Podcasts about Devo

“She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” (Luke 2:7 NLT) Imagine for a moment that it’s your birthday and your friends and family have decided to throw you a party. It isn’t just any party. It’s a mega party. Everyone that you know is there. There are gifts galore and the largest cake you’ve ever seen. Your name is strung in lights outside the house. Pictures of you are on display. Songs with your name in them are playing in the background. But there’s just one small problem with your birthday party. Someone forgot to invite you. At first, you think it’s an oversight. You’re sure that your friends and loved ones want you to be there. But when you arrive at the party, the music is so loud and everyone is so preoccupied that no one opens the door, even though you’re pounding on it. Then you notice that some of the celebrants are looking in your direction. They discreetly whisper to others, who also look in your direction. But they go back to their celebration without stopping to let you in. What you don’t realize is that they’ve decided just to ignore you, hoping that you’ll eventually get tired of knocking and go away. They want to celebrate your birthday without making you the center of attention. They have their own thoughts about how to commemorate your big day, and they don’t want to make things awkward by trying to fit in the things you prefer. I think Christmas has become like this for many people today. They string their lights. They decorate their trees. They listen to Christmas carols. They run around buying things for everyone they know. But they forget to make room in their schedules for Jesus. You could argue that Jesus was an outcast from birth. Luke 2:7 says of Mary, “She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them” (NLT). The innkeeper decided who would enjoy the relative comfort and security of his lodging. Jesus and His parents did not get the invitation. Jesus had a heart for outcasts because He, too, was an outcast. Luke 15:1–2 says, “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!” (NLT). Jesus welcomed people whom others shunned. He made room for everyone in His ministry. This Christmas, will you make room for Him? Unfortunately, even Christians can become so busy that we forget about Jesus. Let’s not make that mistake this year. Is there room in your Christmas celebration for Christ? Reflection question: How can you put Christ at the center of your Christmas celebration? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!’” (Luke 1:26–28 NLT) It’s difficult for us to understand, two thousand years after the events of Luke 1, the significance of the angel Gabriel’s appearance to Mary in Nazareth. After all, the Lord could have found the future mother of the Messiah in Rome, the capital of the greatest power on earth at the time. He could have found her in Athens, the cultural center of the world. He could have found her in Jerusalem, the spiritual center of the world. But God chose Nazareth, an obscure city that was notorious for its sin. Years later, when Jesus’ future disciple Nathaniel heard that Jesus was from there, he said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46 NLT). If Nathaniel had been present during the events recorded in Judges 6, he might have asked, “Can anything good come from the least important member of the least important clan of the tribe of Manasseh?” And he would have been stunned at what God accomplished through Gideon. If Nathaniel had been present when Samuel was anointing the king of Israel, he might have asked, “Can anything good come from the eighth son of Jesse, a shepherd who writes and sings psalms?” And he would have been stunned by what God accomplished through David. If it seems to us that God chooses unlikely people—or people from unlikely places—to accomplish His work on earth, it’s only because we have such a limited perspective on people’s potential. In 1 Samuel 16:7, God said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (NIV). God obviously saw something extraordinary in Mary’s heart. What’s amazing about Mary is that she lived a godly life in a godless place—and that she did so as a very young teenager. Many Bible scholars believe she may have been as young as twelve, but not much older than fourteen, when God chose her. Here she was, a nobody living in a nothing town in the middle of nowhere—precisely the kind of person that God goes out of His way to call. He chose an unknown girl in a relatively unknown city to bring about the most well-known event in human history, an event so significant that we divide human time by it. Maybe you’re trying to live out your faith in a godless place today, maybe at work or school or among unbelieving family members. You’re wondering if it can be done. It can. Mary stands as an example for us, proving that it is possible to live a godly life in an ungodly world. Reflection question: What challenges do you face in trying to live a godly life in an ungodly world? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ti è mai capitato di chiederti perché diciamo "imbiancare" e non semplicemente "biancare"? O perché esiste il verbo "allargare" ma non "largare"?I verbi parasintetici sono un argomento che probabilmente non hai mai studiato a scuola, ma che usi tutti i giorni senza saperlo. Imparerai come si formano, come riconoscerli e, soprattutto, perché sono così importanti per arricchire il tuo italiano e parlare in modo più naturale e preciso. I VERBI PARASINTETICI: abbellire, irrobustire, arrossire... Che Cos'è un Verbo Parasintetico? I verbi parasintetici sono verbi che si formano aggiungendo contemporaneamente un prefisso all'inizio e un suffisso alla fine di una parola base, che può essere un nome o un aggettivo. La parola chiave è proprio "contemporaneamente": significa che né la parola con solo il prefisso, né la parola con solo il suffisso esistono in italiano. Entrambi gli elementi devono essere aggiunti insieme perché il verbo abbia senso. Facciamo un esempio pratico con il verbo "imbiancare": Partiamo dall'aggettivo "bianco" Aggiungiamo il prefisso "in-" (che diventa "im-" davanti a B) + il suffisso "-are" Otteniamo: imbiancare Ma attenzione! In italiano non esistono né "biancare" (solo suffisso) né "imbianco" come verbo (solo prefisso). Devono esserci entrambi! Ecco perché si chiama "parasintetico" – dal greco "para" (accanto) e "synthesis" (composizione): gli elementi si aggiungono insieme, accanto! Come Si Formano i Verbi Parasintetici? Pensa ai verbi parasintetici come a un panino completo: hai bisogno del pane sopra, del pane sotto e del ripieno in mezzo. Senza uno di questi elementi, non hai un panino completo! La formula è questa: PREFISSO + PAROLA BASE (nome o aggettivo) + SUFFISSO VERBALE (-are, -ire, -ificare) I Prefissi Più Comuni I prefissi più utilizzati nella formazione dei verbi parasintetici sono: a-: avvicinare, arrossare, abbellire in-/im-/il-/ir-: imbiancare, indebolire, illuminare, irrobustire (questo prefisso cambia forma come un camaleonte davanti a diverse lettere, ma rimane sempre lo stesso!) s-: spaventare, svenare, sbiancare dis-: disgelare ri-: riempire (anche se alcuni linguisti discutono ancora se sia davvero parasintetico) I Suffissi Più Frequenti I suffissi verbali che completano la formazione dei verbi parasintetici sono: -are: imbiancare, allargare, accorciare (il classico della prima coniugazione) -ire: arrossire, indebolire, impazzire (per chi preferisce la terza coniugazione) -ificare: identificare (il suffisso più elaborato della famiglia) Tipi di Verbi Parasintetici con Esempi Pratici I verbi parasintetici si possono classificare in diverse categorie in base al tipo di cambiamento o azione che indicano. Vediamoli in dettaglio con numerosi esempi! Verbi che Indicano un Cambiamento di Colore Questi verbi descrivono tutte le trasformazioni cromatiche possibili e immaginabili. Sono particolarmente utili per descrivere fenomeni naturali e cambiamenti fisici: Imbiancare (in- + bianco + -are) = diventare bianco o rendere qualcosa bianco "I miei capelli stanno iniziando a imbiancare." "Domani devo imbiancare le pareti della cucina." Arrossare/Arrossire (a- + rosso + -are/-ire) = diventare rosso "Maria arrossisce sempre quando le faccio un complimento!" Ingiallire (in- + giallo + -ire) = diventare giallo "Le pagine di questo vecchio libro sono ingiallite con il tempo." Annerire (a-/in- + nero + -ire) = diventare nero "Il fumo ha annerito il soffitto della cucina." Inverdire (in- + verde + -ire) = diventare verde "In primavera i prati inverdiscono rapidamente." Verbi che Indicano un Cambiamento di Dimensione Questi verbi sono utilissimi quando qualcosa è troppo grande, troppo piccolo, troppo lungo o troppo corto. Permettono di esprimere con precisione le modifiche dimensionali: Allargare (a- + largo + -are) = rendere più largo "Devo allargare questi pantaloni, sono troppo stretti!" Accorciare (a- + corto + -are) = rendere più corto "Il sarto ha accorciato la gonna di due centimetri." Allungare (a- + lungo + -are) = rendere più lungo "Puoi allungare il brodo con un po' d'acqua?" Rimpicciolire (ri- + piccolo + -ire) = rendere più piccolo "Questa giacca si è rimpicciolita in lavatrice!" Ingrandire (in- + grande + -ire) = rendere più grande "Potresti ingrandire questa foto? Non si vede bene." Verbi che Indicano un Cambiamento di Qualità o Stato Questa categoria comprende verbi per le trasformazioni più significative che riguardano caratteristiche fisiche, mentali o economiche: Indebolire (in- + debole + -ire) = rendere debole "L'influenza mi ha indebolito molto." Irrobustire (ir- + robusto + -ire) = rendere robusto "L'allenamento in palestra mi ha irrobustito." Abbellire (a- + bello + -ire) = rendere bello "Hanno abbellito la piazza con nuove fontane." Impazzire (in- + pazzo + -ire) = diventare pazzo "Sto impazzendo con tutti questi compiti da fare!" "I tifosi sono impazziti quando la squadra ha segnato!" Arricchire (a- + ricco + -ire) = rendere ricco "Leggere libri arricchisce la mente." "Si è arricchito vendendo immobili." Impoverire (in- + povero + -ire) = rendere povero "La crisi economica ha impoverito molte famiglie." Verbi che Indicano Movimenti o Azioni Specifiche Questi verbi descrivono azioni dinamiche che implicano spostamenti nello spazio o cambiamenti di posizione: Avvicinare (a- + vicino + -are) = rendere vicino, portare vicino "Avvicina la sedia al tavolo, per favore." Allontanare (a- + lontano + -are) = rendere lontano, portare lontano "Il cane ha allontanato il gatto dal giardino." Atterrare (a- + terra + -are) = toccare terra "L'aereo atterrerà tra dieci minuti." Affondare (a- + fondo + -are) = andare a fondo "Il Titanic affondò nell'Oceano Atlantico." Sbarcare (s- + barca + -are) = scendere dalla barca "I turisti sono sbarcati sul molo." Verbi che Indicano Emozioni o Stati Psicologici Questa categoria comprende verbi che esprimono stati emotivi intensi e le loro manifestazioni: Spaventare (s- + pavento [paura] + -are) = causare paura "Non spaventare il bambino con quelle storie!" Rattristare (r- + triste + -are) = rendere triste "Questa notizia mi ha rattristato molto." Inferocire (in- + feroce + -ire) = rendere feroce, arrabbiare molto "Il suo comportamento mi ha inferocito!" Come Riconoscere un Verbo Parasintetico Ecco il metodo infallibile per identificare un verbo parasintetico: togli mentalmente il prefisso o il suffisso dal verbo. Se la parola che rimane non esiste come verbo in italiano, hai trovato un verbo parasintetico! È come un gioco di detective linguistico. Esempio pratico: Imbiancare → Tolgo il prefisso e il suffisso → "biancare"Esiste "biancare"? NO! → È PARASINTETICO! Rileggere → Tolgo il prefisso → "leggere"Esiste "leggere"? SÌ! → NON è parasintetico Vedi? È semplicissimo! Basta applicare questa regola pratica e saprai sempre distinguere i verbi parasintetici dagli altri verbi. Curiosità Linguistiche sui Verbi Parasintetici La Forma Riflessiva Molti verbi parasintetici hanno anche una forma riflessiva. Ad esempio, "arrossare" diventa "arrossarsi", "avvicinare" diventa "avvicinarsi". La differenza è significativa: Forma transitiva: "Ho arrossato le guance del bambino" (io ho fatto diventare rosse le sue guance – quindi io → lui) Forma riflessiva: "Mi sono arrossato per l'imbarazzo" (io stesso sono diventato rosso – quindi io → io) Verbi Parasintetici Nascosti nel Linguaggio Quotidiano Alcuni verbi parasintetici sono così comuni che non ci rendiamo nemmeno conto che lo sono! Pensa a "atterrare" – lo senti ogni volta che prendi l'aereo negli annunci: "Signore e signori, stiamo per atterrare..." Eppure nessuno si è mai fermato a pensare: "Ma come mai non diciamo 'terrare'?" Perché non esiste! È un verbo parasintetico sotto copertura! Variazioni Dialettali In alcuni dialetti italiani esistono verbi parasintetici che non esistono nell'italiano standard. È come se ogni regione avesse i suoi superpoteri linguistici segreti! Questa ricchezza linguistica dimostra la creatività e la vitalità della lingua italiana in tutte le sue varianti regionali. Il Doppio Significato di "Imbiancare" Il verbo "imbiancare" è particolarmente interessante perché ha un doppio significato: Dipingere le pareti di bianco: "Domani devo imbiancare il salone." Diventare bianco (riferito ai capelli): "I miei capelli stanno iniziando a imbiancare." Questo dimostra la versatilità e la ricchezza semantica dei verbi parasintetici! Errori Comuni da Evitare Anche gli studenti avanzati commettono alcuni errori tipici quando usano i verbi parasintetici. Ecco i più comuni e come evitarli: Errore 1: Confondere Verbi Parasintetici con Verbi Prefissati Normali Questo è l'errore più frequente: Sbagliato: Pensare che "rivedere" sia parasintetico Corretto: "Rivedere" NON è parasintetico perché "vedere" esiste già come verbo! È solo un verbo con un prefisso aggiunto. È come pensare che una pizza con ingredienti extra sia un piatto completamente nuovo. No! È sempre una pizza, solo più riempita! Errore 2: Dimenticare che Servono ENTRAMBI gli Elementi Gli studenti spesso cercano di semplificare, ma l'italiano richiede sia il prefisso che il suffisso: Sbagliato: "Io bianco le pareti" Corretto: "Io imbianco le pareti" Ricorda il panino? Non puoi mangiare solo il pane o solo il ripieno! Dovete avere tutto insieme! Errore 3: Usare il Prefisso Sbagliato La creatività è bella, ma con i verbi dobbiamo essere precisi: Sbagliato: "Disbiancare" (quando si intende diventare bianco) Corretto: "Imbiancare"

