Podcasts about Devotion

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260901dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed . . . the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:19,22 Creation Can’t Wait Have you ever noticed how often the world reminds us that something isn’t right? Wildfires scorch forests. Tornadoes uproot trees. Droughts wither crops. Pretty soon, depending on where you live, the beauty of creation will fade with the changing seasons. Sometimes we speak of nature as though it is simply running its course. But the Bible tells us that creation is groaning. It wasn’t always this way. When God completed his work of creation, he declared that everything was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). There was no death. No decay. No storms. No disease. The world reflected the perfection of its Creator. Then Adam and Eve sinned. When humanity fell, the curse reached far beyond Adam and Eve. God said, “Cursed is the ground because of you” (Genesis 3:17). Thorns and thistles appeared. Death entered. Since then, every hurricane, every broken body, every dying tree, and every cemetery has proclaimed the same truth: sin has affected everything. Yet, there is hope. Creation is waiting for the day when Christ returns to reveal his children. The created world knows, in a way beyond our understanding, that its own freedom is tied to ours. When Jesus raises the dead and makes all things new, creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay. That means the groaning of creation is not the groan of despair but of eager expectation. Just as a mother experiences labor pains in anticipation of celebrating a new life, so does this world. Therefore, we can look at natural disasters differently. We are not left without hope. Every time we see creation suffer, we are pointed to the One who is coming to restore it. When he does, the curse will be lifted, and we will enjoy a new creation forever. Therefore, with creation, we can’t wait. Prayer: Lord Jesus, when I see the brokenness of this world, remind me that you have already conquered sin, death, and the curse. Give me confidence to endure the groaning of this present age as I wait for the glory you have promised. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260831dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 No Comparison A diagnosis. An unexpected funeral. The loss of a job. A difficult marriage. Chronic pain. Loneliness. Anxiety. The daily struggle against temptation. The list can go far beyond the 400-word limit for this devotion. The Bible never denies suffering. Nor does it pretend or promise that Christians have an easier life. In fact, sometimes Christians have a more difficult life because they are Christians. That’s what the Bible call the cross—suffering for the sake of our faith. But when you place our crosses alongside the crown that Christ has prepared, there is no comparison. Imagine placing a pebble beside a mountain or a single candle beside the noon-day sun. The pebble is real. The candle gives real light. But beside something infinitely greater, they fade from view. So, too, the glory Christ won for us by his death and resurrection is so overwhelming that today’s suffering cannot be compared to tomorrow’s joy. That doesn’t mean our pain doesn’t matter. It mattered enough that Jesus entered it himself. He carried the greatest cross ever borne—the weight of the world’s sin, the Father’s judgment, and death itself. At Calvary, our Savior wore a crown of thorns so that one day we would wear the crown of life. Because Christ carried the cross first, your crosses are never signs that God has abandoned you. They are reminders that you are following the Savior who walked this road before you. More than that, they assure you that suffering is never the final chapter of your story. The day is coming when tears will be wiped away, and sin will trouble you no more. Your body will be raised in glory, and you will stand forever in the presence of the One who redeemed you. Until then, fix your eyes not on the weight of today’s cross but on the certainty of tomorrow’s crown. Prayer: Lord Jesus, when the crosses of this life seem too heavy to bear, lift my eyes to the glory you have prepared for me. Remind me that you carried the greatest cross so that I might receive the crown of life. Strengthen my faith to endure with hope until the day I see you face to face. In your holy name I pray. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260830dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. Romans 8:19 Ten Minutes Sometime, give yourself ten minutes. Give yourself ten minutes for a profound teaching moment. Go to a place where you can let your eyes rest on a portion of God’s creation. If you’re near a shoreline, go to the water’s edge. If you’re near a trail that winds through a grove of trees, take a walk. If you’re driving past a scenic overlook, stop the car and put it in park. If you’re away from city lights and the night sky is clear, lie down on your back. For ten uninterrupted minutes, let God’s creation fill your field of vision. Watch it. Observe it. Study it. As you do, call to mind that God’s Word wants you to notice something about this portion of God’s creation. He wants you to notice that his creation is waiting. The oceans are waiting. The lakes, rivers, and streams are waiting. The trees are waiting. The mountains and valleys are waiting. The planets, stars, and galaxies are waiting. They are all waiting, the Bible says, in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. They are all waiting for that moment when the One through whom all things were made (John 1:3) will come back one more time. They are all waiting for the last day when all believers in Jesus will be identified. They are all waiting for that moment when the King of kings will come to roll up this broken place like an old carpet. They are all waiting for the moment when the Lord of lords will come to sweep away the presence and effects of sin once and for all. And when your ten minutes are up, realize that the creation before you now has ten fewer minutes to wait. For the One who entered this creation on our behalf, the One who lived a sinless life in our place, the One who died to wash us clean, the One who rose from death—this very Jesus has promised to return. And he always keeps his promises. Prayer: Lord Jesus, as I enjoy the beauty of your creation, let your Word show me that even your creation reminds me that you are in command, and that you will return. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260829dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:21-25 Following Jesus We put value on everything. How much we value someone, or something affects the decisions we make. If we value a certain piece of meat enough to pay thirteen dollars a pound for it, we buy it. If we value our pet enough to pay a thousand dollars for the surgery needed, we tell the vet to schedule the surgery. Jesus values you more than anyone has ever valued anything. He wants to spend his eternity with you. He knew that the only way he could do this was to go to the cross and spill his blood as payment for your sins. As Jesus said, he would have to “suffer many things.” But, for Jesus it was a simple equation. Lose his life or lose you. He chose to lose his life. And now, because of what Jesus did, all his followers will live eternally with him. Those who do not follow him will suffer separation from him forever. So, what are you willing to suffer in order to follow him? It is a simple equation. Lose him and you lose everything. Follow him at all costs. Carry whatever burden you must. Put up with whatever ridicule you must. Pass by whatever temporary pleasure you must. Follow him. Because when Jesus leads you to the glory of heaven you will exclaim, “It was worth it!” Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you that you valued me enough to suffer so much to save me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Follow The DROP FEED on Apple, Spotify or ⁠Ad-Free from LUNASHARK Premium on Patreon or Supercast⁠⁠ COERCED: The Devotion & Death of Mica Francis Miller is a⁠ ⁠LUNASHARK® ⁠⁠DROP-FEED from the award-winning team behind the Murdaugh Murders Podcast — investigative journalists Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Beth Braden — along with producers Kate Thomas, Grace Hills and David Moses. It's a remastered, chronological retelling of more than 2 years of original reporting from the⁠ ⁠True Sunlight Podcast⁠⁠, built for listeners who want to follow one case. On April 27, 2024, 30-year-old Mica Miller — wife of Myrtle Beach pastor John-Paul Miller — walked a mile into a North Carolina state park and made a 911 call that would be the last time the world heard her voice. Within days, her death was ruled a suicide — a ruling that would have ended the story for most true crime journalists. In the premiere of our remastered Drop-Feed series, Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell return to where their reporting began: the bizarre sermon Pastor JP Miller delivered the morning after his estranged wife's death. An obituary that reads like a taunt. A criminal history that includes running over a woman with a car — twice. And a stack of police reports showing Mica tracked, harassed, and hospitalized against her will in the months before she died. Police say that JP Miller didn't pull the trigger. But as Mandy and Liz explain — there's more than one way to end a life. COERCED takes a deeper look at JP Miller's dark past that includes rape allegations, alleged bestiality, an assault conviction and pardon, and a pattern of allegedly abusive behavior that can be traced back to his father — Rev. Wayne Miller. JP's felon father once owned a Christian complex in South Carolina called Gloryland… before it mysteriously burned down.   