Podcasts about Dear Lord

ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥ ਜਿਸੁ ਜਲ ਨਿਧਿ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਤੁਮ ਜਗਿ ਆਏ ਸੋ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਗੁਰ ਪਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਛੋਡਹੁ ਵੇਸੁ ਭੇਖ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਇਹੁ ਫਲੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ ਮਨ ਰੇ ਥਿਰੁ ਰਹੁ ਮਤੁ ਕਤ ਜਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਢੂਢਤ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਘਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਘਟ ਮਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਅਵਗੁਣ ਛੋਡਿ ਗੁਣਾ ਕਉ ਧਾਵਹੁ ਕਰਿ ਅਵਗੁਣ ਪਛੁਤਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਸਰ ਅਪਸਰ ਕੀ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਕੀਚ ਬੁਡਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥੨॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਮੈਲੁ ਲੋਭ ਬਹੁ ਝੂਠੇ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਨਾਵਹੁ ਕਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਸਦ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਅੰਤਰ ਕੀ ਗਤਿ ਤਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥੩॥ ਪਰਹਰਿ ਲੋਭੁ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਕੂੜੁ ਤਿਆਗਹੁ ਸਚੁ ਗੁਰ ਬਚਨੀ ਫਲੁ ਪਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਿਉ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਲਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥੪॥੯॥ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ! ਅੰਦਰ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ-ਚਰਨਾਂ ਵਿਚ) ਟਿਕਿਆ ਰਹੁ, (ਵੇਖੀਂ, ਨਾਮ-ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਦੀ ਭਾਲ ਵਿਚ) ਕਿਤੇ ਬਾਹਰ ਨਾਹ ਭਟਕਦਾ ਫਿਰੀਂ। ਜੇ ਤੂੰ ਬਾਹਰ ਢੂੰਢਣ ਤੁਰ ਪਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਦੁੱਖ ਪਾਏਂਗਾ। ਅਟੱਲ ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਰਸ ਤੇਰੇ ਘਰ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ ਹੈ, ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ ਹੈ।ਰਹਾਉ।(ਹੇ ਭਾਈ!) ਜਿਸ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਦੇ ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨੇ ਦੀ ਖ਼ਾਤਰ ਤੁਸੀ ਜਗਤ ਵਿਚ ਆਏ ਹੋ ਉਹ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਗੁਰੂ ਪਾਸੋਂ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ; ਪਰ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਭੇਖ ਦਾ ਪਹਿਰਾਵਾ ਛੱਡੋ, ਮਨ ਦੀ ਚਲਾਕੀ ਭੀ ਛੱਡੋ (ਬਾਹਰੋਂ ਸ਼ਕਲ ਧਰਮੀਆਂ ਵਾਲੀ, ਤੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਨੂੰ ਠੱਗਣ ਦੀ ਚਲਾਕੀ) ਇਸ ਦੋ-ਰੁਖ਼ੀ ਚਾਲ ਵਿਚ ਪਿਆਂ ਇਹ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ-ਫਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਮਿਲ ਸਕਦਾ।੧।(ਹੇ ਭਾਈ!) ਔਗੁਣ ਛੱਡ ਕੇ ਗੁਣ ਹਾਸਲ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਜਤਨ ਕਰੋ। ਜੇ ਔਗੁਣ ਹੀ ਕਰਦੇ ਰਹੋਗੇ ਤਾਂ ਪਛੁਤਾਣਾ ਪਏਗਾ। (ਹੇ ਮਨ!) ਤੂੰ ਮੁੜ ਮੁੜ ਮੋਹ ਦੇ ਚਿੱਕੜ ਵਿਚ ਡੁੱਬ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਚੰਗੇ ਮੰਦੇ ਦੀ ਪਰਖ ਕਰਨੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ।੨।(ਹੇ ਭਾਈ!) ਜੇ ਅੰਦਰ (ਮਨ ਵਿਚ) ਲੋਭ ਦੀ ਮੈਲ ਹੈ (ਤੇ ਲੋਭ-ਅਧੀਨ ਹੋ ਕੇ) ਕਈ ਠੱਗੀ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋ, ਤਾਂ ਬਾਹਰ (ਤੀਰਥ ਆਦਿਕਾਂ ਤੇ) ਇਸ਼ਨਾਨ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਕੀਹ ਲਾਭ? ਅੰਦਰਲੀ ਉੱਚੀ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਤਦੋਂ ਹੀ ਬਣੇਗੀ, ਜੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਦੱਸੇ ਰਸਤੇ ਉਤੇ ਤੁਰ ਕੇ ਸਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਾ ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰ ਨਾਮ ਜਪੋਗੇ।੩।(ਹੇ ਮਨ!) ਲੋਭ ਛੱਡ, ਨਿੰਦਿਆ ਤੇ ਝੂਠ ਤਿਆਗ। ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਬਚਨਾਂ ਤੇ ਤੁਰਿਆਂ ਹੀ ਸਦਾ-ਥਿਰ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ-ਫਲ ਮਿਲੇਗਾ।ਹੇ ਦਾਸ ਨਾਨਕ! ਪ੍ਰਭੂ-ਦਰ ਤੇ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਆਖ-) ਹੇ ਹਰੀ! ਜਿਵੇਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਰਜ਼ਾ ਹੈ ਤਿਵੇਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਰੱਖ (ਪਰ ਇਹ ਮਿਹਰ ਕਰ ਕਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ) ਸ਼ਬਦ ਵਿਚ ਜੁੜ ਕੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਿਫ਼ਤਿ-ਸਾਲਾਹ ਕਰਦਾ ਰਹਾਂ।੪।੯।SORAT'H, FIRST MEHL:The treasure of the Name, for which you have come into the world — that Ambrosial Nectar is with the Guru. Renounce costumes, disguises and clever tricks; this fruit is not obtained by duplicity. || 1 || O my mind, remain steady, and do not wander away. By searching around on the outside, you shall only suffer great pain; the Ambrosial Nectar is found within the home of your own being. || Pause || Renounce corruption, and seek virtue; committing sins, you shall only come to regret and repent. You do not know the difference between good and evil; again and again, you sink into the mud. || 2 || Within you is the great filth of greed and falsehood; why do you bother to wash your body on the outside? Chant the Immaculate Naam, the Name of the Lord always, under Guru's Instruction; only then will your innermost being be emancipated. || 3 || Let greed and slander be far away from you, and renounce falsehood; through the True Word of the Guru's Shabad, you shall obtain the true fruit. As it pleases You, You preserve me, Dear Lord; servant Nanak sings the Praises of Your Shabad. || 4 || 9 ||

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 20 Early on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb and sees the stone rolled away. She goes to tell the Apostles. Peter and John run to the tomb and see that it is empty. Not understanding Christ's resurrection, they return home. Mary then sees two angels sitting in the tomb. She turns around and sees Jesus alive and well! She returns to tell the disciples that she has spoken with Jesus. That evening, Jesus appears to ten of His Apostles and gifts them with the Holy Spirit. Thomas was not with them and continues to have doubts. Eight days later, Jesus appears and shows Thomas the piercings in His hands and side. He then says great blessings will come to those who have not seen and yet believe.  The resurrection and appearance of Jesus is the most transformational moment in all of human history. From this victory comes undeniable proof of power over Satan, sin, and death. For us, living after Jesus was raised and ascended, we can see how much hope exists in Christ. However, on the day He was raised, the disciples still had many doubts that left them gripped in fear. Even after Mary reported seeing Jesus, the disciples did not fully believe. Thomas wrestled with doubt a week after Jesus was raised. They had much to learn. This is why John's gospel presents so much testimony for us: so that we will know the truth about Jesus and never live in fear and doubt.      Great Father, we believe. We believe the tomb was empty on the first day of the week. We believe Jesus overcame death and now lives as our risen and ruling Savior. Thank You for fulfilling Your promise to bring us hope through Your Son's victory over Satan. Like Mary clinging to Jesus after He appeared to her, we long to cling to our King and thank Him face-to-face for His sacrifice and love. Dear Lord, help not to be burdened by doubt. May we always stay nourished in scripture, believing the testimony about Christ, and enjoying life in His name.  Thought Questions: -       Disciples throughout this chapter struggled to believe until they saw Jesus. How must your faith be even greater than theirs?        -       Jesus gifted the Holy Spirit to the Apostles as well as the power to forgive sins. How obedient should you be to their teaching? -       What does it mean to “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name”? 

"Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint." Proverbs 25:19 Trust is the foundation of success—let it be your guiding principle! In the fast-paced world of business, trust serves as the cornerstone upon which all successful relationships are built. Without it, even the most innovative ideas can falter. Proverbs 25:19 reminds us, “Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.” Trust is essential; it fosters loyalty and cultivates respect among partners, clients, and colleagues alike. “In the marketplace, trust is the currency that never devalues. It buys loyalty, earns respect, and paves the way for enduring success.” In other words, when you prioritize integrity and transparency in your dealings, you create an environment where people feel safe to invest their time and resources. Remember, when trust is present, ideas flow freely, and risks are embraced as opportunities for growth. Proverbs 12:22 says, "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight." As you navigate the complexities of your business journey, remember that every interaction is an opportunity to build or reinforce trust. "Trust is the silent currency of business; invest in it wisely, and it will yield dividends beyond measure." Each small act of honesty and reliability compounds over time, leading to fruitful partnerships that withstand the test of challenges. In moments of doubt or adversity, lean into your faith. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” By placing your trust not only in your abilities but also in divine guidance, you can navigate the business landscape with confidence. Amen. 2 Corinthians 8:21 says, "For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man." Prayer for the Day! Dear Lord, we thank You for guiding our steps in our business endeavors. Please help us to be trustworthy in our actions and to foster relationships built on integrity and respect. May our efforts yield not just success, but meaningful connections that honor You. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Daily Dose of Hope May 1, 2025 Day 4 of Week 5   Scripture – Mark 12:1-17   Prayer:  Dear Lord, I feel the need to just start with silence this morning.  Help us sit and reflect on you and your presence...Jesus, we need you.  We go through our days distracted and in a hurry, sometimes even forgetting to pray or acknowledge you.  Help us to be aware of your presence, knowing that you walk with us every step of the way, guiding us and leading us in all our words, actions, and decisions.  This is your day, Lord.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we start Mark 12.  There is a lot of substance in this chapter so we will take three days to walk through it.    Let's start by talking about the parable of the tenants.  This is a hard parable with violence involved in every aspect of it.  A landowner, presumably a man of means, builds a vineyard and gets it set up with all the right equipment.  He has tenants plant the vines and run the farm for him, while he lives in another place.  When the harvest comes, the absent landowner sends a slave to collect his portion of the harvest or profits.  The slave is beaten up pretty badly by the tenant farmers and limps away.   You would think the landowner might do something different next time but he doesn't.  He sends another slave.  Actually, he sends a lot of different slaves to collect on his behalf.  Some are badly beaten while others are actually killed.  We get the impression this happens over many growing seasons.    The landowner decides he has one option left, his beloved son.  He feels assured that the tenants won't hurt him.  Did the son feel the same way?  Not sure.  But things don't go so well.  The tenants know this is the heir and they kill him too, throwing his body out to the wild animals.   The question that Jesus asks is what will the landowner do?  The answer is that he will come there himself, kill the tenants, and give the land to others (or possibly get new tenants.)  What in the world is meant by all of this?  There are several possible things to think about here and none of them are pleasant.   First, throughout the Bible, the concept of the vineyard is associated with the people of Israel.  With that as a backdrop, could it be that God is the stubborn landowner, the slaves are prophets, and the son is Jesus?  That would make the tenant farmers the corrupt religious leaders.    Second, there are aspects to the parable that the first-century hearers would get that aren't necessarily evident to us.  It wasn't that unusual for the wealthy to obtain the land of those who were poor, possibly because of outstanding debts or because the impoverished are forced to sell land to feed their families.  Life was hard.    It also wasn't that unusual for landlords to live elsewhere and demand a large percentage of the harvest from those who are performing the labor.  The reaction of the parable will be different for different people, depending on where they fall on the social ladder in Israel.  There are those who will identify with the slaves.  There are those who will see the landowner as uncaring and reckless and possibly identify with the plight of the tenants.  There are those who will identify with the landowner and his son.  Every single reaction is unsettling.   One other element to consider is how Mark has placed this parable between the triumphal entry and Jesus' authority being questioned in chapter 11 with the story of his betrayal a few chapters later.  Jesus is clearly making a statement here – think of the players: a landowner, tenants, the beloved son, murder, revenge, and new tenants.  The Pharisees begin the see the parable may be about them.  But they don't quite get the cornerstone reference.  It's obvious the story is far from over.   One thing I do want to mention is that people have used this parable over the years in an antisemitic way, stating that it was the Jews who killed the son and it is the Jews who should then be killed by the landowner.  Jesus is not speaking of ethnicity or religion here, he is speaking about faithfulness.  The big issue in the parable is not the identity of the players but rather the failure of the tenants to respond faithfully to their obligations.  It's no secret that Christians over the centuries have also treated the cornerstone with disrespect, irreverence, and indignation, while Jews can (and many have) responded faithfully to God's revelation.   We also have the tax to Caesar text in today's reading.  The Jewish leaders are desperate to get more evidence against Jesus and they think this will be the perfect way to trap him.  What the leaders were referring to was a poll tax, a flat tax that every person living in the Roman Empire was forced to pay.  To the Jews, it was a reminder that they were far from free.  If Jesus had responded with a positive remark like “yes, definitely pay it!” then he would have turned off a lot of his audience.  If he had said, “don't pay it!” then he would have been seen as turning against Rome, a dangerous thing.    But with Jesus' response, to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and give to God what is God's, Jesus literally slips right out of their trap.  They are amazed.    I'm going to close today with Psalm 8, Lord, our Lord,     how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory     in the heavens. 2 Through the praise of children and infants     you have established a stronghold against your enemies,     to silence the foe and the avenger. 3 When I consider your heavens,     the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,    which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,     human beings that you care for them? 5 You have made them a little lower than the angels     and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;    you put everything under their feet: 7 all flocks and herds,     and the animals of the wild, 8 the birds in the sky,     and the fish in the sea,     all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 Lord, our Lord,     how majestic is your name in all the earth!   Blessings, Pastor Vicki          

Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

 ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ਦੁਤੁਕੀ ॥ ਨਿਗੁਣਿਆ ਨੋ ਆਪੇ ਬਖਸਿ ਲਏ ਭਾਈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਲਾਇ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਊਤਮ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮਿ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਆਪੇ ਬਖਸਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ॥ ਗੁਣਹੀਣ ਹਮ ਅਪਰਾਧੀ ਭਾਈ ਪੂਰੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਲਏ ਰਲਾਇ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਕਉਣ ਕਉਣ ਅਪਰਾਧੀ ਬਖਸਿਅਨੁ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਸਾਚੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਭਉਜਲੁ ਪਾਰਿ ਉਤਾਰਿਅਨੁ ਭਾਈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬੇੜੈ ਚਾੜਿ ॥੨॥ ਮਨੂਰੈ ਤੇ ਕੰਚਨ ਭਏ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਰਸੁ ਮੇਲਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ॥ ਆਪੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਨਾਉ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਭਾਈ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ॥੩॥ ਹਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਹਉ ਵਾਰਣੈ ਭਾਈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਉ ਸਦ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੈ ਜਾਉ ॥ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਜਿਨਿ ਦਿਤਾ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਉ ॥੪॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਅਸੀ ਜੀਵ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਸੱਖਣੇ ਹਾਂ, ਵਿਕਾਰੀ ਹਾਂ। ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਨੇ (ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਵਿਚ) ਰਲਾ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ (ਆਪਣੇ ਚਰਨਾਂ ਵਿਚ) ਜੋੜ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਗੁਣਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਸੱਖਣੇ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਵਿਚ ਲਾ ਕੇ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ-ਸੇਵਾ ਬੜੀ ਸ੍ਰੇਸ਼ਟ ਹੈ, ਗੁਰੂ (ਸ਼ਰਨ ਪਏ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦਾ) ਮਨ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਵਿਚ ਜੋੜ ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੧।ਹੇ ਪਿਆਰੇ! ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨੇ ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਹੀ ਅਪਰਾਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸੱਚੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦੀ ਰਾਹੀਂ (ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ) ਵਿਚਾਰ ਵਿਚ (ਜੋੜ ਕੇ) ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਿਆ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ (ਸ਼ਬਦ-) ਜਹਾਜ਼ ਵਿਚ ਚਾੜ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਉਸ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨੇ (ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ) ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਤੋਂ ਪਾਰ ਲੰਘਾਇਆ ਹੈ।੨।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਰਸ-ਗੁਰੂ (ਆਪਣੀ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਵਿਚ) ਮਿਲਾ ਕੇ (ਪ੍ਰਭੂ-ਚਰਨਾਂ ਵਿਚ) ਜੋੜ ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਸੜੇ ਹੋਏ ਲੋਹੇ ਤੋਂ ਸੋਨਾ ਬਣ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਆਪਾ-ਭਾਵ ਤਿਆਗ ਕੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਆ ਵੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ। ਗੁਰੂ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਮਿਲਾ ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੩।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਮੈਂ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੋਂ ਸਦਾ ਹੀ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜਿਸ ਗੁਰੂ ਨੇ (ਮੈਨੂੰ) ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ-ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਮਤਿ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਮੈਂ ਆਤਮਕ ਅਡੋਲਤਾ ਵਿਚ ਟਿਕਿਆ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ।੪।ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਹਜੁ ਨ ਊਪਜੈ ਭਾਈ ਪੂਛਹੁ ਗਿਆਨੀਆ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਸਦਾ ਕਰਿ ਭਾਈ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਇ ॥੫॥ ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਭਉ ਊਪਜੈ ਭਾਈ ਭਉ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਚੁ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਭਾਈ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਆਧਾਰੁ ॥੬॥ ਜੋ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਹਿ ਆਪਣਾ ਭਾਈ ਤਿਨ ਕੈ ਹਉ ਲਾਗਉ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਜਨਮੁ ਸਵਾਰੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਭਾਈ ਕੁਲੁ ਭੀ ਲਈ ਬਖਸਾਇ ॥੭॥ ਸਚੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਚੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਹਰਿ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਭਾਈ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਿਘਨੁ ਨ ਲਾਗੈ ਕੋਇ ॥੮॥੨॥ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ ਸੂਝ ਵਾਲੇ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਾ ਕੇ ਪੁੱਛ ਲਵੋ, (ਇਹੀ ਉੱਤਰ ਮਿਲੇਗਾ ਕਿ) ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਪੈਣ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ (ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ) ਆਤਮਕ ਅਡੋਲਤਾ ਪੈਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀ। (ਇਸ ਵਾਸਤੇ,) ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਤੂੰ ਭੀ (ਆਪਣੇ) ਅੰਦਰੋਂ ਆਪਾ-ਭਾਵ ਦੂਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਸਦਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਿਆ ਕਰ।੫।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਮਤਿ ਉਤੇ ਤੁਰਿਆਂ (ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਵਾਸਤੇ) ਡਰ-ਅਦਬ ਪੈਦਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। (ਆਪਣੇ ਅੰਦਰ) ਡਰ-ਅਦਬ (ਪੈਦਾ ਕਰਨਾ ਹੀ) ਕਰਨ-ਜੋਗ ਕੰਮ ਹੈ, ਇਹ ਕੰਮ ਸਦਾ-ਥਿਰ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ, ਇਹੀ ਕੰਮ (ਸਭ ਤੋਂ) ਸ੍ਰੇਸ਼ਟ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਇਸ ਡਰ-ਅਦਬ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤਿ ਨਾਲ) ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੇ ਪਿਆਰ ਦਾ ਕੀਮਤੀ ਧਨ ਲੱਭ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਸਦਾ-ਥਿਰ ਨਾਮ (ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦਾ) ਆਸਰਾ ਬਣ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੬।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜੇਹੜੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਮੈਂ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਚਰਨੀਂ ਲੱਗਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ) ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਸੋਹਣਾ ਬਣਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਖ਼ਾਨਦਾਨ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਭੀ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਸ਼ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕਰ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ।੭।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਾਲ ਸਦਾ-ਥਿਰ ਹਰਿ-ਨਾਮ (ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ ਆ ਵੱਸਦਾ) ਹੈ, ਸਿਫ਼ਤਿ-ਸਾਲਾਹ ਦੀ ਬਾਣੀ (ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ ਆ ਵੱਸਦੀ) ਹੈ, ਸਿਫ਼ਤਿ-ਸਾਲਾਹ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਆਖ-) ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! (ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਾਲ) ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਵੱਸ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ (ਜੀਵਨ-ਸਫ਼ਰ ਵਿਚ) ਕੋਈ ਔਕੜ ਨਹੀਂ ਵਾਪਰਦੀ।੮।੨।SORAT'H, THIRD MEHL, DU-TUKAS:He Himself forgives the worthless, O Siblings of Destiny; He commits them to the service of the True Guru. Service to the True Guru is sublime, O Siblings of Destiny; through it, one's consciousness is attached to the Lord's Name. || 1 || The Dear Lord forgives, and unites with Himself. I am a sinner, totally without virtue, O Siblings of Destiny; the Perfect True Guru has blended me. || Pause || So many, so many sinners have been forgiven, O beloved one, by contemplating the True Word of the Shabad. They got on board the boat of the True Guru, who carried them across the terrifying world-ocean, O Siblings of Destiny. || 2 || I have been transformed from rusty iron into gold, O Siblings of Destiny, united in Union with the Guru, the Philosopher's Stone. Eliminating my self-conceit, the Name has come to dwell within my mind, O Siblings of Destiny; my light has merged in the Light. || 3 || I

Your Nightly Prayer

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 9 Jesus heals a man who is blind from birth. As the Light of the world, Jesus puts clay on the man's eyes and renews his sight. The Pharisees question the man as to what has happened, and the man announces Jesus as a prophet. The Jews then call in the man's parents, confirming he was born blind. They will not believe in Jesus and are determined to discredit the miracle. They speak to the man again, and he proclaims the Healer to be from God. The Jewish leaders then put him out of the synagogue. Jesus finds the man and reveals Himself to be the Son of Man, and the healed man worships Him. Jesus then teaches that Pharisees who think they can see will always be blind and in sin.  The blind man's healing leads to these words of Jesus: “For judgment I came into the world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” For all who are humble and in need of Christ, He brings light and restoration. The blind man represents all sinners, in need of opened eyes by the power of Jesus. If He has restored us, we should openly and passionately worship Him as the Son of God. But those who think they see without Him will not come to him for healing. All who choose to reject the glory of Jesus will be revealed in the end as blind and lost in darkness.  Dear Lord, You have shown amazing mercy in sending Your Son, the perfect Light, into this world of darkness and sin. He relentlessly seeks those who know that they need Him. Father, we pray for an ever-present need for the Light of the world in our lives. We are often blind and drawn to the shadows. Will You please make Jesus the Light to our path and the One who shows us the way? Give us the wisdom to see Him and follow Him. Purge from our hearts any arrogance, pride, and disbelief that would keep us from our Savior.  Thought Questions: -       The man's blindness created a circumstance for God to act. Are you open to seeing your struggles as opportunities for Christ to work? -       The healed man worshiped Jesus. Do you believe Jesus is worthy of your worship? How does that look on days other than Sunday? -       The Pharisees would not believe no matter the evidence. What creates that sort of blindness and how do you avoid it?