Is there something you're waiting anxiously for? The Bible tells us that God's people had to wait a very long time for a big promise to be kept. U-Nite TV Uniting kids with the God's Word in a fun, engaging way to help kids understand and apply biblical truths to their lives. Stream animated adventures, music videos, missionary stories, and more! Available on Android, iOS, Android TV, and Apple TV. https://www.cefonline.com/unitetv/ Copyright © 2025 Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

“But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” (Galatians 4:4–5 NLT) When we think of Christmas, we think of the arrival of Jesus: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NLT). In reality, it was also a departure. For us, a Child was born. But for God the Father, a Son was given. Twice in Galatians 4:4–5, God talks about sending Jesus to us (NLT). In Heaven, the time had come for the departure of God’s Son. We even have a record in Hebrews 10 of Jesus’ farewell words to the Father. He said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God—as is written about me in the Scriptures’” (Hebrews 10:5–7 NLT). It’s impossible for us to comprehend the sacrifice, the break in intimacy, involved in God’s sending of His Son. We see that intimacy between Father and Son throughout Jesus’ public ministry. Luke 6:12 says, “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God” (NIV). Jesus prioritized His relationship with His Father above all else. We see that intimacy in Matthew 26:39. As the time of His sacrifice approached, Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (NIV). Jesus knew what was coming. And in Mark 15:34, we see the unimaginable agony of Jesus’ sacrifice as He cried out in a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (NIV). God placed the sins of the world on His Son. And in that moment, Jesus was banished from His Father’s presence because sin cannot coexist with God. Jesus suffered the separation from God that we deserve. Jesus also made an unimaginable sacrifice at His birth. He went from the throne of Heaven to a feeding trough. He went from the presence of angels to a stable of animals. He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. The apostle Paul summed it up well: “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT). No one who has ever lived has even remotely affected human history the way Jesus Christ has. He has been opposed, censored, banned, and criticized by every generation since His birth. Yet His influence continues unabated. There has never been anyone like Jesus because Jesus was not just a good man. He was the God-Man who came and walked this earth because of the sacrifice of His Father. And that’s what we celebrate at Christmas. Reflection question: Where do you see evidence of Jesus’ impact on our culture today? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” (James 1:17 NLT) You’ve probably heard the saying, “All that glitters is not gold.” But it’s equally important to remember that all that’s gold doesn’t necessarily glitter. That is, not all valuable things appear to be valuable at first glance. Some of the most precious gifts tend not to attract our attention at first. We take a hurried glance and see nothing of significance. But if we go back and take another look, we begin to discover the glory and wonder of that gift. Think of Christmases past when you set aside a present that didn’t have that “wow” factor to move on to other shinier gifts with more bells and whistles, only to come back later to the less showy but more useful gift. So it was with the helpless baby in the manger in Bethlehem on the first Christmas. At first glance, He probably didn’t appear to be much of a gift. Another child born into humble circumstances. What value could He have? Why would He even merit a second look? The Bible practically bursts at the seams to answer that question. God dispatched angels to keep people from looking past His gift. That baby was the only begotten Son of God. Words cannot describe His value. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” (NLT). Even God couldn’t give a greater gift. He sent His dearly beloved Son into the world as a baby so that, ultimately, we could be saved. God gave us that which was most precious to Him so that His Son would be most precious to us. Our Lord Himself spoke of such a sacrificial act in Matthew 21:33–46 in His parable about the vineyard owner. The owner, who had unworthy servants looking after his property, sent his representatives and servants to the vineyard. One after another was maltreated and even killed. Then the owner thought, “If I send my son, they won’t do this to him. Surely, they will respect my son. There is nothing beyond this. It is the last act.” Hebrews 1:1–2 says, “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe” (nlt). God sent many servants into the world and to the nation of Israel. He dispatched countless outstanding men and women to accomplish His work. But He surpassed them all with the gift of His Son. This is what should fill our minds and hearts with astonishment at Christmas: God has done something that even He Himself cannot exceed. He gave His only Son, His eternal Son, so that we might have eternal life. Reflection question: What impact has God’s surpassing gift had on your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery x John 3:16-17 x Matthew 5:14-16Your daily crossover of faith and fandom! Experience daily Biblical encouragement from nerdy Christian podcasters, bloggers, and content creators. Join the Nerd of Godcast community at www.NOGSquad.com

