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The members asked why their church was buying a steeple. Was this the best use of God’s resources? What about feeding the poor? The pastor replied that the funds came from donors and needed to be spent as they wished. “Besides,” he quoted Jesus, “the poor you will always have with you” (Mark 14:7). The pastor quickly apologized for his flippant, out of context remark, which led me to wonder, What was Jesus’ context? Six days before His death, a woman anointed Jesus’ with expensive perfume. The disciples were disgusted. Why wasn’t this perfume sold to help the poor? Jesus replied by quoting Deuteronomy 15:11, “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me” (John 12:8). Jesus often cited Deuteronomy, so He knew what was written a few sentences earlier: “There need be no poor people among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving to you . . . , he will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the Lord your God” (vv. 4–5). Perhaps this was another reason for Jesus’ rebuke. Poor people existed only because Israel hadn’t obeyed God’s instructions. Now the poor were being used to distract from Jesus—the true Israelite who would fully obey to the end. We need not choose between Jesus and the poor. We love people best by loving Him most and loving Him most inspires us to love others best.

In this episode of Pray the Word on Ezekiel 42:13–14, David Platt challenges us to reflect God's holiness in every aspect of our lives.Explore more content from Radical.

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comI Corinthians 5 Paul addresses a serious issue within the Corinthian church: the acceptance of blatant sexual immorality. A man is involved in a sinful relationship with his stepmother, and the church's prideful attitude toward this sin is deeply concerning. Paul reminds the Corinthians that such behavior is unacceptable and must be confronted. He instructs them to remove the unrepentant individual from their fellowship, not out of malice, but to encourage repentance and protect the church's purity. Paul compares sin to leaven, warning that it spreads and corrupts the entire body. He urges the church to live as unleavened bread, pure and holy in Christ. Furthermore, Paul clarifies that he is not addressing unbelievers but instructs the church to hold fellow Christians accountable, emphasizing the importance of upholding God's standards within the church. Arrogance among God's people can take many forms. In today's reading, it manifests as unaddressed immorality, as if God would not hold the group accountable. Paul emphasizes that the church must confront sin for the good of the sinners and the purity of the congregation. This should be our attitude toward ungodliness among us. We must humbly accept that we will answer to God for inaction. However, our motives must always be to save and protect, whether it be the sinner or the members of our church family. This may require extreme actions, such as breaking off associations with someone or removing them from the local church fellowship. All must be done with the hope of restoration and peace.   Holy God, we hear Your call to morality and holiness in Jesus' name. Help us confront violations of Your will within ourselves and among Your people with humility, love, and courage. Teach us to address sin with the desire for restoration and fellowship, being mindful to protect the integrity of Your little ones among us. Grant us wisdom to discern how to approach those in sin, balancing mercy and resolve as we stand for Your will. Strengthen our commitment to live as unleavened bread, set apart for You, and determined to abandon arrogance and purge sin from our midst.  Thought Questions: -       What might lead a local church to overlook sin among them? How can you help your local fellowship overcome this and address souls? -       How important is it for local churches to keep sin from among their midst? Why is it dangerous to allow ungodliness to be common among us? -       Why are Christians told “not to associate” with brethren caught in sin? Why is this important, and what does it look like in your life?

How does God rule through his enemies? Description:Why does God allow His enemies to rule, and what's the result? In today's episode, Emma Dotter talks with former Watermark student Bo Richardson about Isaiah 10-14. Bo discusses God's justice, mercy, and sovereignty and explores how God uses that which displeases him to punish that which displeases him and to refine his people.Additional references:Hebrews 12:6

“Did you grow up around here?” It was difficult to answer my dental hygienist’s simple question because her teeth-cleaning tools were still inside my mouth. She explained that in 1945 our city became the first in the world to add fluoride to public drinking water. Thought to prevent cavities, the treatment doesn’t require much: just 0.7 milligrams of fluoride to a liter of water. Its positive effects are obvious to a trained professional, while I had no idea, I’d been drinking it all my life! The things we consume every day can have an effect on us over time. That applies not only to food and drink but also to entertainment, friends, and messages from social media. The apostle Paul cautioned, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). While the Holy Spirit is making disciples of Jesus to be more like Him, the process takes a lifetime. Our habits can either help or hinder His work. It’s not always easy to recognize what we’re consuming, but we can ask Him, who’s rich in “wisdom and knowledge,” to show us (11:33). Wisdom and discernment help us “test and approve what God’s will is” (12:2) considering ourselves with “sober judgment” (v. 3). Whatever He might be asking us to add to or remove from our daily lives is worth the price. All things are “from him and through him and for him” (11:36). He knows best.