Your Nightly Prayer

  By Mary Lindow As you settle in to listen to this podcast, maybe you're facing difficult times and you wonder how God can still have a plan for your messy, hurting, perhaps disillusioned life. What about your loved ones, or those in the neighborhood around you? There's so much brokenness that it can feel like anything you do to help is like a drop in the ocean. I certainly have had several moments this past season, months, days even, of being broken, disillusioned, angry, all the emotions that can go with hearing terrible stories of betrayal, clergy abuse, child abuse, adult children being estranged from parents, parents being estranged from their adult children, walking many from sadness over deep wounds from past relationships, festering with anger, guilt and shame. This service of working with broken people that God has called us to, (and me specifically these past couple of years as a Biblical pastoral Counselor), well, seeing and hearing the sadness, can wear you thin at times, and I go running to the feet of Christ over and over again, asking him to make sense of how humanity can be so vicious and destroy one another. Of course Jesus came to die for all of us, and in fact was broken, beaten, bruised and yes, he wept. So He knows the anguish and grief that can tow us under! The Lord has always been close to those who are crushed and broken, right from the very start.   Brokenness Doesn't Distract Or Hinder God. He extends endless compassion and love to us, even when we are feeling absolutely crushed. When we don't want anyone to see our brokenness, our shame, He is always close, never with judgment but always with kindness. The kind of kindness that heals. The question is: “Does brokenness have any purpose?” Or is it a hindrance to God's plans and promises? Can God Turn Our Brokenness Into Something Beautiful?   In Matthew 26, Jesus had His last meal with the disciples before He went to suffer on the cross. Now, even though I've read this passage many times, something rich recently stood out. “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take and eat it; this is my body'. (Matthew 26:26). First, Jesus took the bread, Then He blessed it, And then He broke it.   Now, I thought to myself … “Why would He not first take the bread, break it and then bless it?”   There's A Purpose To Why Jesus Did It This Way. The blessing comes before the breaking, because this was the theme of Jesus' life: Jesus was blessed by the Father and the Spirit during His baptism (Matthew 3:16-17). Jesus endured the brokenness on the cross (Luke 23:26-39). And, Jesus conquered death through His resurrection and then ascended to the right hand of the Father. This is the greatest blessing for believers because we are united with Christ and fully restored to God!  (Ephesians 1:20; Ephesians 2:4-6).   Blessed Then Broken Then Blessed again. That's the pattern.   Maybe You're In A Season Where You Feel More Broken Than Blessed. I understand. But because God has blessed us with His Son, every ounce of brokenness we experience on this side of eternity is pointing us toward the blessing of heaven, where we will be reunited with Christ, if we trust in Him. God also redeems our current brokenness as a means of blessing others who are also broken (2 Corinthians 1:4). We Can Know With Confidence That When We Endure Brokenness And Pain, There Isn't An Ounce Of Our Brokenness That Is Not Under The Blessing Of God!   This Is A Hard Truth To Grasp. It may even be something we want to reject because it feels unfair or even cruel! I agree that it can feel that way. Even Jesus Himself agrees. Just a few verses after the Last Supper, He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane and cried out, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38a, CSB). We don't have to dismiss our feelings when it comes to our brokenness. Even Jesus felt the full range of His emotions before His most broken moment. We can come before God in humility with our raw, honest emotions. We can bring our brokenness to Him. We can trust that Jesus is with us, NOW. And, we can look to the cross and the empty tomb, knowing that though we experience brokenness, Jesus overcame it.   Brokenness Isn't The End For Us. Blessed, then broken, then blessed again. Lord, give us the grace to endure this reality.   I don't think it's a coincidence that Jesus, who was blameless and pure, had scars that remained after his resurrection. Jesus' scars were not a flaw. They're a reminder that even the Savior of the world has experienced brokenness. They also give us a tangible answer to our doubts, like they did for Thomas. In a moment of faithlessness, doubt and brokenness, God meets Thomas with compassion and kindness. Jesus' Scars Are A Demonstration Of The Lengths He Went To For Us, a sacrifice given to restore hope in a broken world full of broken people. And the same hands that were nail-scarred? They have our very names written on them as a promise that God will not ever forget or forsake us (Isaiah 49:16). Just like a scar, they're permanently written as a reminder of God's commitment to us, no matter how broken we feel.   Very Few See This Bleak Moment For What It Really Is.      It's a chance to see their need for something that is beyond themselves. But my friend, this can be a moment where the soul can cross over from its own empty silence, into an expected quiet that is alive with His presence. It silences the anguish, the anxious restlessness into a calm and still place of peace. It's as if the soul finds that in this dark place, there is a secret well of sweet water, and it springs up and overflows with light and life.    LEARNING TO PASS INTO THIS PLACE OF THE SPIRIT AND ALLOWING GOD TO KEEP YOUR SOUL IN REFRESHING SILENT TRANQUILITY IS A TRUE ACT OF THE MATURING BELIEVER.   God Put You On Earth In Your Exact Place For His Specific Purpose, and you are living in that purpose, even when you don't know it. Your soul may be grumbling and resisting, but you are living the story that God is ready to reveal to you. God is a lot bigger than you expect Him to be. He's a lot bigger than your circumstances. He is a God of detail. He is deeply involved in the small details of your life, but He has a "bigger yes" for you. Your true glory is the revelation of His splendor, his amazing ability to create redemptive “Resurrection moments” revealed in you day by day.   In 1 Peter 1:6. It says,  "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials."   As Jesus Is Revealed In You, You Can Rejoice No Matter What.   The Display Of His Glory Often Comes Through Your Wounds. Your dark nights and cries of longing are lovingly heard, and as His bright light dawns, your grief contrasts with His glorious joy. In brokenness, God works in you something beautiful, deep, and solid to offer others. You are developing inner strength as you are being blessed, broken, and given as an offering in your trials. True strength comes from your desperate need of God. You are a joy to Him as you offer yourself as a representative of His sufficiency. Paul said He wanted to know Christ and be conformed to the fellowship of sharing His sufferings, knowing there's a resurrection coming. (Phil. 3:10).   Know that your Father created you for this time, for these very circumstances. He knew exactly what would be happening in your life as you are living it right now. He knows the impact for which He is preparing you, that still awaits you. Be Filled with his Grace and hope to lean into the purpose that you were create for, in spite of difficult people, through hard circumstances, and through tough challenges.   Your Purpose, My Purpose Is In The Process. We won't get there overnight. We won't mysteriously wake up with it one morning. But today we are closer than yesterday, and tomorrow we will be closer than we are today. Be at peace in Him to know these things, and rejoice in Him. HE IS ALIVE! We Are Not Alone.   Let's Pray Together, Dear Lord, Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by how painful earthly brokenness can feel. Please help us, help me remember that you Jesus are our greatest blessing. You are with us now with me now, as we face hardship and grief and sadness and await a day when you will make all things new. Give me strength, give those that are listening strength as we long for this day, and we ask this in the name of the Resurrected King of Heaven, Jesus Christ, The Messiah. Amen.   I Know That Many Of You Are Going Through Many Things In Your Own Lives and there is so much going on around us everywhere right now as the Lord is more than shaking his church. He is exposing so many uncomfortable things, but what he is really doing is bringing his people back to a place to where HE alone is enough, his word alone is light and life, strength and guidance, no matter how difficult or dark the times can be. His word will penetrate past all of that panic and bring us daily comfort. I'd like to call it daily bread since we're on the subject of talking about bread, and remember because Christ was the bread of life and he gave it to us, and since we've given our lives to him, we are now bread of life to others with whatever we speak out of our mouth in the name of Jesus. It has to be in accuracy and mimicking the way he lived and walked. If it isn't, then there's going to be difficulty there's going to be pain. It's going to cause pain. It's going to cause difficulty.   So I Encourage You, If You're Running And Hiding or if you're trying to protect yourself from something that you've done that you know needs to come out into the light,run to Jesus, then tell the truth and get the help that you need. It won't be easy, but that clawing horrible feeling of waiting for the shoe to drop will end, and the enemy will no longer have a foothold in your mind. For Those That Are Suffering Because Of The Behaviors Of Others and you know that there just doesn't seem to be an answer or an end in sigth, and certainly no vindication. I encourage you to not back away and to stand where God has you, but don't grow bitter and don't look for revenge. This is when we take it back into our own power at our own strength. I Bless You Today! I encourage you to get before the Lord and ask him to show you “the way” that he has for you during these times where he is maturing you, maturing his bride, and it is all for the glory of the ONE who laid down that entire greatness so that we would have an access to return to heaven.   Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed, as long as the complete message, website, podcast link and information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You! 2025 "THE MESSENGER"  - Mary Lindow www.marylindow.com www.marylindow.podbean.com   If you would be so kind and assist Mary helping her to meet other administrative needs such as website and podcast costs, or desire to bless her service in ministry with Spirit-led Love gifts or regular support:   Please JOYFULLY send your gift in the form of:  ► Personal Checks ► Business Checks ► Money Orders ► Cashiers Checks To:    His Beloved Ministries Inc.  PO Box 1253 Denver, Colorado 80614
 USA    Or feel free to use our send a tax-deductible gift with   Pay Pal   paypal.me/mlindow  Under the name of - Mary Lindow - His Beloved Ministries Inc.    ALL gifts are tax-deductible under His Beloved Ministries 5013c non-profit status.   We are financially accountable and have been in full compliance since 1985. THANK YOU!    

Your Nightly Prayer

Have you been saved by Jesus? Salvation is the deliverance from sin and death that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus overcame sin and death, and gave us the opportunity to have eternal life.Revelation 1:18 says, “I am the Living One. I was dead, but look, I am alive forever. I have power over death and hell.”As believers, we can have confidence that our salvation is secure in Jesus Christ. No matter what happens during our temporary earthly lives, we can be sure of our eternal destiny. This knowledge gives us lasting peace, and hope that transcends our present circumstances.The power of salvation also gives us, through God's grace, the ability to overcome sin and withstand temptation. And by obedience to the Holy Spirit, we can daily try to live a life more like Jesus, and grow in our faith. If you haven't yet received the salvation that Jesus offers, we invite you to do so today. Simply believe in Jesus, ask forgiveness for your sins, and ask Him to be the Lord of your life. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is a gift that lasts for all eternity. Let's pray. Dear Lord, thank you for the power of salvation that comes through faith in Jesus. Help us to live a life that is pleasing to you, and to share this message of hope with others. It's in Jesus' name that we pray, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

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.comLuke 22 Jesus is the calm amid the storm as the end of His earthly life approaches. The Jews seek to kill Him. Judas has set up His betrayal. The disciples, while faithful, understand little and often devolve into arguments over who is the greatest. Peter makes a commitment he cannot keep. But in all this, Jesus remains faithful. He gathers the Apostles and establishes the memorial supper that would have great meaning after His death and resurrection. He goes to the garden and communes with His Father. He is comforted by an angel and made ready to complete His mission. He quietly submits to arrest. While Peter's world is shattered by weakness in denying Jesus, the Savior tells the world He is God's Son, knowing it will lead to His death.    Satan is at work near the end of Jesus' life. He enters Judas to lead him to betray Jesus. He incites the jealousy of the Jewish leaders. He even demands permission to sift Peter like wheat and succeeds in tempting him to deny Jesus. Satan is a menace, then and now. He still features these same tactics: greed, fear, and pride. But Jesus is our anchor in the storm of Satan's efforts. He gathers and protects His disciples. He appeals to God on our behalf. Jesus communes with us in His memorial supper. And Jesus helps us face trials with composure and wisdom. We should always be anchored in Him and grateful for His help in times of need.  Holy God, we praise You during the trials and temptations of life. Satan tries to sow doubt and fear into our hearts. Father, give us clarity to see Your Son. He was focused, faithful, and always connected to You. His identity as Your Son sustained Him. Dear Lord, help us to be more like Him. Lead us to make more time for prayer and to keep our eyes on future hopes and blessings in Jesus. His behavior, even in the face of evil, was controlled by peace. Father, fill us with peace in knowing our triumphant King is always with us.   -       Why was Jesus so calm even as Satan was doing his work? How can you establish that kind of peace even if there is trouble around you? -       Jesus' disciples struggled under trial because overconfidence led to complacency. How do you keep from complacency in your faith? -       “Are you the Son of God?” “Yes, I am.” Jesus confidently confessed His name. How does your faith in His identity help you daily?

Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੯ ॥ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਜਾਨਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਮਨ ਮਾਹੀ ॥ ਅਪਨੇ ਸੁਖ ਸਿਉ ਹੀ ਜਗੁ ਫਾਂਧਿਓ ਕੋ ਕਾਹੂ ਕੋ ਨਾਹੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸੁਖਮੈ ਆਨਿ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਮਿਲਿ ਬੈਠਤ ਰਹਤ ਚਹੂ ਦਿਸਿ ਘੇਰੈ ॥ ਬਿਪਤਿ ਪਰੀ ਸਭ ਹੀ ਸੰਗੁ ਛਾਡਿਤ ਕੋਊ ਨ ਆਵਤ ਨੇਰੈ ॥੧॥ ਘਰ ਕੀਨਾਰਿ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਹਿਤੁ ਜਾ ਸਿਉ ਸਦਾ ਰਹਤ ਸੰਗ ਲਾਗੀ ॥ ਜਬ ਹੀ ਹੰਸ ਤਜੀ ਇਹ ਕਾਂਇਆ ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਕਰਿ ਭਾਗੀ ॥੨॥ ਇਹ ਬਿਧਿਕੋ ਬਿਉਹਾਰੁ ਬਨਿਓ ਹੈ ਜਾ ਸਿਉ ਨੇਹੁ ਲਗਾਇਓ ॥ ਅੰਤ ਬਾਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਜੀ ਕੋਊ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਇਓ ॥੩॥੧੨॥੧੩੯॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਮਿੱਤਰ! ਆਪਣੇ) ਮਨ ਵਿਚ (ਇਹ ਗੱਲ) ਪੱਕੀ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਸਮਝ ਲੈ, (ਕਿ) ਸਾਰਾ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੁਖ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਬੱਝਾ ਹੋਇਆਹੈ। ਕੋਈ ਭੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਦਾ (ਤੋੜ ਨਿਭਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਸਾਥੀ) ਨਹੀਂ (ਬਣਦਾ) ।੧।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਮਿੱਤਰ! ਜਦੋਂ ਮਨੁੱਖ) ! ਸੁਖ ਵਿਚ (ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਦੋਂ) ਕਈ ਯਾਰ ਦੋਸਤ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ (ਉਸ ਪਾਸ) ਬੈਠਦੇ ਹਨ, ਤੇ, (ਉਸ ਨੂੰ) ਚੌਹੀਂ ਪਾਸੀਂਘੇਰੀ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ। (ਪਰ ਜਦੋਂ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ) ਮੁਸੀਬਤ ਪੈਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਸਾਰੇ ਹੀ ਸਾਥ ਛੱਡ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, (ਫਿਰ) ਕੋਈ ਭੀ (ਉਸ ਦੇ) ਨੇੜੇ ਨਹੀਂਢੁਕਦਾ।੧।ਹੇ ਮਿੱਤਰ! ਘਰ ਦੀ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ (ਭੀ) , ਜਿਸ ਨਾਲ ਬੜਾ ਪਿਆਰ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜੇਹੜੀ ਸਦਾ (ਖਸਮ ਦੇ) ਨਾਲ ਲੱਗੀ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਹੀਵੇਲੇ (ਪਤੀ ਦਾ) ਜੀਵਾਤਮਾ ਇਸ ਸਰੀਰ ਨੂੰ ਛੱਡ ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ, (ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਇਹ ਆਖ ਕੇ) ਪਰੇ ਹਟ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਮਰ ਚੁਕਾ ਹੈਮਰ ਚੁਕਾ ਹੈ।੨।ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਆਖ-ਹੇ ਮਿੱਤਰ! ਦੁਨੀਆ ਦਾ) ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਵਰਤਾਰਾ ਬਣਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਨਾਲ (ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੇ) ਪਿਆਰ ਪਾਇਆਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ। (ਪਰ, ਹੇ ਮਿੱਤਰ! ਅਖ਼ੀਰਲੇ ਸਮੇ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਹੋਰ ਕੋਈ ਭੀ (ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੀ) ਮਦਦ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰ ਸਕਦਾ।੩।੧੨।੧੩੯।SORATH, NINTH MEHL:O dear friend, know this in your mind. The world is entangled in its own pleasures; no one is for anyone else. || 1 || Pause || In good times, many come and sit together, surrounding you on all four sides. But when hard times come, they all leave, and no one comes near you. || 1 || Your wife, whom you love so much, and who has remained ever attached to you, runs away crying, Ghost Ghost, as soon as the swan-soul leaves this body. || 2 || This is the way they act - those whom we love so much. At the very last moment, O Nanak, no one is any use at all, except the Dear Lord. || 3 || 12 || 139 ||

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 20 It is easier to ask questions than to answer them, especially when one's motives are wrong. The Pharisees learn this lesson throughout this chapter. They ask about Christ's authority, but they cannot answer His question about the baptism of John. Jesus then tells a parable about workers in a man's vineyard. They beat his delegates, eventually kill his son, and they seek to take the vineyard for themselves. Judgment will be severe for such people. The Jewish leaders respond to this by asking Jesus questions about taxes and government, and then about marriage and the resurrection. On each occasion, He answers with integrity. He then asks them about David's son being Lord and they have no answer. Jesus warns people to beware of those who question but have no integrity.  There is no doubt that Jesus' teaching is powerful and demanding. Because of this, many in the world seek to diminish His authority and establish their own. A fundamental part of our faith is admitting that He has all authority to rule our lives. If He is relegated to a lesser role, our own desires will replace Him in the seat of our hearts. From there, many sinful things can happen. Jesus is faithful. He handles questions about Caesar, questions about the resurrection, and all questions with perfect wisdom. He knows infinitely more than we do. No question can stump the Maker of all things! If we doubt Him now, He will have difficult questions for us in the judgment.  Dear Lord, teach us how to have an all-in faith in Jesus. We have questions in this life. Help us to understand that our questions do not diminish His authority. Instead, they serve as more reason to trust in the One who knows all things. We have seen doubt turn to anger in the Pharisees and in people around us. How can we show them the peace that is found in surrender? Maybe that is seen in how we view the government. Or perhaps what we believe about resurrection. Give us opportunities to show the world we find our answers in Christ.   -       The Pharisees asked Jesus, “By what authority” He speaks and acts. How would you answer that question on your Savior's behalf? -       Jesus was righteous when questioned about taxes and government. Why is it important to be peaceful and wise when asked about such things? -       Questions about life after death can be very tough. Why is it important to defer to God and scripture and trust that He will work it out?

Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

God has the power to change everything—water into blood, water into wine, wine into His precious blood at every Mass. But the greatest transformation He desires is in you. The question is: Will you give Him permission?  

Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

Nehemiah 6Text: v. 9b

Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

Day 3: Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean. (Luke I:29) Let us pray:  With the help of our Mother of the Word Incarnate, grant us Your mercy and consolation to lighten the burden and give comfort and strength to all who are suffering now. Dear Lord, we ask Your Blessed Mother to teach us to be compassionate. Help Your children, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to conquer the menace of evil and sin in all its manifestations. Through the intercession of the Our Lady of the Annunciation, we ask You to help us welcome the Word into the world, that we may all experience a rebirth. Through Mary, Your reign has dawned, a reign of compassion and mercy, born from the depths of the Word made flesh.  The post A Novena for the Annunciation – Day 3 – Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Dear Lord, in our moments of fear and vulnerability, help us to feel Your tender guidance. As we face the challenges of illness, be our shepherd — lead us to peaceful streams of healing and grant us the strength to trust in Your loving care. Deacon Harold bring this and many options of prayers for the sick today as we also continue our look at Soulful Psalm 78