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16–17 NLT) When people give Christmas gifts to each other, they usually put a lot of thought into their selections before buying them. For better or worse, a gift tells us quite a bit about the giver. You can estimate, fairly accurately, what people think of you by the gifts they give you. On the other hand, we all can probably remember Christmases from childhood when we failed to fully appreciate what we had been given. It seems to me that presenting gifts to one another on Christmas is a very right and very good thing for us to do. I believe that in doing so, humanity is subconsciously helping to underscore the greatest and most important thing for us to realize about this day. At Christmas, we must never forget that God the Father is the Giver. Of course, it is natural and right that we should think about the child in Bethlehem, our blessed Lord, lying as a helpless baby in a manger. We should always be thankful for His sacrifice. But let’s never forget this: God is the Giver. It was the Father who sent His Son into the world. The Son accomplished the Father’s purpose. And we can get a pretty accurate sense of what God thinks of us based on the gift He gave. Jesus said, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16–17 NLT). The apostle Paul wrote, “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children” (Galatians 4:4–5 NLT). He also wrote, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8 NLT). That brings up an essential point about God’s gift: We did nothing to deserve it. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (Ephesians 2:8–9 NLT). In this season of giving, as we celebrate the greatest gift ever given, let’s not lose sight of the One whose generosity makes the celebration possible. Let’s bring praise and worship to the Father, the great and eternal Giver. Reflection question: What does God’s gift of His Son reveal about God the giver? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Devo is teaching us some neat time-travel techniques, just in time for the holiday season! Meanwhile, Trevor Strong is having a blessed cat-astrophe, Phoenix Rose Tale is petitioning Santa, and Red Peters has a bad case of Christmas gas. Oof. 1. "Cat in the Christmas Tree" by Trevor Strong 2. "I Want a Different President for Christmas" by Phoenix Rose Tale 3. News of the Stupid! 4. "The Fart That Ruined Christmas" by Red Peters Trevor Strong is at TrevorStrong1.bandcamp.com Phoenix Rose Tale is on Facebook and Instagram Red Peters is on your favorite streaming service Thank you to our Patreon backers for making this show possible!!!

Hope is one of the most misunderstood words in our culture. We say, “I hope things get better,” or “I hope this works out.” But biblical hope is not uncertainty; it is confidence rooted in Jesus.Hebrews 6:19We are (LIVE) on our website's [Morning Devo] podcast now!:::: sELAH rADIO Network https://soulwinnerz.org ::::::::: https://live.soulwinnerz.org and we want to see who you are by simply clicking here https://chat.restream.io/fb :::::Join the Adult Bible Study: https://soulwinnerz.org/adultBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-blaze-bible-study--525630/support.

Give praise during this season for Jesus, our only Savior.

Form liturgies to refocus your attention on God.

“For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.” (1 Timothy 2:5–6 NLT) One way to prepare for Christmas is to consider the long-reaching implications of the Incarnation. There’s a reason that human history is split into two eras: before Christ’s birth and after. Nothing was ever the same again. One implication of Jesus’ coming that rarely gets mentioned at Christmastime is found in John 14:6. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (NLT). The apostle Paul put it this way: “For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time” (1 Timothy 2:5–6 NLT). When God sent His Son into the world to fulfill His plan of salvation, He eliminated the possibility that there is any other path to Him. Jesus alone can bridge the gulf that sin created between us and God. Jesus alone can give us eternal life. One of the most frequently asked questions regarding the Christian faith goes something like this: “What about the person who has never heard that Jesus is the only way to God? What about the person in the middle of the jungle who has never heard the gospel?” (The person in question is almost always in a jungle for some reason.) The teaching that Jesus Christ is the only way to God has never been popular. But it’s never been more controversial than it is today. If you want to get someone’s blood boiling, quote John 14:6 or 1 Timothy 2:5–6. The “Coexist” bumper sticker on their car will catch fire. To say that Jesus is the only way to God is, in effect, to have the audacity to say that other religions are not true. That’s the way the spiritual equation works itself out, and people don’t like it. It’s acceptable to say that Jesus is a way to God. But when you dare to say that He is the only way, then you can be certain that you’ll have some pushback. But here’s what it comes down to. As believers, we have to say what the Bible says, whether it’s popular or not. It’s not for us to edit the message of the Bible. Our responsibility is simply to deliver the message. Otherwise, it would be like a doctor who discovers a very serious problem with a patient’s health but then is unwilling to say what the problem is, out of concern that it might make the patient uncomfortable. We must tell people the truth about their real condition, which happens to be sinful, and then seek to save them, which is to point them to Jesus Christ as the only solution. Reflection question: How can you share the Good News about Jesus this Christmas season? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Look for the ways God has prepared you, especially during difficult transitions.

“Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” (2 Corinthians 9:15 NLT) In all your preparations for the holiday season, make sure you don’t miss the point of celebrating Christmas. Missing the profound meaning and implications of Jesus’ coming is surprisingly easy to do. The innkeeper in Bethlehem could have been an eyewitness to God’s arrival on earth. He could have been immortalized in nativity scenes, along with the shepherds and wise men. But Luke 2:7 says, “She [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them” (NLT). The innkeeper missed Jesus because he gave priority to others. King Herod could have accompanied the wise men in their search for the One born King of the Jews. He could have offered his own crown as a gift to Jesus, as a sign of humility, obedience, and worship. But Herod missed Jesus because he couldn’t accept the idea of someone supplanting him as ruler. Matthew 2:16 tells us how far he went to keep it from happening: “Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance” (NLT). Most of the Jewish people who were alive when the Incarnation occurred missed Jesus because they ignored the truth of God’s Word. They interpreted Old Testament prophecy to fit their own agenda instead of trying to understand God’s agenda. Citizens of the Roman Empire missed Jesus because they were too busy worshipping other gods. They opted for false idols instead of God Himself. Let’s not make the same mistake. Let’s keep our priorities straight. This is the season of busyness. There are a lot of things vying for our attention—many of them important. But none is nearly as important as the gift of God’s only Son. Let’s approach the Lord with a sense of humility and obedience. The genocidal cruelty of Herod sets him apart from most people. But his refusal to hand the reins of power to anyone else is all too familiar. Giving our lives to Christ and submitting to His will can be a challenge. There are times when we want to pursue our own preferences and pleasures. But if we give in to those urges, we miss what the Lord has in store for us. Let’s prioritize God’s Word. In it, we find the secrets of wisdom, trail markers for discovering God’s will, instructions for living in a Christlike way, and glimpses into our future. The Bible is the gift that keeps giving. Let’s remove the false idols—the distractions that keep us from worshipping God wholeheartedly—from our lives. Let’s resolve not to miss Jesus this Christmas. Reflection question: What steps can you take to keep your focus on Jesus this Christmas? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artí og ögrandi? Kjánalegt grall? Undur með einn smell? Undir hvaða hatt er best að setja Devo?

The quickest way to drift spiritually is to look away from Jesus. Life will always offer distractions, fear, comparison, stress, temptation, and pain, all fighting for your eyes.John 14:2–3We are (LIVE) on our website's [Morning Devo] podcast now!:::: sELAH rADIO Network https://soulwinnerz.org ::::::::: https://live.soulwinnerz.org and we want to see who you are by simply clicking here https://chat.restream.io/fb :::::Join the Adult Bible Study: https://soulwinnerz.org/adultBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-blaze-bible-study--525630/support.