Through exclusive interviews, 911 calls, court filings, and documents obtained through relentless FOIA requests, COERCED examines coercive control, medical and spiritual abuse, and the systems that dismissed a woman fighting for her life — and asks what accountability looks like. Mica couldn't save herself. But her story could save others. This series discusses domestic abuse, coercive control, and suicide. If you or someone you know needs support, please call or text 988 or contact the⁠ National Domestic Violence Hotline⁠ at 1-800-799-7233. Support in South Carolina is also available through⁠ Liza's Lifeline⁠. Stay tuned. Stay pesky. And Stay in the Sunlight. ☀️ Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LUNASHARK Premium Membership on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lunashark.supercast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get bonus episodes like our Premium Dives, Wherever It Leads..., Drop Feeds, Girl Talk, and Soundbites that help you Stay Pesky and Stay in the Sunlight. Plus BTS content from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Murdaugh: Death in the Family⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AND Mandy's book Blood On Their Hands. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support Our Show, Sponsors and Mission: https://lunasharkmedia.com/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hungry Root⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bombas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/4cJ0eVn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** ALERT: If you ever notice audio errors in the pod, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@lunasharkmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we'll send fun merch to the first listener that finds something that needs to be adjusted! *** For current & accurate updates: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lunashark.supercast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.com/mandy_matney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   |   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.com/elizfarrell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bsky.app/profile/mandy-matney.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bsky.app/profile/elizfarrell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TrueSunlight.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/TrueSunlightPodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.com/TrueSunlightPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@LunaSharkMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@lunasharkmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We would love to pray for you! Please send us your requests here. --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260828dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 16:19 An Open Door Have you ever been locked out? Perhaps you forgot your keys or found yourself standing outside a door you could not open. Jesus used the image of keys to describe one of the greatest gifts he gives: the “keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Keys open doors. The “keys of the kingdom” open the door to God’s forgiveness through the message of Jesus Christ. That may sound surprising. Many people assume Christianity is mostly about rules. The Bible certainly teaches right and wrong, but its central message is not, “Here are the rules.” Its central message is, “Here is your Savior.” Jesus came to unlock the prison of guilt, shame, and death. He offers forgiveness freely because he has already paid for our sins on the cross. No one is beyond his mercy. No mistake is too great. No past is too broken. Wherever the good news of Jesus is proclaimed, the door to God's grace is opened. What an incredible privilege it is to use these keys. The greatest gift we can offer another person is not advice, entertainment, or even friendship, important as those are. The greatest gift is Jesus Christ himself. The good news about Jesus Christ is “the power of God for salvation” because God himself works through his Word. The world offers countless temporary solutions. Jesus offers everlasting forgiveness. The world promises self-improvement. Jesus gives a new creation. The world speaks about success. Jesus speaks peace to guilty consciences. Someone you know needs that peace today. Perhaps God is inviting you to be the one who opens the conversation, extends the invitation, or shares the promise of forgiveness in Christ. The keys are meant to be used. Open the door with joy. “For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'” (Romans 10:13). Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for opening the door to God's forgiveness. Help me trust in the gift you freely offer and lead me to know the joy of belonging to you. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260827dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “The gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18 Hope that Defeats Fear Jesus promised, “The gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Jesus never promised his church an easy path. Christians experience persecution, temptation, suffering, and spiritual warfare. Satan constantly seeks to discourage believers and undermine the gospel. Yet Jesus assures us that hell itself cannot overcome his church. Notice that the gates belong to hell. Gates are defensive. Jesus Christ is advancing his kingdom as his gospel reaches hearts throughout the world. Satan cannot imprison those whom Jesus has redeemed and set free. That promise extends personally to every believer. There are days when guilt weighs heavily on us. We remember sins we wish we could erase. The devil whispers that God could never forgive someone like us. But Jesus has already answered those accusations. Through his death and resurrection, he has defeated sin, death, and Satan. The enemy may accuse, but he cannot condemn those who belong to Jesus Christ. This confidence enables Christians to live courageously. We need not fear the future because our Savior reigns. We need not fear death because Jesus has conquered the grave. We need not fear Satan because Jesus has already won the victory. Perhaps you’ve spent much of your life trying to avoid thinking about death or eternity. Jesus invites you to face those questions honestly—not with fear, but with hope. He came precisely because death is our greatest enemy. By dying and rising again, he has opened the way to eternal life for all who trust in him. The Christian message is not that good people earn heaven. It is that Jesus has opened heaven through his death and resurrection. That is a hope worth exploring. As the Bible says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11) Whenever fear threatens your heart, return to Christ’s promise. The battle belongs to him, and he has already secured the outcome. Prayer: Jesus, my Savior, when fear and temptation surround me, remind me that you have defeated every enemy. Keep me confident in your promises and steadfast until eternal victory is fully revealed. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260826dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion (Jesus said) “I will build my church.” Matthew 16:18 A Church Built by Jesus Many people have mixed feelings about the Christian Church. Some have wonderful memories. Others have painful ones. Some think churches are full of hypocrites. Others wonder whether organized religion is even necessary. Jesus knew his followers would not be perfect. Peter himself would later deny knowing Jesus three times. Yet Jesus still said, “I will build my church.” Notice that he did not say, “People will build my church.” The Church belongs to Jesus. Christians are not gathered because they are better than everyone else. They are gathered because they know they need forgiveness. A hospital is filled with sick people, not because sickness is good, but because healing is needed. The Church is much the same. It is a place where people hear God’s promises, receive his forgiveness, and grow in faith together. Sometimes Christians and Christian churches become discouraged. We may wonder whether our efforts matter. Jesus reminds us that the Church’s foundation is not human wisdom, popularity, or impressive programs. The Church stands on the confession that “Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) Wherever Jesus Christ is faithfully preached, there his church is found. Buildings may crumble. Congregations may struggle. Cultures change. Yet Jesus Christ continues to build his church through his gospel. The foundation of your own faith is equally secure. Your confidence is not in your consistency or strength, but in Jesus Christ’s unchanging promise. He remains faithful even when his people struggle. So, if you have stayed away because Christians have disappointed you, remember this: Christianity is not built upon perfect people. It is built upon a perfect Savior. Jesus gave his life for imperfect people. He welcomes doubters, failures, and sinners. When you visit a faithful Christian congregation, you should not expect to find flawless people. Instead, you should expect to hear about a flawless Savior who loves broken people enough to die for them. That is the Church Jesus Christ continues building today. Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me look beyond the imperfections of people and see you. Lead me to a church where your Word is faithfully taught and where I may grow in knowing you. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

A talk from the 2013 Mbird NYC Conference "Good News That Never Gets Old". Property of Mockingbird Ministries, all rights reserved (www.mbird.com).

