Podcasts about ephesians

Walking in God's calling often comes with uncertainty and mistakes because we only understand God's will in part, so errors are not failures but part of growth. God knew from the foundation of the world that we would not walk out our calling perfectly, and He already accounted for our missteps, just as He planned redemption before humanity fell. Fear of making mistakes should not stop us from starting or continuing, because God's expectation is not perfection but a heart willing to follow, learn, and be corrected. Like children growing under a loving father, or an airplane constantly adjusting its course, our calling is fulfilled through ongoing correction and obedience, trusting that God will guide us to the destination as we remain faithful and responsive to Him. Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 KJV, Ephesians 1:4-5 KJV, Acts 13:22 KJV Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com Leave a Comment: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/comments __________    

What does the Bible actually teach about spiritual warfare? In this episode of the Hope Rescue Podcast, we walk through Ephesians 6 and explain why Christians aren't called to fight Satan—but to stand firm in Christ. Learn the real nature of the battle, the role of humility, and how God's armor equips believers to resist the devil. Resources: Purchase Tim's book "Breathe": Link Show notes and more info: Hope Rescue If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on iTunes. Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook @hoperescuepodcast. For comments, questions, or suggestions for future episodes, email us at hoperescuepodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening! We appreciate your support!

This week, Chase wraps up our study of the book of Ephesians, looking at why all six pieces of the whole armor of God are necessary for us to stay faithful Christians. Chase also let's us know that next week he will give an introduction to next season's theme. Description Visit our linktree: https://linktr.ee/scatteredabroadnetwork Visit our website, www.scatteredabroad.org, and subscribe to our email list. "Like" and "share" our Facebook page: https:// www.facebook.com/sapodcastnetwork Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ the_scattered_abroad_network/ Subscribe to our Substack: https://scatteredabroad.substack.com/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: The Scattered Abroad Network Contact us through email at san@msop.org. If you would like to consider supporting us in any way, don't hesitate to contact us through this email.

Did God create evil? In this message by Pastor Alex Klimchuk, he talks about how we need to know what principalities and rulers are in the Bible so we are better equipped to fight it. Ephesians 3:10-13, Colossians 1:16, Ephesians 6:12, Job 38:4-7, Job 1:6 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, & SUBSCRIBE for more biblical teachings! #Lucifer #Satan #fallenangels   Please follow our websites for more! Website: http://www.newlifechurchsf.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewLifeSF/ Youtube: https://youtu.be/7Ig-qXgVAmE/ Pastor Alex Klimchuk New Life Church 500 S 1st Ave Sioux Falls, SD 57104

In Episode 97 of the Operation Thriving Marriage Podcast, Bryon and Jennifer Harvey tackle one of today's loudest cultural narratives: “Marriage is bad for women.” From viral reels to negative blog posts, modern messaging often paints marriage as limiting, misogynistic, or a barrier to women's personal success. But the Harveys push back with both research and biblical wisdom, highlighting findings from the General Social Survey that consistently show married women—especially married women with children—report significantly higher levels of happiness than their single peers. While the data can't claim that marriage causes happiness, it does clearly demonstrate that marriage is not harmful to women and often correlates with meaningful emotional, spiritual, and relational benefits. Bryon and Jen explore why this disconnect exists and how social media outrage, pain-driven content, and misunderstanding of Christian teaching all contribute to a distorted narrative. They explain how biblical marriage offers women deep emotional support, protection against loneliness, shared identity and purpose, accountability for personal growth, and the joy of partnership in both daily life and spiritual mission. But these benefits don't flow automatically—marriage only thrives when both spouses actively invest in it. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25), creating emotional safety and mutuality, while wives partner in love and teamwork. Healthy communication, catching small issues early, and keeping Christ at the center are essential practices that help women flourish in marriage. The episode ends with a challenge for couples to evaluate the benefits they are experiencing in their relationship and to intentionally reconnect if something is missing. Asking simple questions like, “How do I help you feel loved, valued, or seen?” and “What small issues do we need to address together?” can reignite unity and purpose. As the Harveys often remind listeners: if both of you aren't winning, neither of you is winning. Subscribe, rate, and connect with Operation Thriving Marriage for more tools to build a marriage that thrives.

Episode 8 This week's episode is filled with comparisons of two different ways to walk. Join us as we break down these comparisons and learn how we can apply these truths so that we can walk worthy of our calling. Enhance your experience—order the study book TODAY and journey through Ephesians with us. www.preceptministries.ca/shop Ephesians — In & Out Study Ephesians — Precept Upon Precept Study This podcast is also available on our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@preceptministriescanada

Are you fighting the right battles in life? In this message from Ephesians 6:10–12, Pastor Jay reminds us that our struggle isn't against people, but against spiritual forces of darkness. He calls believers to stand firm in God's strength, put on spiritual armor, and recognize Satan's schemes of deception. Discover how prayer, God's Word, and unity in the church help us fight from a position of victory in Christ—together, not alone.

Grant Clark, December 14, 2025

Fr. Mike highlights a secret to holiness visible in Paul's ability to see his arduous trip to Rome as the will of God. He also clears up confusion in regards to Paul's direction for wives to be subject to their husbands, again drawing our attention to our call to love and serve while being subject to each other out of reverence for Christ. Today's readings are Acts 27, Ephesians 4-6, and Proverbs 29:22-24. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Marriage works best when it follows God's kingdom blueprint rather than personal opinions or examples that don't align with His instructions. Scripture shows that God sometimes allowed imperfect practices due to human ignorance or hardened hearts, but His true design for marriage is now clearly revealed. In God's kingdom, marriage is a lifelong, permanent union between one man and one woman, built on divine order and responsibility. Husbands are submitted to Christ and lead through sacrificial love and service, while wives are called to submit to and respect their husbands. Both spouses are responsible for intentionally serving one another's needs and desires, creating mutual care and unity. Sexual intimacy is meant to be frequent, mutually enjoyable, and protected within marriage. When couples follow these principles faithfully and unconditionally, God's design produces peace, clarity, and a healthy, thriving marriage. Scriptures: Genesis 20:12 NLT, Leviticus 18:9 NLT, Acts 17:29–30 NLT, Matthew 19:7–8 NLT, Matthew 19:4–6 NLT, 1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV, Ephesians 5:22–24 NLT, Ephesians 5:25 NLT, Ephesians 5:33 NLT, 1 Corinthians 7:32–34 NLT, 1 Corinthians 7:3–5 NLT Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com Leave a Comment: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/comments __________    

Psalm 123 Psalm 124 Ephesians 1:3-10 Philippians 3:20b-21 Prayer Requests to psp@sqpn.com

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Ephesians 2:11-22 | Aaron Cronen

Today is day 348 and we are studying The Ninth Commandment. 348. How does keeping this commandment help you to become like Christ? By practicing love and truthfulness in speech, I grow in self-restraint, kindness, and honesty, so that I may know God with a mind free of deception, praise him with an undefiled tongue, and more truly love my neighbor. (Proverbs 8:1–17; Matthew 15:10–20; Ephesians 5:1–4; James 3:1–12) We will conclude today by praying Proper 27 found on page 622 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Series: Big GodWeek: 17Scripture: Ephesians 6:5-9; 2 Timothy 3:16-17Preacher: Brian Lowe

Intervention: The Act of stepping into a situation to change its course, especially to prevent harm or improve an outcome.Galatians 4:4-7There are two important things when it comes to an intervention: Timing and PurposeGalatians 4:4-7 reminds us that's what Christmas is all about.1.    God Intervenes at the right time (v. 4) (Timing)“But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a women, born under the law”The phrase “set time” used here is the Greek word Pleroma.  There is only one other place in the New Testament that the word “Pleroma” is used. Ephesians 1:10. Ephesians is referring to the second coming.   John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…” 2.    God Intervenes to Set Us Free (v. 5-7) (Purpose)“To redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.  Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father'.  So, you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”

Ephesians 5:22-33 Pastor Sam Cirrincione

Dividends of grace. If you're in the resident congregation, turn off your electronic devices and put them away. Let this be a place where you aren't distracted by the world. Welcome To BARAH MINISTRIES Rory Clark Pastor-Teacher Good Morning! for full notes: http://www.barahministries.com/index.php?proc=lsn&sf=v&tid=1980

Today's chronological Bible reading includes Colossians 2-4, Philemon, and Ephesians 1.Visit www.listentogodsword.org for our daily Bible reading schedue, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and more. If you're benefiting from this daily podcast, please take a moment to rate and review it, and share it with a friend as well. Questions or comments, email us at info@listentogodsword.org. We'd love to hear from you. The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain.

