Podcasts about Father

Father explains that in today's culture it is sometimes hard to see Christ.

Roy Wood Jr. has long used humor to discuss topical issues and get at deeper truths. As a correspondent for The Daily Show, and now as the host of Have I Got News For You on CNN, he brings his own unique sensibility to political comedy. In his new memoir, The Man Of Many Fathers, he goes deep on his complicated relationship with his father, and the role food played in crucial moments of his childhood. Roy tells Dan about elaborate breakfasts he ate in the car with his mom, his father's favorite on-the-road snacks, and the final meal that he made his dad — which left Roy with more questions than answers. Sign up for our newsletter by December 8 for a chance to win a copy of The Man Of Many Fathers! Open to U.S. entrants only.The Sporkful production team includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Kameel Stanley, Jared O'Connell, Morgan Johnson, and Jazzmin Sutherland.Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Princlings, Grassroots, and the Politics of Restoration. Joseph Turigian discusses how Xi Jinping gained entry to Qinghua University based on political reliability rather than merit in 1975, although his father remained un-rehabilitated. While princlings were generally unpopular, Xi Jinping made the atypical choice to climb the ranks from the grassroots. Xi Zhongxun's full rehabilitation was slow and politically sensitive because Mao himself had persecuted him. Xi Jinping served as secretary to a powerful military leader and skillfully used public relations to raise his profile. Xi Jinping married famous singer Peng Liyuan, bonding over their shared suffering during the Cultural Revolution. Guest: Joseph Turigian. 1906

Xi Zhongxun's Radical Youth and Peasant Roots. Joseph Turigian introduces Xi Zhongxun's biography, emphasizing the Confucian view that a father explains the son. Xi Zhongxun was born into a poor peasant family in Shaanxi province in 1913, an area marked by violence and poverty. At age 15, he poisoned a school administrator on orders from the local Communist Party, leading to his imprisonment, where he formally joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1928, an early mark of prestige. Xi was motivated by radicalism and a belief that only force could save China. Guest: Joseph Turigian. 1906

Legacy, Loyalty, and the Nationalist Leader. Joseph Turigian concludes with Xi Zhongxun's death in 2002 after suffering cancer, noting his epitaph speaks of a life of struggle and happiness. Xi Jinping wrote to his father, listing qualities he wished to emulate: never persecuting people and never losing faith in the cause. The suffering endured often rededicated communists to the party. Xi Jinping once told Prime Minister Abe that if he were American, he would join the Republicans or Democrats, not the Communist Party. This comment suggested to Abe that Xi Jinping is primarily a nationalist focused on power and using communism for China's rejuvenation, driven by a deep fear of chaos. Guest: Joseph Turigian. 1908 zpeking

