Podcasts about eternal god

Merry Christmas!In this heartfelt Christmas Eve service message, Pastor Karl explores the profound truth that Christmas is far more than a baby in a manger—it's the culmination of God's everlasting love story that began in the Garden of Eden.Drawing parallels between Eden and Bethlehem, Pastor Karl unpacks how God's love has always been revealed through three key ways: proximity (drawing near to walk with us), provision (supplying what we cannot provide for ourselves, including forgiveness and eternal life), and parameters (loving boundaries for our protection and flourishing).Yet humanity's response—from Adam and Eve to today—has often been to doubt God's goodness, reject His nearness, and step outside His guardrails. Even so, God's relentless love pursues us, covers our shame, and satisfies His justice through the promised Seed: Jesus Christ, whose virgin birth and sacrificial death crush the enemy's power.Pastor Karl challenges us: Many love the warm vibe of Christmas but avoid its weighty claims. True celebration means embracing God's love fully—belonging to His family, becoming like Christ, giving our lives in response, and going on mission to share His love.This message invites everyone to respond to God's pursuit, whether by placing faith in Jesus for the first time or recommitting to live in joyful obedience within His loving parameters.Join us as Pastor Karl and his son Caleb dive deeper into these truths in a special family message. Come experience the depth of God's love that didn't begin in Bethlehem—but was gloriously fulfilled there.Watch all our sermons on our youtube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 8:00am 9:30am & 11:00am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm

In this powerful message from Pastor Karl, we journey beyond the manger to discover the timeless roots of Christmas in the Garden of Eden. Christmas is far more than a seasonal vibe—it's the profound story of God's unchanging love, revealed through proximity, provision, and loving parameters.Drawing parallels between Eden and Bethlehem, Pastor Karl shows how God has always pursued us: walking closely with humanity, generously providing what we cannot obtain ourselves, and setting protective boundaries for our good. Yet, from the beginning, humanity has often rejected this love, doubting God's goodness and choosing our own way.The heart of the gospel shines through as Pastor Karl reminds us that even in our rejection, God's love pursues and covers us—first promised in Genesis with the crushing of the serpent's head through the seed of the woman, and perfectly fulfilled in the incarnation of Jesus, Emmanuel, "God with us."This message challenges us: Will we embrace not just the warmth of Christmas, but the weighty claims of Christmas—God's call to love Him fully with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength through belonging to His family, becoming like Christ, giving generously, and going on mission?A stirring reminder that God's everlasting love didn't begin in Bethlehem—it was set in motion from the very beginning, for you and me.Watch all our sermons on our youtube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 8:00am 9:30am & 11:00am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm

David MacDonald - December 14th, 2025 - The Word Dwelt Among Us Uniqueness of Gospel of John Key word “believe” (98x) Intended audience is the entire world John focuses on who Jesus is – presents Jesus as the Son of God Matthew focused on what the Lord Jesus said Mark focused on what the Lord Jesus did Luke focused on how the Lord Jesus felt John focused on who the Lord Jesus was Jesus Christ is presented as God Himself in a human body John starts with the beginning (just as the scriptures do in Genesis 1:1) Matthew and Luke go to beginnings in genealogy – John back to very beginning – before time John 1:1-5 The Word – Jesus Christ is Eternal God (vs. 1,2) John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was in the beginning with God. Lord Jesus Christ – was the Word – existed before the beginning – already there The Word was with God – intimately face to face with the Father - Philippians 2:6 …who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, The Word was God - John 1:10-11 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. (11) He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. The Word – Jesus Christ is The Creator (vs. 3) John 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. Colossians 1:16-17 (16) For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. (17) And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:14-15 (14) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (15) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Revelation 4:11 NLT "You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created." The Word – is Life and Light for All Mankind (vs. 4-5) John 1:4-5 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (5) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. NET – “In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.” In Him was LIFE (zoe- spiritual life, eternal life, quality of life) 54x in Gospel The Word is the source of all life – zoe vs. bios This life is the LIGHT of men, -- spiritual light as well as natural light. Not the Word “contains” life and light; He is life and light. That life was light. It illuminates, shines. 21x light in John John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.: translated “did not comprehend it.” Comprehend: laying hold on something to make it one's own. Affects everyone (vs9) Every person has light that makes them responsible. Men love darkness rather than light. John 3:19 describes the state of our world and the heart of mankind. The Word – Became Flesh & Dwelt Among Us (vs. 3) John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. One of the greatest miracles – God became flesh – born of a virgin Prophesied in the OT – Isaiah 9:6-7, Micah 5:2-4 He became flesh for YOU! Dwelt among us – Tabernacled John 1:11-12 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. (12) But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God,

In this stirring and deeply encouraging Advent message, Pastor Karl continues the series The King Has Come with a raw and life-giving exploration of the second great gift Jesus brings: peace.Turning to the familiar yet profound scene in Luke 2:8–20, Pastor Karl invites us into the midnight terror of ordinary shepherds—suddenly confronted by the blinding glory of God—and shows how the very first words from heaven that night were not “Merry Christmas,” but “Fear not.” That first Christmas did not begin with sentimental calm; it began with paralyzing, mega-fear. And right there, in the middle of stacked-on-stacked fear, the angel announced good news of great joy: a Savior has been born who is Christ the Lord, the Prince of Peace.With pastoral tenderness and unflinching honesty, Pastor Karl unmasks fear as the mortal enemy of peace—how it magnifies threats, shrinks our view of God, and paints our future in colors darker than God ever intended. Yet the gospel is stronger: peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of a Person. Peace is not something Jesus gives; peace is who Jesus is—and He gives Himself.Through the shepherds' journey from terror to testimony, we're given clear, scriptural paths out of fear and into the unshakable peace of Christ: speaking God's truth over fear's lies, refusing to agree with the spirit of fear, drawing near to Jesus through spiritual disciplines, and taking bold steps of obedience that move us against comfort and toward surrender.This is a word for everyone whose heart has been ruled by anxiety, worst-case scenarios, or the quiet fears that steal joy—especially in this season. A tender yet urgent call to stop trusting the unknown future to our own control and start trusting it to the known God who entered our fear as a baby in a manger.Because the King has come, fear does not get the final word. Peace does. And when the Prince of Peace takes over a life, what spills out is no longer fear—but praise, testimony, and unshakable confidence in the goodness of God.Essential listening for anyone who longs to trade fear for the peace that passes all understanding this Christmas.Watch all our sermons on our youtube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 9:00am & 10:30am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm

This episode examines John 8:51–59 and connects Jesus' bold declaration “Before Abraham was, I am” to the Christmas truth that Jesus is not merely a newborn but the eternal I AM who came to redeem. The lesson explains the Old Testament background of God's name, Jesus' authority over sin, spirits, Satan, and death, and why His claim demanded a response. Listeners are invited to consider how this revelation of Emmanuel — God with us — shapes our worship and response this Christmas season. (Remastered).