Send us a textEverlasting Father Dr. Jessica Fernandez December 14, 2025For many, the word “father” brings up wounds of absence, pain, abandonment, or unmet expectations. But Isaiah 9:6 calls Jesus our Everlasting Father, the Father-hearted Savior who came to heal every place where earthly fathers fell short. Join us as we discover how the child in the manger displays the heart of a Father who is constant, compassionate, and eternally present.DISSCUSION QUESTIONS 1. Take a moment to reflect on your own experience with the word father. How has your understanding — whether positive, painful, complicated, or absent — shaped the way you view God? In what ways has it helped you, and in what ways has it created barriers or misconceptions? Share how this message challenged, corrected, or deepened your perspective of God as your Everlasting Father.2. Out of all the ways Jesus revealed the Father's heart — His compassion, His mercy, His provision, His sacrifice, His desire to adopt you, or His protection — which one impacted you the most and why? Can you think of a time in your life when you personally experienced one of these aspects of God's heart? What did it teach you about who He truly is?3. In John 6, Jesus fed thousands with five loaves and two fish, showing that the Father provides abundantly and not sparingly. Where do you struggle to trust God's provision in your own life? What “small loaves and fish” — your time, resources, abilities, or obedience — are you holding onto tightly? What might it look like this week to place those things into His hands and trust Him to multiply them?4. The NICU illustration showed how fragility, instability, and weakness are met with a parent's steady presence. In your life right now, where do you feel most fragile, overwhelmed, or under pressure? What would it look like to stop “trying harder” and instead “draw near” to the Everlasting Father? Where do you sense God inviting you to rest, to breathe, and to let Him hold what you cannot regulate on your own?5. Scripture teaches that God didn't just forgive you — He adopted you (Galatians 4, Ephesians 1). What does it mean to you personally that the Everlasting Father claims you as His child with full belonging and full access? How does this identity shift the way you approach prayer, insecurity, or daily life? And what step can you take this week to grow in intimacy with your Father?

Ephesians 4:11-17 Delivered December 14, 2025 at Disciples of Christ Worship Center, New Roads, LA

Ephesians  1:3-6 How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. 7-10 Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.11-12 It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.13-14 It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This down payment from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.Ephesians 2:1-6 message  It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us.(adopted us) He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.Psalm 106:1 Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.Galatians 3:26-29New Life Version26 You are now children of God because you have put your trust in Christ Jesus. 27 All of you who have been baptized to show you belong to Christ have become like Christ. 28 God does not see you as a Jew or as a Greek. He does not see you as a servant or as a person free to work. He does not see you as a man or as a woman. You are all one in Christ. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you have become the true children of Abraham. What God promised to him is now yours.

Advent Joy 2025 Central Christian Church 24 hours ago 2 min read   Luke 10:17 ESV   17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!"       Luke 10:20 ESV   20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."     Luke 2:10 ESV   And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.       Ephesians 2:8 ESV   8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,     1 Peter 1:3-6a ESV   3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice,       Philippians 4:4-8 NIV   4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.       Philippians 4:2-3 NIV   2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.       Revelation 20:15 ESV   15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.       Revelation 3:5b ESV   I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.       James 1:2 ESV   2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds      

Sunday school class on the letter of Ephesians by Pastor Andrew Dionne. Part 37. Chapter 6:1-4 (Part 2). December 14, 2025.

Todaywe continue our study of Ephesians 4:11–16. We have spent a significant amountof time on these verses because they are vitally important for every member ofthe body of Christ—every believer, every follower of Jesus Christ—to understandexactly what their purpose and role is within the body. Up to this point, thisentire chapter has focused on that very theme: the unity of the Spirit and theunity of the body—one body working together for one purpose.We'vediscussed that when the work of the ministry is being carried out,Christlikeness will be evident in the lives of believers. Each believer will begrowing into the likeness of Christ. Along with that growth comesstability. We will “no longer be like children”—arguing, actingselfishly, seeking positions of prominence, competing with one another, orpromoting ourselves. That kind of behavior is childish. We are no longerchildren. Additionally, we will not be easily swayed by false doctrine ordeceptive teaching, whether it comes from within the church, the surroundingculture, or the internet. Anothervital outcome of this passage is what we might call cooperation—workingtogether as one body. This is emphasized in verse 16: “From whom the wholebody, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to theeffective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the bodyfor the edifying of itself in love.”  Whenevery member is functioning according to the spiritual gifts they have beengiven, actively exercising those gifts within the local church, the body isknit together in love. It builds itself up. It is strengthened and edified.What a beautiful picture that is. And once again, we see the purpose beingfulfilled. Whatis that purpose? The saints are being equipped “for the work of theministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ”. We have beengiven spiritual gifts not for self-importance, not for personal praise orrecognition, but so that the entire body—every joint, every member—can becomeall that God intends it to be. Every part matters. Every member is important.In God's sight, every believer who faithfully serves is a hero, fulfilling thework of the ministry. Nowremember what the work of the ministry is. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:6,that “God has made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant—not of theletter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul continues by saying that because we have received thisministry, we do not lose heart. We do not quit. Even though Satan has blindedthe minds of unbelievers, even though we may be knocked down, afflicted, orpersecuted, we get back up. Why? So that the message of Jesus Christ and theglorious gospel might be made known—even through our physical bodies—as welabor together. This does not mean everything will be easy or perfect, but itdoes mean the work is worth it. ThenPaul clearly defines this ministry in 2 Corinthians 5:18: “Now all thingsare of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and hasgiven us the ministry of reconciliation.” There it is. As the body ofChrist, we work together to tell the world who Jesus Christ truly is.  Throughour Lord Jesus Christ, we have peace with God. And as believers workingtogether within the body of Christ—the church—we fulfill the work of theministry by proclaiming reconciliation. We tell the world that they can comeback to God. They can have a personal, real relationship with Him. Their sinscan be forgiven. They can experience wholeness, peace, joy, and the life Godcreated them to live. That is reconciliation—restored fellowship with God. Areyou exercising your spiritual gift in the work of ministry, theministry of reconciliation, and the building up of the body of JesusChrist for the glory of God? 

The sermon centers on the profound theological truth that salvation is not earned by human worthiness but is a divine gift extended to the humble and unworthy, illustrated through the story of shepherds who, despite their lowly status, were chosen to witness Christ's birth. It emphasizes that God's grace is sovereign—He qualifies the undeserving, gives clear direction through Scripture, and calls believers to immediate obedience, as the shepherds did when they rushed to find the infant Messiah. The message calls Christians to live with boldness and joy, sharing the gospel with urgency, as the shepherds did, because the good news of Jesus Christ is both life-altering and worth proclaiming. Rooted in passages like Romans 3 and Ephesians 2, it affirms that salvation is by grace through faith, not works, and urges believers to embrace simplicity, trust, and testimony in their walk with God.

Ephesians 6:5-9

What do you do with God's greatest gift? In this message, we're reminded that Jesus isn't just someone to believe in—He's a gift to be received. Drawing from Isaiah's words, “To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given,” we're invited to consider how personal and intentional God's giving really is. Through the powerful story of John Newton and the reminder that only a Mighty God can rescue us, this message challenges us to move beyond self-sufficiency, religiosity, and “playing with the box” while ignoring the gift inside. Faith often calls us to trust God in ways that don't always make sense—but His ways are higher, His power is real, and His might is available to us right now. As you watch, take time to reflect:

December 14 2025 Sunday Who Jesus Made You To Be / Week 04 / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love." Galatians 5:6 KJV "For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love." Galatians 5:6 NLT "For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love." Galatians 5:6 AMPC "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." Galatians 6:15 KJV "It doesn't matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation." Galatians 6:15 NLT "For neither is circumcision [now] of any importance, nor uncircumcision, but [only] a new creation [the result of a new birth and a new nature in Christ Jesus, the Messiah]." Galatians 6:15 AMPC "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" Ephesians 1:3 KJV "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ." Ephesians 1:3 NLT "May blessing (praise, laudation, and eulogy) be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual (given by the Holy Spirit) blessing in the heavenly realm!" Ephesians 1:3 AMPC "that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:" Ephesians 1:10 KJV 'And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. ' Ephesians 1:10 NLT "[He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth. Ephesians 1:10 AMPC "and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" Ephesians 2:6 KJV "For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:6 NLT "And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." Ephesians 2:6 AMPC Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

We live in a world filled with noise, conflict, fear, and distraction. But into that world Jesus came announcing something radical: Peace. Not the fragile, temporary peace the world offers— but peace with God, peace within ourselves, and peace with one another. This week, Pastor Jimmy walks us through Scripture to show how the gospel brings reconciliation with God, how the Holy Spirit forms peace within us, and how believers are called to live peaceably with all.  