Welcome back to chapter 16 on Build Your Bible Habit. Every chapter of Proverbs includes life instructions that help us to handle matters wisely (Prov. 16:20). The Word of God is sufficient to guide us in every aspect of our lives, but we need to know what it says in order to follow the guidance. Do you trust God so much with your life that you pray for direction and then only want His will? "Thy will be done" is an essential part of the prayer pattern that Christ left us in Matthew 6:9-13. Proverbs 16:3 is another way of saying, "Thy will be done." When we commit our works to the Lord, He makes us stable, secure, and steadfast.  "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." (Proverbs 16:3) Building your Bible habit with a daily Proverb will increase your wisdom and understanding as you yield your plans to God and apply His Word to your life.  Book Club Selections in the Shop Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor What Do I Have to Lose?-Book 2 Devotional by Janice Wolfe Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram Like Keep the Heart on Facebook "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." (Proverbs 16:3)

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:7-12"Why does she get to ride when I have to walk?" Caden whined. "It's not fair!""Your sister is only two; her legs aren't as long or as strong as yours," Mom replied, parking the stroller in front of the two-toed sloth exhibit. Caden continued to pout. "Emma gets all the attention too! You treat her better than you treat me. You must love her more!""Caden, that's not true!" Mom sounded hurt. "You know I love you and your brothers and sister with all my heart.""Then why don't you treat us the same?" Mom pointed to the exhibit. "Do you see the zookeeper feeding the sloth?" Caden nodded. "What's she feeding it?" asked Mom."Looks like fruit."Mom nodded. "What did the zookeeper at the penguin exhibit fed the penguins?""Fish, right?""That's right. What would happen if this zookeeper tried to feed fish to the sloth?""Mom, sloths don't eat fish. They live in trees!" Caden laughed."Right again." Mom smiled. "Different animals eat different foods and live in different habitats because they have different needs. Good zookeepers treat all the animals differently because they care for all of them."Caden glanced at his little sister, who had fallen asleep. "Emma and I aren't different kinds of animals.""No," Mom replied, "but you are different people, and sometimes you have different needs. Emma needs help with things like holding her cup and turning a doorknob, but sometimes you need help with things like math homework and piano practice." Mom, Caden, and his brothers watched in fascination as the sloth munched languidly on an apple slice. "I think God is kind of like a zookeeper," Mom said. "He knows exactly what each of His children needs. We may not always get what we ask for when we pray, but He always provides for our needs. He provided for our greatest need of all by sending Jesus to save us from sin, and we can trust Him to provide for each of our specific needs too.""Hey! Give that back!" Caden's brother snatched the cap off his head and ran off with it, causing Emma to start crying."Sometimes I feel like a zookeeper too," Mom mused as the family moved on to the next exhibit. –Suzanne FeltonHow About You?Do you think it's unfair when you're treated differently than your brothers, sisters, or classmates? Adults who care about you know that different people often have different needs, and it's because they love you that they treat you differently. God knows us and loves us more than anyone else. Even when He answers His children's prayers differently, He always gives us what we need.Today's Key Verse:And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (NIV) (Philippians 4:19)Today's Key Thought:God gives us what we need

Think you've blown it? Peter did too - and Jesus still used him. Catch today's Daily Dose to find hope in failure. Video available at: https://youtu.be/EGjNNZjR9q0 Message by Trent Jenkins & Jeff Whye.

A new MP3 sermon from Walking With Christ is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Introduction to Colossians Speaker: Jeremy Preece Broadcaster: Walking With Christ Event: Devotional Date: 7/15/2025 Bible: Colossians 1 Length: 5 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Walking With Christ is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: By The Will of God Speaker: Jeremy Preece Broadcaster: Walking With Christ Event: Devotional Date: 7/15/2025 Bible: Colossians 1:1-2 Length: 6 min.