Read Online“Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish?” Matthew 7:9–10Clearly this is a rhetorical question by Jesus. No parent would hand their son or daughter a stone or a snake if they asked for food. But that of course is the point. Jesus goes on to say, “...how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.”When you pray with deep faith, will our Lord give you whatever you ask? Certainly not. Jesus did say, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” But this statement must be carefully read within the whole context of Jesus' teaching here. The fact of the matter is that when we sincerely ask in faith for “good things,” meaning that which our good God wants to bestow upon us, He will not disappoint. Of course, this does not mean that if we beg Jesus for anything whatsoever that He will give it to us. What are those “good things” that our Lord will most certainly give to us? First and foremost, it is the forgiveness of our sins. We can be absolutely certain that if we humble ourselves before our good God, especially within the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we will be granted the freely given and transforming gift of forgiveness.In addition to the forgiveness of our sins, there are many other things we need in life, and there are many other things that our good God wants to bestow upon us. For example, God will always want to give to us the strength we need to overcome temptations in life. He will always want to provide for our most basic needs. He will always want to help us grow in every virtue. And He most certainly wants to bring us to Heaven. It is these things that we must especially pray for every day.But what about other things, such as a new job, more money, a better house, acceptance into a certain school, a physical healing, etc.? Our prayers for these and other similar things in life should be prayed for but with a caveat. The “caveat” is that we pray that God's will be done. Not ours. We must humbly acknowledge that we do not see the big picture in life and do not always know what will give God the greatest glory in all things. Therefore, it may be better that you not get that new job, or be accepted at this school, or even that this illness not end in healing. But we can be certain that God always will bestow upon us that which is best for us and that which enables us to give God the greatest glory in life. The crucifixion of our Lord is a perfect example. He prayed that that cup be taken from Him, “but not my will but Yours be done.” And, of course, the Father saw the great eternal value in the death of His Son on the Cross and answered that prayer of His accordingly. Reflect, today, upon how you pray. Do you pray with detachment from the outcome, knowing that our Lord knows best? Do you humbly admit that only God knows what is truly good for you? Trust this to be the case and pray with complete confidence that God's will be done in all things and you can be certain that He will answer that prayer.Dear Lord of infinite wisdom and knowledge, help me to always place my trust in Your goodness and care for me. Help me to daily turn to You in my need and to trust that You will answer my prayer according to Your perfect will. I place my life into Your hands, dear Lord. Do with me as you wish. Jesus, I trust in You.Image by kalhh from PixabaySource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

Sarah prayed, “Dear Lord, if it is in your will please allow the door to be opened so we can go into her house and pray for her and her family.” Just as soon as those words had come out of Sarah's mouth, the little girl Sarah was praying about, and her mother walked by. It was God's perfect timing....

Trump is negotiating with Hamas? Democrats just can’t learn to be normal. Layoffs at ABC/Disney. Where are the protests? Trudeau is playing economic hardball....or something If the TSA wasn't bad enough, now we have scorpions. Dems and the MSM pushing the narrative that Musk is unpopular, and that it's going to hurt Trump. Dear Lord, let's get out of the UN! Indy potholes are UGLY! Are we going to build more cars here, or not? CIA Director says US halted intel sharing with Ukraine following aid pause. Move to censure Al Green... go further, throw him out of Congress. Levain Style Cookies for sale Federal buildings in Indiana for sale. GOP moving to change the insanity of mail in voting. Another masterpiece from Jasmine Crockett. Zepbound gets a price reduction. VA to cut 70,000 jobs. Markets getting ready for stagflation. PETA asks Trump to use potatoes at Easter Egg RollSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 7The Pharisees show up making accusations against Jesus' disciples for not properly washing their hands. Jesus quickly confronts them about enforcing their traditions on others, while at the same time, neglecting actual commandments! Jesus then explains to His disciples that these accusations are matters of the heart. If the intentions of the heart are selfish, prideful, and bitter, then it will show up in a merciless view and application of God's law. Following the educated Pharisee's sinfulness, we are introduced to a Gentile woman who pleads for Jesus' help to cure her demon-possessed daughter. She begs for His help, and He rewards her faith. Jesus also heals a deaf man. The leaders who know the law are condemned, and those who do not know it well, but have humble hearts, are blessed!  The contrast between the characters in this chapter is potent. It opens with the Jewish leaders accusing, being unkind, and enforcing their own rules. They neglected important laws of mercy, like caring for their parents. In comparison, the Gentile woman is utterly humble before the Lord so that she can save her daughter! She is entirely motivated by love and unrelenting in her pursuit of Jesus. We must be constantly checking our hearts, especially as we grow in knowledge. We will never be any more worthy than the Gentile woman or the deaf man. We must approach Jesus for help and be willing to carry His spirit of compassion to everyone around us, including our parents. Dear Lord, we call upon You to examine our hearts. Your Son teaches that the intentions of the heart represent the true nature of a person. Cleanse us of all pride, evil thoughts, deceit, and ungodly anger. Help us understand how to know Your law and teach it, but with a spirit of kindness, patience, and love. May we never be as foolish and misguided as the Pharisees. Instead, teach us to be like the Gentile woman and the deaf man, who humbly pursued Jesus. We call upon Him for blessings in our lives and for those we love.      Thought Questions: -       Knowledge can lead to pride. How are you careful not to bind your interpretations of scriptures on others unlawfully as the Pharisees did? -       How do you check your heart? Jesus says that is the key to everything. What is the process of making sure your heart is pure and undefiled? -       A man prayed for his ears to be cleared and His tongue mended. In a spiritual sense, how can you pray for similar things today?

(2 Timothy 3:13-17) In an age of deception God's people must know what they believe - and why! We must be ready to share with others, not what we think, but what God thinks. It is time to know and make known what the Bible says. (0938250211/13) ----more---- The Purpose and Profit of the Bible Everywhere I go, it seems that the favorite verse of people today seems to be 2 Timothy 3 and verse number 13, where the Bible says, "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." I hear everybody quoting that verse and talking about how bad things have gotten and the pitiful condition of churches and communities and culture, and there's no doubt that's true. But I want to remind you that verse does not stand alone. That text has a context. As a matter of fact, immediately after the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, those words, "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived," he says in the very next verse, 2 Timothy 3:14, "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them." In other words, yes, there are negatives all around us, but on the positive side, we're supposed to continue in the truth. Yes, this is an age of deception, all the more reason for us to take a strong stand on the truth. Yes, there is a spirit of Antichrist at work in our world that's trying to deceive people. But friends, just because the spirit of the deceiver is at work does not mean that the Holy Spirit has stopped his work. Oh, the spirit of truth is alive and well. He's at work in me today. He's at work in you today. He's at work through the Word today. And that's why God's people need to know what the Bible says. Listen to the verse again, 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 14, "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned. And has been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them. " Learning the Bible The three great principles, the three great truths in that verse. Number one, you have to learn the word. He said, if you're going to live it, if you're going to teach it and preach it to others, you have to learn it. So we must learn what God says. Assurance of the Bible Then, you must develop some assurance about what you're learning. He not only says you've learned it, he said you've been assured of these things. You must develop some deep personal conviction that the Word of God truly is that, the Word of God. It is the revelation of God Himself. It is the truth. And I trust and pray that you're developing a deeper and deeper conviction and confidence in the Word of God. This is the very Word of Truth. And you can trust a God who never lies. As a matter of fact, he says at the end of the verse, "Knowing of whom thou hast learned them." What's that a reference to? He goes on in verse 15 to say, "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." He's saying that faith that was laid for you in childhood. That simple truth that you were willing to accept in your youth, don't ever get away from that. No matter how complicated the world may get, no matter how complex the problems may be, always go back again and again to the simplicity that is in Jesus Christ. Only Christ, only the Word of Truth can cut through the mess and the mayhem of our world and of our lives. Only the Lord can do that. So never forget. Where you learned it and who you learned it from. Timothy had a godly mother and a holy grandmother. Do you remember Lois and Eunice? Never forget those people who gave you this heritage. Never forget the people who taught you the truth. Perhaps there's some hint here as well of Paul reminding Timothy of what he personally had taught him in his youth. You remember how Timothy joined Paul when he was just a very young man. Paul is saying, don't ever forget the things that you were taught early on in your life. Don't ever get moved off the foundation of your faith. So number one, you must learn what the Bible says. Then you must be assured of what the Bible says. Continue in the Bible And then, you must continue in what the Bible says, but continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and has been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. Look, we're living in a world of quitters. Even when it comes to faith, even when it comes to ministry, even when it comes to, to so called Christians, we're living in a world of people that just are giving up on the Lord, giving up on the truth, giving up on the church. Don't be one of those people. You be one of those people that continue. I want to cross the finish line of glory. Not coasting in heaven, but with a pedal to the metal. I want to finish strong. I want to finish well. Is that what you want for your life? And you're going to have to make up your mind today that you're going to continue in what the Bible says. The Sufficiency of Scripture At the end of this very same chapter, he goes on to say these words, 2 Timothy 3 verse 16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." In other words, we believe in the sufficiency of Scripture. It is enough. God has not told you everything He knows, but He's told you everything you need to know. We have all things that pertain to life and godliness. In the Word of God, God gives you all the truth you need to live a victorious life. The Bible says here that Scripture makes us wise unto salvation. That's where you have to begin, by knowing the Lord as your personal Savior. You can't understand the Word of God if you don't know the God of the Word. So if you're not a believer, let's start here with the most basic thing, God loves you. Jesus Christ died for your sins. He was buried and rose from the dead. He wants to come live in your life and He wants you to live with Him eternally. He wants to give you today everlasting life. Would you put your faith in the Lord Jesus right now? Would you look to him in simple childlike faith and call on him and say, Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner. At first, you must be saved. But then, we don't end there. That's just the beginning. (Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel to learn more.) The Purpose of the Bible after Salvation The Bible says once the scripture makes us wise in a salvation, then it goes on to profit us in these ways: doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction. Now, notice the divine order here. Doctrine is the foundation. It's what we believe. That's what the word doctrine means. Our beliefs. So you've got to start with what you believe. Honestly, what you believe is going to affect how you behave. We might say it this way, your doctrine affects your deportment. Your life grows out of what you truly believe in your heart. So he begins with doctrine. Then he says, for reproof, That's to show us where we're wrong. Then he says for correction, that's to show us how to get right. Then he says for instruction in righteousness, that's telling us how to stay right. But notice, before he deals with the practicality of our individual life, before he deals with us personally. And the way we live every day, he begins with doctrine. That's why we're beginning this brand new series on what the Bible says. Why? Because only by learning what the Bible says can we learn truly what God wants. When you come to study the Bible, you shouldn't come to, to learn things. Some people study the Bible almost like they're getting ready for Bible trivia, and that's very dangerous because you can know things without knowing God. In fact, the Apostle Paul said, knowledge puffeth up. You can get full of knowledge and just be full of yourself instead of full of God. A Personal Prayer for Understanding the Bible When we approach the Scriptures, we must come to the Word of God saying, Lord, reveal yourself to me. Lord, I want to know you. And if you'll come with that spirit, that hunger, that thirst, that heart, then God will begin to reveal his truth to you. And you must begin by knowing what the Bible says with doctrine. It's really not so much about formula as it is about desire. Do you hunger and thirst after righteousness? Jesus says you'll be filled. David said, As the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Moses said, Show me now thy way that I may know thee. I want to challenge you today to begin this study of what the Bible says with a simple prayer. A personal prayer from your heart. Dear Lord, show me yourself. Dear Lord, help me know God better. Help me to know the God of truth so that I'll have the foundation to become the person that God saved me to be. This is the only way to truly understand what the Bible says. Repeating what other people have said about the Bible is not enough. We must know the biblical reason behind what we believe.  Outro We hope you will visit us at etj.bible to access our library of Bible teaching resources, including book by book studies of Scripture. You'll also find studies to watch, listen to, or read. We are so grateful for those who pray for us, who share the Biblical content, and for those who invest to help us advance this ministry worldwide. Again, thank you for listening, and we hope you'll join us next time on Enjoying the Journey.

