps: 1:30 - Deciding what to wear when speaking 2:15 - Larry's tough background 8:00 - Hard work 10:15 - Racism his father faced 12:00 - Message to educators, coaches, and parents 14:00 - Black Lives Matter 18:20 - Debating Mom regularly on his radio show 22:20 - Childhood friend losing a scholarship because he was a "coach killer" 25:20 - How to be a success in life 26:30 - Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame - - - - Each week, the SUCCESS IS A CHOICE podcasting network brings you leadership expert Jamy Bechler and guest experts who provide valuable insights, tips, and guidance on how to maximize your potential, build a stronger culture, develop good leadership, create a healthy vision, optimize results, and inspire those around you. - - - -  Please follow Jamy on Twitter @CoachBechler for positive insights and tips on leadership, success, culture, and teamwork. Check out our virtual sessions for parents, coaches, students, and administrators at FreeLeadershipWorkshop.com. These sessions are free and cover a variety of topics. - - - -  The Success is a Choice podcast network is made possible by TheLeadershipPlaybook.com. Great teams have great teammates and everyone can be a person of influence. Whether you're a coach, athletic director, or athlete, you can benefit from this program and now you can get 25% off the price when you use the coupon code CHOICE at checkout. Build a stronger culture today with better teammates and more positive leaders.  If you like quotes, then you'll want to check out Jamy Bechler's new book "The Coach's Bulletin Board". It contains thousands of insights, thoughts, and quotes are contained in this book. Please visit JamyBechler.com/BulletinBoardBook to get your signed copy. - - - -  Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a quick review on iTunes.  Ratings and reviews are the lifeblood of a podcast. This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. Thanks again for listening and remember that “Success is a choice. What choice will you make today?” - - - -  Jamy Bechler is the author of 9 books including "The Captain" and "The Bus Trip", host of the "Success is a Choice Podcast", professional speaker, and trains organizations on creating championship cultures. He previously spent 20 years as a college basketball coach and administrator.  TheLeadershipPlaybook.com is Bechler's online program that helps athletes become better teammates and more positive leaders while strengthening a team's culture. As a certified John Maxwell leadership coach, Bechler has worked with businesses and teams, including the NBA. Follow him on Twitter at @CoachBechler. To connect with him via email or find out about his services, please contact speaking@CoachBechler.com. You can also subscribe to his insights on success and leadership by visiting JamyBechler.com/newsletter.

May 15, 2025Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - The Third PetitionDaily Lectionary: Leviticus 17:1-16; Luke 10:23-42Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.How is God's will done? God's will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God's name or let His kingdom come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die. This is His good and gracious will.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Jesus speaks to His lamb: My dear lamb, I give you the Lord's Prayer. Learn it well and pray it often. When you pray this prayer, you pray along with all My baptized lambs in the Church. We pray together and ask for the Father's will to be done.We ask that Him that My Gospel would always be taught purely and that the Spirit would draw people to faith. We ask Him that the lambs in my flock would follow My Word and not fall away. We ask that that Father would keep My flock on earth safe from Satan and the world and all temptations to sin. We pray that all My lambs would come safely to heaven.Your Father's good and gracious will is for you to have these blessings.Jesus' lamb responds: Dear Jesus, Amen! Thank You for teaching me this prayer and making me Your own in Baptism. Please forgive me for the times I forget to pray. I am distracted by many things. Please keep teaching me to pray.This world can be so hard. People do things that are not what the Father would want. The evil ways that Satan puts into the world are hurtful and hateful. But Jesus, You are my Good Shepherd. You have overcome the world. You will not leave me or forsake me. Strengthen my courage to pray Your prayer in faith. You taught me to ask the Father that His will would be done on earth even in these days. He will graciously do this in Your name. Thank you!In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Dear Father, Your will be done, not the devil's will or our enemies or anything that would persecute and suppress Your Holy Word or hinder Your kingdom. Grant that we may bear with patience and overcome whatever is to be endured because of Your Word and kingdom, so that our poor flesh may not yield or fall away because of weakness or sluggishness. (Large Catechism III 67)- Rev. Jeffrey Horn, pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Escondido, CA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Your Nightly Prayer