12-14-25See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sermon centers on the profound theological truth that salvation is not earned by human worthiness but is a divine gift extended to the humble and unworthy, illustrated through the story of shepherds who, despite their lowly status, were chosen to witness Christ's birth. It emphasizes that God's grace is sovereign—He qualifies the undeserving, gives clear direction through Scripture, and calls believers to immediate obedience, as the shepherds did when they rushed to find the infant Messiah. The message calls Christians to live with boldness and joy, sharing the gospel with urgency, as the shepherds did, because the good news of Jesus Christ is both life-altering and worth proclaiming. Rooted in passages like Romans 3 and Ephesians 2, it affirms that salvation is by grace through faith, not works, and urges believers to embrace simplicity, trust, and testimony in their walk with God.

Fr. Mike outlines Paul's trial before King Agrippa and his efforts to use his conversion story to convert those hearing his case. He also leads us through the first half of Ephesians, emphasizing Paul's main theme of unity in the spirit. Today's readings are from Acts 26, Ephesians 1-3, and Proverbs 29:18-21. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Today, Bob & Linda open up about one of the hardest seasons of their marriage — a months-long battle over a life-altering decision that left them in tears, confusion, and deep disunity. What they learned in that painful stretch has become the backbone of how they help couples navigate money disagreements today… especially when one spouse feels called by God to give and the other isn't on board. If you've ever wrestled with:"What do I do when I feel God nudging me to give — but my spouse isn't there?"…this episode will minister to you deeply. Together, they unpack four biblical principles for staying unified, honoring God, and discerning His timing — without forcing agreement or abandoning conviction.   KEY TOPICS COVERED ✔️ The Lowe's Parking Lot BreakdownBob shares the raw story of the only moment he thought their marriage might not make it — and how God used that season to refine both of their hearts. ✔️ Why the enemy always pushes "either/or" thinkingAnd how God always has a third option you haven't seen yet. ✔️ What to do when you feel called to give… and your spouse doesn't.A practical, grace-filled approach that protects unity and honors conviction. ✔️ The timing principle: when a word from God is real, but not for right now. A simple budgeting tool that can reduce giving conflicts instantly:Using individual "spending money" accounts without hiding money. ✔️ How to pray when you're frustrated, angry, or absolutely sure you're right.(With two real prayers Bob & Linda actually use.)   SCRIPTURES MENTIONED (NLT) James 1:2–5 — Endurance, wisdom, and the refinement of trials. Romans 8:28 — God working all things for good. Ephesians 5 — Mutual love and honor in marriage. 1 Peter 5:7 — Cast your cares on Him. THIS WEEK'S ACTION STEP Set aside one night to pray. Don't solve the issue. Don't debate it. Simply pray for unity, wisdom, and softened hearts — together if possible. If your spouse is not a believer or unwilling: Pray alone and gently reaffirm to them, "I'm not going to move forward without your blessing." Then… go on a date. Restore friendship first.     ABOUT SEEDTIME MONEY Bob & Linda Lotich help Christians transform their finances through biblical wisdom, simple systems, and a heart for generosity. Follow for practical steps, honest stories, and hope-filled conversations about money & purpose. BONUS: Ever dreamt of hanging out with us for 6 weeks in your small group or church? Head to https://seedtime.com/true for details or shoot us a DM on Instagram (http://instagram.com/seedtime).   If you haven't checked out our best-selling book Simple Money, Rich Life (https://seedtime.com/smrl/), we think you'll love it. It was named the 2022 Book of the Year by ICFH and has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, and is best described as "a money book for people who don't read money books."  You can take it for a test drive for FREE at https://SeedTime.com/sample where you can download chapter 1 of the audiobook, grab the 1st 2 chapters of the ebook version, and even get the 5-week book study companion guide.

Use promo code: FREEMONTH to get the first month free until the end of 2025.⁠⁠https://taking-the-land.supercast.com/?coupon=FREEMONTHD-Day was an invasion that broke a fortress. Joshua 1 is God's command to invade darkness with courage and obedience. This message links the cost at Normandy to the church's call today: enter enemy-held territory, work as one body, send and support workers, and see captives set free in Jesus. Texts: Joshua 1:1–9, Ephesians 6:12, Colossians 1:13, Acts 1–2.https://TakingTheLandPodcast.comSUBSCRIBE TO PREMIUM FOR MORE:• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for only $3/month on Supercast⁠: https://taking-the-land.supercast.com/⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for only $3.99/month on Spotify⁠: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taking-the-land/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠Subscribe for only $4.99/month on Apple Podcasts⁠: https://apple.co/3vy1s5b⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Next steps:• Pray and ask God where to go or give• Talk with your pastor about readiness• Support missionaries and church plants• Share this and invite a friendChapters00:00 The Treasure Beneath the Waves02:45 The Call to Give05:36 The Power of Willingness in Giving08:48 The Joy of Generosity11:45 Acknowledging God's Ownership14:53 The Urgency of Action17:43 The Need for Invasion20:55 Preparing for a Worldwide Mission23:11 The Historical Context of Invasion26:18 The Spiritual Battle29:20 The Need for Courage32:13 The Call to Action35:06 The Promise of Victory38:25 The Necessity of Teamwork in Invasion44:58 The Power of Unity and Contribution49:12 The Role of the Church as the Body of Christ53:05 The Invasion of Salvation and Deliverance58:15 The Call to Action and ReadinessShow NotesALL PROCEEDS GO TO WORLD EVANGELISMLocate a CFM Church near you: https://cfmmap.orgWe need five-star reviews! Tell the world what you think about this podcast at: • Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apple.co/3vy1s5b • Podchaser: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/taking-the-land-cfm-sermon-pod-43369

* Dino Dave: This week Fred Williams and Doug McBurney welcome Dave Woetzel of Dino Dave fame on YouTube, at Genesis Park, in churches, globally (and beyond)!   *Tune in to YouTube for the FULL Video: The full video (parts 1 and 2) will be released next Wednesday, Dec 17 of the RSR YouYube Channel.   * Origins, Giants and the Bible: Hear how stories of giants in the Bible, (along with extra biblical legends) and the fossil record of giant organisms confirm Biblical creation.   * Antediluvian Giants: Who were the "sons of God" who took the daughters of men as wives in Genesis 6:2? Who were the "mighty men" and "men of renown in verse 4?" Were the pre-flood giants the offspring of fallen angels or men? Hear about the three common views: the Regal, Sethite and Fallen Angel theories of just who these giants were.   * Post Flood Giants: How and why did the giants of the pre-flood world seem to reappear in the Promised Land while Israel was in Egypt and afterward, all the way up to the time of King David.   * Goliath: Hear about the difference between a biblical giant like Goliath and modern "giants" like Robert Wadlow who suffered from gigantism, (along with archaeological confirmation of ancient weapons like those described in the Bible)!   * American Giants? Hear Dave begin to discuss how he got interested in Giants from reading a book called The Ancient Giants who Ruled America on a trip to the mound-builder capital of St Louis.