In this episode, we study Psalm 90, the oldest Psalm, written by Moses. It's a prayer, and we look at several key verses and discover that God is sovereign, man is sinful, we need to number our days and seek out the wisdom of God, and do the things God has called us to do, all the while pointing the way to Him. This is a hard look at concepts not taught much today.

"The Throne Room of The Eternal God" (Revelation 4:1-11)

Who/what is God? I have had people say to me, I believe in God’s existance but I don’t need to study the Bible to know Him! But belief in His existence is not enough! Even satan and his demons believe in God’s existence! It is only through the Bible we can study God and His relationship with the universe. All we can know about God is not contained in the Bible, but the Bible contains all we can know about God during our earthly life! That is because God is infinite and beyond our limitations of space and time! Yet the God we as Christian disciples follow and worship, is knowable through the Bible. This means that God is a personal God and not a remote being. That is a key to studying Him! He wants to be known and has given us the Bible in order for us to do so. How can we know about God? In the Bible, what we know of God are the fundamental qualities or powers of His being. The Bible elucidates statements about God, by God, through which we try and understand God, using our finite minds. The Bible reveals God to us! God is spirit, yet a personal and infinite being (John 4:24). He is one in substance, nature and being and incapable of division (Deuteronomy 6v4). Yet He is three coequal people, or the Trinity! It is through the Bible we discover what pleases, angers, offends, or gives joy Him! The words revealed in the Bible describe His attributes! The fact we are able to take hold and understand this about an infinite God is evidence that God desires to be known by humans! So what are some of the attributes of God? There are two different kinds of attributes: natural and moral. 1. Natural Attributes a. Transcendent - God's self-existence apart from and independent of creation. This reflects God’s majesty and greatness. Romans 11:33; 1Chronicles 29:11; 1Kings 8:27 b. Immanent/Omnipresent - God is wholly present everywhere. God fills the universe in all it's parts without division Psalm 139:7-12; Jerermiah 23:23-24 c. Omnipotent - God has power to do all things that are the object of power. With God all things are possible Luke 1:37. He is El Shaddai or God Almighty. Jerermiah 32:17-18 Nothing is too hard for you. d. Omniscient - God has perfect knowledge of all things - actual, past, present, future and possible. 1 John 3:20 God knows all things; Psalm 47:5 Infinite understanding. e. Infinite - God has no limits. He has an internal and a qualitative absence of limitation. Boundless activity - Romans 11:33; 1Timothy1:16; Psalm 147:5 f. Immutable - God is unchangeable. Malachi 3:6 - I AM God and I change not; Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. g. Eternal - God is without beginning or end. He is the alpha and omega. God is outside of time - time is in God, and He is free from the succession of time. God lives in the eternal present - past, present and future, are NOW for God - He is the I AM YAHWEH Exodus 3:14. From everlasting to everlasting you are God. 1 Timothy1:17; Psalm 102:7 h. Spirit God is a free personal Spirit · God is not material. He is invisible and indestructible. John 4:24; 1Timothy1:17; 1Timothy6:15-16 · God is Life Jn 14:6. Energy & activity! · God has Personality. Self-consciousness & communicative! 2. Moral Attributes a. Goodness - absolute perfection. Seeking creations' welfare. Love - God is love 1 John 4:8-10. God communicates and gives of Himself. Grace - God gives us what we do not deserve. God's riches at Christ’s expense Ephesians 2:7; The unmerited goodness of God John 1:16. Mercy - God does not give us what we deserve. The goodness of God to those in distress - tenderness & compassion (Ephesians 2:3-5) Long-suffering - God is slow to anger. God longs to forgive (Exodus 34:6-7) Truth - John 14:6 The revelation source and foundation of all truth is God/Jesus b. Holiness - moral excellence and perfection of God. Separation from sin. What God is!! Heb 7:26 "Be holy, for I am Holy". c. Righteousness - Holiness in action. God's actions conform to His Holiness. Justice deals with the ab­sence of righteousness. Sin must be dealt with – (Genesis 18:25 & Psalm 89:14) Why do we study this God? There are at least 4 reasons! a) Avoids confusion! As we study God, we come to know truths about Him and are able to discern what are true and false facts about Him! "Truth combats error" Satan distorts scripture to put people off the truth. b) Truth develops character 2 Peter 1:3-9 - The strongest Christian disciples are those with a good growing knowledge of biblical truth. Since study increases our knowledge of God, it increases the possibilities of love, growth and service of the Christian disciple. We study it to put it into practice! What we believe about God, affects our behaviour! James 1:22 says "We must be doers of the Word not just hearers of this is to be effective." c) We are commanded to grow in our knowledge of God - 2 Timothy 4:2-4 d) This God is to be worshipped and part of our service and submission to this God, is that worship is given to Him alone (Deuteronomy 5v6-9). As humans we are created in His image, and as Christian disciples we were bought at a price when Jesus died on the cross and we accepted Him as our Lord and saviour. He is due our worship and reverence! It is on worship that I hope to discuss next time! One of the best books regarding getting to know God is the appropriately titled “Knowing God” by JI Packer - it’s a thoroughly modern and readable classic! For more to think about, please do read for yourself 2 Peter 1:3-9. Ask yourself the following questions, writing them down if you can, and see how you respond or react to them. Then why not share your answers with your spouse or a close friend, so that you can pray over any issues together. Q1. From my knowledge of God, what do I find comforting? Q2. From my knowledge of God, what do I find disturbing? Q3. How has my knowledge of God grown and affected my behaviour since I became a Christian disciple? Right mouse click or tap here to save/download this Podcast as a MP3 file