Deny the bait and avoid the hook when you face difficult decisions.

This week Paula is in Qatar, so Eric and Nick held down the fort until TTL Development Team athlete Lydia Russell joined for some fun. We started by talking about Alex Yee's incredible marathon in Valencia, outlined an exciting TTL training camp for early next year, and then got into questions. This week we covered:• Our running shoe rotation• What to do when your snorkel starts taking on water• Gravel tire options for snowy conditions• Racing 70.3s while training for a full Ironman• How to get past a swimming plateau• The correct number of cats for a 2:1 cat to bike ratioA big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcastTTL Base Camp 2026

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!” (Isaiah 9:6–7 NLT) As we look at our world today, it becomes apparent that part of the promise of Isaiah 9:6–7 has not yet been fulfilled. The Child has been born. The Son has been given. But He has not yet taken the government upon His shoulders. We do not yet have peace with fairness and justice. The good news is that the day is coming. Christ will return. He will establish His kingdom on this earth. And it will be the righteous rule of God Himself. Before Jesus could take the government upon His shoulder, He had to take the cross upon His shoulder. Before He could wear the crown of glory as King of kings, He had to wear the shameful crown of thorns and give His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. The first time He came, a star marked His arrival. The next time He comes, the heavens will roll back like a scroll, stars will fall from the sky, and He Himself will light the universe. This season, we celebrate the Incarnation and what it means to us. God came near to us so that we can come near to Him. He came to give our lives purpose and meaning, to forgive us of our sins, and to give us the hope of Heaven beyond the grave. Christmas is not about tinsel or shopping or even spending time with family. Christmas is not about the gifts under the tree. Rather, Christmas is about the gift that was given on the tree—when Christ died on a wooden cross for our sins and gave us the gift of eternal life. He also gave us the hope of His return. In Luke 21:25–28, Jesus said, “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” (NLT). So, as we celebrate Christmas this year, let’s do so with an eye toward the Lord’s return. Let’s remember that one day our hope will be fulfilled, and our joy will be complete. Reflection question: How does Jesus give your life meaning and purpose as you await His return? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La pronuncia italiana rappresenta uno degli aspetti più affascinanti e al tempo stesso una sfida per chi studia la lingua di Dante. Spesso gli studenti si chiedono: "Devo eliminare completamente il mio accento?" La risposta è semplice: gli accenti sono belli e naturali. In questa guida completa, però, scoprirai tecniche pratiche e immediate per perfezionare la tua pronuncia italiana, dalla gestione delle doppie consonanti alle particolarità delle parole straniere adattate alla nostra lingua. Guida Completa alla Pronuncia Italiana: Consigli Pratici per Parlare come un Nativo La Regola d'Oro: Pronunciare Tutte le Lettere Il primo e più importante consiglio per migliorare istantaneamente la tua pronuncia italiana è semplice ma fondamentale: pronuncia tutte le lettere. A differenza di molte lingue, l'italiano non presenta suoni silenziosi (eccetto la H iniziale che è sempre muta). Ogni singola lettera scritta deve essere articolata con chiarezza. Prendiamo alcuni esempi pratici: Giardino: si pronuncia GIAR-DI-NO, con ogni sillaba ben distinta Finestra: FI-NE-STRA, senza mai "mangiare" le lettere finali Ombrello: OM-BREL-LO, prestando particolare attenzione alla parte finale Particolarmente importante è la pronuncia delle vocali consecutive, che rappresentano una sfida per molti studenti. In italiano, anche quando ci sono più vocali di seguito, ognuna mantiene il suo suono distintivo: Paura: PA-U-RA (tre sillabe distinte, non "pàra") Tuoi: TU-O-I (tre sillabe complete) Aiuola: A-IU-O-LA (quattro sillabe ben separate) Questo principio si applica anche alle parole più lunghe e complesse. Per esempio, in "acquario" (AC-QUA-RI-O) ogni lettera deve risuonare chiaramente, creando quella musicalità tipica della lingua italiana. Esercitarsi a scandire lentamente le parole, sillaba per sillaba, aiuta a sviluppare questa consapevolezza articolatoria che poi diventerà naturale anche nel parlato veloce. Le Doppie Consonanti: Il Cuore della Pronuncia Italiana Le doppie consonanti rappresentano probabilmente l'aspetto più caratteristico e distintivo della pronuncia italiana. La loro corretta esecuzione è cruciale perché sbagliare una doppia può cambiare completamente il significato di una parola, creando situazioni imbarazzanti o fraintendimenti. Il segreto tecnico per pronunciare correttamente le doppie è questo: rendi più corta la vocale che precede la doppia consonante. La consonante doppia stessa deve essere "tenuta" più a lungo, creando una breve pausa nella pronuncia. Coppie di Parole che Cambiano Significato Analizziamo alcune coppie di parole dove l'unica differenza sta nella doppia consonante: Consonante SempliceSignificatoConsonante DoppiaSignificatoCaro (cáro - A lunga)Costoso o amatoCarro (càrro - A corta)Veicolo con ruotePala (pála - A lunga)Attrezzo per scavarePalla (pàlla - A corta)Oggetto sfericoPene (péne - E lunga)Dolore, sofferenzaPenne (pènne - E corta)Tipo di pastaPapa (pápa - A lunga)Il padrePappa (pàppa - A corta)Cibo per bambiniSete (séte - E lunga)Bisogno di bereSette (sètte - E corta)Il numero 7Nono (nóno - O lunga)Nono di numeroNonno (nònno - O corta)Padre dei genitori Come potete vedere dalla tabella, un errore di pronuncia può trasformare "Mi piacciono le penne al pomodoro" in una frase piuttosto imbarazzante! Ecco perché prestare attenzione alle doppie è fondamentale non solo per l'accuratezza fonetica, ma anche per evitare malintesi. Le Doppie nei Verbi: Futuro vs Condizionale Le doppie consonanti sono particolarmente importanti nella coniugazione verbale, dove distinguono tempi diversi. Un esempio classico è la differenza tra futuro e condizionale presente della prima persona plurale: Noi partiremo (partirémo - I lunga) = Futuro semplice, indica un'azione che avverrà Noi partiremmo (partirèmmo - I corta) = Condizionale presente, indica un'ipotesi Altri esempi verbali significativi: "Andremo" (futuro) vs "Andremmo" (condizionale) "Vedremo" (futuro) vs "Vedremmo" (condizionale) "Usciremo" (futuro) vs "Usciremmo" (condizionale) Per padroneggiare le doppie, è utile esercitarsi regolarmente con coppie minime (parole che differiscono solo per un suono). Registra te stesso pronunciando queste coppie e confronta con parlanti nativi. Con il tempo e la pratica costante, la corretta esecuzione delle doppie diventerà automatica e naturale. La N Finale di NON, IN, CON: La Regola della Trasformazione Esiste una regola fonetica fondamentale ma spesso trascurata che riguarda le parole NON, IN e CON. Quando queste parole sono seguite da una parola che inizia con B (come Bologna) o P, la N finale si trasforma in M per facilitare la pronuncia e rendere il discorso più fluido. Questa trasformazione, chiamata assimilazione consonantica, avviene perché pronunciare una N seguita immediatamente da una B o P richiede uno sforzo articolatorio innaturale. La bocca, infatti, deve passare rapidamente da una posizione nasale (N) a una posizione bilabiale (B o P), e questo passaggio è molto più facile se anche la consonante nasale diventa bilabiale (M). Esempi Pratici della Trasformazione N → M Scrittura StandardPronuncia CorrettaSpiegazioneIo non parlo moltoIo nom parlo moltoNON + P diventa NOMAbito in periferiaAbito im periferiaIN + P diventa IMVengo con BarbaraVengo com BarbaraCON + B diventa COMNon bevo caffèNom bevo caffèNON + B diventa NOMLavoro in bancaLavoro im bancaIN + B diventa IMStudio con PaoloStudio com PaoloCON + P diventa COM Provate a pronunciare queste frasi ad alta voce: noterete immediatamente che la versione con la M suona molto più naturale e fluida rispetto a quella con la N. Questa è una delle caratteristiche che distingue un parlante nativo da uno studente, perché i nativi applicano questa regola istintivamente, senza pensarci. È importante sottolineare che questa è una regola puramente fonetica: nella scrittura formale si continua a usare la N, ma nella pronuncia effettiva la trasformazione in M è la norma tra i parlanti nativi. Applicare questa regola renderà il vostro italiano più naturale e scorrevole, e soprattutto più facile da pronunciare. I Pronomi Doppi: Dove Cade l'Accento? I pronomi doppi (combinazioni di pronomi come "te lo", "gliela", "ce li", "ve ne") rappresentano una sfida particolare non tanto per la loro pronuncia, quanto per la posizione dell'accento tonico, specialmente quando sono attaccati all'imperativo. Quando i pronomi doppi sono usati con forme verbali normali (indicativo, congiuntivo, ecc.), rimangono separati dal verbo e non creano problemi particolari: "Te lo regalo" - tre parole separate "Gliela mando" - due parole separate "Ce li portano" - tre parole separate Il problema sorge con l'imperativo, perché in questo caso i pronomi si attaccano alla fine del verbo formando un'unica parola. Ed è qui che molti studenti commettono l'errore di spostare l'accento sui pronomi. La Regola dell'Accento Immutabile La regola fondamentale è questa: l'accento rimane sempre sulla stessa sillaba del verbo, indipendentemente da quanti pronomi aggiungiamo alla fine. Non importa se aggiungiamo uno, due o anche tre pronomi: la posizione dell'accento non cambia mai. Imperativo BaseCon PronomiPronuncia CorrettaErrore ComuneDàmmiDàmmeloAccento su DA❌ DamméloRaccontamiRaccontàmeloAccento su TA❌ RaccontaméloCómpraCòmprateloAccento su COM❌ CompratéloScrìviScrìvigliAccento su VI❌ ScrivígliPòrtaPòrtaglieloAccento su POR❌ PortagliéloDìciDìcimeloAccento su DI❌ Dicimélo Un caso particolarmente interessante è il verbo riflessivo "andarsene" con i pronomi: "Vàttene!" (vai via). Anche qui l'accento rimane sul verbo: VÀttene, non Vatténe. E quando aggiungiamo ancora più complessità: "Andàndosene" (gerundio), l'accento resta su ANDAN. Questo principio vale anche per forme più complesse come: "Rèstituiscimelo" (accento su STI, non su CI o ME) "Pòrtagliene" (accento su POR) "Spiègatecela" (accento su GA) Per padroneggiare questa regola, esercitati prima pronunciando il verbo da solo, individuando dove cade l'accento naturalmente. Poi aggiungi i pronomi mantenendo l'accento esattamente nello stesso punto. Con la pratica, questa diventerà un'abitudine naturale e il tuo italiano suonerà immediatamente più autentico. Il Suono Z: Sorda o Sonora? La lettera Z italiana rappresenta una delle sfide più insidiose per gli studenti stranieri perché, a differenza di molte altre lingue, in italiano la Z ha due pronunce completamente diverse: la Z sorda e la Z sonora. E purtroppo non esiste una regola fissa universale per sapere quale usare! La Z Sorda (come TS) La Z sorda si pronuncia come i suoni "T" e "S" pronunciati rapidamente insieme, come se fossero un'unica consonante. È il suono che sentite in parole come "pizza" - che non si pronuncia "piza" ma "pitsa". Esempi di parole con Z sorda: Zucchero (tsucchero) - lo zucchero che metti nel caffè Grazie (gratsie) - la parola di ringraziamento più usata Pazzo (patso) - aggettivo che indica follia Stazione (statsione) - dove arrivano treni e autobus Azione (atsione) - un'attività o un movimento Pezzo (petso) - una parte di qualcosa Piazza (piatsa) - lo spazio pubblico aperto Tazza (tatsa) - il contenitore per il caffè La Z Sonora (come DS) La Z sonora si pronuncia come i suoni "D" e "S" pronunciati insieme velocemente. È il suono di "zero", che non si pronuncia "tsero" ma "dsero". Esempi di parole con Z sonora: Zaino (dsaino) - la borsa per la scuola Romanzo (romandso) - un libro narrativo lungo Mezzo (medso) - metà o veicolo di trasporto Azzurro (adsurro) - il colore blu chiaro Zanzara (dsandsara) - l'insetto fastidioso Zona (dsona) - un'area o territorio Pranzo (prandso) - il pasto di mezzogiorno Linee Guida (Non Regole Assolute) Anche se non esistono regole ferree,