Praise is not just a worship song or a Sunday morning routine—praise is a lifestyle. As our daily prayer and devotional remind us, Scripture tells us to “pray without ceasing,” and in the same way, we can cultivate a posture of continual praise. God gives abundantly, consistently, and generously. Even in difficult seasons, even in uncertainty, He remains the One who provides every good and perfect gift. Keneesha Saunders-Liddie reminds us that the greatest gift God ever gave was His Son. Christ came to earth, bore our sin, and secured our salvation—a gift precious beyond measure. But God’s generosity did not stop at the cross. He continues to sustain us daily with strength, breath, provision, relationships, and opportunities. James 1:17 emphasizes that God does not change. Unlike people who can be fickle or inconsistent, the Lord is steady and faithful. He does not give gifts only to take them back. He does not shift like shadows. His character is constant, and because of that, our praise should be constant too. Every blessing—big or small—flows from His good hand. Every moment of comfort, peace, joy, and strength is evidence of His loving provision. And even when we walk through trials, His presence and sustaining grace are gifts worth praising Him for. He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, and the ultimate source of all goodness. Bible Reading:“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17 Takeaway Truths: God is the source of every good and perfect gift. His character is unchanging, providing stability in an unstable world. Praise is a lifestyle that grows from recognizing God’s constant provision. Let’s Pray Oh Heavenly Father, You are the giver of all good and perfect gifts. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. What a comfort that is to my weary soul. There is evil all around. There are trials and temptations that I have to go through, but You don’t tempt believers with evil. You are the One who gives perfect gifts to Your children. You lead us through temptation, and Jesus has walked the path that we now must walk. There is no temptation that Jesus hasn’t experienced and overcome while He was here on earth. Thank You for being the giver of good gifts. My soul praises and extols Your matchless name because You are Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. You give gifts to me that are wonderful, and even when I have to walk through trials, Your constant presence is there with me. You are unchanging, O God, so that I can depend on You. I will continue to praise and magnify You, O Lord. Let my praises always be on the tip of my tongue. I praise You with my body, with my finances, with my lifestyle, and with everything that You have blessed me with. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Related Scriptures Psalm 103:2 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Psalm 145:7 Hebrews 13:8 Related Resources What Does It Mean That Every Good Gift Comes From God? – Crosswalk.com Understanding God’s Unchanging Character – BibleStudyTools.com More daily prayer devotionals at LifeAudio.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Go to www.LearningLeader.com for full show notes This is brought to you by Insight Global. If you need to hire one person, hire a team of people, or transform your business through Talent or Technical Services, Insight Global's team of 30,000 people around the world has the hustle and grit to deliver. My guest: Nicholas Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic and former editor-in-chief of WIRED. He's the author of the best-selling book (and one of my favorites of the year), The Running Ground. Nick shares why great leaders must balance being decisive with staying open to being wrong, how to build teams that challenge your thinking without creating chaos, and why the most important skill for the next decade is knowing what questions only humans can answer. Key Learnings Consistency Over Intensity Creates Results - If you go out there every day, six or seven days a week, and a couple days you push yourself really hard, you get faster. There's no two ways about it. If you don't do that, you don't get faster. It's a very good reminder that you can get a lot done if you just go and allot time to pushing yourself. Recommendation letter written by the Stanford faculty about Nick's dad to be a Rhodes Scholar: "Scotty Thompson is the kind of young man that comes along only once in approximately ten years. I cannot recall ever having known a student who possessed the same combination of intelligence, creativity, energy, drive, and dedication. He has attempted more, achieved more, than anyone we have studied– including some who now hold high office. He is generally conceded among those who have observed the student body since World War II to be the outstanding leader of the era. I think it likely that in the entire history of Stanford campus life, he has had no near rival since Herbert Hoover as an undergraduate." Also about Nick's Dad: Tracy Bennett, one of his graduate students, said, "He was flamboyant, gently endearing, annoyingly arrogant, piercingly intelligent, entertaining, and more. I'd never met a man, nor had a professor, who was clearly so brilliant and at the same time so precariously insecure." His grandfather, Frank Thompson, placed second in the Southern California extemporaneous speaking contest held at Whittier College. First place was Richard Nixon. Parenting — "Nothing makes me more worried about failure than parenting." "Parenting is suffused with regrets, confusion, and mistakes. But when I run by, I know my children are rooting for me to succeed with infinite love and enthusiasm." Running hard... Pushing yourself. Why do it? "Discipline builds discipline. Discipline is cumulative." Sometimes You Have to Trick Yourself - I ran 10:48 because the track was bigger than I thought, and I didn't realize how fast I was going. If I had known I was running at a 5:23 pace, I would've shut down. My body would've started to hurt. Sometimes you can't let yourself know what you're actually doing, or you'll get scared. Hiring at The Atlantic - The people he hires at The Atlantic share four must-have attributes: A spirit of generosity. A force of ideas. They're relentlessly hard workers. And they have an edge: an anxiety about getting great work done. That last one stuck with me. The best people aren't just talented... They're driven by a productive anxiety to do work that matters. Becoming CEO of The Atlantic: The Search & Selection: The Atlantic conducted a yearlong search after President Bob Cohn left in fall 2019. When owners Laurene Powell Jobs and David Bradley announced Thompsont in December 2020, they said "Nick is singular; we've seen no one like him" and that he brought "a surround-sound coverage of relevant experience." Move at an Uncomfortable Pace - You don't get anything you want by being comfortable. If you're working in a way that feels easy and setting deadlines where everything seems smooth, you're not growing, you're not learning, you're not getting there. That's a lesson from running, and it's a good lesson for work. Set Audacious Goals - We're setting two extremely big goals at The Atlantic. Our projections don't suggest we're going to hit them. But the same was true last time when I said we're gonna get profitable and a million subscribers in three years. We got there. Sometimes having a really big goal motivates you and forces all the tough choices. Continuous Forward Motion Matters Most - When I realized yesterday's marathon was going badly, I kept telling myself: continuous forward motion. Sometimes the goal becomes just finishing. It's better to make a full drop in pace and hold that than to slowly slide backwards every mile once you know you won't hit your goal. Every Extra Word Is an Opportunity to Lose People - Every extra word, every extra thought, every extra detail that doesn't propel the story needs to be removed. This book is 75,000 words, but there's 60,000 words I cut. Is this sentence absolutely essential? No? It's gone. That's storytelling, and that's leadership communication. The Cocktail Party Test for Storytelling - If you describe what you're writing at a cocktail party, do people come towards you or walk away? I can talk about my 2005 cancer diagnosis and 2007 marathon, and people lock in. I talk about my 2009 marathon, and no one cares. Test what has emotional resonance with your friends. Write and Speak To Help People SEE a Movie - When somebody's reading, they're visualizing it in their mind's eye. Can you see it? Can you feel it? If you can't run a movie in your head about what I'm writing, it shouldn't be on the page. Help them visualize it—the little white house in Concord, walking around Walden Pond. Hiring: Spirit of Generosity and Force of Ideas - Spirit of generosity means can they work with people? Will they be territorial or figure out what's best for the org? Force of ideas means are you smart and sharp? I also want edge—a little bit of productive paranoia. Not complacent, but kind to everybody. Discipline Can Show Up in Different Ways - My editor-in-chief hasn't run a mile in 25 years. Is he disciplined? Hell yeah. Works all the time, focused on every sentence. You can have mental discipline without physical discipline. I try to get the most out of different kinds of people with different strengths. Keep Going - This is the hardest time to graduate because of AI and uncertainty. Find things you're passionate about and really focus on them. My twenties weren't great professionally. I found journalism, but I wasn't good at it yet. Keep pushing, and eventually things turn out for the best. Reflection Questions What would happen if you moved at an uncomfortable pace in your most important work? Where are you setting deadlines that feel too easy and smooth? Are you ruthlessly cutting everything that doesn't propel your story forward? What sentence, meeting, or project exists simply because it always has, not because it's essential? Former Episodes Referenced #603 - Michael Easter - The Comfort Crisis #611 - Codie Sanchez - Main Street Millionaire #654 - Jake Tapper - Be So Good They Can't Ignore You Time Stamps: 02:05 Nick's NYC Marathon Experience 03:35 Nick's Father's Legacy 11:43  Running and Leadership 17:08 Overcoming Cancer and Running Again 19:24 The Importance of Setting "Stretch" Goals  21:30 Marathon Challenges and Lessons 27:09 The Warrior Athlete and Early Lessons 28:54 Nick's Role as CEO of The Atlantic 29:30 Unique Talents for a CEO Role 30:42 Balancing Multiple Interests 32:30 Writing 'The Running Ground' 37:37 Crafting a Compelling Story 41:24 Storytelling Tips for Leaders 44:15 Hiring the Right People 51:55 Running and Parenting 54:06 Advice for New Graduates 56:07 EOPC