Welcome to Day 2728 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2728 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 90:1-9 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2728 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2728 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Eternal Refuge and the Fleeting Shadow of Man - A Trek Through Psalm Ninety: Verses One through Nine Today, we embark on a profound, philosophical, and deeply spiritual journey as we open Psalm Ninety, covering its opening verses, one through nine, in the New Living Translation. This Psalm carries a rare and significant superscription: "A prayer of Moses, the man of God." Written by the great lawgiver himself, this psalm is widely regarded as the oldest in the Psalter, born from the crucible of the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. It is a sober meditation on the frailty of human life and the eternity of God, composed during a time when an entire generation was dying off due to their rebellion against the divine decree. We transition here from the anguished question of the Davidic Covenant's failure in Psalm Eighty-nine—where the psalmist wrestled with God's apparent abandonment—to a foundational truth: man's mortality is not a failure of God's promise, but an unchangeable reality of human existence after the fall. Moses reminds us that before we can grasp God's promises, we must first confront our own fleeting nature. This psalm is essential wisdom for our trek; it sets the proper scale and context for our brief time on earth. So, let us open our hearts to this ancient prayer, recognizing the immense gap between the eternal God and the transient life of man. The first section is: The Eternal God, Our Dwelling Place Psalm Ninety: verses one through two Lord, through all the generations you have been our home. Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. Moses begins his prayer not by complaining about the hardship of the wilderness, but by affirming God's eternal nature and His relationship to humanity: "Lord, through all the generations you have been our home." The word "home" (ma‘ôn) means dwelling place, refuge, or habitation. Moses is looking back over the entire history of the covenant people—from Abraham to the present wilderness generation—and declaring that God, not a physical tent or a specific land, has been their constant, reliable dwelling place. This concept provides profound security: in a transient world, subject to change and decay, God is the one permanent, unshakeable refuge for His people. Moses then paints a cosmic picture of God's...

Following his sermon in the new series through the book of John, Here is Your King, Tyler Henry and Les Clemens explore the profound themes found in John 1, discussing the significance of the Word, the nature of Jesus as both God and man, and the complexities of the Trinity. They address common misconceptions, particularly from groups like Jehovah's Witnesses, and emphasize the importance of community in spiritual growth. The discussion highlights the unchanging nature of Christ and encourages listeners to engage in theological exploration together. Passage: John 1:1-2 If you have any questions about the sermon, fill out the form on the Church Center App.

Series: Here Is Your King Speaker: Les Clemens Scripture: John 1:1-2 Main Idea: The Son, incarnate in Jesus, is the eternal God

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

A comforting sermon reminding believers that in times of sorrow, confusion, or trial, God remains our eternal refuge. Drawing from Deuteronomy 33:27—"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms"—this message explores God's unchanging nature, His protective presence, and the sustaining strength of His everlasting arms. Through biblical examples such as David in the caves, Noah's ark, and the cities of refuge, the sermon calls Christians to find rest, strength, and confidence in the eternal, triune God who never wearies of carrying His people.

A comforting sermon reminding believers that in times of sorrow, confusion, or trial, God remains our eternal refuge. Drawing from Deuteronomy 33:27—"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms"—this message explores God's unchanging nature, His protective presence, and the sustaining strength of His everlasting arms. Through biblical examples such as David in the caves, Noah's ark, and the cities of refuge, the sermon calls Christians to find rest, strength, and confidence in the eternal, triune God who never wearies of carrying His people.

Systematic and Expository Bible Study For Monday September 29th, 2025 By Pastor W.F. Kumuyi at the Deeper Life Bible Church Gbagada, Lagos, Nigeria