We talk about angels all the time but, for me at least... I have a lot I don't know about them. That's about to change as Bishop Frank speaks with Michael Lichens, an "observer of the human condition" who edited Devotion to the Holy Angels. They talk about things like: seeing signs of angels in our daily lives, how to call upon our guardian angel, why angels actually love us, and more. Michael also wrote the Weird Catholic Handbook, which sounds like something we should check out. Also... Bishop Frank announced the St Carlo Acutis Early Learning Centers, which just sounds awesome and much-needed for so many families here. And... one more pitch for the CREW gala in Danbury on Sept 12th, where Bishop Frank will celebrate Mass and I'll speak at the dinner. Pax Christi, Steve Lee The other guy on Let Me Be Frank Notes Email List  Support Veritas Other Veritas Shows The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   

What if the life you've been trying so hard to manifest isn't actually the life your soul wants for you?Kate welcomes soul advisor and manifestation teacher Leah Brathwaite back to The New Truth for a conversation about creating a life that feels as good as it looks.Together, they explore the difference between manifesting from fear, conditioning and control versus allowing your soul and intuition to lead. Leah shares how building the picture-perfect life ultimately left her disconnected from herself, and what changed when she stopped forcing outcomes and began trusting what felt true.They also unpack surrender, detachment and why embodying the feelings behind your desires may be more powerful than chasing the external result.This conversation is an invitation to release the script, trust yourself more deeply and leave room for life to surprise you.In This Episode We Explore:Manifesting from your survival self versus your soulWhy getting what you want may still leave you unfulfilledHow to recognize the way your intuition speaks to youThe connection between control, attachment and lackWhy the feelings beneath your desires matterBecoming an energetic match for what you wantLetting go of old identities as you expandAllowing life to unfold beyond what you plannedYour Practice for This Week:Notice where you're trying to force or control an outcome.Ask yourself what you believe having it will allow you to feel, then find one way to embody more of that feeling now.Pay attention to the quiet yeses, noes and nudges that follow. Choose one and trust yourself enough to act on it.About the Guest: Leah Brathwaite Cooper is a bestselling author, soul advisor, spiritual teacher, and the founder of the Free Soul Collective. Her work helps ambitious women reconnect with who they truly are, manifest what they deeply desire, and create lives that feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside.Blending spirituality, manifestation, identity work, and grounded self-leadership, Leah teaches a different approach to creating a beautiful life—one rooted in alignment rather than achievement, and in becoming more of who you already are rather than constantly trying to become someone better.She is the author of A New Way of Life: A Guide for Transformation From Living a Lie to Freeing Your Soul and host of the Live Free Lifestyle Podcast. Leah lives in Malibu, California with her husband and believes that true freedom begins when you stop living the life you think you should want and give yourself permission to create the one you actually do.LINKSInstagram: www.instagram.com/leah.brathwaiteFree Masterclass: https://www.thelivefreelifestyle.ca/masterclassFree Soul Collective: https://www.thelivefreelifestyle.ca/freesoulcollective40 Days of Devotion: https://www.thelivefreelifestyle.ca/40-days-of-devotion-the-heart-1Website: https://www.theunscriptdwoman.com/About the Host:Kate Harlow is the founder of The Unscriptd Woman, the creator of The Expanded Love Coaching Method, and host of The New Truth podcast - ranked in the top 1.5% globally. With over 15 years of experience teaching, coaching and facilitating transformational retreats worldwide, Kate has helped hundreds of thousands of women break free from outdated relational patterns, old patriarchal ways of thinking and unspoken rules to live by.Her infallible methods guide women to release the deeply ingrained scripts that keep them stuck- empowering women to step into their highest, most magnetic, and fully expressed selves. Through her coaching, retreats, podcast and upcoming book The Unscriptd Woman, Kate is redefining what it means to be an empowered woman in today's world, showing women how to stop waiting for permission and start creating a life and love that aligns with their deepest truth.Known for her rare ability to see exactly where women are out of alignment with themselves, Kate offers a path back to unwavering self- trust, meaningful joy and true fulfillment. Her work is a revolution - one that liberates women from societal expectations and invites them into a life of radical authenticity, thriving relationships and unshakable self-worth.Thanks for listening! It means so much to us that you listened to our podcast! If you would like to continue the conversation with us, head on over to our Facebook group, the New Truth Movement at https://www.facebook.com/groups/209821843509179/With this podcast, we are building an international community of The New Truth Movement.If you know someone who would benefit from this message or could be an awesome addition to our community, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode?Leave a note in the comment section below!Follow the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can follow the podcast app on your mobile device.Leave us a reviewWe appreciate every bit of feedback to make this a value-adding part of your day. Ratings and reviews from our listeners not only help us improve, but also help others find us in their podcast app. If you have a minute, an honest review on Apple Podcasts goes a long way! Thank You!Podcast Artwork Photo Credit: Photo by Tarja Ruuska https://www.instagram.com/tarjaruuska.photographyRoyalty Free Music: Bensound.com Artist/: Benjamin Tissot License code: 2S4NM4X7FZVPZP1E