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Dr. Jori discusses with her listeners Paul's reminder to the believers at Corinth that they were baptized by one Spirit whether Jews or Greek, slave or free and all made to drink of one Spirit. Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:13; 1 Corinthians 1:1-7; Romans 1:16-17; Acts 9, 22, 26; Acts 18; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13; Ephesians 4:1-7 Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.comFIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishafferCHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain  Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a commission, at no extra cost to you,  if you decide to make a purchase through my links.Here is a link to some of my favorite bible study tools on Amazon:https://geni.us/cHtrfEMr. Pen Bible Journaling Kitshttps://lvnta.com/lv_PTrHSCogbRim4yhEDnhttps://lvnta.com/lv_mkaMOuGe6m4oHR88uqhttps://lvnta.com/lv_dgvsxOc99t663A628z  JOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING IN 2025Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com  Support the show

* Dino Dave: This week Fred Williams and Doug McBurney welcome Dave Woetzel of Dino Dave fame on YouTube, at Genesis Park, in churches, globally (and beyond)!   *Tune in to YouTube for the FULL Video: The full video (parts 1 and 2) will be released next Wednesday, Dec 17 of the RSR YouYube Channel.   * Origins, Giants and the Bible: Hear how stories of giants in the Bible, (along with extra biblical legends) and the fossil record of giant organisms confirm Biblical creation.   * Antediluvian Giants: Who were the "sons of God" who took the daughters of men as wives in Genesis 6:2? Who were the "mighty men" and "men of renown in verse 4?" Were the pre-flood giants the offspring of fallen angels or men? Hear about the three common views: the Regal, Sethite and Fallen Angel theories of just who these giants were.   * Post Flood Giants: How and why did the giants of the pre-flood world seem to reappear in the Promised Land while Israel was in Egypt and afterward, all the way up to the time of King David.   * Goliath: Hear about the difference between a biblical giant like Goliath and modern "giants" like Robert Wadlow who suffered from gigantism, (along with archaeological confirmation of ancient weapons like those described in the Bible)!   * American Giants? Hear Dave begin to discuss how he got interested in Giants from reading a book called The Ancient Giants who Ruled America on a trip to the mound-builder capital of St Louis.

Today we started to read the book of Job: it has a powerful message, indeed an important message for us. But it is a strange book in the way the message is conveyed.  We have come to the conclusion that it is an extended parable although built on an actual person and events.  We need to read it exercising our minds on the events which lie behind this parable and what these led to..     Our understanding is that “when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan (the ESV footnote says, ‘the adversary' – and this is the meaning of the Hebrew and how it is translated in passages such as 1 Sam 29 v.4, 2 Sam 19 v.22, 1 Kings 5 v.4 &c) … Satan came among them” [Job 1 v.6]   This is picturing, we suggest, how the LORD sees the hearts and attitudes of those assembled for worship before him  (cf Rev, 2 v,23) and in doing that he perceives any jealousies in their minds.Job “was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” [v.1] But because he was so successful in material things, another worshipper was jealous and thinks in his mind, and maybe says aloud to some, “Does Job fear God for no reason?” [v.9] He is thinking Job is only in attendance before God for the material benefits of doing so.  This ‘parable' illustrates that this is not the case and this is another lesson for us..Job's response to his wife, after calamities befall them and she says, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity?  Curse God and die”  was to say, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak.  Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” [2 v.9,10]  It is interesting to study the various contexts in which the Hebrew word, translated here as ‘evil' occurs, for e.g. Psa. 10 v.6 where it is translated, “adversity.”  Consider all the “evil” Paul experienced when he turned to serve Jesus.It is not until we come to the end of the book that we see the essential point the book is conveying to us.  Job confesses to God, “I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I repent in dust and ashes.”  [ch. 42 v.5,6]  We can say, we have read of God and reasoned in our minds as to what he must be – but how fully do we “see”?  Paul told the Ephesians to have “the eyes of your hearts enlightened” [1 v.18]The ‘parable' is complete in the final verses of the book when Job's losses are restored  “And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before …and the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning” [v.10,12]  We can see its application to the fulfilment of the promise of resurrection and the glories of God's kingdom, “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.” [Rev.2 v.10]      Let us hold fast to our integrity – and “receive the crown of life” – not being distracted by present adversity or adversaries.

Tony Evans explains that believers have delegated authority through Christ, not based on personal strength but on God's power.Authority functions when we stay under God's covering — submission precedes dominion.We resist the enemy not by emotion but by speaking and standing on God's Word.Evans emphasizes that many Christians live defeated simply because they don't use the authority already given to them.Key Scriptures: Luke 10:19, Ephesians 1:19–23, James 4:7.Takeaway: Walk in confidence. When you align with God, heaven backs your stand.Studio Note: Jaggy kept his sharp eyes on everything like a little overseer, and Tedi stayed close as always — perfect reminders that peace and authority can coexist in the same room.

We turn to Ephesians 2:14-17 to investigate the Apostle Paul's robust, even violent, view of peace in this second week of Advent.

This week Pastor Andrew has returned to remind us about the power of God's Word! Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

As we approach the holy celebration of the birth of Jesus, we have to be honest with ourselves: it's almost blasphemous to celebrate the miracle of God becoming flesh while clutching an unforgiving heart. We can't rock the cradle of Grace while refusing to extend it.And now—we're standing at the doorway of a brand-new year. Fresh starts. Clean slates. New mercies. But hear me clearly: forgiveness is not optional if you want to claim all that God has prepared for you. You cannot carry old offenses into a new season and expect new oil.The Word says it plainly in Ephesians 4:31–32:“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”I'm going to step back now— and let this powerful song do what words sometimes can't.Song: She said, "I Forgive YOU"  - A music compilation produced by Deborah Ocasio (Pastor Deb).Support the showwww.BibleDeliverance.org

The Christmas season offers countless distractions—from festive traditions to sentimental storylines—but Scripture reminds us that Christ desires to dwell at the very center of our hearts. In Ephesians 3:16–18, Paul prays that believers would be strengthened by the Spirit so their faith becomes firmly rooted, enabling them to grasp the immeasurable love of Christ. Like the deeply rooted Christmas tree in the devotional story, our faith grows strong when we remain grounded in truth and nourished by God’s presence. This season, we are invited to welcome Christ fully, stand firm in our faith, and radiate His love to others. Main Takeaways You’ll learn how Paul’s prayer in Ephesians encourages believers to root their faith deeply in Christ. Discover why spiritual stability comes from being grounded in truth and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. See how community and fellowship help us grasp the depth of Christ’s love together. Understand practical ways to welcome Christ into your heart during the Christmas season. Reflect on how to make Christ—not busyness or tradition—the focal point of holiday celebrations. Bible Verse References Ephesians 3:16–18 Your Daily Prayer God, as we enter this beautiful Christmas season, we welcome You into our hearts and our celebrations. Strengthen our faith through Your Spirit so that Christ may dwell in us fully. Help us stay rooted in Your truth, anchored in Your love, and attentive to the ways You are working around us. Give us soft, responsive hearts that reflect Your compassion, and make us ready to share the hope of Christ with those around us.In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer for daily encouragement and Scripture-centered reflections. Leave a rating or review to help others discover the show. Visit LifeAudio.com for more faith-building podcasts. Explore more devotionals and Bible teachings at Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com. Relevant Links & Resources Explore articles about Christmas, spiritual growth, and faith at:Crosswalk.com – https://www.crosswalk.comChristianity.com – https://www.christianity.com Study today’s Scripture using BibleStudyTools.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Pastor Leitu shares where Jesus did while in the belly of the earth and how He set the captives free. As He ascended, He also gave us spiritual gifts. . Ephesians chapter 4, verses 7-10

Teaching from Ephesians 4:7-10, Pastor Leitu shares on what Jesus did while in the belly of the earth and how He set the captives free. As He ascended, He also gave us spiritual gifts. Social MediaProphecy Website: http://jdfarag.orgMobile & TV Apps: https://subsplash.com/calvarychapelkaneohe/appChurch Website: http://www.calvarychapelkaneohe.comX:  https://x.com/JDFaragFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JDFaragInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/JDFarag