(Bar.4:5-12,27-29;   Ps.69:33-37;   Lk.10:17-24)   "He who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy."   That enduring joy which comes to us after this time of trial is our theme today.  Not only does Baruch come to it in his exhortation for the people to "fear not" anymore but to turn to God and be glad, but it is David's song as well: "You who seek God, may your hearts be merry!" he exclaims as he assures us that "God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah," which were once "left desolate" "for the sins of [her] children."  Yes, as Baruch encourages Israel, "Fear not, my children; call out to God!" so David confirms that "the Lord hears the poor."  And from all their sins He shall save them. And does not our gospel tell us the same.  In it we are told that "Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit" and gave the Father "grateful praise," saying, "What you have hidden from the learned and the clever you have revealed to the merest children."  To His children, to the humble, to the poor, He reveals Himself.  And what can those who are blessed so, to see "what many prophets and kings wished to see" – what can we do but rejoice in His Spirit?  For He has given us "power to tread on snakes and scorpions and all the forces of the enemy, and nothing shall ever injure" us.  For sin no longer holds sway in our lives as it once did when we turned in the hardness of our hearts from the face of God and so were "handed over" to our foes.  Though once we "forsook the Eternal God," we now return to Him; and so the "mourning and lament" suffered because of our sin now become joy in His eternal presence. "Nevertheless, do not rejoice so much in the fact that the devils are subject to you as that your names are inscribed in heaven."  We should rejoice not so much in the gift as in the giver, not so much in the power we have as in Him who gives the power.  For great and wonderful as the overcoming of evil in this life certainly is, its entire purpose is to bring us into communion with the Lord in the New Jerusalem, in His heavenly kingdom.  "Those who love His name shall inhabit it," so let us join with Jesus in the Holy Spirit to praise the Name of the Father and the great blessing of life He imparts to us.  And we shall find redemption from the punishment of our sins and rejoice as children in His presence forever.  Amen.    ******* O LORD, the Son has made you known, and we may see Him, and we may hear Him – let us turn from our sins! YHWH, great mourning has come upon us because of our sins, but great hope we have in you who desire our salvation.  Great joy is ours as we turn now from our sins and seek you ten times the more.  You are ours as we come before you on our knees, and the joy you bring us will last forever. O God, you are eternal, dwelling in unending light.  And as that light comes to our eyes, what can we do but rejoice with your Son that your poor ones you bring to glory?  In Heaven our names are written by your loving hand, in the blood of your merciful Son; all He has He has given to us, revealing even your presence, dear Father. What power has Satan over your faithful ones, those whom you bless with your power and love?  The Spirit has set us free from all bonds that we might walk with you, eternal LORD.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST REV. KENDRA BALLIET ORGANIST JIM ROSS Prelude - Welcome & Announcements *Call to Worship PASTOR: We gather today to worship God, who listens when we call. PEOPLE: We gather to rest in the shadow of God’s wings. PASTOR: We gather to pray to God, who answers us when we call. PEOPLE: We gather to lift our voices in the shadow of God’s wings. PASTOR: We gather to praise God, who rescues us when we call. PEOPLE: We gather to rejoice in the shadow of God’s wings. PASTOR: Beloved, come! Let us worship God, who covers and delivers us in Love. PEOPLE: We gather to worship in the shadow of God’s wings. * Opening Hymn – “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” #514 ** Unison Prayer - Written by St. Boniface (ca. 672-754). Eternal God, the refuge and help of all your children, we praise you for all you have given us, for all you have done for us, for all that you are to us. In our weakness, you are strength, in our darkness, you are light, in our sorrow, you are comfort and peace. We cannot number your blessings, we cannot declare your love: For all your blessings, we bless you. May we live as in your presence, and love the things that you love, and serve you in our daily lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada #883 *Glory Be to the Father #70 Children’s Chat Scripture – Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 and 1 Timothy 6:6-19 Pastor: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God Series: “I Will Call Upon the Lord” Message: “Safety in the Shadow of the Lord” Tithes and Offering Offertory - *Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #94 Prayers of the People - Joys and Concerns *Prayer Hymn – “God Will Take Care of You” #130 Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer *Closing Hymn – “Majesty, Worship His Majesty” #176 Action Steps and Benediction Postlude - The flowers on the altar today are given to the glory of God and in Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, or share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST REV. KENDRA BALLIET ORGANIST JIM ROSS Prelude - Welcome & Announcements *Call to Worship PASTOR: We gather today to worship God, who listens when we call. PEOPLE: We gather to rest in the shadow of God’s wings. PASTOR: We gather to pray to God, who answers us when we call. PEOPLE: We gather to lift our voices in the shadow of God’s wings. PASTOR: We gather to praise God, who rescues us when we call. PEOPLE: We gather to rejoice in the shadow of God’s wings. PASTOR: Beloved, come! Let us worship God, who covers and delivers us in Love. PEOPLE: We gather to worship in the shadow of God’s wings. * Opening Hymn – “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” #514 ** Unison Prayer - Written by St. Boniface (ca. 672-754). Eternal God, the refuge and help of all your children, we praise you for all you have given us, for all you have done for us, for all that you are to us. In our weakness, you are strength, in our darkness, you are light, in our sorrow, you are comfort and peace. We cannot number your blessings, we cannot declare your love: For all your blessings, we bless you. May we live as in your presence, and love the things that you love, and serve you in our daily lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada #883 *Glory Be to the Father #70 Children’s Chat Scripture – Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 and 1 Timothy 6:6-19 Pastor: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God Series: “I Will Call Upon the Lord” Message: “Safety in the Shadow of the Lord” Tithes and Offering Offertory - *Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #94 Prayers of the People - Joys and Concerns *Prayer Hymn – “God Will Take Care of You” #130 Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer *Closing Hymn – “Majesty, Worship His Majesty” #176 Action Steps and Benediction Postlude - The flowers on the altar today are given to the glory of God and in Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, or share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org

Howard takes us through the truth that God as a Trinity means God is a community of love—one that, staggeringly, invites us in.

Message from Nick Roark on September 21, 2025

This week Pastor Jesse speaks about where our hope comes from in Jesus.   Main Points & Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9 POINT: Our God is not just our Eternal God, He's our RIGHT NOW GOD!!! Genesis 50:19-20 1 Peter 1:7 POINT: We must choose to use trials to produce more Godliness in our lives not less! POINT: We will not abandon Truth, for fear of the world. And we will not abandon Grace, by inviting hate into our hearts   *This episode was recorded on 09/14/25

On this episode of Uncommon Sense with Ginny Robinson, we confront the horrific attack at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. The shooter, Robert “Robin” Westman, once walked those same halls as a student. Years of unchecked mental illness and spiritual rebellion ended in bloodshed.America is in denial. We refuse to face the truth: the transgender movement is built on a Satanic lie. No one can change the sex God gave them. Pretending otherwise doesn't heal broken souls, it destroys them and puts others in danger.Christians must speak plainly. Love does not mean affirming sin or confusion. Love means pointing people back to Christ, who alone gives us our identity. Until our nation repents and turns back to God, tragedies like this will only increase.Pray for the victims and their families.--https://policecoffee.com/collections/coffee