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260825dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Jesus replied . . . “This was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” Matthew 16:17 Faith Is a Gift Many people think becoming a Christian is simply a matter of deciding to believe. Jesus tells a different story. After Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ, Jesus said this understanding did not come from Peter’s own intelligence or effort. God had revealed it to him. That is encouraging news. Jesus does not tell you to manufacture faith by trying harder. Instead, Christianity teaches that God comes to us. He speaks to us through his Word. He reveals his Son. He creates faith in his Son, Jesus Christ, where there was none before. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17). Think about every important relationship in your life. You only know another person because they chose to reveal themselves to you. The same is true of God. We cannot climb our way up to him. He must come down to us. And in Jesus, he has done just that. That is why Christians gather around the Bible. We believe it is God's own message, revealing his love through Jesus Christ. The wonderful news is that God is not hiding from you. He wants you to know him. He wants you to know that your sins are forgiven because of Jesus. He wants you to know that death is not the end. He wants you to know that you are invited into his family—not because you have earned it, but because he loves you. As you face today’s challenges, remember that your hope rests not in the strength of your faith, but in the object of your faith—Jesus Christ himself. He is the Rock of your salvation, the One who never changes, and the Savior who keeps all his promises (see Psalm 18:1-2). So, keep reading the Bible, asking your questions honestly, and being filled with the Word of God at a faithful Christian church. God has a history of meeting people through his Word. Prayer: Heavenly Father, reveal your Son to me. Help me understand the message of the Bible and lead me to trust in Jesus as my Savior. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Natalie Harp is a constant presence at President Trump's side. She's a 35-year-old gatekeeper, deciding much of what he sees. She stays up late with him to draft his social media posts and even texts with world leaders on his behalf. Today, Maggie Haberman, a White House correspondent for The New York Times, covers what we know about Trump's closest aide and why people inside and outside the White House are questioning her devotion to the president. Guest: Maggie Haberman, a White House correspondent for The New York Times. Background reading: President Trump's White House aide Natalie Harp is always by his side. What, exactly, does she do? Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times For more information on today's episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260824dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “But what about you?” [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:15 The Most Important Question If someone asked you, “Who is Jesus?” how would you answer? Many people would say he was a great teacher. Others would call him a prophet, a revolutionary, or an inspiring example of love. Even those who do not consider themselves Christians often admire him. When Jesus walked the earth, people had many different opinions about him, just as they do today. But his question to his disciples was personal. He asked, “Who do you say I am?” The apostle Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). This confession is at the heart of Christianity. Christians believe Jesus is much more than a remarkable man. We believe he is God who became human to rescue us. Why? Because every one of us has something we cannot fix on our own. We all carry guilt. We all have regrets. We all fail to love others—even ourselves—the way we know we should. The Bible calls this sin. Rather than leaving us separated from God, Jesus entered our world. He lived the perfect life we have not lived. He died on the cross to pay for our sins. Three days later, he rose from the dead, proving that sin and death no longer have the final word. Jesus did not come merely to teach people how to live. He came to save them. Perhaps you’ve never considered Jesus in that way before. Or perhaps you’ve dismissed Christianity because of disappointing experiences with Christians or Christian churches. If so, don't begin with Christians but with Christ himself. Read one of the Gospels. Ask honest questions. Consider his claims. The Christian faith ultimately rests on one person: Jesus Christ. And the question he asked Peter is still the question he lovingly asks every one of us today. Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to know you. Open my heart to understand who you are and what you have done for me. Lead me into your truth. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260823dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13-16 Who Is Jesus? More books have been written about Jesus Christ than any other individual in history. One website estimates the number in the tens of thousands. As one might imagine, these books contain just about every opinion imaginable. Some view Jesus as God in human flesh. Others view him as a great human teacher. And some even claim that Jesus never existed at all. What about you? What do you believe about Jesus? That was the question Jesus asked his closest followers one day. There were all kinds of rumors floating around about this amazing Rabbi named Jesus. Although there were differences of opinion, everyone agreed that there was nothing ordinary about him. In fact, Jesus' words and miracles were so amazing that many people thought he must be one of the prophets of old who had come back to life. Peter, one of the men who knew Jesus best, understood why Jesus was so amazing. Jesus was none other than God himself, who came to earth in human flesh. Jesus was the One God had been promising since Adam and Eve had first rebelled against him. Jesus was the One who would repair the relationship between God and his rebellious children. Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. He still is. Jesus is not simply a great human teacher. He is not just an interesting historical figure. He is not one religious leader among many. And he most certainly exists. He is your God. He is your Savior. He is your hope for a life beyond this one and your hope for a life of meaning and purpose here and now. Finally, it doesn’t really matter what a website says about Jesus. What matters is what you say about Jesus. Who do you say he is? Say he is your Lord and life and love—because he is. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing yourself to me as my God and my Savior from sin. May this belief be reflected in everything I do and say. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

We weren't created to live our faith from Sunday to Sunday. Pastor Terry challenges us to build a daily relationship with God through His Word and prayer. Like Moses, we're invited to intentionally make space to meet with God—not just for what He can give us, but because we want more of Him.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260822dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. Matthew 15:23-28 Persevere A Canaanite woman came to Jesus with her humble plea to help her daughter who was tormented by a demon. But Jesus did not answer a word. It wasn’t that she just asked Jesus once; she continued to beg and plead for mercy. Yet Jesus acted as though he didn’t hear her. When the Savior pretended not to hear the woman’s plea, Jesus was not rebuffing her or being rude to her. There was no unwillingness to help her, but through his silence he sought to test and strengthen her faith. Jesus wanted her to persevere in her plea by the strength supplied from God through the promise of his Word. Jesus will use life’s circumstances for the great benefit of humbling us and teaching us to steadfastly cling to the promises of God’s Word. A persevering faith is for our good so that when our Savior comes back, we will not have disowned him in unbelief. But, by the power of God, we will have remained faithful to Jesus so that through him, we will enter eternal life. We praise our Savior that though there are times we always don’t understand the way he treats us, we know that he has our best interests in mind. So, in all circumstances we thank Jesus for helping us persevere and grow in our saving faith. Prayer: Jesus, the most important thing for me is to have faith in you as my Savior. Through testing and trials leads me to cling to the precious promises of your Word so that my faith will be sustained until the end when you will take me to glory of heaven. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260821dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” Matthew 15:21-22 Don’t Think You Are Not Welcome This woman had every reason to stay away from Jesus. She was a Canaanite. Jesus was a Jew. For centuries, there had been a separation between Jews and Gentiles. The Canaanites were not part of Israel. They were not heirs of the Old Testament covenant in the same way the Jewish people were. Yet she came anyway. Desperation certainly played a role. Her daughter was suffering terribly. But there was something more. This woman believed that Jesus could help. She even addressed him as “Lord, Son of David,” recognizing him as the promised Messiah. Somehow, she had come to trust that this Jewish teacher was more than a teacher. He was the Savior. What happened next might seem discouraging at first. Jesus initially remained silent. Then he spoke of being sent to the lost sheep of Israel. Yet the woman did not give up. She continued to plead for mercy. She trusted that Jesus’ compassion was greater than the barriers that seemed to stand between them. And she was right. By the end of the account, Jesus praised her faith and granted her request. Her daughter was healed, and the outsider was welcomed. What a beautiful picture of God’s grace toward us. By nature, we too were outsiders. Sin separated us from God. We had no claim upon his favor and no right to stand in his presence. Yet he came to save the world. Through his perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, he opened the door of salvation to all people. Like the Canaanite woman, we approach Jesus empty-handed. We come seeking mercy, not deserving rewards. We come confessing our need, not our worthiness. And like that woman, we discover that Jesus welcomes us. So come to him boldly. The mercy you seek is found in him, and his welcome is greater than you ever expected. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for welcoming me into your family through your saving grace. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

In this episode, Sissy and David sit down with Michael and Melissa Kruger to talk about helping families build meaningful spiritual rhythms together. The Krugers share the heart behind their new book, The Good News Family Devotional: Fifty-Two Weeks Through the Gospel of Mark, and encourage parents that family discipleship doesn't have to be perfect or complicated to make a lasting impact. They discuss creating space for kids to ask hard questions, building resilience through a loving and faith-filled home, and remembering that small, consistent steps over time can shape a child's faith for years to come. Resources mentioned: The Good News Family Devotional: 52 Weeks Through the Gospel of Mark by Michael and Melissa Kruger Surviving Religion 101 by Michael Kruger Michael Kruger's website: michaeljkruger.com Word First: wordfirst.org . . . . . .  Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Order our new book, Capable, here!! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here.. . . . . .  If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. ADVENTURE BIBLE: Get an Adventure Bible for your child and begin reading and exploring it together to build confidence and curiosity in God's Word https://tinyurl.com/RBGAdventureBible. CHRISTIAN HEALTHSHARE MINISTRIES: Take charge of your healthcare by visiting chministries.org/solution. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. GO MINNO: Visit GoMinno.com and use code RBG to get a one-month free trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No matter how far you travel, you always slam in the back of my Dragula. Are you now or have you ever been a lords of Salem, if so, discuss your experiences with Horror Vanguard at: @horrorvangaurd on Instagram and bsky You can support the show for less than the cost of pressing a limited edition vinyl disturbed only to cursed women vis-á-vis broadcast radio in order to generate dubious buzz for your band's unlikely revival at www.patreon.com/horrorvanguard