In this solo episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse Schwamb explores the profound theological underpinnings of Jesus' parables in Luke 15. With co-host Tony Arsenal absent due to illness, Jesse takes listeners through the "deleted scenes" – insights and reflections that often occur off-mic – about the parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin. These stories reveal God's relentless pursuit of sinners and set the stage for the upcoming discussion of the Prodigal Son parable. Jesse unpacks how these parables demonstrate not just God's willingness to receive sinners, but His active seeking of them – a grace that doesn't merely find us willing but makes us willing. This episode serves as a theological bridge, slowing listeners down to fully appreciate the scandal of God's love before diving into Jesus' most famous parable. Key Takeaways Context Matters: The parables of Luke 15 are Jesus' response to the Pharisees' grumbling about Him receiving sinners and eating with them. This historical context reveals the radical nature of Christ's ministry compared to the religious establishment. Grace Makes Us Willing: Drawing from Thomas Watson's quote, Jesse explains that God's grace doesn't find us willing to repent but actually creates that willingness in us – a foundational concept in Reformed theology. The Initiative of God: In all three parables, God is portrayed as the active seeker. The shepherd searches for the sheep, the woman sweeps for the coin, demonstrating that salvation begins with God's initiative, not ours. The Scandalous Love of Jesus: Christ's approach to sinners appeared scandalous to religious leaders because it violated their understanding of who deserved God's attention. Christ's Sympathetic Identification: Jesus doesn't just save us from a distance but enters into our suffering, identifying with us in our pain while remaining sinless. Heaven's Joy Over Salvation: The parables reveal God's extraordinary joy over each individual sinner who is saved, showing that the entire cost of redemption would be worth it even for just one person. From Death to Life: Drawing from Colossians 2, Jesse emphasizes that Jesus didn't come to make bad people good but to make dead people alive, canceling our certificate of debt through His cross. The Scandal of Divine Initiative The religious establishment of Jesus' day operated on the principle that religion was for "good people" – those who could maintain moral standards and ritual purity. When tax collectors and sinners were drawn to Jesus, the Pharisees were scandalized not just by Jesus' association with them, but by the possibility that these "hopeless cases" might be included in God's kingdom. This context sets up the revolutionary nature of Jesus' parables. As Jesse explains, "Religion by itself cannot help any of those people. Can't help pariahs in that way, and so it did no good then to command the good people to mix with the bad people, and then to treat them kindly and tell them of new possibilities." What makes Christianity utterly unique is that it begins not with human initiative but with divine pursuit. God in Christ actively seeks those who are lost, not waiting for them to clean themselves up or take the first step. This complete reversal of religious expectations demonstrates why these parables were and remain so radical. Grace That Transforms Our Unwillingness The Reformed theological principle that Jesse highlights through Thomas Watson's quote – "Grace does not find us willing, but grace makes us willing" – strikes at the heart of human pride and misconception about salvation. Left to ourselves, we don't merely lack the ability to come to God; we actively resist Him. Jesse elaborates: "How good of God that He would send His Son unto us while we were yet His enemies. In other words, while that clenched fist was within us, while we saw God as only a threat, while we wanted to be covenant breakers, that's what we wanted. We want to rebel against Him." The wonder of grace is not just that God forgives when we repent, but that He creates the very repentance within us. This is why the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one – the sheep doesn't find its own way home. This is the beating heart of Reformed soteriology: salvation is entirely of the Lord, from first to last, which makes it secure and gives all glory to God alone. Memorable Quotes "God seeking us is the foundation of seeking Him. Grace does not find us willing, but grace makes us willing, and I think that's exactly what we're getting in this first advent of Christ. By way of these stories, of course, this grace that makes us willing. That is the Reformed theology." "He's not this like sinless Superman. What I mean by that is... it takes out the humanity of Christ. It takes out this feeling heart of Christ as if to like separate him so much from us. But the beauty of these parables is... Christ puts himself close to us in that he feels like us, though he is not us, and that is the heart. That is where his power of coming to save is brought into our lives." "Having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us. He also has taken it out of the way. Having nailed it to the cross. How good is that sentence?" Full Transcript [00:00:08] Jesse Schwamb: It reminds me of this quote from. Thomas Watson who said, God seeking us is the foundation of seeking him. Grace does not find us willing, but grace makes us willing, and I think that's exactly what we're getting in this first advent of Christ. By way of these stories, of course, this grace that makes. Us willing. That is the reform of theology. How good of God that he would send his son unto us while we were yet his enemies. In other words, while that clenched fist was within us, while we saw God as only a threat, while we wanted to be covenant breakers, that's what we wanted. We want to rebel against him. Welcome to episode 473 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse, and this is the podcast for Lost Sheep and Lost Coins. Hey, brothers and sisters, you're listening to another episode of The Reformed Brotherhoodhood, but you've probably already noticed. That we are missing my co-host and my brother Tony, who regrettably was taken up ill this week, and so in his convalescence, I'm coming at you with a solo episode and what are you probably asking is worth listening to in the solo episode? Well, I have a proposal for you. So often what happens is when Tony and I sit down. And we record a beautiful, robust conversation, the definitive kind of talk on some topic. We shut off the microphone. And then of course he and I continue to talk to one another. And what often happens is somehow, like a second or a third episode basically starts because we go back to what we were talking about before and we have some kind of new insight or something new that we wanted to say that didn't make it into the episode. [00:01:56] Deleted Scenes and Parables Overview [00:01:56] Jesse Schwamb: And so this episode is gonna be about some of those deleted scenes if you were, were like the things that. We talked about, but didn't make it into some of our recent conversations about the parables, these three parables of the Lost Sheep, the lost coin, and now The Lost Son. Now I know what you're thinking, and I made a promise to Tony. We're not gonna get to the Prodigal son on this episode. That is something he and I are looking forward to discussing with one another and with you. So that will be next week. But on this little episode, I thought it was best to slow down just for a second and to give you, again, some of those things we've been talking about as we've been thinking about lostness, and to set that up as a precursor to wet your appetite just a little bit for this biggest of all of the parables, maybe the most well-known parable in the entire universe. The parable of the prodigal son, which again, is coming for you, but not on this one. Don't even get me started. How dare you. Now, normally if this were a traditional episode, you would hear that ous segue from me that goes something like this. Hey Tony, are you affirming with or denying again, something on this episode? And because it's just me, it'd be super weird to do something atenol with just myself. [00:03:17] Affirmations and Community Engagement [00:03:17] Jesse Schwamb: I figured it is high time for me to give you a particular affirmation, so here's what I'm gonna do. I am affirming with you like you brother and sister listening. I truly am affirming with you because as the year draws to close, I was thinking just again, how grateful I am for everybody who hangs out, everybody who listens, everybody who gives to the reformed brotherhood, because we all do it together. Nothing happens by accident. Nothing shows up in your podcast feed without somebody taking care of the attendant costs, without people lending their voices, without conversation around it. And if you're wondering, well, who are these other people? Because I thought it was just you too. There are brothers and sisters from all over the world who are looking to follow closely after Lord Jesus Christ, wanting to process theology and wanting to do so in a way that makes us better and more obedient toward our loving savior. And in serving those around us. And the good news is you also can just connect with us and with them. And the best way to do that, as we've said so many times before, but I'm gonna say it one more time for everybody in the back, is you can join our Telegram group. Telegram is just a messaging app, and we've carved out just a little corner of that app so that people that are listening to the podcast can come hang out and talk about. Whatever you want. So the way to do that is go to any browser, pick your favorite one, and just type in t me slash reform brotherhood, t me slash reform brotherhood, and that link will get you there. You can also do another thing. You can go to reform brotherhood.com. The podcast does have a website, believe it or not, and on that website, reform brotherhood.com live, all of the other episodes we have ever recorded. And so you can search those by topic about what's going on in them. You can find all kinds of different things to listen to. You'll also find a link there if in fact you would like to also support the podcast. So we are so grateful for so many brothers and sisters. Who have decided, you know what? I've been blessed by the conversations by the community, and I wanna make sure that it remains that way free of charge to everyone. And they're the ones along with us that are shouldering that burden, and I'm so grateful. So you can find a link there if in fact you are so inclined to give so. Brothers and sisters, I'm affirming with you it's time that I did that, and I'm so grateful for all of you. And again, the purpose of this little episode is to spend a little bit of time getting ready, getting after it. [00:05:42] The Parables' Context and Significance [00:05:42] Jesse Schwamb: For this, the biggest of all, the granddaddy of all the parables, the parable of the prodigal son and I, as I was thinking about this episode, it occurred to me it's a bit like, I don't know where you live. Where I live, there are these signs on the road that can script the speed at which you can travel on those roads at least legally. Right, and I was thinking about this as I was driving the other day, that I have a road with a speed limit. Say it's 50 miles an hour, but there is a bend in this road. And on that bend as I approach it, there's another sign of a different color that's more suggestive and it's a lower speed limit. It's as if to say, listen, I know you can travel at 50, but what might be wise right now is to slow it down so that you don't veer off the road because. As you take this turn, what's best practice, what's most safe for you is to slow down for a second. And I was kind of thinking about that as we were going into these parables. We wanna get to the parable of the prodigal sun. It's dramatic, it's dynamic. There's all kinds of lovely details in it. It's exciting. We've got people now finally, whereas we had intimate objects in agriculture, now we're getting to human family dynamics and interrelations and all this activity. And it's good. We should wanna get there, but I'm kind of feeling like it's a bit like that sign that says, you know what? We might wanna slow down for a second before you turn into this parable. Why don't you take this curve at a slightly slower speed? And so hence this little tiny episode to bring to you again, some of those deleted scenes. Some of the things that Tony, I've been talking about that never have quite made it into all of the recordings, because they probably happened before afterwards and the recording button had already been disabled. So. Let me give you the thing that I think, Tony, I've been talking about a lot and we've definitely been thinking about, and that is again, going back to like, why did these parables even come up? Like was it Jesus volition just to start talking about this stuff? Why is it that there are three versions of it? Why are they kind of escalating and growing in magnitude? There's clearly a crescendo coming. Hopefully you're hearing it. Like it's picking up, the pace is moving, the volume is increasing, and the stakes are getting higher and higher and higher. So what gives why all of this? And I think we gotta go back to Luke 15. Of course. We gotta look at just that first verse because to me. [00:08:00] The Heart of Reformed Theology [00:08:00] Jesse Schwamb: In Luke 15, this is some of like the best comfort food of the gospel, don't you think? I mean, in this, it's like the warmest, richest passage, almost all the gospels in terms of the presentation of this really good news. And you know, these stories aren't just sentimental tales. They actually reveal the beating heart of reform, theology, the beating, passionate love. And heart of Christ for his people. This truth that God is the one who seeks, saves, and rejoices over sinners. And so we gotta start in context because it's precisely because of that beating heart, that initiative, that volition, that Christ brings all of this up, but he brings it up in response to something that's happening. And that's where we get in verse one. Now, the tax collectors and sinners we're all drawing near to him. I think