God's Mercy Is EndlessPsalm 36:7-9 “How precious is your mercy, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of your wings.  They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.  For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.”I love the imagery in this verse.  I love how it talks about God's mercy.  This is something I don't think we talk about enough.  We talk about God's love, but not always His mercy.  I think the reason for this is that we have a hard time believing in His mercy.  We have a hard enough time believing that God loves us. Believing that and believing that he forgives us for our sins, all of our sins, is just too much to believe for some of us.  Why is it so much easier to believe these things about other people than it is to believe them about ourselves?  I can believe that God will forgive my kids for all their sins.  That comes easily to me.  I can believe he loves them with his whole heart, no matter what they do.  I find that easy to believe because I know I love them with my whole heart, no matter what they do.  If I can do it in my broken state, surely God can do it.  I know that God's mercy is endless.  This made me think of a prayer that is part of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.  Here is the prayer, “Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.”  I think the Holy Spirit brought this to my mind right now because it talks about God's mercy.  Is this something you believe for others, but not yourself?  Is it something that you think you believe, but then when you examine your actions, you realize you are not quite there yet?  This is where I am at most of the time.  I know God is merciful.  I know God loves me and forgives all my sins, and yet at times I act like I am not forgiven.  I strive to do all I can to earn God's love when, in actuality, there is nothing I have to do because I already have all His love.  Do you do this too?The beginning of this verse says, “The children of men take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”  Isn't that a beautiful image?  When I hear that verse, I picture a giant Eagle just standing on the ground, and I am standing next to it.  I am holding on to his little leg, and He has His giant wing wrapped around me in protection.  We can take refuge in the Lord. Did you know that?  There are many places in the Bible where it talks about God being our refuge.  When you need protection, when you need a safe place to rest, rest in the Lord; He will be your refuge.The next line says, “They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.”  Sometimes we can think of God in terms of giving things up.  We can think that if we want to be a good Christian, then we have to sacrifice all we have.  We think we need to go without.  This is not the case.  God is a God of abundance.  Yes, we are called to give and to sacrifice, but God will not be outdone in generosity.  The more you give, the more God gives to you.  God knows what things you like, He knows the things you need, and He is taking care of them for you.  He is a God of abundance. He is not just taking care of the things you need, but the things you want as well.  It says, You give them drink from the river of your delights. God is so good.  He isn't just in the big things in life, He is in all the little details of your life too.  He shares His delights with you.  This verse ends with, “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.” God is our fountain of life.  Everything we have flows through Him.  We would have nothing without Him, and we are nothing without Him.  God is also our light.  He lights the way for us, and He is the light in the world that we see.  What would be great is if we could get to a point where we can shine light for others.  If we got to a place where God's light shone so brightly through us that we could be that light for others.  Now that I am saying that, I think we can be a light for others, even if we aren't quite where we want to be.  I am not sure we will ever be at a place where we think we have finally arrived.  I don't think this life is all about getting to the perfect place in life.  I think this life is more about our journey to become the best versions of ourselves.  I am not sure we ever arrive at that destination while we are here on earth.  I think it is something we can continually work towards.  What came to my mind just after I wrote that we could be a light for others is all the ways we help to spread God's love around this world.  When you are talking about God or Jesus to those you meet, that is spreading God's light.  When you pray for someone, you are being a light to them.  When you do something kind for someone, you are spreading God's light to them.  I know we probably don't think of ourselves as spreading God's light to others.  We don't think of ourselves as being a light to others, and yet, that is exactly what we are doing when we are talking about God, spreading His message, spreading His love.  Sometimes we can spread God's love without even opening our mouths.  There is so much darkness in the world, so much hatred and division.  When we are the opposite of that, when we are love and light, people can't help but notice.  We can be the light to others just by being different, just by being positive and not letting the world take our joy away.  If we can do that, others will notice and they will want what we have.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today.  Dad, we want you to be our light, we want to drink of the river of your delights. Dad, please help us remember that you are a God of abundance.  Help us not to be afraid that if we give to others, we will be left with nothing.  Help us to remember that you will not be outdone in generosity.  Father, your mercy is endless, and we are so grateful.  Please help us to remember and to believe this in our day-to-day life.  Help us to believe that you truly do forgive our sins and that you love us always.  We love you, Dad, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen.  Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus.  I look forward to spending time with you again tomorrow.  Remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I! Have a blessed day! www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Are you overwhelmed? Does it seem like things change just as you catch up to them? In a world of instability and anxiety how do we find calm and rest?  In this first message of the series Pastor Fikre Prince shares that we can have rest in this life when we learn to Dwell in the presence of an eternal unchanging God.Text: Psalm 90:1-4Sermon Summary:Big Idea: Dwelling in the Lord is eternally secure.Key Question: Why is it good for the Lord to be our dwelling place?1.     God has always been. (vv. 1-2)2.     God will always be. (vv. 3-4)

"Time flies!" You may have said this when facing project deadlines or when you're heading home from vacation. But it's true every day. Our days on earth are vanishing quickly. This is the lament of the afflicted man who prayed and sang Psalm 102. When facing our last days on earth, we must pray to our eternal God. Because Jesus died and rose again to save us, we have hope and fellowship with Him.

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comI Corinthians 10Israel's history serves as a cautionary tale for Christians. Despite experiencing God's blessings and deliverance, many Israelites fell into idolatry and immorality, leading to judgment. Paul urges the Corinthians to avoid similar pitfalls, warning against overconfidence and reminding them that no temptation is beyond God's help. He promises that God will provide a way of escape in every trial. Believers are encouraged to be mindful of their choices, particularly concerning eating food sacrificed to idols, and prioritizing the spiritual needs of others. Convictions of conscience hold great importance to God, and Christians must honor their own while also being considerate of others. Ultimately, Paul calls on them to do everything for God's glory, avoiding offense and seeking to build up others in faith through the demonstration of Christ's selfless love.Just as Israel crossed the Red Sea, we have been freed from bondage through the waters of baptism. Our leader is Jesus, who is greater than Moses. He is our source of spiritual nourishment and sustenance. However, like Israel, we can lose our deep relationship with God if we succumb to idolatry, immorality, or a lack of trust in the Lord. We must remain humble, reliant on God, and confident that He will strengthen us during times of temptation. God's people must move forward in faith together. Sharing in the Lord means we are all on this journey as one body. We must be patient, considerate of each other's conscience and needs, and devoted to helping one another stay saved. Eternal God, we know You led Israel out of slavery and toward the land of promise. We have read how many lost focus and succumbed to the impulses of the flesh, failing to receive the reward. Help us resist those temptations, support one another, and humbly rely on Your faithfulness to keep us strong. We vow to flee idolatry and dedicate our lives to You and Your people. Please help us cultivate the humility needed to deny ourselves and serve fellow believers. Guide us to do all things to glorify You and assist others in finding salvation in You. Thought Questions: -       Why did so many Israelites fall in the wilderness after being saved by God? What do you learn from their tragic example? -       “Let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” Why is pride so dangerous when it comes to facing the temptation to sin? -       In consideration of their neighbor, some did not eat certain meats. What liberties would you be willing to forfeit for the sake of Christians?

Reading scripture, let us come to the Lord with praise and thanksgiving. The. Eternal God is our refuge