In this episode of Pray the Word on Ezekiel 37:10, David Platt invites us to speak God's Word in a way that brings people to life forever.Explore more content from Radical.

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comI Corinthians 4 The apostles of Christ should not be viewed as exalted leaders, but rather as servants and stewards of God's mysteries. They are subject to God's examination, just like everyone else. Paul reminds the Corinthians that faithfulness to God is what truly matters, not the judgments or opinions of others. Genuine evaluation belongs to the Lord, who will illuminate hidden things and unveil the intentions of the heart. Paul cautions against pride and boasting in human leaders, urging humility by reminding them that everything they possess is a gift from God. Apostles are examples of suffering and perseverance, often regarded as “fools for Christ” while demonstrating God's power. Paul encourages the Corinthians to follow his example, living humbly and faithfully under God's authority, for they are ultimately accountable to Him alone. Judgment and approval belong to the Lord in every situation. This absolute truth carries two important implications. First, we do not have the right to determine our own righteousness. God examines each of us, and His conclusions supersede our own. Second, and hopefully obviously, we do not pass judgment upon other believers. They will answer to God, and His praise is all that matters in the end. Unfortunately, some Corinthians have become prideful and even judge the apostles as less than themselves, despite Paul and others having done so much for God and for them. There is no room for such arrogance in the kingdom. We should emulate the faithfulness of the apostles and the humble, active servants among us.  Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us through Your Word that we are stewards of Your mysteries. Help us remain faithful to You in all things, seeking Your approval above the opinions of others. Teach us humility, reminding us that everything we have is a gift from You. Strengthen us to endure challenges and reflect Christ's love, even when faced with opposition or ridicule. May we follow the example of faithful servants like Paul, living for Your glory and not our own. Reveal to us the intentions of our hearts and guide us to walk in humble obedience to You.  Thought Questions: -       If God's judgment about you is more important than how you see yourself, how do you determine what God desires from You as His servant? -       Why is it so tempting to demean others and elevate yourself? What do you usually miss about yourself and the other person when you do this? -       What would happen if we spent less time in pride or jealousy toward others and more time emulating the godliness we see in them?

What's the deal with Isaiah having the hot coal touched to his mouth? In today's episode, Emma Dotter talks with Co-Founder and CEO of The Eden Project, Nathan Wagnon, about Isaiah 6-9. Nathan  helps us understand the cultural context of the coals touching the mouth of Isaiah in chapter 6, and teaches us that this was a cleansing of Isaiah for his ministry. Additional References: Exodus 3; Jeremiah 1:6-7; Acts 1:5, 8To learn more about The Eden Project: https://www.theedenproject.com/Check out The Eden Project's podcasts: - (Re)Story: https://www.theedenproject.com/restory-podcasts/(Re)Form: https://www.theedenproject.com/reform-podcasts/

Jesus, how are You praying for me? I’d never thought to ask that question until my friend Lou shared the experience of his heart-cry to Christ when he was faced with a situation that required more wisdom and strength than he was able to muster. Hearing him voice that noteworthy question in prayer has helped me add a fresh dimension to my understanding and practice of prayer. In Luke 22, there was no mystery as to how Jesus was praying for Simon Peter: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail” (vv. 31-32). When Peter was battered through trial, his faith flickered. But because of Christ’s grace, it didn’t fail. The book of Acts tells us how Jesus’ prayers for Peter—His eager but weak disciple—were answered. God used him to preach the good news about Christ to Jews and gentiles alike. And Jesus’ prayer ministry hasn’t ended. Paul reminds us that “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). When you find yourself in the throes of trial or temptation, remember that Jesus, who prayed for His disciples (see John 17:13-20) remains in prayer for those who have believed their message about Him.