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comJohn 5 Jesus returns to Jerusalem and heals a man who has been lame for 38 years. The Jews begin to persecute Jesus for healing on the Sabbath day. Jesus responds by proclaiming that He is carrying out His Father's work. The leaders understand Jesus to be claiming a special relationship with God, so they seek to kill Him. Jesus claims to be sent by God and presents testimony to prove it. Firstly, the preaching of John the Baptist verifies the deity of Jesus. Secondly, the miracles of Jesus prove His heavenly power. Thirdly, the Old Testament scripture, including the teachings of Moses, prophesy concerning Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus has the authority to speak for God and He will be the final judge over all men on the last day! It must have been incredible to be healed by Jesus after 38 years of illness. Jesus levels a powerful message to the healed man: “Do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” Surely this man lived the rest of his days in faithfulness to God. The Jewish leaders were too busy arguing about Sabbath rules to see the amazing things Christ was doing. We must be like the healed man and not the Pharisees. We are healed from a life of sin by Jesus. And we are charged with faithfulness in His honor. Jesus has proven His power to save and direct us. If we stay humble, we will have compassion for everyone who needs Jesus.  Dear Father, before Jesus found us, we were burdened by sin and unable to stand justified on our own. But Your Son has saved us by His grace. Help us to live every day in thankfulness to Him. He has also directed us to flee from sin and honor His Lordship. Please teach us how to do those things joyfully. Strengthen us to have hearts of faith that believe the testimony about Jesus, and hearts that lovingly adore Him and care about others as much as He does. We will love Him and live in readiness for His return. Thought Questions: -       What has Jesus healed in you that was previously a heavy burden? Are you thankful enough to “not sin anymore” in His honor? -       Jesus provided testimony to prove His Lordship. What evidence would you provide to convince someone Jesus is God? -       Jesus is coming again in the final judgment. Are you ready for that day to come? How do you do your best to stay ready?

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comLuke 5 This chapter opens with three miracles of Jesus: filling the fishermen's nets with fish, healing a man filled with leprosy, and healing and forgiving the man who is lowered down through the roof. These works of God are among people of faith, as the result of faith, and lead to powerful results. The fishermen leave their nets and follow Jesus. The healed leper tells others about Jesus. The lame man goes away on foot, but most importantly he has his sins taken away. Amid this wonderful time, the Pharisees begin questioning Jesus. They accuse Him of blasphemy for forgiving sins. They question Him for eating with sinners at Matthew's house. They wonder why His disciples do not fast. Jesus explains that these are to be times of joy and feasting! There is a great amount of faith and humility in these events. Peter says, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” The leper implores Jesus saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” And the lame man tasks several friends to tear a hole in the roof of a house to see Jesus. This contrasts strongly with the jealous, suspicious, self-centered Pharisees who looked for reasons to disbelieve. That group spent time fasting in sorrow when they should have been rejoicing in Jesus. Which of the contrasting groups best describes us? As disciples forgiven by Christ, we should be the most joyful, thankful, and evangelistic people on earth.  Dear Father, what a joy it must have been to sit and hear Jesus preach, to watch Him fill nets and cure leprosy, and to see Him forgive sins and sit with sinners to save their souls. Thank You for preserving these stories in the Bible so we can learn of His mighty works. We call upon Jesus' name for healing. But even more so, we ask for Him to forgive our sins. Help us to be so grateful for that gift that we tell others. And keep us rejoicing and feasting, even in the face of trials. -       There is action by the faithful in all our stories today. What action will you take today because Jesus is the Healer and Forgiver? -       Jesus touched a leper, and later He dined with sinners. What does this teach you about how deeply Jesus cares for the hurting and the lost? -       Jesus teaches it would be inappropriate to fast in sorrow while He is with them. Is He with you? So, should we be fasting or feasting? 