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260820dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:22 The Spirit Connects Us People are more connected than ever before. With a few taps on a screen, we can communicate with family members across the country or follow the lives of people around the world. Yet many people still feel isolated and alone. Technology can connect devices, but it cannot create the deep spiritual connection that human hearts need. God provides something far better. In Ephesians chapter 2, Paul describes believers as living stones in a great spiritual building. Christ is the cornerstone. The apostles and prophets provide the foundation through their inspired Scriptures. Then Paul says something remarkable: “You too are being built together.” Notice that Paul does not say believers are being built separately. He says they are being built together. Christians are not isolated pieces scattered across a field. We are joined into one structure, one holy temple, one dwelling place for God. Who makes that happen? The answer is found in the final words of the verse: “by his Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is the divine connector. He connects us to Christ through the gospel. Through the Word and baptism, he creates faith in our hearts and unites us to our Savior. But he also connects us to one another. Every believer shares the same Lord, the same faith, the same forgiveness, and the same eternal hope because the same Holy Spirit has brought us all into God’s family. That truth is especially comforting when we feel alone. Sometimes we may feel disconnected from others. We may even feel forgotten or overlooked. Yet the Spirit reminds us that we belong. We are part of something much bigger than ourselves. We are living stones in God’s holy temple, joined together by his gracious work. The Spirit who called you to faith has connected you forever to Christ and to his people. That connection is stronger than any earthly bond because it is God’s own work. Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for bringing me to faith in Jesus and connecting me to your family of believers. Strengthen my unity with fellow Christians and bless our lives together. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Dave is back from northern Michigan, and reality is terrible. The family cabin—built by a relative generations ago—delivered everything Tulsa could not: low-80s afternoons, cool nights, fires, golf, and a lake smooth enough for water skiing.Dave's three oldest girls all learned to ski, which meant it was time for their seasoned-skier father to show them how it's done. The only problem was the pontoon boat. It had enough power to pull the kids, but not quite enough to launch a grown man from a shallow-water slalom start. After several attempts and several falls in front of his daughters, Dave accepted the indignity of starting on two skis and kicking one off. His father's old rule—“In this family, we don't fall”—was not enforced.The pour is Celestial Hazy IPA from Chainsaw Brewing, an overtly Catholic brewery in Richland, Washington. Adam has the Dominions can; Dave has the Thrones. Same beer, different celestial artwork, 6.5% ABV, and Revelation-level labels covered in angels, eyes, and hops. If you want a good IPA from a Catholic brewer, support Chainsaw Brewing and help them #BeerEvangelize.Sponsor: Select International ToursWhen Adam and Dave decided to lead their first pilgrimage, the same recommendation kept coming back: Select International Tours. Having traveled with them, the guys can attest that they're excellent. Whether you want to lead a pilgrimage or join one, visit selectinternationaltours.com and see where they can take you.Sponsor: The Amen appSunday morning is not exactly easy like Sunday morning when you're trying to load a Catholic family into the van and beat Father down the aisle. The free Amen app helps the guys prepare their children for Mass by listening to the Sunday Gospel on the drive. It also includes Catholic classics like Divine Mercy in My Soul and True Devotion to Mary. No paywall, subscription, or upfront cost. Download the Amen app and help get it from 950,000 downloads to one million.The prayer request is Mary. She recently had surgery to place a G-tube, which should make feeding more comfortable and eliminate the constant gagging caused by the tube in her mouth. The immediate goals are to stabilize her, wean her from oxygen, and help her continue gaining weight so heart surgery can be considered in the coming months. A recent video caught her wide awake, smiling, and full of joy in the middle of a life that has involved more struggle than most. Keep Mary, Lady Haylee, and the whole family in your prayers.The Catholic Man Show Campout is also approaching. Registration should open near the end of August, with the campout taking place during the final weekend of September at Clear Creek Abbey. Brandon Sheard will return for a hands-on animal-butchering class, with foraging and woodworking also planned. Those experiences are valuable, but the heart of the weekend is the opportunity to pray with the Benedictine monks and step into the ordered rhythm of monastic life.Then the guys turn to the theological virtue of hope—the virtue a man in heaven no longer needs and a man in hell can no longer possess. Hope belongs to the man in the middle, the wayfarer who has not yet arrived. That means every one of us.Drawing from St. Thomas Aquinas, they explain the four marks of hope's object: it must be good, future, arduous, and possible. Theological hope is not the same as hoping for good weather or a Cowboys Super Bowl. Natural hope rests on circumstances, probabilities, and human ability. Supernatural hope rests on God's goodness, providence, and promises. Its ultimate object is not a better job, a healed body, or a trouble-free life. Its object is God Himself.That is why hope is “cashed in” when a soul reaches heaven. The good is no longer future; it is possessed. Souls in purgatory still have hope because the happiness they await remains future, arduous, and possible—even though their final destination is certain.Josef Pieper helps identify the two ways a man can abandon the road before reaching its end: despair and presumption. Despair decides the promise will not be fulfilled. Presumption decides the reward is already guaranteed without repentance, conversion, or cooperation with grace. Both seize the verdict before the journey is finished.Presumption is not too much trust in God. It is too little. It imagines a God too small to care about justice, transformation, and whether we become the men He created us to be. Despair makes a similar mistake by deciding that God's mercy may exist in general but cannot reach this sin, this failure, or this man.The deeper question is whether we actually trust God. Will He make us happy, or will surrendering to Him leave us regretting what we gave up? We repeatedly hang the weight of our hope on hooks that cannot bear it: a spouse, career, reputation, new client, new car, food, drink, or entertainment. Those things may be good, but none can carry the full weight of the human heart. Only Christ can do that.St. Francis de Sales brings the discussion into moments of panic, temptation, self-loathing, and spiritual dryness. Devotion is not a feeling of sweetness or consolation. It is a firm and active will to do what pleases God. When anxiety hits, do not make major decisions from agitation. A trapped bird only tightens the net by thrashing. Let the water settle, then move.Self-contempt is not humility either. Anger at yourself can be another form of pride because it still assumes you should have been able to save yourself. The better response to sin is quiet displeasure followed by courageous amendment: “Poor heart, rise up again bravely.” Hope allows a man to admit that he is nothing on his own while remembering the immense dignity God gave him through baptism.Spiritual dryness can also teach. If prayer tastes like nothing, examine what you have been eating. Screens, alcohol, entertainment, comfort, and constant stimulation can train the appetite to find spiritual goods tasteless. Keep praying without demanding an immediate emotional reward. Sometimes hope looks like doing the next faithful thing while feeling nothing at all.Dave shares a moment from adoration when he admitted that he was afraid God would ask him to leave a successful career and live in poverty through full-time ministry. His yes was reluctant, but it was still a yes. The answer he sensed was simple: “I just wanted your yes.” Years later, professional success has brought the same temptation back in a different form—the temptation to believe he can provide for himself and no longer needs to depend on God. Surrender is not something a man completes once. God keeps saying: do it again.The practical path is equally simple. Offer the trial already in front of you. Pray for an increase in hope. Pray the Rosary even when you do not feel like it. Make an act of gratitude when despair begins closing in. And stop demanding that this life provide what only the next life can give.We are on the Lord's team—the winning side. Raise your glass.