Bible Reading: Proverbs 6:16-19; Romans 6:11-18"Be sure you check your arms and legs for ticks!" Jay's mother called as he ran into the house. It was tick season, and the insects thrived in the woods where Jay played with friends. He obediently rolled up his sleeves, and sure enough, a tiny black bug had attached itself to his skin."Ugh. Got one, Mom. Can you take it off with your tweezers?" He went into the kitchen, and his mother pulled out a special tick removal tool from one of the drawers. "Ticks glue themselves to your skin and burrow in," she said. "That's why it's important not to try to brush them off."Jay nodded. "If the head stays in, it can give you Lyme disease, right? Like our neighbor has." "Yes, though not all ticks carry Lyme disease. But any tick that's not fully removed can cause an infection, so we don't want to take any chances." Jay's mom carefully removed the tick, then dropped it into a cup of rubbing alcohol. She smiled at Jay. "You know, sin can be like a tick sometimes--like when a bad habit attaches itself to us and burrows in. The longer it's there, the easier it can be to ignore--but like not properly removing a tick, ignoring sin is dangerous!""Because it's infecting us?" asked Jay."Sin doesn't make us sick the way a tick can," said Mom. "We won't get Lyme disease. But it can weaken our sense of right and wrong and make us lose our appetite for doing things that show others the love of Jesus. That's why the Bible warns us about letting sin infect our minds and hearts.""Too bad there's no such thing as sin tick removers!" Jay grinned, and his mother laughed."We have something even better!" Mom replied. "We have Jesus, who sacrificed His life to free us from sin. When we go to Him for help and confess our wrongs, He will forgive us and help us replace bad habits with good ones. The best thing we can do is faithfully check our attitude each day. If we ask Him to remove anything in our lives that shouldn't be there, He will!" –Deborah MeroffHow About You?Have you let sinful habits attach themselves to you? Like a tick imbedded in your skin, they are harmful and need to be removed right away. Check yourself daily, and when you notice a sinful habit in your life, confess it to Jesus. He paid a lot to save you from sin, and He promises to forgive you and help you live in a way that shows you belong to Him. Today's Key Verse:Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. (NIV) (Romans 6:12)Today's Key Thought:Don't ignore sin

It can feel impossible to attune to Jesus' presence and hear his voice when so many stressors fight for our attention. Factors like health issues, relational tension, and the busyness of life and work make it challenging to genuinely sense Christ with us. Even still, Jesus speaks to the deepest desire of our hearts when he invites us to abide in him through all of life (John 15:5; 16:33).Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi talk about the necessity of inner stillness in your relationship with Jesus. You'll be equipped with surprising ways to cultivate a centeredness with Jesus that integrate practicing spiritual disciplines with biblically-based psychology. Resources for this Episode:Attend a Soul Shepherding RetreatMeet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

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Annual cosmetic industry sales in the United States are about $89.5 billion dollars. That's nearly 90 billion, with a B, spent on makeup and personal care items including skincare, haircare, perfumes, toiletries, deodorants, and oral cosmetics.For perspective, of 148 nations tracked in 2019 by TheGlobalEconomy.com, 126 of them had annual national expenditures of less than 90 billion dollars, including Israel, Switzerland, and South Africa.We spend more in this country on lotions, potions, and creams to make ourselves look better, than the entire annual budget of most countries. That's even more eye-opening than the latest greatest mascara!Joshua 24:15 says, “Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”For women and men both, the search for meaning can easily become entangled with the world's obsession with outer beauty and perfection in our faces and bodies.We seek to control and improve the impression others have of us with hairstyles and cosmetics, hours spent at the gym achieving the perfect body, and teeth whitening services that guarantee a gleaming smile. We may achieve worldly admiration by these vain pursuits, but temporary glamour won't bring us closer to God.1 Peter 3:3–4 says, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.”Let's pray.Lord, make us beautiful in your sight. Remind us to follow you, rather than traipsing down the rabbit trails of fleeting outer beauty the world offers. Let us serve you first, and always. In Jesus' name, amen.  Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Do you need to get out of the boat? Trust in Jesus. Stay tuned for our fun new format of the Daily Dose! #Faith #TrustInJesus Video available at: https://youtu.be/O8ngS8bkLSQ Message by Trent Jenkins & Jeff Whye.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to meet Jesus face-to-face during His time on earth? Many of us have pondered this question, imagining the transformative experience of witnessing His miracles firsthand. The remarkable truth is that the same divine power that flowed through Christ's ministry two thousand years ago remains fully accessible to believers today.Open yourself to a deeper understanding of Christ's ongoing ministry in your life. Recognize that Emmanuel—God with us—remains present and powerful, accomplishing His purposes in you daily. Whether you're facing challenges, seeking direction, or simply desiring closer communion with God, this devotional reminds you that you are His favored child, blessed with His presence and power every day. How might your life change if you fully embraced this truth?