WE APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU! If you wouldn't mind please go leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!!Welcome back to Episode 384 of On the Spot Sports and in today's episode we have a very special guest, professional hockey goaltender, Devon Lay! Devo and I talk about his time with the Muskegon Voyagers in the MIHL and winning a championship last season. We also talk about growing up with youth hockey in Byron Center, Michigan, developing in high school as a goaltender, winning an MIHL Championship and lessons learned throughout year, expectations for year 2 in Muskegon, attending FPHL Free Agent Camps, bringing a sense of confidence in games and so much more! We hope you guys enjoy this episode!!Thank you Devon for coming on the show! I had a blast!!Follow us on Instagram @on_the_spot_sports and take a listen on YouTube, Spotify and Apple/Google Podcasts @ On The Spot SportsGet $25 off our guy Jamie Phillips Nutrition book for Hockey Players with the discount code "ONTHESPOT" on victoremnutrition.comLiving Sisu link: ⁠⁠https://livingsisu.com/app/devenirmem.... BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

Me siga nas redes sociais: Facebook: Diego Menin Instagram: @diegonmenin Youtube: Diego Menin X: @diegonmenin Site: www.diegomenin.com

Jesus warned us not to spend our life collecting treasures that can be stolen, rusted, or destroyed.Matthew 6:19–20We are (LIVE) on our website's [Morning Devo] podcast now!:::: sELAH rADIO Network https://soulwinnerz.org ::::::::: https://live.soulwinnerz.org and we want to see who you are by simply clicking here https://chat.restream.io/fb :::::Join the Adult Bible Study: https://soulwinnerz.org/adultBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-blaze-bible-study--525630/support.

Acknowledge both joy and lament, especially during times of transition.

“They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11 NLT) One of the best ways to prepare for Christmas is to prepare for worship. Embracing a spirit of worship and praise opens our hearts to the true joy and meaning of Christmas. Worship has been central to Christmas since the wise men first encountered the child they sought. After a long and arduous journey, the wise men, who were followers of the stars, met the Lord Jesus Christ, who created the stars. They were occultists, yet God reached into their dark world with a star to bring them to their Creator. Matthew’s Gospel tells us, “They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (2:11 NLT). Their response is almost instinctive. They recognized that they were in the presence of a deity. Their natural reaction was to humble themselves before God, even though God in this instance was a human baby. They acknowledged His majesty and greatness by bowing before Him and presenting offerings to Him. Everyone worships at Christmas. There are no exceptions to this rule. Christians worship. Atheists worship. Skeptics worship. Republicans worship. Democrats worship. Independents worship. Everyone worships at Christmas, but not everyone worships God at Christmas. Some worship material things, which they never seem to have enough of. Others worship their bodies. Others worship their families. But everyone worships something or someone. The wise men worshipped Jesus. What does it mean to worship? Our modern word worship comes from the Old English word worth-ship. We worship the One who is worthy. A god of our own making isn’t worthy of our worship, but the true God is worthy of our praise. Two words are often used in Scripture to define worship. One word means “to bow down and pay homage,” which speaks of reverence and respect. The other means to “kiss toward,” which speaks of intimacy and friendship. So, when we put these two words together, we get an idea of what worship is. To worship is to bow down and have reverence, and it is also to have tender intimacy. We see this reverent intimacy in passages such as Isaiah 25:1: “O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them” (NLT). This Christmas, let’s remember that Jesus was born, He died, and He rose from the dead so that we could come into a relationship with Him and become God’s adopted children. Simply put, we should worship the Lord because He deserves it—every day of the year. Reflection question: How will you worship God this Christmas season? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Daily Quiz - Music Today's Questions: Question 1: 'Too Shy' was a one hit wonder in 1983 by which artist? Question 2: Which English rock band released the album 'Revolver'? Question 3: What song did Devo have a hit with in 1980? Question 4: Which Swedish pop group released the song 'The Winner Takes It All'? Question 5: Which musician released the album 'Off the Wall'? Question 6: Which American band released the studio album 'Renegades'? Question 7: Which British-American rock band released the studio album 'Rumours'? Question 8: Which of these is a brass instrument? Question 9: Which female country singer had hits such as 'Jesus, Take the Wheel' and 'Some Hearts,' and also won 'American Idol'? This podcast is produced by Klassic Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everything you're going through now is producing something eternal in your character, faith, perseverance, hope, and compassion.2 Corinthians 4:18We are (LIVE) on our website's [Morning Devo] podcast now!:::: sELAH rADIO Network https://soulwinnerz.org ::::::::: https://live.soulwinnerz.org and we want to see who you are by simply clicking here https://chat.restream.io/fb :::::Join the Adult Bible Study: https://soulwinnerz.org/adultBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-blaze-bible-study--525630/support.