(Deuteronomy 32:2) Doctrine is not for professional theologians and academic minds. It is simply our beliefs and teachings, taken directly from the Word of God. Study the Scriptures and settle what you believe from the Bible. (0939250212) ----more----  God's Doctrine and Our Opinions Libraries and bookstores are absolutely filled with men's opinions. Radio, television, talk news, all of it, totally filled with everybody's ideas about what they think is right. But I wonder How often we stop to say, what does God think? Did you know that God's thoughts are revealed in His Word? And if you want to know what God thinks about something, then ask yourself this question, what does the Bible say? The Importance of Doctrine We're beginning this series of what the Bible says. And I've started here by just laying a little foundation about the importance of what we call doctrine. That's a word that some people stay away from today. Let me just tell you, doctrine is not a dirty word. Not at all. In fact, it's God's word. Biblical References to Doctrine Did you know that the word doctrine is found 51 times in 50 verses of your Bible? Let me show you a couple of them today. You may want to get a good concordance and look them all up for yourself and walk through them and meditate on them. I've done that. And it's a rich, refreshing way to study that Bible word. But let me show you the first one. The first one is Deuteronomy chapter 32 and verse number 2. Now remember, the first time a word is used in the Word of God, it has great significance. It's the law of first mention. Because the first time it's given, it really gives a pattern to follow. It gives an opening truth, if you will, that the Lord will consistently go back to. Doctrine as Refreshing Rain In Deuteronomy 32, we read these words, "My doctrine shall drop as the rain. My speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass." There are two or three things that really strike me even as I read that verse. One is, that God connects doctrine to rain. We think of doctrine as being some really heavy thing. But I want to say to you, really, God says, my doctrine is refreshing. My doctrine is a blessing to you. It drops down as the rain, it distills as the dew. Think of the gentleness of dew and then not only what it is as it comes down, but what it produces, it brings about the tender herb. It brings showers upon the grass. I believe that every good thing that grows in our life grows out of the truth. And until we understand the importance of doctrine, we will never become the people that God wants us to be. Now that's Deuteronomy 32 too. Let me read the verse before it and the verse after it. Verse 1 of Deuteronomy 32 says, "Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak. And hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, My speech shall distill as the dew, As the small rain upon the tender herb, And as the showers upon the grass, Because I will publish the name of the Lord. Ascribe ye greatness unto our God."  Doctrine and Worship The very first time the word doctrine is used in scripture, it is connected to worship. We don't study to know. We study to worship. We don't study to simply have facts. We study to know the God of truth. We come to Bible doctrine and we say, Dear Lord, we want to know you better. We want to know what you have to say to us. Oh God, speak to us and show us yourself. That's the great message of Deuteronomy chapter 32, and that's the great purpose of doctrine.  False Teachings and Doctrines The last mention of the word doctrine is found in Revelation 2, in the church age, in the letters to the seven churches, and it says in Revelation 2 24, But I say unto you and unto the rest in Thyatira, As many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak, I will put upon you none other burden. So here we have the exact opposite. Here we have. A reference to false teaching. There's always going to be truth and error. There's always going to be this battle this warfare between the God of truth and the old liar, the deceiver, the serpent, the devil. Always. That's what we're watching in our world today. That's what's going on on school campuses. That's what's going on in the news. That's what's going on In government, there's always this conflict and struggle between what is true and what is not. And in the end, we must go back to this, what does the Bible say? I said to you that the word doctrine is found 51 times in Scripture, but the plural word, doctrines, is used 5 times. And did you know that the 5 times it's used in the New Testament, it is always in the negative. It's never a reference to truth. It's always a reference to error. Now, that's very significant. For example, Matthew 15:9 Jesus says, "In vain they do worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Or how about Hebrews 13:9, "Be not carried away with divers and strange doctrines, for it's a good thing that the heart be established with grace, not with meats which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." God reserves the plural for men's ideas But he reserves the singular for his own truth. Why is that? Because men have lots of disconnected ideas. They teach lots of varied things and call them truth. But God has one body of truth and it's all connected. And it's all important. I have the Bible in my hand right now. The Word of God. Friend, I need it all. I don't need part of it. I need every bit of it. I don't want to fall short of Scripture. And I don't want to go beyond Scripture. I just want to know what the Bible is.  The Myths About Doctrine Now there are basically two great myths when it comes to doctrine. I've heard both of them and so have you. Number one, some people say we stay away from doctrine because doctrine is divisive. As a matter of fact, I hear even some churches advertise, Come to our church. We don't talk about doctrine. We talk about real life things. I think, excuse me, that's a very ignorant thing to say. Because the word doctrine literally means our beliefs and teachings. So what those people are saying is, Come to our church. We don't believe or teach anything. Why would you go to a church that doesn't believe or teach anything? No, doctrine is real life. It's truth that is to be applied to the way we live every day. Doctrine is not divisive. It simply divides truth from error. It does divide. Oh yes, it divides believers from unbelievers. It divides the obedient from the disobedient. It divides the humble from the proud. It does divide, but it is not divisive. In other words, The truth is not what stirs up the problem. What stirs up problems are the responses of people to the truth. It's not loving to say everything goes. Anything and everything can be truth. Love always has to measure up to the truth. The God of love is a God of truth. So the first great myth is that doctrine is divisive. I say to you that doctrine comes from a God of unity and our hearts are only made one. And our minds are only singularly fixed on what is right when we come in line with what the Bible says. The second myth is this. Doctrine is dry. I hear that from time to time. People say, people can't handle all this doctrinal teaching. I even hear people brag sometimes. I'm no theologian. You should be. Theology is the study of God. You should be a real student of God. Doctrine is not dry. The speaker may be dry, I've been dry, and you've been dry, but the Word of God is perennially fresh. And as we study the Word of God, we should do it with enthusiasm. And when we share it with others, we should do it with a spirit of We're at excitement that we have the truth of God and we have the joy and privilege of sharing it with other people. A Call to Study Doctrine All men have some truth, the truth of creation and of conscience, but all of them don't receive it alike. And see, it's how you respond to the truth that's important. We're not searching for the truth, we're searching in it. We've come to find out what the Bible says. So we can bring our lives in line with it, and we can pass it along to someone else. Outro Repeating what other people have said about the Bible is not enough. We must know the biblical reason behind what we believe. We hope you will visit us at etj.bible to access our library of Bible teaching resources, including book by book studies of Scripture. You'll also find studies to watch, listen to, or read. We are so grateful for those who pray for us, who share the biblical content, and for those who invest to help us advance this ministry worldwide. Again, thank you for listening, and we hope you'll join us next time on Enjoying the Journey.