Mama, we are all moms who worry at various stages of our children's lives! But Jesus speaks of peace in His grace. Tune in for more encouragement! "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJVThis devotional is from our book, The Wise Woman Stays.

Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Lonein Lara, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. What does it mean to love your enemies? Meditate on Luke 6:35. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Increasing God‘s work in and through my life

Today's Devotional "It's In My Books"lmjministries.org7/15/25

A new MP3 sermon from First Christian Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Get Out of the Boat: Storms Seem to Hide God Subtitle: Daily 180 Speaker: Dr. T. J. Gentry Broadcaster: First Christian Church Event: Devotional Date: 7/15/2025 Length: 3 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Mission Africa is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Spirt Of Missions by E.M. Bounds Subtitle: Old Paths Readings Speaker: Jim Robinette Broadcaster: Mission Africa Event: Devotional Date: 7/14/2025 Length: 1 min.

A new MP3 sermon from First Christian Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Are You Listening? Subtitle: Together We Grow Speaker: Rev. Tim Woods Broadcaster: First Christian Church Event: Devotional Date: 7/15/2025 Bible: Psalm 46:10 Length: 1 min.

A new MP3 sermon from FairHavens Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: God Will Take Care of You Subtitle: Strength For Today Speaker: Bob Kirkland Broadcaster: FairHavens Baptist Church Event: Devotional Date: 7/15/2025 Length: 6 min.

A new MP3 sermon from FairHavens Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Our Worst Enemy Subtitle: Two Natures Speaker: Bob Kirkland Broadcaster: FairHavens Baptist Church Event: Devotional Date: 7/15/2025 Length: 5 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Pineville Sovereign Grace Fellowship is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Our Help Cometh From The Lord ! Subtitle: Devotional Speaker: Larry Phillips Broadcaster: Pineville Sovereign Grace Fellowship Event: Devotional Date: 7/15/2025 Bible: Psalm 60:11 Length: 12 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Grace Baptist Church of Waterford is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Why Suffering (part 2)? Subtitle: Mark: Devotionals Speaker: Tim Davis Broadcaster: Grace Baptist Church of Waterford Event: Devotional Date: 7/15/2025 Bible: Mark 15:21-32 Length: 39 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Grace Community Church of Bowling Green is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Question 40 Subtitle: Misery, Deliverance, Gratitude Speaker: Noah Logsdon Broadcaster: Grace Community Church of Bowling Green Event: Devotional Date: 7/13/2025 Length: 6 min.

 Welcome!Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is for people who are seeking to know more about God and Church and where believers from around the world can strengthen their walk with Christ.Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! Connect With Bruce At:► Website: https://BruceDownes.org ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCatholicGuyBruceDownes ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecatholicguy ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecatholicguy ► Online Store: https://brucedownes.org/store Consider Becoming a Faith Builders Partner:Everyone who donates to Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is what we call a Faith Builder Partner. The team are working to build the faith of every person we connect with whether they are powerful or weak, rich or poor, young or old, in whatever city, town, village and country they are in. ►https://brucedownes.org/giving/#brucedownes​ #catholicministries​​​ #praytherosarv #devotional #dailydevotional

Jared Boyter says Rexburg's unique history and spirit creates an environment to strengthen Zion within and outside of the university. Article: https://www.byui.edu/radio/campus-news/byu-idaho-devotional-speaker-encourages-students-to-face-zion

In this episode of Pray the Word on Ezekiel 36:22–23, David Platt encourages us to live for the sake of God's glory among the nations.Explore more content from Radical.