sometimes we run, at least I do way too past. Fast past that verse, the tax collectors and the sinners we're all drawing near to him. It should be the kind of thing like talk about things that make you go, Hmm, why? Why are we getting that now? That specific indicator here that they're drawing near. And then not only that it's being told to us, but of course what was it about Christ that drew these people? Because traditionally there, there was a lot of religion happening in Jesus' day. In some ways something special and different is happening here, that while the religion was not drawing these people, that the, the superstructures there, the participants, the leaders were not drawing this crowd by design. Instead, they're drawn to Jesus. There's something not just in the teaching but who he is, and Luke tells us tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to him. He goes on to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled saying, this man receives sinners and eats with them. As a result of this, Jesus tells then these three parables. It's almost like Jesus essentially saying to the Pharisees, listen, you're accusing me of receiving sinners. Yes, you are exactly right, but I want you to know why. What a beautiful thing for him to explain and then to explain it in these thrice kind of implications and stories and metaphors. It's a beautiful thing. It reminds me of this quote from. Period in Thomas Watson who said, God seeking us is the foundation of seeking him. Grace does not find us willing, but grace makes us willing, and I think that's exactly what we're getting in this first advent of Christ. By way of these stories, of course, this grace that makes. Us willing. That is the reform of theology. How good of God that he would send his son unto us while we were yet his enemies. In other words, while that clenched fist was within us, while we saw God as only a threat, while we wanted to be covenant breakers, that's what we wanted. We want to rebel against him. And it's an incredible thing. It's far better, not that grace finds us willing, but that grace makes us willing, that grace compels us because we do not even know what's the best for ourselves. And so here again, Jesus tells us these three parables, these three stories to convey this incredible point. And that is that there is surely hope for all. God's love extends even to these sinners. That the glorious truth, that glorious truth shines out in all of these parables, and it's meant to be impressed upon us in like increasing degree that God's amazing love is both in its scope and its reach, and especially contrast. The ideas of then these. Pharisees and the scribes on this subject, he comes at them hard with these series of events and these stories. Tony, I've been talking about that a lot. Like we just can't get beyond that. I can't even, I wish I could comprehend it in a more deep way. You know, the first two parables are, it's dying to impress upon us that the love of God. Is this activity. It is effort and fire and reach and going after and passion and love, and it seeks out the sinner and it takes like infinite trouble in order to find him and rescue him. It's willing to pursue all to love, all, to take up the cost of all, and then to show the joy of God and all the hosts of heaven when even just one. Soul is saved. So it's not even this massive effort undertaking, which weighs the benefits and the costs and says, well, it's gonna be worth it in the end because the dividends earned from making this investment will be far greater than the investment itself. And what God does in Christ is he sends his son not. Reservedly, not like arms reach, so he could snatch him back up when harm beel him, but he gives him so unreservedly in passive and active obedience so that the sinner might be saved. Even just one and one, just one is saved. All of heaven rejoices there. There is a full consummate expression of happiness and completeness and joy of just one. Being saved and brought into God's kingdom. In other words, if that entire cost were for just one, God would still be willing to bear it. Jesus would still come in his active and past obedience to accomplish that very thing. And it's all of this that's moving us, of course, to the parable of the prodigal son, but I cannot even get there. Don't, don't even try to get me to go there. I know you're all doing it. So there is this great and incredible outstanding point. [00:13:20] The Scandalous Love of Jesus [00:13:20] Jesse Schwamb: It's something else that Tony had been talking about is that there's a simplicity, of course in all of these accounts, but there's also like this great complexity, especially because of this context. And I think as well what we've been really. Settling on in our conversations outside of the podcast is just how scandalous this makes Jesus seem and appear like that Jesus does appear or he should appear to us like too good to be true, too loving, too kind, too recklessly spend thrift. And again, that's what we're gonna find in the next parable, but that that is for real and it doesn't make him weak. It might be an expression of meekness, a power under control, but it shows that the humility of God in Christ is really beyond our ability to comprehend in reach that is so thorough and so full, and so rich and so warm that Christ is, as it were, experiencing a great, great joy. In the sinner coming and being saved, and him identifying with the sinner to such a degree and going out and finding what was lost to bring it back in. That this act of even when we come to him in repentance over and over again, we do not exhaust him because so great is his love for us. That he's coming to save continually and always, that he doesn't have to save over and over again. There's no additional sacrifice that's necessary, but that, that sacrifice is so great, so grand, so complete that it continues to bring us back into the fold to save us as it were. Over and over again to restore us onto fellowship with him to restore the harmony of our relationship while never having to rescind or to rebuild again the initial identity that we have in Christ that was accomplished on the cross, but that this just seems too good to be true. It just seems so miraculous that my own sin. As it continues to compound day after day, that is like continue to do the things I don't wanna do, as Paul said. But the very things I don't wanna do, those are the things that I do. It seems like this. At some point God would just become thoroughly exhausted with, and that's not the case. And these parables prove that to us over and over. And over again. So this very context and setting of these parables shows. I think all of this like perfectly, and Tony and I have just been conversing about that a lot. We keep going back to it. Maybe we're a little bit afraid that if we keep talking about it, you're gonna be like, you already said that, say something different. But we can't help. We're really come back to this and. Again, I'm drawn to this line that these sinners, the publicans, if you're totally down with the King James version that they drew near unto him, they came to him. There was something about him that they were almost like compelled or constrained as, as Paul says, like God's love compels us or constraints us. That they themselves were feeling that almost this magnetism toward Christ to want to be in his presence toward what, hear what he has to say, and what a beautiful setup that they're being drawn into him. He's eating with them. He's doing this. Most intimate thing, spending time with the me, my shoulders, with 'em, and of course the Pharisees, the scribes, the religious leaders, they see this and it's recorded that they're grumbling. They're complaining, right, man, what an adventure in missing the point. But that's there for us. I really think to pick up here as we try to understand what these parables mean, again, it's not just like the teaching. The teaching is so good, it's so rich and juicy and, and full of so many things for us to consume and to understand and to meditate on and to metabolize. As well that we can just quickly mix Miss, like this incredible perspective of like the context of which it took place, like the literal environment and the circumstances of life, which in some ways were the progenitor, or at least were the very thing, the fertile soil, which gave Christ the opportunity to plant. Then these seeds of the story and what I'm raised by is they felt that. I think these sinners felt that there was a chance even for them, that like in these man's teachings, there was a new and fresh hope, and even the Pharisees and the scribes saw precisely that thing. I think that's why, that's why they're complaining, and they had regarded these sinners as being so utterly and entirely behind, beyond hope and redemption. I mean, that was really the Orthodox view. It was to say like, listen, they're so hopeless that they were to be entirely ignored. Religion was for good people. It had nothing to do with bad people. You know, unfortunately, that's so much I think of how people view even Christianity today, that this is a club for people who have it mostly together or wanna have it together or think that they can get it together. Religion is for the good people and it should have nothing to do with the bad people. And it certainly had nothing to. To give these sinners just in the in, in our own day. Religion, by and in of itself, has nothing to give anybody, certainly nothing to give those who are hurt. Who are feeling hopeless, who are down and out, who are the abused, who have been written off, who are marginalized, who are pariahs, who feel that the guilt is overwhelming in their lives, who have all of these regrets. Religion by itself cannot help any of those people. Can't help you oriah in that way, and so it did no good then. To command the good people, to mix with the bad people, and then to treat them kindly and tell them of new possibilities. Religion, even in Jesus day, didn't offer that. And so you can see then that the Pharisees of the scribes were annoyed by our Lord's teaching. Anyone who saw any hope for this public or sinner must to them be entirely wrong and a blasphemer, because that's not who religion was for. And yet the sinner here. I mean, can you only imagine loved one like the sinner here in seeing Jesus? And being with Jesus, and they were drawn to him by understanding that there was some kind of new and fresh hope for them. And that's what's delivered in these parables to us. That how scandalous love of God is, is that from the jump, those who are with him recognize the scandal and said, this is so otherworldly that it seems like. This could be for me. And that is exactly why Jesus came, right? He came to seek and to save those who are lost. The point is was not how he could be received back, but whether he could be received back at all, whether he deserved anything at all. And so the sinner coming and saying that, is it possible that even for me. There is hope that even for me, there could be restoration with God. That for all the things which I already know, that I'm far from God, that I see him as the one who has these incredible and high in standards that I have transgressed, is it possible that there is hope for me? You know, just this morning on our Lord's day, because that's time of year, one of the songs that we sang was Joy to the World, and I was thinking even as we were preparing to sing that what, what other people conceive of that? Him. You know, we might rightly ask, is there any joy in our world today? Is there any hope? Is there any peace? And the answer is, yes, there is. It's in Jesus. You know that he is the answer. But we sometimes need to start saying, what is the question? And the question is, who can come before God? What can I do to be saved? That is the question. And these sinners at least understood that. They're drawn to Jesus, they're drawn to come before him. And so this stands out to me. It's something that we've been talking about a lot, this possibility of a new start, a new beginning for all, even for the most desperate, the ones that were so far off that they recognized that they couldn't probably even turn around. You know, sometimes like we colloquial say, listen, all you have to do is turn around and we use that language because we're tying it with this idea of repentance, you know, to turn. Toward God to to forsake that which is our natural selves by the power of the Holy Spirit and to come back into the family of Christ. And I think that is good, but I think the sinner also recognizes that the only prayer that we have is that Jesus have mercy on me. Have mercy on me that that's the right place to start. And I see in this, this idea, of course that's clearly articulated by our savior, that God is doing all the things that we are so lost. We're like that lost sheep that's just gone astray. That we desperately need help because we can't find our way back. I'm not sure we can even barely turn around. And I think if. What Thomas Watson is saying is correct. Then the beauty of Grace is that it does make us willing because I, for one, would go kicking and screaming all the way. But the fact that it makes us willing, it makes us come to our senses, which I have a feeling is something we will explore in a future, future episode, but that God is setting forward all of that initiative, you know. I like that John Rowan, John Owen also writes the sheep strays and knows not how to return, but Christ the good shepherd will lose none of his flock, but fetch them home. I love this idea. That's from his expedition on Hebrews. Actually, it's not even about this particular passage. The sheep does not seek the shepherd. The shepherd seeks the sheep. So even in this narrative, we see all these beautiful elements that. You know, Tony, I talked about before this total depravity, but it's just a narrative form that there's no one that seeks after God. And so what we find is that God is bringing forward election, choosing his own. He's bringing about definitive atonement, he's saving his own, and then there's a sexual calling he's bringing to himself his own. It's like the Westminster Larry Catechism says in. Uh, 59 Christ, by his intercession answers the demands of those for whom he has died and for them only. And all of this then brings about