Remember the character and activity of God, which can lead to worship.

“King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, ‘Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?’” (Matthew 2:3–4 NLT) Imagine for a moment that you’re living in first-century Jerusalem. You hear mysterious visitors from the east speak of a star that has been leading them to “the newborn king of the Jews.” These wise men are indicating that the long-awaited Messiah has come! You know from prophecy that the Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem, which is only five miles away. Wouldn’t you be inclined to make the short journey to check out their story? Wouldn’t you want to know if the Savior had come? Herod was right to expect answers from the leading priests and teachers of religious law as to where the Messiah would be born. And while they interpreted the writings of Micah properly, they should have been more invested in the matter. These men were the theological scholars of their day. They knew Scripture inside and out. It was their job to study its words and number its letters and lines to ensure careful copying of scrolls. They knew the details of God’s Word so well, but they cared so little. They knew where the Messiah would be born, but they didn’t care about a baby king as much as they cared about an adult monarch who could line their pockets with gold. They were too preoccupied to bother with Jesus. Nothing stunts spiritual growth like spiritual pride. It was true in the first century, and it’s true in the twenty-first century. When you approach the countless truths of God’s Word with an attitude of “I already know that,” or “I’ve already heard that,” or “That doesn’t apply to me,” you limit their impact on your life. You dull your senses to the wonders of Scripture. One of the devil’s masterstrokes is to use frequent exposure to Scripture to foster a sense of spiritual pride. Sometimes when you hear the Word of God again and again, you can enter a place of complacency, a place of apathy. You might even find yourself asleep, spiritually speaking. I find it interesting that many of the Bible’s warnings to “wake up” are addressed to believers. The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica, “So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded” (1 Thessalonians 5:6 NLT). The religious scholars of the first century missed Jesus’ birth because they were in a spiritual slumber. If we’re not careful, we can miss the celebration of Jesus’ birth for the same reason. Approaching the Christmas season—and the Christian life—with an attitude of prideful familiarity keeps us from experiencing the life-changing blessings that Christ offers. It’s important that we stay humble and recognize that there is always more to learn, more to apply, and more to change. Reflection question: How can you stay humble, eager, and curious in your walk with Christ? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christmas isn't just about the gifts under a tree… It's about the God who hung on a tree so He could be with us forever.John 17:3We are (LIVE) on our website's [Morning Devo] podcast now!:::: sELAH rADIO Network https://soulwinnerz.org ::::::::: https://live.soulwinnerz.org and we want to see who you are by simply clicking here https://chat.restream.io/fb :::::Join the Adult Bible Study: https://soulwinnerz.org/adultBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-blaze-bible-study--525630/support.

“Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.” (Matthew 2:7 NLT) We can prepare our hearts for Christmas not just by reading God’s Word, but also by reflecting on it. We can celebrate the fact that Jesus’ coming fulfilled prophecies that had been announced centuries earlier. We can lean into the trustworthiness of its promises. We can anticipate the coming glory of God’s kingdom. If King Herod had reflected more on God’s Word, his story would have had a much different ending. Instead, he’s known today as the man who tried to stop the first Christmas. His efforts resulted in a spectacular failure and fall. With all his wealth and power, he came to complete ruin. Historical writings tell us that in the final year of his life, his body was infected with disease. Ironically, Herod pretended to be a worshipper. He said to the wise men, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” (Matthew 2:8 NLT). Yet Herod was a false worshipper. There are people like him today. They say they believe in God, but they live a life that contradicts what the Scriptures teach. Herod wanted to be the king of his own life, but he really was a slave. He ended up being not the King of the Jews but the king of fools. Herod ended up on the ash heap of history like dictators before and after him, reminding us that those who live wicked lives eventually will reap what they sow. Adolf Hitler went into his bunker and shot himself as his nation crumbled around him. Saddam Hussein was found hiding in a hole and was eventually executed by his own people. Muammar Gaddafi was hunted down by his own people, beaten, and shot to death. All those who blaspheme God, fight with God, or try to stop the work of God eventually will fail. Yet God’s Word and His plan ultimately will prevail. Philippians 2:9–10 says, “Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (NLT). The glorification of Jesus is as inevitable as His birth. God gives us a choice. We can humble ourselves, submit to Christ, and enjoy His blessings. James endorsed this option. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor” (James 4:10 NLT). So did Peter. “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor” (1 Peter 5:6 NLT). Or we can be humbled. One day, everyone—every man, every woman, every believer, and every nonbeliever—will bow before Jesus Christ. It’s inevitable. Reflection question: How can you elevate Christ in the way you live, the choices you make, and the things you prioritize? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Devo is spiking the eggnog! NOW it's a party! He's also airing some beef with Jolly Old Saint Nick. Meanwhile, Robert Lund and Spaff smell like Otto the bus driver's jacket for some reason, and Psychostick are hitting the buffet. Ho ho ho. 1. "Santa" by Devo Spice 2. "Wasted on the Sleigh Not-Cappella Version" by Robert Lund and Spaff 3. News of the Stupid! 4. "e�t" by Psychostick Devo Spice is at DevoSpice.com and the new Ridiculous Christmas EP is available at DevoSpice.bandcamp.com Robert Lund is at RobertLund.com and the new Christmas with The FuMP Volume 3 compilation is available at TheFuMP.com or TheFuMP.bandcamp.com Psychostick is at Psychostick.com Thank you to our Patreon backers for making this show possible!!!

In a season filled with shopping lists, travel plans, and wrapping paper, we can easily chase the presents and miss the Presence.Matthew 1:23We are (LIVE) on our website's [Morning Devo] podcast now!:::: sELAH rADIO Network https://soulwinnerz.org ::::::::: https://live.soulwinnerz.org and we want to see who you are by simply clicking here https://chat.restream.io/fb :::::Join the Adult Bible Study: https://soulwinnerz.org/adultBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-blaze-bible-study--525630/support.

Este episodio es posible gracias a HolaflyCon los planes de datos internacionales de Holafly tendrás internet en más de 170 destinos.Olvídate de buscar WiFi o pagar cargos extra: solo disfruta tu viaje conectado. Conoce los planes de Holaflyhttps://esim.holafly.com/es/utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=itnigEn este capítulo del podcast de Itnig, Pedro Tortosa nos explica en detalle una de las historias más llamativas del ecosistema tech reciente: cómo ONUM pasó de nacer en 2022 a venderse a CrowdStrike por 300 millones de dólares en solo tres años. Pedro explica de forma sencilla qué problema resolvía ONUM (la optimización y el ruteo inteligente de datos en tiempo real) y por qué esta tecnología era tan valiosa para gigantes como Splunk, Cribl o la propia CrowdStrike, que gastaba más de 50 millones al año en soluciones similares. Además, profundizamos en el recorrido profesional de Pedro, desde sus 20 años al frente de un integrador tecnológico hasta su experiencia en Devo, donde levantaron rondas con fondos como Insight, TCV o General Atlantic. Habla abiertamente sobre la dureza del mercado enterprise, los errores cometidos, la importancia de construir productos realmente diferenciales y cómo tomar decisiones difíciles cuando una startup quema mucha caja o se enfrenta a rondas complicadas. Finalmente, se abordan temas clave para cualquier emprendedor: cómo negociar ventas de empresas, cómo funcionan los earnouts, los liquidation preferences, las dinámicas con fondos de inversión y el reto de escalar productos deeptech desde España al mercado global. Un capítulo lleno de aprendizajes reales para fundadores, inversores y amantes del mundo startup.