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

What is worship? Here are a few definitions:Worship is the total adoring response of man to the Eternal God. Worship is responding to all that God is with all that I have.Worship is an active response to God whereby we declare His worth.Do you see some common threads? First of all, worship is an active response. There is no such thing as passive worship. Secondly, worship is to God. It's not “me”-focused. It is ever and always a God-centered activity. But what happens when worship deteriorates into something else? And how does that happen?To help us answer those questions, we're going to look at one of the darkest chapters in the Old Testament— a time when the worship of God's people totally unraveled. In Exodus 32, Moses had gone up Mt. Sinai to receive the law from God and had been gone for many days. The people started getting restless, so they went to Aaron (Moses' brother) and asked him to “make us gods” to worship. So, Aaron created a golden calf and invited the people to worship it. The people's worship of this “god” devolved into drunkenness and revelry. When God saw this, He was angry and ready to destroy them. How did this happen? How did their worship so utterly deteriorate and what observations can we make related to our own worship? 1.     Worship deteriorates when it becomes casual.These people did not abandon worship or forget God altogether. They simply wanted to make Him more palatable, more controllable. You might be wondering, “Did they know any better? What had their encounters with God been like before this?”  Exodus 19 gives us a snapshot. God has given Moses instructions to gather the people to encounter Him. God's presence was displayed through fire, smoke, thunder, lightning, and the sound of a trumpet. The holiness and fearsomeness of God filled the people with awe. Could you imagine anyone in that crowd picking their fingernails or chatting with their neighbor? Would anyone dare critique the presentation? No! They trembled with holy fear because they realized they were in the presence of the Living God!Friends, when we gather for worship, the same God is here! But all too easily we can lose our sense of awe and trivialize God by making worship casual.Here are three ways you can begin to challenge the drift to casual worship.Come prepared. We prepare for what matters. Come on time. We prioritize what matters.Come with a sense of commitment. Commit to worship with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.2.     Worship deterioriates when it becomes consumer-oriented.The Israelites asked Aaron to “make us gods to go before us.” They focus was on them. Consumer-oriented worship has its emphasis on what I want, what I get out of it. It sits back with arms folded and says, “Wow me.”  It critiques worship as one might a show.But real worship focuses on God and responding to Him as He deserves, not as we prefer.  3.     Worship deteriorates when it becomes compartmentalized.That is, it becomes disconnected from life.  In Ex. 32, the people went straight from “worship” to behavior that was disgusting and dishonoring to God. If our worship is simply going through motions, God is not impressed. Worship is meaningful to God only to the extent that it is the reflection of the authentic desires of my heart and an extension of my lifestyle on a day by day basis.  Text: Exodus 32, 19Originally recorded on January 10, 1999, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN

Isaiah 40 paints a powerful picture of God's unmatched greatness and wisdom. He is the Creator who holds the waters, measures the heavens, and brings rulers to nothing—no one can compare to Him or offer Him counsel. All human power and nations are insignificant before Him, yet people still turn to idols made by human hands. God reminds His people that He sees and knows all, and He never grows tired or weary. Those who trust in the Lord will find renewed strength, rising like eagles and enduring without exhaustion.

Ever feel trapped by the limits of time and circumstances? What if your true story, your real identity, began before time itself? In this powerful episode of The Drive Bible Podcast, we explore the mind-bending and life-changing doctrine of God's timelessness.Discover how God exists outside of the time and space He created, and why this theological truth is incredibly practical for your daily life. Anchored in our key verse, Ephesians 1:4, we unpack what it truly means that God "chose us in Him before the foundation of the world." This isn't just abstract theology; it's the foundation for unshakable peace, profound security, and a redefined identity that can't be shaken by your present struggles.If you want to move from living based on what you can see to living based on the eternal, unseen reality you belong to, this episode is for you.

https://andrewhorval.substack.com/p/eternal-purpose-of-the-eternal-god

Welcome to the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast.We are looking into the Revelation of Jesus Christ, chapter 4 once again.As we heard before, John heard a loud voice like a trumpet saying, Come up here! He was caught up to heaven where he saw a throne set up and one seated on the throne. John wrote what he saw.The Lord Jesus had directed John to write the things which he saw unlike the Apostle Paul in 2Cor. 12, who heard words which he was not able to express. There were no language, no words, no vocabulary that could express what Paul heard. But here, John wrote down both what he saw and what he heard. And you and I now have this revelation for us to read and believe and be blessed with. We can know what things will be coming after these things.Let's join Dr. Mitchell here in Revelation chapter 4:1-11.

"Lessons from the Law" • Brother Jonah Lowrance - Brother Jonah reflected on Joshua 1:8-9 and the importance of remembering the Law of God. He then highlighted a number of passages in the Law that have been of great importance to him for the past four years. These would include Genesis 1:1-5 about the creation of the world by the Eternal God. Genesis 1 & 2 about the creation of man and woman. Exodus 2:23-25 and God's help for His people. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 about how we are commanded to love God with our whole person. Then finally, Numbers 25 in reference to the zeal we ought to have for God.

Do you believe in God? What evidence is there that proves that God exists? Brother Timothy walks us through some evidence for the existence of God. 

The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you [NLT]

Timothy Fleming - The Eternal God

The name, Jesus Christ, has caused more comfort—as well as controversy—than any other name in history. And yet, why is this? The answer is found in the unique claim that He made—He declared Himself to be God in the flesh! In this series entitled Jesus Is, we'll discover that Jesus is more than just an inspiring leader—He is the reason for our very existence. Stay with us to find out how you can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The name, Jesus Christ, has caused more comfort—as well as controversy—than any other name in history. And yet, why is this? The answer is found in the unique claim that He made—He declared Himself to be God in the flesh! In this series entitled Jesus Is, we'll discover that Jesus is more than just an inspiring leader—He is the reason for our very existence. Stay with us to find out how you can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Eternal God Is Our Refuge | നിത്യനായ ദൈവം നമ്മുടെ സങ്കേതം | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory - 1530

Monday January 13, 2025 I Week After Epiphany Gen 2:4-25 Hebrews 1:1-14 John 1:1-18 #eternal #genesis #hebrews #christ #creator