this like great and incredible rejoicing in heaven. I think, not just because it's like, it's great to find lost things, but it's also great to see that God has done the very thing that he said he was going to do, that he's the one that's, that he's the author and perfecter of salvation. And so God delights. In the work of redemption. So this is like the thing that I think is incredibly scandalous. [00:23:01] Christ's Compassion and Solidarity [00:23:01] Jesse Schwamb: This is the thing that Tony and I have talked a lot about, like privately, and that is how much Jesus has compassion and the ability, the true ability to sympathize. And that in these I, I think like underneath. All of these little parables and stories. The only reason there is an action of love. That love always leads to giving. Love always leads to going. Finding love always leads to drawing in that the only reason that is happening is because of this incredible ability of Christ to sympathize with us. You know, the burden of these verses, the anchor of these verses is Christ sheer an amazing solidarity with all of his people. All our natural intuitions tell us that Jesus is with us on our side present helping. When life is going well. It's easy to see that. It seems very clear, but in this text, we're finding that those who are drawn are the ones whose life are decidedly not going great, not doing that well. And so the opposite is being. Presented for us in this kinda stark relief. It's in our weakness that Jesus sympathizes with us. It's in our pain and our own destructive behaviors that he comes, not because he himself has experienced any sin, but because he is a savior whose heart is wide open to go after and to embrace those who are in that state, which seems incredible. Scandalous, like in our pain, Jesus is pained in our suffering. He feels the suffering as his own, even though it isn't. He's not this like invincible divinity. Well, lemme say it this way. It's not that his invincible divinity is threatened, but in the sense that his heart is feelingly drawn into our distress. Is that a word? Feelingly, like that. He literally wants to, he feels himself into our distress and, and in that doing so his joy is increased because he's identifying with his children because he is coming close to them because he is going after them. His love leads to that kind of feeling ness, so it's. It is not only that Jesus can reveal, relieve us and reveal, I suppose, but relieve us from our troubles like a doctor prescribing medicine. It's also that before any relief comes before, like a day of restoration comes before like that day of the shackles falling off before that time when the breakthrough happens, he's with us in our troubles like a doctor who has endured the same disease. That's what's wild. That's what makes all of this so different than any other religious worldview, than any other kind of conscription of how to think about the world and any other philosophy. And he's a sinless man, but he's not this like sinless Superman. And what I mean by that is I think some of you heard, if you've listened for any length of time, you know that there's this song. That is a children's song. That is something like Jesus is my superhero, and I always bristle that a little bit because it takes out the humanity of Christ. It takes out this feeling heart of Christ as if to like separate him so much from us that we want all of this power. Of course we want this. Alien power to come and to restore our lives, to intercede, to do the thing that we cannot do for ourselves. But the beauty of these parables is the thing that we cannot do for ourselves is still the thing that Christ puts, puts himself close to us in that he feels like us, though he is not us, and that is the heart. That is where his power of coming to save. Is brought into our lives. He comes and saves us because he knows us. And to know us is to become like us. And to become like us is to be humiliated, to come and to humble himself and to condescend to such degree that he is again, like this doctor who can heal. But before any of that comes, he's with us in the troubles. This is Emmanuel, this is God with us, that he is the one that comes and stands shoulder to shoulder with us in that pain that feels and empathizes and comes and ministers to us in that pain, and takes great joy in doing so. And in fact, his joy, as it were, is enlarged in doing that. [00:27:09] The Joy of Salvation [00:27:09] Jesse Schwamb: Our tendency, I think, is to feel intuitively that the more difficult life gets, the more that we're alone. We sink further into pain, we sink further into felt isolation, and these passages correct us. Our pain never outstrips what he himself shares in. That is what's remarkable. That is what drives and fuels, I think, in a way, this passionate heart of Christ towards us and then results in this kind of unbelievable, really loved ones. Incredible, outstanding, inconceivable good news that Christ has saved us, that he would come and in the midst of our great ugliness and sinfulness and unkindness and selfishness, that he would not only identify with that and say, you who are broken, I delight. To repair you, but that we receive then not just a restoration, but then all of the benefits that Christ himself has earned that are due him for his obedience. These also get credited to us. I think it's impossible for me not to conclude this little conversation that we're having without going to Colossians chapter two, which again, I've said this before, but as somebody who's worked in finance and banking, all of my adult life. Actually, I dunno why I would say it that way, because you really can't, shouldn't be working in finance or banking as a child. But for all of my life I just find this language so resonant. And if you're a person that's borrowed money for any length of time or maybe basically just worked in the world and had to endure, if that's your word, or interact with finance than you are probably gonna resonate with this. This too. But this is. An expression of what God has done for us in Christ. And I wanna begin reading in verse 13. And you being dead in your transgressions. Oh, man. Uh, sorry, I, I hate to do this. I often don't like to do this, but you're just gonna get my commentary, the Jesse commentary in between these in, in the midst of these verses because I, I should probably best practice to read the whole thing for y'all. But I just, I am dumbfounded. I keep getting dumbstruck by these words and thinking about these in light of, uh, the incarnation and of Christ coming and these parables that he's teaching us that are just showing like as if he's just opening up his heart to us, and I can't, but help but stop and pause and say, are, are you hearing this too? And you being dead in your transgressions. This is so horrible, isn't it? Like who wants this to be true of them? But this is, this is my story and your story that we were dead and it's not a who done it mystery. You know what killed us? Our transgressions, yours and mines our own work. That the minimum wage of sin is death and that your transgressions killed you and that you were in that state. You were in that state actually from the beginning, from the time that you were born. You were dead and you were dead in your transgressions. That is super bad. I mean, that's the understatement of this entire conversation. It, it's horrible. Uh, I can't think of anything worse. It's true of all us. So is it possible that it could get worse? It does actually. And you being dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, that is like you were not just, it would be worse enough that of course, like you the Law of Christ, but you love to do it. That was your jam in your flesh. The flesh that you wanted to embrace, the selfishness that was who you are, apart from Christ, which the Bible tells us is the opposite of being circumcised brought into the family. You were far away as far away as possible. You were so far out of the government that you were uncircumcised. That's who you were. You were dead. You were dead because of your transgressions, and then you were so far outside of the family of God, there was no hope for you. In your own self, there's nothing you could do to make a way. There was nothing that you could do to write yourself. You were dead in your transgressions, uncircumcision of your flesh. Sit on that for a second, and you being dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, Jesus made you alive with him having graciously forgiven us all our transgressions. So again, this is. Incredible. Not just that you would be forgiven, but that you'd be made alive in Christ. There's this falsity out there somewhere. Again, this is what religion teaches you, teaches us that Jesus came to make bad people good. I mean, that's really what the Pharisees were after in their own lives. There was their promulgating a system in which what religion does is it's for good people and at best what it can do is make maybe some bad people. Good. But if you're too bad, it's not for you. It's too bad. It's unfortunate, but it's not your thing. It won't work. But what the scripture tells us, what these parables press us with is not that Jesus came to make bad people good, but he came to make dead people alive. And so what we have here is a clear indication of that, that even in the midst of your, your horrible state, that that state, that it seemed hopeless, that here Jesus God, through Jesus made you alive with him having graciously forgiven all of our transgressions. Then here's the, here's the amazing part as if like, we didn't understand that, and I think like you and Paul here saying like, this should be clear, but I'm gonna double down on this. I'm gonna use some language that should be abundantly clear to you just how bad things were and then how much freedom you should feel, what your lightness, what the, the bounce in your steps should be like because you were once dead uncircumcised. Now you've been made alive and you've been having everything graciously forgiven in Christ. Here, here's what it's like having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us. He also has taken it out of the way. Having nailed it to the cross. How? How good is that sentence? Christ in his death canceled out the. Certificate of debt. Again, something that was codified against us. So other words, it was documented. These were not just, and they weren't just this little statement that said like, it's really bad for you. You owe something. There's something that's been heaped up against you. But they were decrees against us. They were hostile to us. They were literally the thing that was going to kill us for all and separate us from Christ. That thing, that certificate, he has taken it. Out out of the way, having nailed it to the cross, having disarmed the rulers and authorities, he made public display of them having triumphed over them. So it's this incredible sense that not only has Christ. Taking the certificate, cast it aside, paid for it in full. But then above and beyond that, he's disarmed the rulers and authorities. He's made a public display of them. He's triumphed over sin, death, and the devil in such a demonstrative and public way to show that he's the ruler of all the world. That he's the promise maker and he's the promise keeper, that he's just, and that he's justifier. And so Paul says to us, then Christian. How ought you to live? How ought you to behave? Is this not the best news that you could possibly hear? So all of that, I think is literally just the smallest backdrop to leading us into this final parable, this escalation really, of course, the three parables in one about the prodigal son and. I would admonish you to think on that. This little extra pause that we've had here I think is good because I need to at least to remember that this is what's leading us for Jesus to say, to start with a story that says A man had two sons. You know, after we've talked about sheep. We talked about coins and then he goes, and a man had two sons. What a beautiful like beginning what? What incredible language, what brilliance, all of this to show us his true heart for us. And I think it's always worthwhile to stop and to pause for a second. And to consider that heart as we make ourselves ready to receive this final and amazing parable. [00:35:13] Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser [00:35:13] Jesse Schwamb: So I hope that you will continue to hang out with us, that you yourself will not take my word for it or Tony's word for it, but you yourself, go to Luke 15 read. It takes maybe. I dunno, 45 seconds to read all three of these and to spend some time thinking about what it is that Christ has done for us. That we're the lost sheep, we're the lost coin. We're also this lost son, son, daughter, that this was all of our stories. At some point, we can't escape the fact that this really is our biography and. It hits close to home because we find that when we examine ourselves that we are the ones that were lost in our transgressions and dead. That we are the ones that were un circumcised, but God has made us alive together with Christ. I mean, read, read Colossians two and read Ephesians one, and what you're gonna find is we have every reason to rejoice, and these stories should compel us into. A life of constant rejoicing for what Christ has done for us. That's the reason for every season. It's the reason for the Christian life, and certainly so much of what we find reflected in reform theology proper. So you know what to do. Come hang out with us on the Telegram chat, continue to process with us alongside of us in conversation with us, these incredible parables, because I do believe there's so much here. We'll, we're never going to plumb the depths of these, and this is just our feeble attempt. To get us in the right place as we make that final hair point turn into this, that we slow down just a little bit and consider what great thing that Christ has done for us and what God, the Father and the Holy Spirit has wrought in our lives by way of this incredible salvation. So you know what to do. Come back next week and we'll get after the parable. Of the prodigal. But until you do that, until we chat again and Tony rejoins us safe and strong, and Lord willing, as great as ever, honor everyone. Love the brotherhood.