“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” (Jeremiah 29:13 NLT) If the Christmas story—the well-known narratives of Matthew 2 and Luke 2—is so familiar to you that you can practically recite it from memory, try considering it from a different perspective. Try thinking of it as the successful end to a long search. The arrival of the wise men in Jerusalem likely created quite a stir. These were strange men with a strange question, asking for the King of the Jews. As wise as they were, they were also a little naïve, politically speaking. They didn’t realize that they were triggering an extremely volatile man. In effect, they were saying to King Herod, “We’re looking for the King of the Jews—and clearly you’re not him.” This is why we’re told in Matthew 2:3, “King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem” (NLT). The word disturbed used here could be translated “to shake violently”—like a washing machine in the spin phase. That was Herod. And when Herod was agitated, everyone was agitated. When he was mad, everyone was afraid of what would happen next. So, Herod called in the leading priests and teachers of religious law, men who had committed themselves to studying Scripture. Without missing a beat, they went right to Micah 5:2: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah.Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf” (NLT). These scholars had steeped themselves in the writings of the prophets. They understood how to interpret the words of Micah. They knew that the Messiah, when He came, would be born in Bethlehem. But that information was academic to them. It hadn’t penetrated their hearts and souls to the point that they could recognize the signs of the Messiah’s arrival. So, they weren’t searching for the Savior. God, in His infinite and mysterious wisdom, used wise men from eastern lands to announce the arrival of Jesus the King of the Jews to Herod the king of the Jews and his Jewish experts. The wise men were pagans who were steeped in the occult. Yet God reached them in a way that they understood. He came to them by a star. The end of their search, as recorded in Matthew 2:9–12, has implications for everyone who seeks answers or meaning or purpose or assurance or direction or anything else. The Lord says that those who seek Him will find Him. “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8 NLT). He doesn’t offer details because the discovery process is different for everyone. To educated men and women, He will come in a way they can understand. And to little children, He will appear in a way they can understand. I believe that if people are truly seeking God, He will reveal Himself to them. Reflection question: How can you help people find the Lord? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine looking Santa in the eyes and saying, “Thank you… But the best gift already came. His name is Jesus.”John 3:16We are (LIVE) on our website's [Morning Devo] podcast now!:::: sELAH rADIO Network https://soulwinnerz.org ::::::::: https://live.soulwinnerz.org and we want to see who you are by simply clicking here https://chat.restream.io/fb :::::Join the Adult Bible Study: https://soulwinnerz.org/adultBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-blaze-bible-study--525630/support.

This week we packed in a full-length episode plus an interview with TTL Development Team athlete Zack Cooper at the end. We discussed:How personal safety has shaped race choices for Eric and PaulaHow often you actually need to replace a helmetWhat to do when your smart trainer starts reading way offThe minimum training load for a 70.3How Paula finds inspiration for her race kit designsSRAM blipsWhat feels worse: a DNF from your body or a mechanical?Mental health as athletesA big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast

“But the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:10–12 NLT) As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we need to recognize that the season inspires different feelings in different people—and that not all those feelings are pleasant. That was certainly true of the very first Christmas. When the angel delivered his heavenly announcement to the shepherds, he started with the words, “Don’t be afraid!” But the shepherds, along with all of Israel, lived in frightening times. They were under the reign of King Herod, who was a murderous tyrant. Their land was under Roman occupation. There was a pervasive dread about the future. Would Rome ever leave? Would the people of Israel ever be free? Would the Messiah ever come? And when the good news finally came, that the long-awaited Messiah had arrived, it was delivered by an angel: first one, and then a vast host of others. The angel’s greeting of “Don’t be afraid!” was easier said than done, even though it was followed by “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10 NLT). Angels are awe-inspiring—and fear-inspiring—beings. Obviously, the shepherds had never seen anything like them. So, their first reaction was fear. But the angels wanted them to focus on their message and not their appearance. Christmas is cause for joy, not fear. Joy not just for a single day, but for a lifetime, for those who trust in the One who came to save us. The apostle Paul wrote, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NLT). Many people today find it difficult to have joy because we’re surrounded by such sadness. With all the conflict, tragedies, and problems in the world, how can we have good tidings of great joy? The answer is this: “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:11 NLT). No matter what happens in life, remember this: You have a Savior. As a Christian, you have been saved from death. You have been saved from eternal punishment and Hell. You have the hope that when you die, you’ll go straight to Heaven. That’s the most important thing about the Christian life. There is a Heaven waiting for you. The fear, sadness, and pain of this world are temporary. Three decades after His birth in the manger, Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT). Reflection question: How can you find joy when you’re surrounded by sadness, anger, and disillusionment? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we chat with frenemy Sir Richard Dean Girt III of The Sneaky Heat Missiles about all things Devo. Plus, listening to your older work, success via networking, and can you be a popular band without people liking your music?You can check out Rick's projects here:⁠⁠https://sneakymissiles.bandcamp.com/track/dope-in-the-void⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sneakymissiles.com⁠⁠Our Youtube show Great Set Guys is here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@KatzulhuProductions⁠⁠⁠Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katzulhu Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/paul.neil.12⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/katzulhu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/Dont-Quit-Your-Day-Job-podcast-107924851339602⁠

James 4:2 says, “You have not because you ask not,” and that verse hits differently when you think about the desire to be married. If you have felt shy, unsure, or even a little guilty about asking God for a spouse, you are not alone! In this episode, we talk honestly about why that happens and what this verse can mean for your dating life and your faith.Now, for those of you who have been praying for your future husband and want guidance, structure, and deeper support along the way, I have news I am so excited to finally share! I took the heart behind my own Husband's Bible and turned it into something you can hold. Actually… two somethings!!As part of the Dear Future Husband community, you get the very first opportunity to pre-order Future Husband, Present Prayers Book and The Dear Future Husband Prayer Journal. These resources are created to help guide your prayers with clarity, direction, and bold expectation and give you a beautiful space to record your prayers and even create a meaningful gift for your future spouse.EXCLUSIVE: Pre-Order yours below!Future Husband, Present Prayers: https://rstyle.me/+sJxs3oFbPhgbsTb2QCRzrQDear Future Husband Prayer Journal: https://rstyle.me/+A0KV7G_H8lt_6klK8nY8UQPray while you wait with Future Husband, Present Prayers and trust God with your love story with the Dear Future Husband Prayer Journal. Pre-order both at www.christianbevere.com

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified.” (Luke 2:8–9 NLT) One way to prepare for Christmas is to reflect on the news of Jesus’ coming. What did it mean to the people who first received it? What does it mean to us? We can start by considering the first people to receive the Good News—and why God chose them to be the first recipients. If it had been up to me, I would have dispatched an angel to the court of Caesar Augustus with a carefully worded message. “You call yourself the savior of the world, Caesar? Well, now you’ve been exposed as a fraud. The real Savior of the world has just been born! And His kingdom will make your empire pale in comparison!” Another option would have been to send an angel to the Jewish high priest, scribes, and scholars to announce the news that their long-awaited Messiah had come—and that He was nothing like they thought He would be. Instead, God chose to deliver His message to shepherds who were “staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep” (Luke 2:8 nlt). To be a shepherd in that culture was to be at the bottom of the social ladder. Shepherds were despised—so much so that the testimony of a shepherd wasn’t allowed in a court of law. Shepherds basically did the work that no one else wanted to do. They had dirt under their fingernails. They were hardworking. And they probably felt right at home when they learned that this baby was born in lowly circumstances. They would have related to this. God was speaking their language. This became the modus operandi of Christ throughout His ministry. He went to the outcasts, to the hurting, to the ordinary people. He went to people like the woman at the well who had been ostracized because of her multiple marriages and divorces. He went to people like the tax collector Zacchaeus who was perceived by his fellow Jews as a traitor. Our Lord always had time for people like that. Jesus was well aware of His reputation for siding with people whom others rejected. He said, “The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it” (Luke 7:34–35 NLT). The Lord’s compassion for outcasts began with the shepherds and extended to the criminal who was crucified next to Him. But it didn’t stop there. It continues through us. Proverbs 19:17 says, “If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you!” (NLT). We can prepare for Christmas by reaching out to people in need, by noticing those who slip through the cracks, and by loving those who are hard to love. In other words, by doing what Jesus would do. Reflection question: What would welcoming outcasts and people in need look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Untold Story of Spikey Goldbach and His Musical Journey /////////////// In this episode, we're joined by Chris “Spikey” Goldbach, a longtime figure in Florida's punk and alternative music scene. He talks about growing up in Tamarac, getting his first drum kit at 10, and discovering early influences like The Ramones, Devo, and AC/DC. Spikey walks through the South Florida scene of the 1980s and 1990s, mentioning venues such as the Cameo, Club Soda, and Washington Square, and the impact of seeing bands like Black Flag, Bad Brains, and Descendents.He reflects on his work with bands including Distant Anger, Blatant View, Nuclear Beer, RadioBaghdad, Collapsing Lungs, Irish Car Bomb, Hudson, Shai Hulud, and others, sharing stories from touring, recording with Jeremy Staska and Bill Stevenson, and experiencing a major-label run. Spikey continues to perform with Against All Authority and remains active in music today while living in Indiana.