Great teams are not built by talent alone. They are built by people who are committed to each other, committed to the mission, and willing to bring the right attitude every day. Pastor Q shares four traits every great team player needs: give your best, stay positive through challenges, keep getting better, and stay connected. The goal is not perfection. It is commitment—giving 100% of what you have, choosing your mindset, learning from every experience, and building strong relationships with the people around you. Great teams do not happen by accident. They are built through small, consistent choices made over time. The four questions Pastor Q's team uses to get better: What went well? What could have been better? What did we learn? What are we going to do differently next time? Duke University research on optimism: Optimistic people tend to demonstrate stronger financial behaviors and persistence, reinforcing the idea that believing tomorrow can be better can change how we work today. https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-fuqua-insights/puri-positive-thinking?utm_

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260819dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 2:20 A Solid Foundation When a building begins to crack or lean, the problem is often hidden below the surface. The foundation is weak. No matter how beautiful the structure may appear, it cannot stand if the foundation is unstable. Paul uses that picture to describe Christ’s Church. Believers are part of God’s spiritual building, and that building rests on a sure foundation: “the apostles and prophets.” At first glance, we might think Paul is saying that the Church is built on certain people. In one sense, that is true. God used the prophets of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New Testament to proclaim his saving truth. But the Church is not built on the men themselves. It is built on the message they delivered. The prophets wrote the Scriptures that pointed ahead to the coming Savior. The apostles wrote the Scriptures that proclaimed the Savior who had come. Together, their inspired writings form the Bible. When Paul speaks of the foundation of the apostles and prophets, he is directing us to the Word of God that they were inspired to record. This is wonderfully comforting. The foundation of our faith is not human opinion. It is not popular culture, personal feelings, or the latest religious trend. It is the unchanging Word of God. Paul adds that “Christ Jesus himself” is the chief cornerstone. In ancient construction, the cornerstone determined the alignment of the entire building. Everything was measured from it. Likewise, the entire Bible points to Christ. The prophets foretold him. The apostles proclaimed him. The Scriptures find their center and fulfillment in him. That means whenever you open your Bible, you are standing on solid ground. There God speaks truth that does not shift with the times. There God reveals the Savior who lived, died, and rose again for you. There God strengthens the faith he himself has created. When doubts arise and the world feels uncertain, return to the foundation. Listen to the prophets and apostles in the pages of Scripture. There you will find Christ, the cornerstone who never fails. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me the sure foundation of your holy Word. Strengthen my faith through the gospel that points me always to you. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260818dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household. Ephesians 2:19 It’s Getting Personal Most people know what it feels like to be an outsider. Perhaps you have walked into a room where everyone else seemed to know each other. Perhaps you have moved to a new community, started a new job, or attended an unfamiliar gathering. Being a stranger can be lonely. Paul says that this was our spiritual condition apart from Christ. We were “foreigners and strangers.” Because of sin, we were separated from God. We did not belong in his kingdom. We could not claim a place in his family. The holy God seemed far away, and we had no right to draw near. But then Jesus changed everything. Through his perfect life and sacrificial death, Jesus removed the barrier that stood between God and us. He took away our guilt and reconciled us to the Father. Now Paul can announce the astonishing result: “You are no longer foreigners and strangers.” Notice that God does not merely grant us a visitor’s pass. He does not allow us to stand at a respectful distance from his holiness. He brings us near. Very near. Paul first says that we are “fellow citizens with God’s people.” We belong to God’s kingdom. We have a place, a name, and an inheritance. But Paul goes even further. We are “members of his household.” God could have saved us and kept us at arm’s length. Instead, he welcomes us into his home. Think about what a household means. Family members share daily life together. They enjoy the father’s protection, provision, and love. They have access to him. They know his voice. They belong. When life makes you feel alone or forgotten, remember where you belong. Through Jesus, you are not standing outside God’s house hoping to be noticed. The door has been opened, and you have been welcomed in. You are a member of God’s own household. Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing me near through Jesus Christ. Help me live each day in the comfort of your personal love and presence. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

We would love to pray for you! Please send us your requests here. --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260817dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The Sovereign LORD declares—he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.” Isaiah 56:8 More Than Expected Have you ever thought of God as a gatherer? Isaiah 56 paints a surprising picture. The Lord is not content merely to bring back the exiles of Israel. He promises, “I will gather still others.” The gathering will be bigger than anyone expected. For centuries, God’s people might have assumed that the blessings of salvation belonged only to a certain nation and a certain family line. Yet God had larger plans. He intended to gather people from every tribe, language, nation, and people. He would gather outsiders, foreigners, and those who seemed far away from his promises. Through the coming Savior, God’s kingdom would expand far beyond the borders of ancient Israel. That promise includes us. Most of us are not descendants of ancient Israel. We were not standing at Mount Sinai when the covenant was given. Yet here we are, gathered among God’s people. We hear his Word. We receive his promises. We call upon Jesus as our Savior. How did that happen? Not because we found God. Not because we were wiser, better, or more spiritual than others. The Lord gathered us. Like lost sheep, we had wandered away. By nature, we were separated from God and hostile to him. Yet the Good Shepherd came looking for us. Through the gospel message, the Holy Spirit created faith in our hearts. Through baptism, God claimed us as his own. Through his Word, he continues to gather and keep us in the one true faith. What makes this gathering so remarkable is that it is completely unexpected. If anyone had predicted our spiritual future before God called us, they would have been wrong. Left to ourselves, we would never have chosen Christ. Yet God chose us. He sought us. He gathered us. So, when you wonder whether you belong among God’s people, remember who did the gathering. The Sovereign Lord himself brought you near through Jesus. The God who gathered Israel has gathered you, too. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for seeking me when I was lost and gathering me into your family of believers. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

2 Timothy 2:1-7 (ESV)Andrew and Edwin discuss the work of the evangelist through the lens of Paul's three metaphors: soldier, athlete, farmer.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=26509The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