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comMark 13 Jesus leaves the temple and announces that it will be completely torn down. His four closest apostles later ask Him about this devastating event. Jesus tells them that many things must happen first, and they should not believe those who claim to know the time of the temple's destruction. The gospel must first be preached. The apostles would face heavy persecution before it happened. But when the attack draws near, He warns them to flee to the mountains and get far away from Jerusalem. It will be a judgment on the Jews and the destruction will be accomplished by Jesus. These things would happen during their generation. The disciples are warned not to be misled by false teachers, but to stay alert. No one knows the day or the hour.  Jesus describes the destruction of Jerusalem. It was the judgment of Christ after He ascended to heaven, but it was carried out by the Roman government. Jerusalem was destroyed, many Jews were killed, and the temple was completely dismantled. This was God's punishment upon the Jews for killing His Son and refusing His kingdom. This took place in 70 A.D. Leading up to it, there were rumors and false prophecies. Jesus was warning about that decades in advance. The key was to stay alert and ready to go. This has clear parallels to the destruction that is coming in the final judgment and our need to be alert and prepared. No one knows the day or the hour.  Dear Father, we know You took no joy in the destruction of the Jewish city, temple, and people. Your judgment was forced by their refusal to honor Christ. They were warned, and most did not listen. Great God, we pray for open hearts and ears. Help us to commit to Christ and to wait for His return. Sadly, it will also be a judgment day against the ungodly, and it will come on a day no one knows. We want to be ready. Please discipline us to be on the alert, so we will be saved when that day comes.     Thought Questions: -       God destroyed His temple because of unbelief among the Jews. What does that tell you about how serious the Father is about faithful living? -       Before the judgment day of God, the apostles would have to face persecution and trust in the Spirit. Are you prepared to do the same today? -       There is a final day of judgment coming. What are the daily things you think and do to make sure you are always prepared for His return?

This podcast tells two stories of women who felt forgotten and left behind. I met them while they were doing their daily work. I was on the receiving end of their good work until they were on the receiving end of God's good work. He leads in common things like spas, salons and tea parties. Everyone is waiting for consolation and invitation I tell you these two stories because you never know who is ready to make a new friend or needs to meet the Friend who never forgets His children.    Someone wrote,“The friendship connection is more than the way to health and memory; it is the call of God to be people who create community and bring those who have been forgotten into our hearts.”   To bring those who have been forgotten into our hearts.   You may feel forgotten yourself. God will use your life experience to help someone else. Your pain is never wasted, unless you keep it to yourself.   You may not be called to go to Korea or Mongolia, but we are all called to make connections.  To reach out, gently, tentatively, like dipping our toes into the steaming water for a pedicure, asking one question followed by another which might lead to a simple invitation: “Would you like to get together for coffee? I've got some great scones from Trader Joe's.”    Look for opportunities for coming alongside. And, go to the Beauty College. Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed by circumstances.   Did God send a friend or a stranger to strengthen and comfort you?       3. What did you learn about yourself?       4. What did you learn about God?   A prayer for your day (and maybe someone else's!) Dear Father, Thank you for seeing my pain and loneliness. My name is written on your hands so I know I'm never alone. Please help me be alert to another who may feel all alone in their difficulties. Nothing is hidden from you and I'm grateful. Strengthen us both according to your word. Thank you and amen. A reminder from the Word: “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me” (Isaiah 49:16)        

Your Daily Prayer

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comMatthew 23In the final week before Christ's crucifixion, He tells His disciples about the dangers of the scribes and Pharisees. After three years of patiently teaching these men, it is time to tell the world about them. Jesus first tells disciples to observe what the scribes teach if it is from God. But Christ warns them not to do what the Pharisees do. They seek to be noticed by men and to have places of honor because they lack humility. Jesus calls them hypocrites repeatedly, speaking about their lack of mercy and the underlying desire of their hearts to serve themselves. He addresses them openly and directly as “serpents”! And yet, as Jesus looks at them and all of Jerusalem, He is sorrowful that they will not repent and be gathered to Him and saved.  It is easy to read this chapter and think about other people. But it is wiser to use this list of the Pharisees' failures as a test for our own lives. In Matthew 5, Jesus told His disciples their righteousness must exceed the Pharisees if they are to be in His kingdom. These men were self-righteous. Jesus calls us to be humble servants. They were hypocritical. Jesus asks us to live out our faith. They were legalistic. We must be led to obey from a God-like heart of mercy. They were superficial. We must be honest about what's happening in our hearts. They became obstacles for others. We must live and speak to draw people to Christ.  Dear Father, we call upon Your help today, to be honest with ourselves and willing to evaluate our motives. Jesus taught so diligently to soften the hearts of the Pharisees, and they fought Him at every turn. Glorious Lord, help us to listen and to learn. May we be humble servants. Empower us to live out our faith with integrity. Build in us compassion and mercy for others. Will You create opportunities for us to help people and show them the way to Jesus? Most of all, reveal to us how much Jesus loves and yearns to save everyone.  Thought Questions:  -       Will you do the hard thing today of looking for Pharisaical tendencies in your own life? How can this be incredibly healthy and needful? -       How would you define “legalism”? Can you see how some focus so intensely on the letter of the law that they miss the love that encircles it? -       What does it feel like to realize that Jesus is always yearning to gather you to Him, no matter what you have done? How will you respond?

Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. — Ephesians 5:3 One major difficulty for many believers is to try to live up to the Bible's high standard for purity. The morals of the societies we live in—along with the internet and other media—do not make it easy to live God's way. In Africa, many of my fellow believers are first-generation Christians in our families. We are often the children of our father's second or third wife. My own father, for example, married nearly ten wives, and my mother was his second wife. As you can see, the way sexuality was treated in my family is extremely different from what I read in the Bible. Yet Paul says that Christians must not have even a hint of sexual immorality, other impurity, or greed. Here Paul is addressing the desires of our hearts. What drives you? What is most important to you? What is your greatest desire? Does it match with what God's Word calls you to be? Our view of sexuality, and of desires in general, must be constantly renewed in a personal relationship with the Lord and his Word. This is true for all Christians, no matter where we live. The apostle reminds us that we are holy through our union with Christ. And, as a result, we are called to new life that is marked with a deep desire for God's kingdom. Dear Father, thank you for making us holy through your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to live for you in the choices we make, following the instructions in your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

One of the most fascinating conversations recorded in Jesus's life was with the “rich, young ruler,” evidently a young man that “had it all.” Matthew 19:16-22 NLT Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.'” “I've obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. This young man's life was all about what he had, what he had done, and what he hadn't done. His focus was on behavior, not his heart. How things looked to others, not how things actually were. Jesus knew his treasure was not in pleasing God, so He challenged the man to find a greater, more valuable life than the one he had. For many of us, we treasure how things look, how we are perceived and how we measure up to others. Imagine this conversation is with you and Jesus asks you to let go of all worldly possessions and perceptions... How do you respond? What comes to mind as the hardest thing to let go of? You are not alone... in our current culture, how we look, what we have, and what we want can be more important than a relationship with Jesus. For our purposes in this time together, let's close with a focus on Jesus's words: “You will have treasure in Heaven when You follow Me.” Can we be satisfied with that? Will you allow His treasure be enough today? Let's pray: “Dear Father, I am grateful that when I first encountered You, I said ‘yes' and didn't walk away. But help me every day to keep saying ‘yes' to You, to put You before money, stuff, and the things of this world that distract and attract. Help me to keep selling out for You and following You. As above, so below.”

Romans 6:12-14 NLT Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. Granting forgiveness, experiencing total freedom, and letting go for good is a mental, emotional, and spiritual experience. And yes, it can even be physical. Holding onto bitterness affects our ability to smile, facial expressions, countenance, and body language. When our hearts are closed, we look closed off. Giving ourselves completely to God, as Paul tells us here, is as much as about what we let go of as what we take up. To block forgiveness from someone is to allow sin to be our master and keep us under the law, not under grace. And when we can't give grace, we can't embrace grace. If there is someone you struggle to let go of and forgive, think about how this makes you feel, even physically, how it affects your being in every manner? Refusing to let go creates more pain as we work harder to hold on. Listen once again to Paul's commands: Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. (Romans 6:12-14 NLT) Forgiveness and letting go diminishes sin's control, allowing us the freedom to give ourselves completely to God, to glorify Him, for Him to be our Master, not sin. To live under the freedom of God's grace. Pray with me, using Paul's words: “Dear Father, help me to not let sin control the way I live; to not give in to sinful desires, to not let any part of my body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Help me to give myself completely to You and experience new life, to use my whole body as an instrument to do what is right for Your glory. I do not want sin to be my master or live under the requirements of the law. Instead, let me live under the freedom of Your grace. As above, so below.”

Today's meditation is Psalm 8. This Psalm reminds us to look up. To stand for a few minutes in awe of the skies and nature. To realize the Creator of it all, made us to rule with Him! He entrusted us with this world. It should make us stop and wonder – who are we that the God of the universe would care, would bother with us! Dear Father, forgive us for not paying attention; for not noticing the intricacies and details of life around us. Give us wisdom to know we need You to teach us how to care for creation, how to care for each other – how to care about what You care about… Daylight Meditations is a daily podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and online courses. If you are encouraged by this podcast, please consider supporting us. Contributors: Michelle DeChant, Nancy Holland, and Adam Maddock