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comI Corinthians 3In Corinth, divisions arise as believers align themselves with leaders like Paul or Apollos. Paul addresses the church, explaining that these leaders are merely servants, while God is the one who causes growth. He compares the church to a field, where one plants and another waters, but God gives the increase. Paul then describes the church as a building, with Christ as the only foundation. He warns that each person's work will be tested by fire to reveal its true quality. Paul reminds them they are God's temple, where the Holy Spirit dwells. He calls them to reject worldly wisdom and to boast only in Christ, who unites them. Through this teaching, Paul urges the Corinthians to seek unity, build wisely, and glorify God in all things.Paul yearns to share deeper insights with the Corinthians, but their spiritual growth is hindered by jealousy, strife, and division. These issues serve as a warning for us to guard against such attitudes in our own lives. Instead, we should concentrate on humility, loving others, and pursuing unity, which opens the door for God's truths and works to flourish within us. Christ is our unshakable foundation, and proclaiming Him is our mission. While some will grow and thrive, others may falter, but our responsibility is to remain faithful, humble, and service-oriented throughout the journey. In His wisdom, God is in control, and He will provide the increase. Our boasting is in His strength, not in ourselves or anyone else.  Compassionate God, please be patient with us. Weaknesses such as jealousy and bitterness attempt to infiltrate our hearts and fellowship, and sometimes we stumble. Help us refocus on the grace of Jesus and renew our hearts to discover deeper spiritual truths and remain steadfast in the ministry. Some of our efforts will endure, while others may falter, but we trust that You are with us and will provide growth as You see fit. Strengthen us to trust You and humbly continue being a temple of the Holy Spirit, a community where the world can find the Spirit, the Son, and You.   Thought Questions: -       The Corinthian division was seeded in jealousy and strife. What helps you keep those emotions from living within your heart? -       Evangelism is emotional. Some come to Christ and stay, while others fall away. How do you stay encouraged to remain active no matter what? -       “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” What is this indwelling, and how does it affect you?

What are the branch and vineyard of the Lord? Join Emma Dotter and Julie Fowler as we dive into Isaiah 1-5.Additional references:Psalm 1Jeremiah 17:7-8Check out Julie's studies:https://www.juliefowlerministries.com/infertitlity-bible-studies-and-resource

We have a new puppy, Winston. He bites. Sleeps. Eats. (Does one or two other things.) Oh, and he digs. Winston doesn’t dig casually. He tunnels. Like he’s escaping from prison. It’s compulsive, ferocious, and filthy. Why does that dog dig so much? I wondered recently. Then it hit me: I’m a digger, too—prone to “digging” into myriad things I hope will make me happy. They’re not always even bad things. But when I fixate on finding satisfaction in something apart from God, I become a digger. Digging for meaning apart from God leaves me covered in dirt and longing for something more. Jeremiah rebuked Israel for being diggers: “They have forsaken me,” God said through the prophet in Jeremiah 2:13, “and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” God disciplined His people for neglecting to seek Him. They’d dug their own wells in an attempt to quench their deepest thirst. But God reminded them that He alone is the “spring of living water.” In John 4, Jesus offered this living water to the woman at the well, who’d also done her share of digging elsewhere (vv. 10-26). We’re all diggers sometimes. But God graciously offers to replace our fruitless digging for fulfillment with His water, which alone satisfies the deep thirst of our souls.