What does it mean to live a life fully consecrated to Christ? How do we guard our hearts against the pull of earthly possessions and instead treasure what is eternal? In this episode, we explore the life of hymn writer Frances Ridley Havergal through the lens of Jesus' command in Luke 12:15 to "beware of covetousness." Best known for beloved hymns such as “Take My Life and Let It Be” and "Like a River Glorious", Havergal not only wrote about surrender—she lived it. From joyfully giving away her earthly treasures to using her gifts for God's glory, her life points us to the surpassing worth of Christ and the freedom found in wholehearted devotion to Him. As we reflect on her remarkable testimony, may we be encouraged to lay up treasures in heaven, trust Christ completely, and offer our lives as a willing sacrifice for His kingdom and glory.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260816dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion To keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 When Weak Is Good “That’s so weak!” If you’ve had that shouted your way, you know it usually isn’t a compliment. Weakness is normally not a trait that gets much praise. God doesn’t give spiritual weakness any praise, either. Being weak to do what God wants leads to falling into sin. Does your spiritual weakness show itself by hating or lusting? Stealing or hurting others? Gossiping or cursing? That is sin. And God hates that kind of weakness. In today’s Bible reading, the apostle Paul talked about a different kind of weakness, a physical weakness that God allowed to come into Paul’s life. We are not told exactly what it was, just that it was severe enough that Paul pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away. God’s answer: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” When Paul suffered from this physical weakness, in whom did he need to put his trust and hope? Who was his strength? Not himself! No, God was Paul’s strength and hope. God's power carried Paul through thick and thin. At no time was this more evident than when he suffered from this weakness. Then God’s grace and strength were all the more apparent, and that's what Paul and others needed to see—God’s grace and strength. When God allows hardship or troubles or “weakness” into your life, remember that when you are weak, he is strong. Trust and rest in his strength and grace. Prayer: Lord God, you work all things according to your love and wisdom. Spare me from hardship and heartache. And, when you allow them into my life, use them to draw me closer to you and increase my trust in your power and grace. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

This sermon explores the nature of true devotion to Jesus Christ through the biblical account of a sinful woman anointing his feet. Rev. Barnes contrasts her urgent, humble, and costly love with the cold judgment of the Pharisee Simon, illustrating that genuine devotion stems from a deep awareness of one's own sinfulness and the magnitude of God's grace. By examining the woman's actions and Jesus' subsequent decree of forgiveness, the message emphasizes that those who understand their need for mercy respond with heartfelt worship. The central theme challenges listeners to evaluate whether their love for Christ reflects the depth of the forgiveness they have received. Ultimately, the text calls for a personal, intimate commitment to Jesus as the only worthy object of such profound devotion.

Donald Trump is trying to get around restrictions on the construction of his White House ballroom by arguing that the facility is a military necessity. But as Jen Psaki points out, it's hard to argue the national security purpose of covering everything in gold. Jen Psaki looks at how Donald Trump's incompetence and mismanagement of his war on Iran has not only wasted physical military resources but has been injurious to service members as well, to the point where family members are having to speak out publicly even as Trump and his sycophants continue to deny there's a problem. Ben Rhodes, former deputy national security advisor, joins to discuss Trump's disastrous handling of his war against Iran. Life in the Trump era keeps getting easier for criminal fraudsters. Former Rep. Tom Malinowski talks with Jen Psaki about how Donald Trump is steadily dismantling the tools for catching and prosecuting criminals, and why the news that Trump's Treasury Department will stop enforcing the Corporate Transparency Act is good news for money launderers and drug dealers.  To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260815dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Romans 8:35 Separation Separation can be scary. Separation from loved ones, even for a short while, can fill our hearts with the unease of loneliness. The thought of being separated from money can cause great stress. Finally, even death can cause fear of being separated from what we know, understand, and cherish. And whether we realize it or not, separation from God is the scariest separation of all. Separation from God in this life is a life filled with worry and concern, because there is no comfort of knowing that there is God, the creator of the universe, who daily cares for us. Separation from God in this life also means that people must deal with every twinge of conscience all by themselves, for they cannot trust in the promise of guilt removed through Jesus. Separation from God in this life precedes a divine verdict of guilty and an eternal life of anguish. Could anything be worse? With this in mind, one can see why the rhetorical question, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” would be such a comfort. The great message of the Bible is that because of Christ, mankind no longer needs to be separated from God. Because of Jesus' life and death, we are forgiven and need not worry about our guilt but can trust that it has been removed. In this blessing of a clear conscience, we know that we are not separated from God in this life and the next. What a blessing this is. Prayer: Lord, as troubles come and go in my life, remind me that you never leave my side. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Closeness of heart between believers mainly happens when you worship Jesus together. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible.     Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org   Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Sign up for our e-newsletter today! --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260814dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 I Am Convinced Has your mind ever been changed? You saw a commercial for a new invention, and you doubted it’d really work as advertised. But then, you learned firsthand, and now you are convinced. It really does work as advertised. The man who wrote in today’s Bible verse, “I am convinced…” was once more than a doubter and a skeptic. His name was Paul, and he was convinced that Jesus wasn't really the Savior of the world. Paul was convinced that he was right with God because of his own works. He was so convinced that he worked diligently to persecute Christians. But something happened. Not only was his mind changed, but also his heart. Jesus rose from the dead and later appeared to Paul convincing him that Jesus was truly Lord. Paul was confident that he was forgiven through Christ alone. This same good news of forgiveness through Jesus is powerful enough to change our hearts too. A Christian doesn’t have to go through life a skeptic or without certainty, but can say, “I am convinced!” When the doubts multiply and all the worst-case scenarios run through your mind, remember God’s promises. God is for us; Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead for us. This is clear evidence that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Not even death can separate us from the love of God that is ours through Jesus. His love is greater than the sum of all our sins, problems, and doubts. Since God spared no expenses to save us from sin and death even when we were separated from him, he’s not going to let us go now. He’s not going to let anything in all creation separate us from him again. Prayer: Lord, strengthen me by your promises and let me grow in the conviction that your love will keep me close to you. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260813dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:31-33 Without a Doubt! There are very few things you can say without a doubt. When making plans, you can’t say they will happen without a doubt. When someone asks you a difficult question, can you always answer confidently, without a doubt? Thankfully, we can answer life’s most crucial question without a doubt, and not because we’re so smart, but because God is so great! Life’s most crucial question is, “Am I right with God?” or “Will God let me into heaven?” Some people struggle to answer those questions without a doubt. Those doubts come from the reality of sin. God is holy and perfect; we are not. Just one sin is enough to bar us from heaven, and we've committed more than one. More than we can count. It would be presumptuous to believe we can simply walk through heaven’s gates, except that God assures us of this without doubt or hesitation. God is for us! He’s on our side. He says that our sins are forgiven. This removes any and every shred of doubt. Who can bring any charges against us that will stick? Our own doubts and guilty conscience might try to tell us we aren’t forgiven or worthy, but they don’t call the shots! God does. He has justified us. That means he declares, with absolute authority, that we are not guilty because he’s forgiven all our sins. And if any doubt should remain, here’s proof: God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. This is how the guilty are declared innocent and the accused become acquitted, without a doubt. God spared no expense to make things right between you and him. God left heaven and carried a cross to make heaven your home. It’s yours through Christ, without a doubt. Prayer: Lord, spare me from doubt and temptations to justify myself and let my confidence rest on Christ alone who has already justified me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Of Love admin Thu, 08/13/2026 - 12:00am