Today is day 346 and we are studying The Ninth Commandment. 346. When is it right to speak of your neighbor's sins? I am forbidden to gossip or slander, but I must speak the truth in love, reporting crime, speaking against injustice, and advocating for the helpless. (Leviticus 19:17–18; Proverbs 28:23; 31:8–9; Matthew 18:15–17; Ephesians 4:15–16; James 5:19–20) We will conclude today by praying The Shin Stanza of Psalm 119 which is verses 161-168 found on page 439 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Life can get exhausting with the fast paced, daily grind of work, family, and responsibilities. Then on top of this, we recognize how heavy and difficult the spiritual battle can be, that we are in all of the time as Christian men. God offers us times of rest, renewal and refreshing. I encourage you to take Him up on his offer.

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Dr. Jori discusses with her listeners Jesus's encouragement to His disciples  that the Holy Spirit will teach them what they are to say when they are giving their defense. Scripture References: Luke 12:12; John 17:17; Psalm 119:160; Matthew 10:1-4; Genesis 12:3; Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-5; Luke 11:53-12:12; John 14:1-6; John 14:16-20; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 John 2:272-28 Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.comFIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishafferCHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain  Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a commission, at no extra cost to you,  if you decide to make a purchase through my links.Here is a link to some of my favorite bible study tools on Amazon:https://geni.us/cHtrfEMr. Pen Bible Journaling Kitshttps://lvnta.com/lv_PTrHSCogbRim4yhEDnhttps://lvnta.com/lv_mkaMOuGe6m4oHR88uqhttps://lvnta.com/lv_dgvsxOc99t663A628z  JOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING IN 2025Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com  Support the show