John 1:14-18,14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. “The Word became flesh” — the Word that was in the beginning, the Word that was with God, the Word that was God, the Word through whom all things were made — that Word became flesh. God became a man. Eternal God in skin and bones. And he dwelt among us. Which means he was here, on this earth, rubbing shoulders with people like you and me, and John says, “we have seen his glory.”John is talking about himself and his friends. He's talking about the historical eye-witnesses of Jesus — these are the people who literally saw Jesus when he was here — They saw his nose; they saw his teeth when he smiled; they heard his voice; they touched his body — John and his friends, people like us — they saw Jesus in person.But John doesn't just say here that they saw Jesus, he says they saw his glory. Now the word “glory” is one we use a lot, and remember the glory of something is its weight and wonder. It's the beauty or the radiance of a thing. And John says he saw that of Jesus. John saw the glory of Jesus. That's why he is writing this book! We're reading the account of someone who saw the glory of Jesus — and so the question is: Do you wanna see it?Does anybody here want to see the glory of Jesus?Because that's what John is gonna show us ... he wants to show us what he saw.And I'll be straight with you, if you read the words in verse 14 — “we have seen his glory” — and they mean nothing to you, that's a problem … You either care (or come to care) about his glory or the Gospel of John (and Christianity as a whole) will make no sense to you. So I think this is something we gotta talk about. The plan today is pretty simple: God willing, I just want to answer two questions:What do you most need to see?How do you see it?Father, by your Spirit, we pray: speak to us your Son, amen.1. What do you most need to see?Well, what do you think the answer is? When it comes to your life right now, what do you think you most need to see?There's no doubt that when John writes verse 14, he's thinking about a story from the Old Testament. Any of the first readers who knew the Hebrew Bible, would have made the connection right away — and we can make the connection too. Because that word there for “dwelt” is actually the word used for “tabernacle” in the Greek Old Testament. John is saying literally that the Word, God, became a man, and “tabernacled” among us. He “set up his tent” among us.This by itself reminds us of the Book of Exodus, where we read that in the Old Covenant the tabernacle was the place where God's presence dwelt with his people. But then there's more — The word “glory” in verse 14 — that John “saw his glory” — that also alludes back to the same time in the Book of Exodus, and it reminds us of Moses's prayer in Exodus 33. This is one of the most important moments in the whole Old Testament — we gotta turn back there. Everyone, if you can, go to Exodus Chapter 33. Hold your spot in John 1, go back to Exodus 33. The Exodus 33 ConversationFor context, the chapter right before 33, Exodus 32, is one of the lowest moments in Israel's history. While Moses was up on Mount Sinai receiving the law, the people were rebelling against God and worshiping a golden calf. And God told Moses about it while he was on the mountain, and God said he's done. The people are stiff-necked — they're hard-hearted — and God says: I'm just going to wipe them all out and make a great nation out of you, Moses. But Moses intercedes for the people. He goes back and forth with God, begging God not to destroy the people. And God relents. God sends judgment but he doesn't wipe ‘em all out, and he tells Moses and the people to leave Sinai and go to the Promised Land — but here's the thing: God says I'm not going with you. You're such a sinful people that if I were near you, I'd consume you. And Exodus 33:4 says this was a “disastrous word.” The people are sinful, but they're not completely stupid — they know that without God being with them they're cooked, so they mourn. And Moses goes back to talk with God. And you can read this whole dialogue in Exodus 33, verses 12–23, and we are supposed to read it like a dialogue. Moses talked with God like a man talks with his friend (verse 11). So we're supposed to hear this as a conversation:Moses says, God, I'm in a mess. You've told me to lead these people but you've not told me who's gonna help me. You just said you're not coming with me. But you've also said that you know me and I have favor with you. So, I'm stuck here. Help me. And God says: Okay, Moses, my presence will go with you.And Moses says: That's the only way I can go! You going with us is what makes all the difference.God says: I'll be there, because you have found favor with me and I do know you.Then Moses says, “Please show me your glory.” And I want everybody to see this. Look at Chapter 33, verse 18,“Please show me your glory.”Just five words in English.The Crisis We're InBut I want you to see that this simple prayer has a profound context — and the context is not comfort but chaos. Moses is not having a great day and then he wants a little glory like it's a cherry on top. This is not a Bible-verse-on-a-coffee-mug kind of moment. But Moses wants to see God's glory like his life depends on it — and not just his life, but the life of an entire nation depends on it; and it's not even just about the nation, but this is about God's reputation in the world. Moses is desperate here. He's in an absolute crisis. That's why he prays the way he does. So get this: how you understand your condition will determine what you think you most need. That makes sense, right? Your assessment of ‘how you're doing' will shape what you think you most need to see.And this is where too often it goes sideways for us, because too often we get this assessment wrong. I was at the gym the other day, and like most gyms, there's TVs mounted up on the wall — four of them in a row. There's a bunch of treadmills in front of them, I guess in case people wanna watch TV while they're walking. And on these TVs, in this moment I was looking … The first screen was a daytime talkshow with some has-been celebrityThe second screen was a news story about how they're now saying coffee is good for youThe third screen was a news story about how outdoor activities extend your biological clockThe fourth screen was a pharmaceutical commercial — which are all the same, somebody riding a bicycle and smiling …And everybody, like hamsters, walking and watching, and what's the message there? Well, what's being sold there is going to conform to what most people consider to be their biggest need — and in a word, it's improvement. That's how a lot of people understand their condition: “I need to improve.” So we look to the influencers and we listen to hours of podcasts and we keep buying the stuff — just to make ourselves a little bit better, to make things a little bit easier, to make our lives a little bit more comfortable. And look, there's nothing inherently wrong with wanting to improve, but what if I told you our condition is a lot worse than the need for improvement? What if I told you that we're actually in a crisis, all of us — and it's a crisis not unlike the one Moses was in. We Need GodSee, Moses knew that without God, it's over. Over! Moses cannot do life without God … and we can't either. We can't.Now we live in a world that sells us the lie everyday, on every screen, that we can! We're told to think that everything we need can be found here — from ourselves, by ourselves, for ourselves. But that's not true. We need God. You need God. And the crisis is: Where is he?You ever felt that crisis before? You need someone whom you have never seen, someone you cannot find. The evidences of God are all around us, but he's invisible. How do you know that when you pray you're not just talking to air? Because sometimes it can feel like you're talking to air. This is one of the reasons we have a world full of fillers, substitutes, idols. “We don't know where he is.”Moses knew he needed God (he knew God is real) — but he still needed the assurance from God that God would meet his need for him. Moses is saying: I need you! How do I know I have you? That's why he prayed: Please show me your glory. Show me your weight and wonder. I need to see who you are. I need to see your glory. That is what we most need to see too. Whatever it is you've got going on — whatever pain you're walking in, whatever uncertainty you're navigating, whatever oblivion you're scrolling through — what you think you most need to see might be wrong. Because what we all most need to see is the glory of God. We need God, and we need to know what he is like. That's the answer to question 1, What do we most need to see? Question 2 …2. How do we see it?“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”Look at those words at the end of verse 14: “full of grace and truth.” Grace and truth.This again sends us back to Exodus 33, to see how God answered Moses's prayer. After Moses says, Please show me your glory, God says, Exodus 33:19, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.' …So Moses is about to see God, except God tells him: You can't see my face. It's too radiant. But go here, in the cleft of the rock, in this little ditch I have for you, and wait for me there. I'll pass by and let you see a little bit.So Moses does that. And Exodus 33:5 says, 5 The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord.This is God telling Moses his glory. Verse 6: 6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” …And those words “abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” could be translated “full of grace and truth.”Moses, that's my glory, God says. I'm kind and merciful, and I always do what I say. I'm faithful. I am the God full of grace and truth. I'm telling you who I am …That's in the old covenant. But then, in the new covenant, when the Word became flesh — God himself in skin and bones, God the Son sent from God the Father — then God was showing us his glory. John saw it. He saw the glory of Jesus, full of grace and truth. Look at Jesus ChristAll of the steadfast love of God, all of his faithfulness, all of his mercy and righteousness, his grace and truth — who God is for us — was manifest in Jesus. Verse 18 tells us that the God who cannot be seen was seen in Jesus. Jesus has made God known.Look, you need God, but where is he? You need to see his glory. You need to know what he is like, but how? How do you see the glory of God?You need God—where can he be?You need his glory for eyes to see.You long to know what he is like: simply look at Jesus Christ.All of who God is for us is made known in Jesus, and all of who Jesus is makes God known. To see Jesus is to see God. And John has seen him. He wants to show us. So we're for this. Our greatest need is met in Jesus.Is He Really?My favorite theological book on the incarnation is by a Scottish theologian named T. F. Torrance. Torrance served as a chaplain for the British army in World War II (Alister McGrath, his biographer, tells this story; Glen Scrivener does too). Torrance had a powerful experience on the battlefield that changed his life. Torrance had received great theological training, his doctrinal ducks were in a row, and for most of his time as a chaplain, he could keep studying. He brought books with him everywhere he went. But there was one incident, October 17, 1944 — Torrance wrote about … His battalion was in Italy, and the Nazi army had strong defenses in this one city in the mountains, so the Allied Forces decided to launch a night attack. Torrance, as a chaplain, had to carry a stretcher to go and find the wounded, and he was under fire most of the night, and then at dawn, just as the sun started to rise, he came across a young man, 19 years old, who had been shot during the night and was bleeding out. Torrance knew he was minutes away from death. He recounts this moment. He writes: As I knelt down and bent over him, he [looked at me and] said: “Padre, is God really like Jesus Christ?”Isn't that an amazing question? The dying solider understood the crisis. He knew what he most needed to see. Is God really like Jesus?And Torrance said, “The only God there is, is the God who has come to us in Jesus. He has shown his face to us and poured out his love for us as our Savior.”Do you believe that this morning?Christian, do you know that's true?Maybe you would say, Yeah, I know that. I've looked to Jesus. I'm saved. But now I've got other things. I've got bills … broken relationships … besetting sins — boredom. But see, this is where I want to say: looking to Jesus is not a one-time thing. We don't just look to Jesus once and then its crisis averted. But we look and keep looking, because the real crisis behind every trial we walk through for the rest of our lives is to know and remember what God is like. That's the question you're asking in your pain, your confusion, your apathy — “God, what are you really like?”Look to Jesus. Look to Jesus. Look to Jesus. This is why we want to be a church that remembers the realness of Jesus in all of life.My prayer this year is that we see Jesus afresh through the Gospel of John. I want us to refocus everything about our lives on him — I want us to see him and know him and love him more than anything else.That's what brings us to the Table. The TableOne of the things that will be clear in the Gospel of John is where we see the glory of Jesus most vividly. If Jesus makes known the grace and truth of God, is there a highest point of that revelation? Yes, it's the cross. We see the glory of Jesus clearest when he is glorified, and Jesus being glorified in the Gospel of John is when he was lifted up on the cross. The glory of God made known in Jesus Christ is seen supremely in his death and resurrection — a God who stoops and serves and suffers for those he loves. Bleeding, arms stretched wide in sacrifice for us — that is our God. And that's what we remember at this Table.The bread and cup represent the broken body and shed blood of Jesus, and so today, when we hold the bread and cup, think Glory! This is what God is like. This is what grace and truth means. And that's why this Table is just for Christians. If you're here this morning and you're not a Christian, I'm glad you're with us, and I'd love to talk with you and I would not embarrass you for anything in the world. I know what it's like to be where you are, so after the service, I'm gonna stand right here and just be available. Come talk to me.Now, if you trust in Jesus, if you've seen his glory and you believe in him, let's eat and drink together.

"Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us," St. Faustina writes. Listen in as Fr. Joseph Roesch, MIC, reads from this modern spiritual classic. To order a copy of the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, visit ShopMercy.org. Support our Ministries here. 

"I will give you more than you asked for. Be patient and trust Me." - Ephesians 3:20 The rest takes care of itself.  Love takes care of Itself.  But you have to be Love, not 'you',   to see that protection,  that help,  that intercession,  in action.  To see Him take over,  to feel His Heart beating.  It beats for you.  He lives for you.  He Loves you.  Love Loves Love,  and resurrects It.  "Come forth." -John 11:43-44 "Then Jesus looked up to heaven and breathed deep within. He said to the man, 'Be opened! -Mark 7:34 I love you, nik  email prayer requests- nikki@curlynikki.com or DM @curlynikki  ********************************* Please support the show: ▶▶https://www.patreon.com/goodmornings ▶▶ Cash App $NikWalton  __________________________________________ LINKS Surrender Novena #1 (All nine days in one place!) Surrender Novena #2 (All nine days in one place!) QUOTES  "My teacher makes life very simple Every morning I wake up, my ideas and fears are jumbled up. I feel overwhelmed with doubt and regret. But if I just pause for a moment and remember, I have only one thing to do today: Follow Him. The rest takes care of itself."- Matthew, The Chosen (series)  "Eternal God, Goodness itself, whose mercy is incomprehensible to every intellect, whether human or angelic, help me, Your feeble child, to do Your holy will as You make it known to me.  I desire nothing but to fulfill God's desires.  Lord, here is my soul and my body, my mind and my will, my heart and all my love. Direct me according to Your eternal plan. Amen" - St. Faustina  "The only way to abide as Awareness is to realize "I am Awareness".  The only way to get Home is to realize "I am Home". All the methods and practices of the Progressive Path are the stepping stones of an illusory separate self. The Direct Path is the pathless path. It is to realize a journey of separation has never taken place." - Pat Nolan  My teacher taught me to pray in this way: "God, what is it that you want me to know and understand today? What is it you want me to do today?" - Isha Das