In this episode, I sit down with my girls Loren Lott and Jazmine Robinson, and we get REAL about friendship, discernment, faith, and dating in this season of our lives. We talked about how their bond has stayed solid through prayer, grace, and honesty, and I loved when Loren said she had to take her worth “out of the casting director's hands and put it back in her Father's” — that line blessed me so much.We laughed about going on dates, crushes, boundaries, and why saying “no” can be a whole spiritual gift. And of course, we had to talk about comparison, trusting God's timing, and learning to love the season you're in. This episode felt like girl talk, therapy, and a devotional all in one — I know it's going to bless you.Please leave a review , if this episode spoke to you!For exclusive bonus content, behind-the-scenes vlogs, a place connect with the LTTA FAM plus more, join the LTTA app community at LTTA.app and unlock your invite today!Audio Fam, since you listen to the audio every Monday, don't forget to go watch the YouTube on Tuesday! Go comment “Audio Fam

Send Us Your Prayer Requests --------This Christmas, you can shine the light of Christ into places of darkness and pain with a purchase from the Joni and Friends Christmas catalog. You are sending hope and practical care to people with disabilities, all in the name of Jesus! Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

As Jesus walks to the garden where he will spend his final moments with the disciples, he continues to divulge the relationship between the persons of the Trinity. The Spirit comes from the Father and submits to the Son. The Son commands the Spirit but submits to the Father. And the Father has authority over the Son and the Spirit while still honoring both as equal in divinity. Jesus prays for His present disciples as well as those who will believe in the future, asking that they might know the Father's love and that they might be protected from the evil one. Finally, Jesus is captured and sent to trial before the Jews and before Pilate.John 15:26-27 – 1:11 . John 16 - 1:28 . John 17 - 7:34 . John 18 - 11:47 . Isaiah 41 - 20:11 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Father shows us how our lifestyle affects our service to God.