This Giving Tuesday, help us meet the spiritual moment! Give now. “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT) One way to prepare our hearts for Christmas and foster a spirit of genuine gratitude is to consider what Jesus laid aside, for our sake, when He came to earth. His is not a rags-to-riches story; it’s a riches-to-rags story. The apostle Paul wrote, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT). We may not be able to wrap our minds around the glory of Heaven. But we can imagine the pure joy of being in God’s presence. We can guess at what it’s like to be worshipped nonstop by adoring angels. Yet Jesus set those things aside to squeeze His infinite presence into a container of flesh and make Himself vulnerable to the people He created. Let’s also consider the existence that Jesus embraced when He came. He could have been born in the most elegant mansion on the ritziest boulevard in Rome. He could have had aristocratic parents who boasted of their pedigree. He could have had the finest clothes from the most exclusive shops. He could have had legions of servants to respond to His every whim. But He chose none of that. Instead, Jesus humbled Himself. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT). God came into our world—not as an all-powerful deity, but as a baby, born to humble parents in a humble setting. The Creator of the universe was born in a stable in Bethlehem. Like many other aspects of the Christmas story, we have romanticized the environment of Jesus’ birth. We decorate our homes with nativity sets that make the scene seem cozy, comfortable, and heartwarming. We see the baby Jesus surrounded not only by His loving parents but also by His shepherd friends, His wise men friends, and His animal friends. But in sanitizing the circumstances of Jesus’ birth, we lose the raw, powerful meaning behind them. The stable or barn (or maybe even cave) where Christ was born was cold and damp. It also would have smelled. God incarnate was born on a dirt floor used by animals. Our Savior came not as a monarch draped in gold and silk, but as a baby wrapped in rags. Jesus went from being a sovereign to a servant. He went from the glory of God to a stable filled with animals. It has been said that history swings on the hinge of the door of a stable in Bethlehem. As you prepare for Christmas, think about what Jesus left behind to dwell among us. Jesus took His place in a manger so that we might have a home in Heaven. Reflection question: How can we, as Jesus’ followers, humble ourselves for His sake? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Genesis 2:9 NLT) “Let every heart prepare Him room.” These lyrics from “Joy to the World” remind us to embrace the fullness of the Christmas season. To be proactive in getting ourselves ready for the blessings and opportunities that are unique to this time of year. A good way to start preparing our hearts is to widen our focus from the familiar narrative of Luke 2 to the bigger story that starts in Genesis 3. There, we find a tree. Not a Christmas tree with brightly colored lights and ornaments, but the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden. After God created Adam and Eve and placed them in a literal paradise, He gave them one restriction: Don’t eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. You know how the story unfolds after that. The serpent tempted Eve. Eve ate the forbidden fruit. She gave the fruit to Adam. He ate it, too. They disobeyed God and lost their perfect fellowship with Him. In Genesis 3:15, we find the first Christmas verse in the Bible. God said to the serpent, “And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel” (NLT). Sin created a gulf between humankind and God—one that we can do nothing to bridge. Our only hope is a Savior, One sent by God who would live a sinless life, sacrifice Himself to pay the price for our sin, and then conquer death so that we might live forever. This is God’s plan of salvation. Yet just as our enemy interfered with God’s original plan, he also does everything he can to keep people from coming to salvation. That’s where the hostility of Genesis 3:15 comes in. The devil knew that a Messiah would come. He did everything in his power to stop it from taking place. Yet his power was a drop in a bucket compared to that of the Messiah who came. Before there was a world, before there were planets, before there was light and darkness, before there was matter, before there was anything but the Godhead, there was Jesus—coequal, coeternal, and coexistent with the Father and Holy Spirit. He was with God. He was God. Jesus Christ became human without ceasing to be God. He did not become identical to us, but He became identified with us. The birth that we celebrate this season is that of God Himself, who came to this earth to live among us. To conquer sin and death. To show us how to live. To give His life so that we might live forever. Reflection question: What difference does it make, in your life and in your prayers, that Jesus knows what it’s like to be human? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Devo is talking about the hottest trending trends that ever trended a trend. Meanwhile, Jesse Welles has a great job opportunity, Insane Ian is doing... something... I think? And There I Ruined It is ruining Creed. Wait, is that even possible? Sorry Rudolph. 1. "Join ICE" by Jesse Welles 2. "You Better Watch Out" by Insane Ian 3. News of the Stupid! 4. "Creed Sings Rudolph" by There I Ruined It Jesse Welles is at WellesMusic.com Insane Ian is at InsaneIan.com and InsaneIan.bandcamp.com There I Ruined It is on YouTube Thank you to our Patreon backers for making this show possible!!!

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:17–18 NLT) God loves you. Those words are so simple and so familiar that they might be mistaken for a cliché if they weren’t also so profound. The fact that God loves you gives you immeasurable worth. It also gives you context for your entire life. Nothing in this world, good or bad, can begin to compare to God’s love for you. No grief or trouble can overwhelm you because God loves you too much to let it happen. No difficult circumstance can defeat you because God loves you. No struggles are too difficult for you because God loves you. So, when grief, trouble, difficult circumstances, or struggles come, you can put them in perspective by remembering and being thankful for God’s love for you. The apostle Paul wrote, “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:17–18 NLT). God’s love lasts forever. Paul also wrote, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love” (Romans 8:38 NLT). Because God loves you, He is always looking for your eternal benefit. God is wiser than you are. So, if He tells you to do something or not to do something, He does so for good reason. The devil doesn’t want you to believe that. He will whisper in your ear, “God hates you. God wants to ruin your life. All those rules in the Bible are just there to make life miserable. You Christians serve an oppressive God who doesn’t want you to have any fun.” What a bunch of nonsense. I’ve lived apart from Christ. I’ve had the so-called fun this world has to offer, and it wasn’t fun at all. I’ve also found that a life with Christ is a life of fulfillment and purpose. Let us never lose our spirit of thankfulness for the fact that God loves us and is always looking out for our eternal benefit, even if what we’re presently going through is difficult. Reflection question: How can you keep the devil from interfering with your relationship with the Lord? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28 NLT) Of the many beautiful psalms David wrote, one of my favorites is Psalm 63: “Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy” (verses 3–5 NLT). These are obviously the words of someone enjoying the best day of his life, with not a trouble or care in sight. Except they aren’t. David wrote the words of Psalm 63 while he was in exile. He was running for his life from his own son, Absalom. Absalom had led a rebellion against him and was trying to take David’s throne. David’s kingdom and family were crumbling. Not only that, but David was also an elderly man by this time. He was in extreme anguish and personal pain. How, then, was he able to write such sincere words of praise and gratitude to God? David understood that a spirit of thankfulness doesn’t depend on circumstances. We can and should be thankful in all seasons of life. The truth is, we can’t fully understand what good times are and what bad times are—not on this side of Heaven anyway. We may know how certain circumstances make us feel, but our feelings don’t always tell the whole story. For example, when we’re younger, we convince ourselves that success is always good and hardship is always bad. And our feelings react accordingly. As we get older and develop more maturity, however, we realize that success can be bad for some people and hardship can be good for others. We begin to look at things differently. Some of the things we thought were really good turn out to be bad. And some of the things that we thought were bad turn out to be really good. Through it all, we can and should be thankful to God. Because though our circumstances may change, and though our feelings toward those circumstances may change, God never does. He stays committed to His promises to us. According to Romans 8:28, the Lord can take all things, bad or good, and work them “together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (NLT). So there’s always something to be thankful for. What are your circumstances right now? If you’re enjoying God’s obvious blessings or if you’ve received a long-awaited answer to prayer or if you and your loved ones are in a good place, you have reason to give thanks. On the other hand, if you’re struggling or if a prayer hasn’t been answered yet or if you’re concerned about your loved ones’ well-being, you also have reason to give thanks. Because the Lord will work all things together for good. Reflection question: How can you maintain a spirit of praise and thankfulness even when circumstances are less than good? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we are thankful for carbon bikes, carbon shoes, and that the pool is closed. We start out with a TTL Spelling Bee, a chat with TTL Development Team athlete John Reed about his year, his olympic hopes, and 70.3 dreams and then finally get into listener-submitted questions. This week we discussed:Lap swim speed etiquetteThe Lever Movement treadmill systemPaula's favorite Castelli bibs"Road bike muscles" vs "TT bike muscles"If and when to drop out of a raceA big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive! To submit a question for the podcast and to become a podcast supporter, head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast

In 1973, a band formed that would be an integral part of new emerging music genres. That band is Devo, and the new genres are New Wave and Punk. Rock n Roll had apparently ruled the airways for long enough. In the early 1970s, the splitting asunder of the megalithic, guitar-driven Rock genre began to (more...)