In this episode of the Success is a Choice podcast, our guest is Larry Elder (radio personality, author, and former candidate for California Governor and U.S. President).   Twitter - @LarryElder Website - LarryElder.com Facebook - Facebook.com/TakeBackThisCountry Instagram - @LarryElderShow YouTube - youtube.com/@LarryElderHighlights Freedom Chat - Freedomchat.com/elder Larry Elder covers a lot of ground in this conversation including ... Thoughts on racism, social justice, and oppression Police and black America Controlling what you can control Having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ... and much more!!! The "Sage from South Central" is a New York Times best-selling author, award-winning documentary filmmaker, and one of the best-known media figures in America today. His flagship daily radio program, “The Larry Elder Show,” was heard every weekday in all 50 states and on more than 300 stations. Larry was voted one of the "The Top 25 Most Influential Talk-Radio Hosts" by NewsMax magazine in 2008. He also won a Los Angeles area Emmy. Larry was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, and his family's story represents every bit of the American Dream. His father was born in Athens, Georgia, served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, and moved to California to open his own restaurant—Elder's Snack Bar. Larry's mother, originally from Huntsville, Alabama, was a clerical worker for the U.S. Department of War (now the U.S. Department of Defense) and raised three boys as a stay-at-home mom. Larry ultimately received a bachelor's degree from Brown University and his law degree from the University of Michigan. After running for Governor of California in 2021 and securing millions of votes, Larry announced his presidency for U.S. President. He's also produced the documentaries "Uncle Tom" and "Uncle Tom II".  Some of his books include "Dear Father, Dear Son", "The Ten Things You Can't Say in America", "A Lot Like Me: A Father and Son's Journey to Reconcilliation", and "As Goes California". Episode Timestamps: 1:30 - Deciding what to wear when speaking 2:15 - Larry's tough background 8:00 - Hard work 10:15 - Racism his father faced 12:00 - Message to educators, coaches, and parents 14:00 - Black Lives Matter 18:20 - Debating Mom regularly on his radio show 22:20 - Childhood friend losing a scholarship because he was a "coach killer" 25:20 - How to be a success in life 26:30 - Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame - - - - Each week, the SUCCESS IS A CHOICE podcasting network brings you leadership expert Jamy Bechler and guest experts who provide valuable insights, tips, and guidance on how to maximize your potential, build a stronger culture, develop good leadership, create a healthy vision, optimize results, and inspire those around you. - - - -  Please follow Jamy on Twitter @CoachBechler for positive insights and tips on leadership, success, culture, and teamwork. Check out our virtual sessions for parents, coaches, students, and administrators at FreeLeadershipWorkshop.com. These sessions are free and cover a variety of topics. - - - -  The Success is a Choice podcast network is made possible by TheLeadershipPlaybook.com. Great teams have great teammates and everyone can be a person of influence. Whether you're a coach, athletic director, or athlete, you can benefit from this program and now you can get 25% off the price when you use the coupon code CHOICE at checkout. Build a stronger culture today with better teammates and more positive leaders.  If you like quotes, then you'll want to check out Jamy Bechler's new book "The Coach's Bulletin Board". It contains thousands of insights, thoughts, and quotes are contained in this book. Please visit JamyBechler.com/BulletinBoardBook to get your signed copy. - - - -  Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a quick review on iTunes.  Ratings and reviews are the lifeblood of a podcast. This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. Thanks again for listening and remember that “Success is a choice. What choice will you make today?” - - - -  Jamy Bechler is the author of five books including "The Captain" and "The Bus Trip", host of the "Success is a Choice Podcast", professional speaker, and trains organizations on creating championship cultures. He previously spent 20 years as a college basketball coach and administrator.  TheLeadershipPlaybook.com is Bechler's online program that helps athletes become better teammates and more positive leaders while strengthening a team's culture. As a certified John Maxwell leadership coach, Bechler has worked with businesses and teams, including the NBA. Follow him on Twitter at @CoachBechler. To connect with him via email or find out about his services, please contact speaking@CoachBechler.com. You can also subscribe to his insights on success and leadership by visiting JamyBechler.com/newsletter.