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260813dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:31-33 Without a Doubt! There are very few things you can say without a doubt. When making plans, you can’t say they will happen without a doubt. When someone asks you a difficult question, can you always answer confidently, without a doubt? Thankfully, we can answer life’s most crucial question without a doubt, and not because we’re so smart, but because God is so great! Life’s most crucial question is, “Am I right with God?” or “Will God let me into heaven?” Some people struggle to answer those questions without a doubt. Those doubts come from the reality of sin. God is holy and perfect; we are not. Just one sin is enough to bar us from heaven, and we've committed more than one. More than we can count. It would be presumptuous to believe we can simply walk through heaven’s gates, except that God assures us of this without doubt or hesitation. God is for us! He’s on our side. He says that our sins are forgiven. This removes any and every shred of doubt. Who can bring any charges against us that will stick? Our own doubts and guilty conscience might try to tell us we aren’t forgiven or worthy, but they don’t call the shots! God does. He has justified us. That means he declares, with absolute authority, that we are not guilty because he’s forgiven all our sins. And if any doubt should remain, here’s proof: God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. This is how the guilty are declared innocent and the accused become acquitted, without a doubt. God spared no expense to make things right between you and him. God left heaven and carried a cross to make heaven your home. It’s yours through Christ, without a doubt. Prayer: Lord, spare me from doubt and temptations to justify myself and let my confidence rest on Christ alone who has already justified me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260812dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 It’s All Good! “It’s all good!” someone might say. We might tell ourselves, “It’s all good,” even when it’s not. Even when it doesn’t seem good, we try to remain optimistic, look at the brighter side, and have faith that it will all work out. The Christian faith is not merely faith that all things will work out. It’s faith in the God and Savior who works out all things for eternal good. This Bible verse is not a promise that only good and pleasant things will happen to you if you just love God enough. It’s a reminder that those who love God and are loved by God will experience all sorts of things that don’t seem good and pleasant. When something challenging or tragic comes into your life, you might be tempted to wonder, “Does God have something against me? Is that why bad things are happening?” You may doubt that God is really on your side. But here is his assurance: He's not working against you; he’s working for you and for your good! Jesus shows us how true this promise is. No one in the world would naturally see someone nailed to a cross and think, “That’s good.” Yet, in that way, God was at work to accomplish the greatest good—the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with him. That’s good! When things happen in life that the world does not see as good, we have God’s promise that even this he will work out for good. It could be good personally for you because the thing that initially causes pain or sorrow could be God’s way of shaping you, strengthening you, or sparing you from greater physical or spiritual danger. It could bring good into the lives of others around you. If you’ve been through something, you are better equipped to encourage someone else who’s going through it too. It really is all good when we find ourselves in the loving arms of the God who works in all things for our eternal good! Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me faith that knows that in all things you are at work for your good and eternal purposes. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

A talk from the 2013 Mbird NYC Conference "Good News That Never Gets Old". Property of Mockingbird Ministries, all rights reserved (www.mbird.com).

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260811dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:29-33 Why Do You Doubt? Have you ever been worried about something and doubted that it would be ok? But then you get through it, and you wonder “why did I doubt?” The answer is simple: because you didn’t know the outcome. You didn’t have hindsight to know it would all work out. Jesus asked Peter that simple question after he rescued him from the stormy waters. Why do you doubt? The answer was simple: because Peter took his eyes off Jesus. When you take your eyes of faith off Jesus and you look to your own abilities or only see the storms of life instead of the power and promise of Jesus, doubts surge. It can seem like we can’t keep our heads above water. It can seem like we are drowning. If we stop looking to Jesus as the answer to life’s biggest problem, which is sin, we truly are in over our heads with no way to bail out. But Jesus came to the rescue. He saved us from drowning in our sins and doubts, and he preserves our lives so that neither doubt nor death overtakes us. After Jesus rescued Peter, he got in the boat with Peter. Jesus doesn’t leave us alone to be tossed around by chance. He remains with us to bring a steady calm to a turbulent life. He keeps us afloat with his love and promise. There’s no need to doubt. Even when you can’t see him physically, Jesus strolls across the storms of life. Jesus gives us the foresight to know that in all things, he is with us, keeping us afloat by his grace. He gives us the faith that triumphs over doubt and the foresight to know that one day we will be with him in heaven. Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive my doubts, calm my fears, and uplift me by your grace. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Check out Joni and her planters here! --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Today’s Topics: Father Thomas Czeck, OFM Conv., joins Terry 1) Gospel – Luke 6:36-38 – Jesus said to His disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3, 4) Terry and Father Thomas discuss the Marian Foundations of Franciscan Spirituality and Saint Maximilian Kolbe

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260810dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13 He Hushes Our Doubt A mother hushes her troubled child with a gentle whisper, “Hush, it’s alright.” She holds her child close in a quiet and calm embrace. No matter what your age, sometimes that’s all you need: a gentle whisper to hush your racing mind. Amid the rushing noise of this world, you need a gentle voice to tell you, “It’s alright.” That’s what Elijah needed. He was on the run from an evil king and queen who wanted to kill him. He was all alone. He doubted that everything would be okay. He thought he was the last faithful prophet in Israel and that he’d soon be dead. In that moment, the Lord speaks. Not in an earth-shattering tone, a quaking voice, or a fiery sermon, but with a gentle whisper, he hushes Elijah’s doubt. We haven’t been in the exact same place as Elijah, but we’ve been at low points where doubts were racing through our minds. Maybe you’ve felt all alone, and you doubted that anyone knew or cared. Maybe you’ve been crying out loud or screaming on the inside. In moments like that, a loving and living God hushes your doubts with a gentle whisper and says, “It’s alright.” Those are never empty words, because God has made all things right through his Son, Jesus Christ. He has rescued us from sin and death so that not even death can separate us from God. When you are gripped with doubt or fear, hear the gentle words of Jesus and know it’s alright. Prayer: Lord, with the gentle whisper of your words, quiet my doubts and fear. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260809dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.” Matthew 14:24-27 Don’t Doubt God’s Word The Sea of Galilee is seven hundred feet below sea level. It’s the lowest freshwater lake on the planet. When winds whip through the surrounding mountains and into that watery Galilean crater, storms come quickly and out of nowhere. That is where the disciples are—on a boat, in a windstorm, at night. Jesus is not with them. In fact, Jesus was the one who told them to cross the sea. It shows that being a disciple is not easy. You can’t assume that life will be exactly how you want it. Life is full of unexpected storms. What do you do when they arise? The temptation is to doubt God’s Word. We hear God’s promises, but we are tempted to wonder if he is reliable. If he were, why would life be so difficult right now? But don’t doubt God’s Word. Think about the disciples in that boat on the wind-whipped sea. What are they looking at? They’re looking at Jesus. It’s a surreal scene. Jesus goes out to them, walking on the rough water. No wonder they think they’re seeing a ghost. Then he speaks a word of promise: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” There is strength for faith. It’s not a ghost. It is the Lord Jesus Christ, the true Son of God! When we fear or worry, Jesus promises, “It is I who forgives. It is I who saves. Look at me. Focus not on the illness, not on the pain, not on the economy, not on yourself. Find strength for your faith in my promises.” God has laid a firm foundation for your faith in his excellent Word. Believe it. God’s promises are always powerful. They brought peace to the disciples, and they bring faith to your heart and hope for your future. Prayer: Lord, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.