Episodes 776-780 of Passions with Dr. Eric Vera (@Mrericvera)Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/passionspodcast
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PassionspodcastRecap via soapcentral.com - July 29 to August 2, 2002 - Simone suspected that Kay is somehow involved in Charity's situation. Eve attempted to resuscitate Charity after her heart stopped beating. Eve feared that Charity would have irreversible brain damage. Tabitha watched as Timmy began a battle to save his life. Tabitha was heartbroken when Eve informed her that Timmy's chances of survival were slim. Kay started to realize the impact of her actions. Ivy and Rebecca feared that they were ever closer to being found out.

(2 Timothy 3:13-17) In an age of deception God's people must know what they believe - and why! We must be ready to share with others, not what we think, but what God thinks. It is time to know and make known what the Bible says. (0938250211) ----more----   The Purpose and Profit of the Bible Everywhere I go, it seems that the favorite verse of people today seems to be 2 Timothy 3 and verse number 13, where the Bible says, "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." I hear everybody quoting that verse and talking about how bad things have gotten and the pitiful condition of churches and communities and culture, and there's no doubt that's true. But I want to remind you that verse does not stand alone. That text has a context. As a matter of fact, immediately after the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, those words, "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived," he says in the very next verse, 2 Timothy 3:14, "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them." In other words, yes, there are negatives all around us, but on the positive side, we're supposed to continue in the truth. Yes, this is an age of deception, all the more reason for us to take a strong stand on the truth. Yes, there is a spirit of Antichrist at work in our world that's trying to deceive people. But friends, just because the spirit of the deceiver is at work does not mean that the Holy Spirit has stopped his work. Oh, the spirit of truth is alive and well. He's at work in me today. He's at work in you today. He's at work through the Word today. And that's why God's people need to know what the Bible says. Listen to the verse again, 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 14, "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned. And has been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them. " Learning the Bible The three great principles, the three great truths in that verse. Number one, you have to learn the word. He said, if you're going to live it, if you're going to teach it and preach it to others, you have to learn it. So we must learn what God says. Assurance of the Bible Then, you must develop some assurance about what you're learning. He not only says you've learned it, he said you've been assured of these things. You must develop some deep personal conviction that the Word of God truly is that, the Word of God. It is the revelation of God Himself. It is the truth. And I trust and pray that you're developing a deeper and deeper conviction and confidence in the Word of God. This is the very Word of Truth. And you can trust a God who never lies. As a matter of fact, he says at the end of the verse, "Knowing of whom thou hast learned them." What's that a reference to? He goes on in verse 15 to say, "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." He's saying that faith that was laid for you in childhood. That simple truth that you were willing to accept in your youth, don't ever get away from that. No matter how complicated the world may get, no matter how complex the problems may be, always go back again and again to the simplicity that is in Jesus Christ. Only Christ, only the Word of Truth can cut through the mess and the mayhem of our world and of our lives. Only the Lord can do that. So never forget. Where you learned it and who you learned it from. Timothy had a godly mother and a holy grandmother. Do you remember Lois and Eunice? Never forget those people who gave you this heritage. Never forget the people who taught you the truth. Perhaps there's some hint here as well of Paul reminding Timothy of what he personally had taught him in his youth. You remember how Timothy joined Paul when he was just a very young man. Paul is saying, don't ever forget the things that you were taught early on in your life. Don't ever get moved off the foundation of your faith. So number one, you must learn what the Bible says. Then you must be assured of what the Bible says. Continue in the Bible And then, you must continue in what the Bible says, but continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and has been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. Look, we're living in a world of quitters. Even when it comes to faith, even when it comes to ministry, even when it comes to, to so called Christians, we're living in a world of people that just are giving up on the Lord, giving up on the truth, giving up on the church. Don't be one of those people. You be one of those people that continue. I want to cross the finish line of glory. Not coasting in heaven, but with a pedal to the metal. I want to finish strong. I want to finish well. Is that what you want for your life? And you're going to have to make up your mind today that you're going to continue in what the Bible says. The Sufficiency of Scripture At the end of this very same chapter, he goes on to say these words, 2 Timothy 3 verse 16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." In other words, we believe in the sufficiency of Scripture. It is enough. God has not told you everything He knows, but He's told you everything you need to know. We have all things that pertain to life and godliness. In the Word of God, God gives you all the truth you need to live a victorious life. The Bible says here that Scripture makes us wise unto salvation. That's where you have to begin, by knowing the Lord as your personal Savior. You can't understand the Word of God if you don't know the God of the Word. So if you're not a believer, let's start here with the most basic thing, God loves you. Jesus Christ died for your sins. He was buried and rose from the dead. He wants to come live in your life and He wants you to live with Him eternally. He wants to give you today everlasting life. Would you put your faith in the Lord Jesus right now? Would you look to him in simple childlike faith and call on him and say, Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner. At first, you must be saved. But then, we don't end there. That's just the beginning. (Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel to learn more.) The Purpose of the Bible after Salvation The Bible says once the scripture makes us wise in a salvation, then it goes on to profit us in these ways: doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction. Now, notice the divine order here. Doctrine is the foundation. It's what we believe. That's what the word doctrine means. Our beliefs. So you've got to start with what you believe. Honestly, what you believe is going to affect how you behave. We might say it this way, your doctrine affects your deportment. Your life grows out of what you truly believe in your heart. So he begins with doctrine. Then he says, for reproof, That's to show us where we're wrong. Then he says for correction, that's to show us how to get right. Then he says for instruction in righteousness, that's telling us how to stay right. But notice, before he deals with the practicality of our individual life, before he deals with us personally. And the way we live every day, he begins with doctrine. That's why we're beginning this brand new series on what the Bible says. Why? Because only by learning what the Bible says can we learn truly what God wants. When you come to study the Bible, you shouldn't come to, to learn things. Some people study the Bible almost like they're getting ready for Bible trivia, and that's very dangerous because you can know things without knowing God. In fact, the Apostle Paul said, knowledge puffeth up. You can get full of knowledge and just be full of yourself instead of full of God. A Personal Prayer for Understanding the Bible When we approach the Scriptures, we must come to the Word of God saying, Lord, reveal yourself to me. Lord, I want to know you. And if you'll come with that spirit, that hunger, that thirst, that heart, then God will begin to reveal his truth to you. And you must begin by knowing what the Bible says with doctrine. It's really not so much about formula as it is about desire. Do you hunger and thirst after righteousness? Jesus says you'll be filled. David said, As the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Moses said, Show me now thy way that I may know thee. I want to challenge you today to begin this study of what the Bible says with a simple prayer. A personal prayer from your heart. Dear Lord, show me yourself. Dear Lord, help me know God better. Help me to know the God of truth so that I'll have the foundation to become the person that God saved me to be. This is the only way to truly understand what the Bible says. Repeating what other people have said about the Bible is not enough. We must know the biblical reason behind what we believe.  Outro We hope you will visit us at etj.bible to access our library of Bible teaching resources, including book by book studies of Scripture. You'll also find studies to watch, listen to, or read. We are so grateful for those who pray for us, who share the Biblical content, and for those who invest to help us advance this ministry worldwide. Again, thank you for listening, and we hope you'll join us next time on Enjoying the Journey.

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 25Jesus tells three stories to drive home one crucial point: “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” Whether addressing Jerusalem's destruction or the final day, this message is needful. Whenever Christ comes in judgment, we must be prepared. The first story is about ten virgins waiting to enter a wedding feast. The groom delays and the five who brought extra oil stay ready and enter in, while the five foolish virgins run out. The second parable describes three men given talents and time to develop them. The first two immediately gain more. The third man does nothing and is unprepared when the master returns. Lastly, Jesus describes the judgment day scene. Those who serve others are saved. And those who do not are lost.   The kingdom of heaven includes a unique kind of people. While many would take enough oil to get into an important event, disciples over-prepare to make sure they can wait patiently for the Master. The world may have talents and do just enough to keep from losing them. But kingdom citizens want to use the time they have to cultivate the Father's gifts and return to Him as much profit as possible. The world may serve those who serve them and most look out for themselves. But those preparing for Christ's return will fill their lives with serving fellow believers and all people in any way they can! Jesus is showing us who He will save. We must listen carefully.  Dear Lord, we are not worthy to be saved in the judgment. We are entirely dependent upon Your grace to be saved on the last day. But Father, we know You have called us to make a great effort to glorify You every day. Help us to get prepared and strive to stay ready. May we be driven to grow in our gifts and use the time we have to do more for You. And Father, make us servants of others. Help us remember that eternity will be decided by how we help those around us in need.  Thought Questions:  -       Spiritually speaking, what does it mean to have your lamp burning and extra oil with you? How do you stay that prepared to see Jesus? -       What is a talent God has given you, and how are you presently developing it? What can you do immediately to help it grow for God? -       If eternity is determined by how you help fellow disciples in their time of need, how much time and effort should you devote to them?