Acts 11:25-26 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch…(It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) Barnabas' famous gift of encouragement was not only expressed in words; he also took action. Antioch, in Syria, was a busy commercial centre with a very mixed population. There were many Jews in the city and an increasing number of people from a non-Jewish background who were following Christ. It was crucial that a good leader was found and Barnabas was sure that Saul had exactly the right qualifications. So he set off to search for him in his home town of Tarsus in southern Turkey, as it's known today. It was 14 years since Saul's conversion and so he had had ample time in which to grow as a follower of Christ and develop his teaching ministry. Having tracked down Saul, Barnabas took him back to Antioch. There they spent a year working alongside one another in the church, which was to be the springboard for the mission to the Gentile, or non-Jewish, world. It was in cosmopolitan Antioch that the followers of Christ were first called Christians. This was probably used originally as a term of contempt, but the Christians were proud to be associated with their Lord and Master and were happy to bear his name. It is so significant that the title ‘Christian' is totally focused on a person. We are members of the Church, but it would be horribly misleading if we were known as ‘churchites' or ‘churchians'. Christian faith is rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ himself. The Church is a large and complex organisation made up of human beings who regularly get a great deal wrong. But Jesus never lets us down and we can be proud to bear his name. Question What does the word Christian mean to you? Prayer Dear Father, thank you for your son Jesus Christ and for the privilege of being his follower. Amen

Acts 9:17 Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” I find this declaration from Ananias one of the most moving sentences in the whole of the Bible. He had been asked by God to go and meet Saul. Ananias was fully aware of Saul's reputation and that he was on a mission to arrest the followers of Jesus. He was bound to think that there must be some mistake (v13). But the Lord informed him that Saul had been appointed to take the gospel to the non-Jewish world (v15). In obedience to the Lord, Ananias courageously headed off to the house in Straight Street, placed his hands on Saul and called him brother. How amazing! The story of Saul's conversion should be a warning to us all not to put a limit on what God can do. I invite you to think of people whom you know who are completely dismissive of Christian faith. Perhaps they laugh at you for your faith. Or they love trying to prove that Christianity is just a lot of sentimental nonsense. Maybe, like many people, they are not remotely interested in anything connected with the Church. It is very tempting to assume that it is a waste of time sharing our faith with them, and that we should focus our attention on the people who show some interest. I suggest that we need to pray for everyone we know, whether they are interested or not, as God loves everyone and invites them all to follow him, however antagonistic they may be. When someone becomes a Christian, they don't need to go through a ceremony or complete a course of instruction; they are instantly part of God's eternal family. How incredible. Question Are you willing to share your Christian faith with people who are opposed to it? Prayer Dear Father, thank you that you are a God of miracles and want to welcome everyone to yourself. Amen

Nehemiah 8:6 Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in just 52 days was an amazing achievement. But Nehemiah was quite clear that there was something that was even more important - ensuring that God was at the centre of the city's life. In this chapter, Ezra the priest addresses all the people, bringing out the book of the Law of Moses. This may refer to the whole of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) or perhaps just the book of Deuteronomy. What we know for certain is that Ezra read for three hours. This was quite a marathon, but it is recorded that the “people listened closely to the Book of the Law” (v3) We read that Ezra stood above the people and, as he opened the book, the people all stood up and praised God. What an amazing moment that must have been as the people lifted up their hands in worship and shouted: “Amen! Amen!” and then bowed down with their faces to the ground. It is, of course, possible for us to worship God by ourselves, but to do so in a corporate setting is such a great encouragement. It is a powerful expression of our unity and our shared dependence upon God. God's people have always worshipped together and we must treasure every opportunity we are given to do so. We learned a great deal during the pandemic about the importance of worshipping together. Who would ever have thought that the day might come when we would not be able to gather in our churches? And in those times when we were able to meet, that it would be illegal to sing songs of worship? But, despite all the restrictions, God's people continued to worship him. What an amazing testimony it was to our nation that, even when we were not able to worship together in one place, we continued to worship God together online. You simply can't stop God's people from praising him! Question Why is worshipping God together important to you? Prayer Dear Father, thank you for the privilege of being able to worship you. Help me to treasure every opportunity of worshipping with my Christian brothers and sisters. Amen

Carl Jackson is in again for Officer Tatum;  Ignore the polls... Republicans have a major voter turnout problem; The Supreme Court strikes down on Bump Stock ban; SECOND HOUR GUEST: Author and radio legend, Larry Elder, joins the program to talk about his New York Times best-selling book "Dear Father, Dear Son" https://amzn.to/3VpGKxN right before Father's Day weekend; THIRD HOUR GUEST: Supply chain consultant and writer for Daily Wire and Washington Examiner, Jim Nelles; Homeownership costs in the US surged 26% since the start of 2020. The Officer Tatum Show is now available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and SalemPodcastNetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.