Romans 8:26-27 — It is common for prayers to feel empty, as if the enemy stops the words from being heard by the Savior. Sometimes Christians find themselves groaning, not able to put into words what they need from God. They lose their confidence that they even belong to God. In this sermon on Romans 8:26–27 titled “The Spirit's Help,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that these groanings are actually additional proof of their sonship and one of the very reasons God sends His Holy Spirit to His people. He comes alongside to help them in their weakness, to be their advocate, and telling them what to pray when they come before the Father. He intercedes for the Christian who utters wordless groanings which God hears, understands, and approves because it is God who sends the Spirit to work these things in His people. He only sends his Spirit to true believers. If, therefore, one finds themselves giving vent to these groanings, be encouraged. It is proof of a true relationship with God because it is the Spirit that produces these groanings. Christians should rejoice as they belong to Him. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29?v=20251111

In today's episode, Nancy draws us into a timely word from Hebrews 12 about the gradual drain that can leave us weary, exhausted, and quietly resigned. It's not always the dramatic attacks that take us out—it's often the repetition, the subtle wear, and the daily pressures that grind us down over time. Whether it's external opposition or internal fatigue, Nancy shares how Jesus endured bitter hostility and shame by fixing His eyes on the joy set before Him—and how we can do the same. This is not about pumping yourself up or pretending things don't hurt. It's about recognizing the slow fade, refusing to faint in your mind, and returning to the Source of your strength. If you've ever whispered, “I'm just tired,” this episode will meet you there—and invite you to let Jesus invigorate you from the inside out. Thanks for Listening! I hope that after listening to The Tent Talk Podcast, you'll want to start discussions with your team or small group. These resources can help guide your discipleship journey to maturity and destiny with the Father: Episode Notes & Conversation Guide DOWNLOAD HERE https://nancymccready.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/EPISODE-994-Beast-of-Bitterness.pdf LINKS The Devotional Podcast with Nancy McCready https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2hHjwQ_3Qrp1rhbR9nu68wnBtQY0IHzc The Producer's Way School theproducersway.com Nancy's book, From Trauma to Trust www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZML6R3/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, join us on social media to get started! Facebook: www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries SUBSCRIBE Like what you hear? Subscribe to Tent Talk with Nancy McCready so you don't miss an episode! nancymccready.com/podcast/ ABOUT NANCY MCCREADY Nancy McCready is redefining discipleship across nations, cultures, and denominations. Through Nancy McCready Ministries, she partners with leaders to build deep, transformative discipleship cultures that provoke people to walk in freedom and live as mature sons of the Father. Her powerful message comes from her journey of overcoming abuse, addiction, and self-destruction to walk in true freedom. She now dedicates her life to helping others grow in intimacy with the Father and live unto Him. ABOUT TENT TALK PODCAST Tent Talk with Nancy McCready is a listener-funded podcast dedicated to helping Christians along their journey of a deeper walk with Christ. With the support of donors like you, we are able to help our listeners gain a deeper spiritual understanding and connection with the Father. Thank you for your support of the Tent Talk Podcast! nancymccready.com/giving/ Brought to you by Nancy McCready Ministries nancymccready.com/

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets.

Throughout this week, we'll be reading from the life of Joseph.Genesis 37:2-4 NLTWhen Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father's flocks. He worked for his half-brothers, the sons of his father's wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing. Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So, one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn't say a kind word to him.Now, fast-forward to Joseph being sent by his dad to check on his brothers who were working in the field …Genesis 37:23-28 NLTWhen Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders … Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We'd have to cover up the crime.  Instead of hurting him, let's sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed. So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph's brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt.We all know the end of the story. How God used all of these terrible situations for ultimate good. But before we get ahead of ourselves to the redemption - Do you have a memory in your own life that this story triggered for you? Something tragic? Betrayal? An injustice?While this story is painful to hear, the bottom line is we all understand family dysfunction that causes pain and creates scars that we have to deal with for a long time. But these events in our lives offer us a choice: will I let this define me or will I allow this to become a defining moment?Your relationship with God can bring purpose to create a greater, stronger you out of any circumstance. But for this to happen, the pain and the process has to be surrendered to God and then stay submitted to Him on the journey to wholeness and healing.As we walk through this week, and the story of Joseph, can you ask God to start to reveal his purpose for your pain, maybe like you have never seen it before.Let's pray: “Father, thank You for providing examples in Scripture that show me how to navigate the tragedies of life through You. Right now, I surrender my hurts, my pain, and my process of healing to You. Use it all—the good and bad—to bring me a greater sense of purpose about my life, as You lead me. As above, so below.”