Bible Reading: Hebrews 11:13-16Kenzie snapped one last picture of the Eiffel Tower. "It's so beautiful against the sunset!" She sighed. "I can't believe this is our last night here." "I know," Mom said. "Though I'm actually excited to be going home." "But this has been the best vacation ever," said Kenzie's sister, Aubrey. "I'm going to miss Paris." "All right, everyone," Dad said. "It's getting late. We'd better head back to the hotel to eat our last dinner here in France." Kenzie turned to follow him and accidentally bumped into a man with a touring cap and backpack. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" she said. The man glanced at her, said something in French, and moved past them. Kenzie giggled quietly. "You know what I'm looking forward to about going home? Being able to speak the language. I can't understand what French people say--and they can't understand me!" "Yeah," Aubrey said. "We really don't fit in here, do we?" "I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again," Mom said. "And not living out of a suitcase anymore," Dad chimed in. "Sounds like we all agree," said Aubrey. "Paris is great, but it's not home." When they reached their hotel, they got a table at the restaurant downstairs. "You know what?" Dad said. "Our conversation earlier reminded me of something. Just like we're visitors here in France, the Bible says that Christians are visitors in the world. Our real citizenship is in heaven, not here on earth." "That makes sense," Aubrey said. "We don't always fit in here on earth because we're living for a different world," Dad went on. "We have different values and priorities because we're citizens of God's kingdom.""And someday He'll bring us there, right?" asked Kenzie. Dad nodded. "When Jesus returns and makes everything new, we'll live with Him in His heavenly kingdom forever. But we're also living as citizens of His kingdom now. Jesus saved us from sin and made us His people so we can experience the joy of knowing Him and let others know they can have an eternal home with Him too." Kenzie nodded. "I'm excited to go home to America, but I'm even more excited for my eternal home!" –Lucy AlessioHow About You?Do you ever feel like you don't fit in here in this world? Do you find the things that other people think are most important are not what bring joy and meaning to your life? The Bible tells us that, as Christians, we're just travelers here on earth. Our citizenship--our true home--is with Jesus. Don't be afraid to live differently in this world, knowing that heaven is where you truly belong. Today's Key Verse:But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV) (Philippians 3:20)Today's Key Thought:Christians are citizens of heaven

Don't Let the Flesh Win—Be Blessed As You Walk in the Spirit | Blessed Morning Prayer For TodaySUBSCRIBE to catch all the latest prayers uploaded to the Daily Effective Prayer™ Podcast!For more powerful daily prayers and to connect with the ministry visit:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org© Copyright Daily Effective Prayer™ SUPPORT THE MINISTRY:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org/donate/ DO YOU NEED PRAYER? Send us a prayer request right now:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org/prayer-request-online/ CONNECT WITH US:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org/connectYouTubeX / TwitterInstagram ThreadsInstagramFacebook Daily Effective Prayer™

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What Does The LORD Require? Justice, Mercy and Humility : Devotional 07/14/2025 by Shawn Ozbun

For our final Talkback of the summer on July 9, we were excited to focus on a theology of worship and stewardship. Our lives are marked by the things we worship – for better or worse. One way we can assess whether we're rightly ordering our Christian life is by looking at how we steward our time, talents, and resources. For this gathering, we had a chance to hear from elders, pastors, and lay members about what it means to keep Christ at the center of it all. ABOUT TALKBACKSOur Talkbacks are great opportunities to see how our faith engages with the world around us. This summer, we're excited to have four evenings that discuss how the gospel changes how we think about race, politics, the world, and our stories.Each Talkback, we get a chance to hear from a speaker for about 45 minutes before spending about 45 minutes in a Q&A. We encourage you to come with questions! MORE INFOFor more info, visit rccbirmingham.com/talkbacks

Baal. Molech. Ashtoreth. Chemosh. Artemis.These names may not ring a bell for you, but back in biblical times, these false gods and others were known as competitors for devotion alongside our one true God — the God of Israel.If you aren't a modern-day Bible scholar or a student of ancient history, these false gods may not be familiar, but make no mistake — just because we don't use these same names for false gods today, doesn't mean our culture doesn't have any. We definitely do!Joshua 24:15 says, “Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”A “false god” is someone or something that is highly revered, followed devoutly, sacrificed for, and looked to for meaning in life and deliverance from problems.Would it surprise you to know that one of the most powerful “false gods” we can be ensnared by is found in the mirror? People are inherently self-centered and self-focused. Although we are capable of being selfless at times, when push comes to shove, we often demonstrate who we really are.We live in a fallen world, and in our efforts to rise above our circumstances and achieve the things we desire, we are all inclined to put ourselves first. If we can do something that benefits us, even at the expense of someone else, and if we know we can get away with it, we do it almost every time.God asks us to choose Him, not ourselves. Whether we're making the small everyday choices that define our character over time, or tackling the big decisions that stand out as milestones in our lives, let us turn to the Lord for guidance, and seek His glory rather than our own.Let's pray.Heavenly Father, we choose you. Remind us daily that you are sovereign, and you are the one true God. Be present in our hearts and minds and lead us in your ways, not our own. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.