There are several saints named Elizabeth, but the Elizabeth who the Church is honoring today lived during the 1200's and was the daughter of the king of Hungary. Fr. Kubicki instructs us on more of St. Elizabeth of Hungary's life on today's reflection.

Embodied Rhythms of Healing - Father Trevor McMaken by

Gratitude // Week 3 // Gratitude And Our OutcomesPastors JF and Ashley Wilkerson1 Samuel 25:1-3 NIV1 Now Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and mourned for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David moved down into the Desert of Paran. 2 A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. 3 His name was Nabal and his wife's name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite.1. Gratitude is not a feeling...gratitude is a choice.1 Samuel 25:4-11 NIV4 While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. 5 So he sent ten young men and said to them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name. 6 Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours! 7 “‘Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing. 8 Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable toward my men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.'” 9 When David's men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David's name. Then they waited. 10 Nabal answered David's servants, “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. 11 Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?”1. Gratitude is not a feeling...gratitude is a choice.2. Gratitude to God results in generosity to others.2 Corinthians 9:11-12 NIV11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.Matthew 25:34-40 NIV 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'1. Gratitude is not a feeling...gratitude is a choice.2. Gratitude to God results in generosity to others.3. Gratitude is more about our obedience than our understanding.1 Samuel 25:14-19 NIV14 One of the servants told Abigail, Nabal's wife, “David sent messengers from the wilderness to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. 15 Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing. 16 Night and day they were a wall around us the whole time we were herding our sheep near them. 17 Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.” 18 Abigail acted quickly. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys. 19 Then she told her servants, “Go on ahead; I'll follow you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.1 Samuel 25:23-27 NIV1. Gratitude is not a feeling... Gratitude is a choice.2. Gratitude to God should always result in generosity to others.3. Gratitude is more about our obedience than our understanding.

RNZ understands the death of four people at the scene of a Manawatu house fire is being treated as a murder suicide. They included three children - August, Hugo and Goldie, aged 7, 5 and 1. The fourth person to die was their father. Nick James reports.

Nehemiah 5 records the actions of Nehemiah the prophet to remove the suffering of the poor whose lands and vineyards had been mortgaged and their children sold into slavery. Nehemiah holds a great assembly and challenges the rulers to forsake their iniquitous practices. And so, the congregation agrees to restore to their families the sons and daughters who had been enslaved. Also, fields and vineyards are returned to their original owners. Governor Nehemiah received no taxes from the people despite his entitlement to do so. Verses 14-19 outline the Governor's - Nehemiah's - generous provision from his table every day for 12 years out of his own pocket. Nehemiah calls upon God to witness his love and generosity to Yahweh's people. Chapter 6 speaks of the conspiracy against Nehemiah from the enemies surrounding Israel. These foes seek a meeting with the Governor in the open plain where they would attempt to assassinate him. Nehemiah refuses and tells them that he would not stop doing God's work. Four times they try this tactic. Next the adversaries come with an open letter spreading lies about Nehemiah. This also fails. The enemies claim Nehemiah wants to make himself king. The faithful Governor takes the letter and spreads it out before God and prays for God's help and support. The next tactic of Nehemiah's foes is to threaten assassination. This too fails to intimidate God's faithful servant and the work of building the walls continues. Nehemiah asks God to remember and deal with the enemies. And so, the wall is completed in 52 days, because the hand of the Almighty is with his people. One of the great lessons of these chapters is to remain focused on God's work and the building up of His family and to avoid any distractions that might arise.The prophet Joel speaks his message just before the four waves of Babylonian invasions on Judah and the deporting to Babylon of exiles from the Land on each of these incursions. The first of these happens under the king of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar) in 606 BC. The final overthrow of the southern kingdom of Judah; with its capital Jerusalem, was in 587 BC. The invasion is described by the four stages of the locust - each stage more voracious in appetite than the previous stage. Verse 6 tells us that the devastation of God's land is due to one nation - Babylon. Notice the symbols of Israel are portrayed in the vine and the fig tree. These are consumed by Nebuchadnezzar. The virgin of Israel languishes due to her chastisement. Verses 13-20 tell of a call to repentance for the nation of Judah, will feel the wrath of the LORD in "the day of Yahweh" (a theme often repeated in this prophecy).Our final reading in 1 Thessalonians 5 reminds us that the Scriptures provide graphic detail of the times (Greek 'chronos' which God has explicitly revealed through His Scriptures and particularly in His prophetic word) and that He has adjusted i.e. patterned the world's eras around His Son, the Christ (Hebrews 11verses1). Time in this chapter is made up of longer periods called "times" and shorter periods known as "seasons". The shorter seasons characterised by specific signs compel us to believe that our Lord's coming is imminent (Luke 21verses24-36). These signs urge us to watchfulness and to lives that are consistent with us being the children of the DAY. That is the day soon to dawn when the sun of righteousness will arise with healing (Malachi 4verses1). We are exhorted us to lives consistent with the character required of the children of our Father in verses 4-11. The chapter concludes with patterns of behaviour befitting the children of the kingdom (cp 2 Peter 3verses10-18).Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow

This Can Be Your Story (Part -1) | ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ കഥയാകാം (ഭാഗം -1) | Malayalam Christian Messages | Br. Damien Antony | Morning Glory Podcast - 1765 | 17 Nov 2025

Paul Gregory discusses his book, The Oswalds, focusing on his father, Pete Gregory, a Russian-speaking oil engineer. On November 22, 1963, Pete was near the Texas Hotel in Fort Worth when President Kennedy departed. Later that afternoon, Paul, a student in Oklahoma, learned the president had been shot and watched the news. When the bruised suspect was brought in on television, Paul immediately recognized him, declaring he knew that guy. Paul was picked up the next morning for interrogation by the Secret Service and local police due to his association with Lee Harvey Oswald. Guest: Paul Gregory. 1963

Paul Gregory recounts how his father, Pete Gregory, first met Lee Harvey Oswald in June 1962 after being contacted by the Texas Employment Office. Oswald, recently returned from three years in Minsk, sought work utilizing his Russian language skills. Pete, a fluent Russian speaker, tested Lee and, finding his Russian fluent but grammatically poor, wrote a letter supporting him. Later, Paul met Lee and Marina and proposed taking Russian lessons from Marina to practice with a native speaker. The Oswalds were very poor, living off Lee's tight $56 weekly earnings. Marina eventually earned $35 for the lessons, which she considered a fantastically large amount of money. Guest: Paul Gregory.

You've been praying for clarity… but the real battle isn't around you — it's inside your ears. Trauma has a way of becoming a soundtrack: a quiet, constant melody that tells you you're not enough, you're not loved, you're not chosen. And if you don't confront it, you'll confuse the noise of your past with the voice of your Father. In this message, you'll learn how to recognize the wrong soundtrack, silence the lies, and finally hear God's voice with confidence, peace, and identity. God calls you royal. Trauma calls you broken. This message shows you how to choose the right voice. Key Scriptures: 1 Peter 2:9, Genesis 2–3, Philippians 4:6–7

What If You're Safer Than You Think? Discussion Questions: Read John 14:19. How does Jesus tying your life to His resurrection life give you confidence about your eternal security? Read John 6:37. What does Jesus' promise to "never cast out" reveal about how safe you are with Him—even on your worst day? Read John 6:39. How does knowing that Jesus' mission was "to lose none" change the way you view your own assurance of salvation? Read John 10:27–28. What does it mean to you personally that both the Father and the Son hold you in their hands? How does this double-grip shape your sense of security? Read 2 Timothy 2:13. What assurance do you find in the truth that even when you are faithless, Christ remains faithful? How does this encourage gratefulness? Read Romans 8:38–39. What threat feels most real to you? How does this passage reassure you that nothing can separate you from Christ? Read Jude 1:24. How does ending with "He is able to keep you" shift your focus from your promises to God toward His promises to you? How is this a game–changer?

What you value is not neutral. It is steering the entire direction of your life. In this message from Matthew 6:19 through 34, we explore Jesus' call to stop living for possessions and begin living for the Kingdom of God. Jesus teaches that: You cannot serve God and mammon at the same time. Your treasure pulls your heart toward whatever you pursue. A generous, Kingdom focused "good eye" fills your life with light. A greedy, materialistic "bad eye" fills your life with darkness. Worrying over money and needs reveals the true object of your trust. We walk through how: Not valuing possessions enough to seek them, in verses 19 through 24, breaks the grip of materialism and exposes the idolatry that often hides in modern Christian life. Not valuing possessions enough to worry about them, in verses 25 through 34, frees your heart to trust your heavenly Father who feeds the birds and clothes the lilies. At the center of this message is Jesus' command: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33 NKJV. When God's Kingdom is placed first, your priorities shift, your anxiety decreases, your generosity grows, and your trust in the Father deepens. If your life has been driven by security, comfort, or accumulation, this message will challenge you and call you back to one Master, one vision, and one treasure. Watch now to understand how what you value drives your life and how to realign your heart, your money, and your worries with the Kingdom of God.

What you value is not neutral. It is steering the entire direction of your life. In this message from Matthew 6:19 through 34, we explore Jesus' call to stop living for possessions and begin living for the Kingdom of God. Jesus teaches that: You cannot serve God and mammon at the same time. Your treasure pulls your heart toward whatever you pursue. A generous, Kingdom focused “good eye” fills your life with light. A greedy, materialistic “bad eye” fills your life with darkness. Worrying over money and needs reveals the true object of your trust. We walk through how: Not valuing possessions enough to seek them, in verses 19 through 24, breaks the grip of materialism and exposes the idolatry that often hides in modern Christian life. Not valuing possessions enough to worry about them, in verses 25 through 34, frees your heart to trust your heavenly Father who feeds the birds and clothes the lilies. At the center of this message is Jesus' command: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 NKJV. When God's Kingdom is placed first, your priorities shift, your anxiety decreases, your generosity grows, and your trust in the Father deepens. If your life has been driven by security, comfort, or accumulation, this message will challenge you and call you back to one Master, one vision, and one treasure. Watch now to understand how what you value drives your life and how to realign your heart, your money, and your worries with the Kingdom of God.

Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good practice—it’s a Christ-shaped way of living. Colossians 2:6–7 reminds us that thankful hearts grow strong roots, and Jesus’ life shows us exactly what that looks like. From praising the Father in unexpected moments to giving thanks over a meal that seemed far too small, Jesus modeled a rhythm of gratitude that was thoughtful, generous, and deeply intentional. His example invites us to slow down and notice the countless opportunities we have each day to respond with thanksgiving. Highlights Jesus expressed gratitude with insight—recognizing God’s work even when others overlooked it (Matthew 11:25). He gave thanks generously, blessing God for resources that seemed insignificant and sharing them freely (John 6:11). His gratitude fueled goodness toward others, shaping a life of compassion and service (Luke 6:31; Acts 10:38). Jesus demonstrated thankfulness in everything, from daily provision to His final moments before the cross (Ephesians 5:20; Matthew 26:27). His ultimate act of gratitude came through sacrifice—offering His body and blood for our salvation (Luke 22:19). A thankful life reflects the heart of Christ and keeps us rooted in God’s faithfulness. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: What Jesus Modeled about Gratitude By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” - Colossians 2:6-7 How many times do we miss opportunities to express gratitude to God? Most likely, for some of us, there are too many for us to count. So, when it comes to learning how to show gratitude, especially to God, where do we look for a mentor? Of course, Jesus tops the list in demonstrating it to us, being perfect in all His ways and actions. After all, He is the Savior of the world, along with being fully man and fully God, understanding both how we as humans think, feel, and respond in earthly situations and also how God views and receives gratitude. How Jesus Modeled Gratitude In looking at Jesus’ life on earth, we discover ways He modeled gratitude, along with how we can follow His example. The following are five ways we can model gratitude to God and those around us, as Christ did on earth. Jesus modeled insightful gratitude. Often, individuals, some Christians included, may miss opportunities to express gratitude, missing the insightfulness Jesus demonstrated in all He did on earth. Matthew 11:25 reveals how Jesus recognized an opportunity to show gratitude to God for revealing to children what is hidden from the intellectual and educated individuals on earth. “At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’” It was an observance and revelation of sorts, yet Jesus took the time, place, and opportunity to publicly express gratitude to God. Jesus modeled generous gratitude. When it came to expressing gratitude to God, Jesus didn’t skip over it, even when it involved a hungry crowd. The Apostle John describes in John 6:11 where, “Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” Some may feel like five barley loaves and two fish were hardly worth showing gratitude to God, such a seemingly small amount, more like a snack. As well, to share what seemed like an insignificant amount of food so generously, letting people have as much as they wanted. If most of us were sharing it, we probably would have tried to limit it to each person, knowing we started with a small amount. Jesus modeled do-gooder gratitude. Gratitude to God flows through us, encouraging us to express the gratitude we have to God and to others. Jesus says in Luke 6:31, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Acts 10:38 describes how He accomplished it, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.” Jesus modeled thankfulness in everything. Some may laugh at those of us who are continually thanking God for what seem like little things in life, but doing so helps our hearts to remain thankful throughout our days. As Ephesians 5:20 urges, “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” From sharing a small lunch to sharing the truth about God’s love, Jesus expressed gratitude for all that He had, including laying down His life for us, expressing a heart of gratitude to God His Father. Even when His life on earth was about to end, He modeled it in Matthew 26:27, “Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you.’” Jesus modeled gratitude through sacrifice. He didn’t hold anything back from us, including the life we receive from His body being broken and blood poured out for our Salvation, as demonstrated in Luke 22:19: “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Intersecting Faith & Life: As words to the old hymn go, with hearts full of gratitude, we can sing and thank God for Jesus’ sacrifice. “Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul. Thank you, Lord, for making me whole. Thank you, Lord, for giving to me, Thy great Salvation so rich and free.” Further Reading: 4 Ways Gratitude Can Change Your MindsetMaking Do-Gooding A Way of Life Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Lee speaks with Ben about his beautiful daughter Nora, who was stillborn at 38 weeks due to a funic presentation cord prolapse. Ben talks about how excited they were to have another baby and how their living daughter was so excited to become an older sister. Ben talks about the time leading up to the moment they get the terrible news that their Nora doesn't have a heartbeat. Ben talks about the amazing people who were they to support them in their grief. DONATE $5 (aka "buy us a coffee/hot cocoa") to support the continued production of these stories. We appreciate all the help toward production and hosting costs.  Or if you want to purchase an "Always a Part of Us" Legacy Gift for $20, you'll be providing to one of these families that shares their story, full transcriptions, mp3s, and mp4s of the recordings of their baby's birth story and advice episodes for their family history records. You will also get a shout-out on an upcoming episode. Thank you! Donate: https://ko-fi.com/stillapartofus SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more birth stories from families who have experienced a stillbirth or infant loss. We're grateful that you're part of our community! https://www.youtube.com/stillapartofus SUBSCRIBE to our podcast Still A Part of Us, wherever you find podcasts. Links (some of these links are affiliate links, which means we may get a small commission off your purchase, at no extra cost to you): Website: http://stillapartofus.com/ Grief Support Groups: https://nationalshare.org/ Dad Music: "She Dreams in Blue" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/​​ #stillbirthstory #stillborn #stillbornstory #birthstory #infantloss #infantdeath #babydeath #stillmychild #podcast  #birthstories #babyloss #mybabydied #bereavedmother #bereavedfather #infantlossawareness #dadsgrievetoo #mamasgrief #pals #childloss #lifeafterloss #saytheirnames #babylossawareness #breakingthesilence #grievingmom #grievingdad #bereavedparents #pregnancyandinfantlossawarenessmonth

Nick Heeley - In Luke 6:27–36, Jesus calls his followers to a love that goes beyond instinct and self-interest: loving enemies, giving without expecting anything in return, and reflecting the mercy of our Father. This radical way of living isn't optional—it's the hallmark of God's children. Why not consider where Jesus is inviting you to practice this countercultural love, why it feels difficult, and how the Father's mercy empowers you to obey?

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“The church…is not meant to call men and women out of the world into a safe religious enclave but to call them out in order to send them back as agents of God's kingship.”~Lesslie Newbigin (1909-1998), British theologian and missionary “The people who heard Jesus' disciples proclaiming the Good News were as impressed by what they saw as by what they heard. They saw lives that had been transformed…. A new quality, Christian love, was born. Conventional love is evoked by lovable qualities in the beloved, but the love people encountered from Christ embraced sinners and outcasts, Samaritans and enemies. It gave…because giving was its nature.”~Huston Smith (1919-2016), religious scholar and chair of the Philosophy Department at MIT “Why do we not observe how the charity of Christians to strangers…has done the most to advance their cause? For it is disgraceful…the impious Galileans support our poor in addition to their own, while everyone is able to see that our coreligionists lack aid from us!”~The Pagan Roman Emperor Julian (332-363), Letter to Arsacius, 360 AD “Why among all of the varieties of Judaism in the first century did only two survive….? One, the religion of the Rabbis – the other, the religion of Christianity. [This] rather improbable message that the Son of God has come to earth and been crucified, in human form, and risen from the dead ... appealed to a lot of perfectly ordinary people…in such a way that they were willing…to become initiated into a group which brought them only hostility, estrangement from their families and neighbors, and the possibility of persecution to the point of death.”~Wayne A. Meeks (1932-2023), Religious Studies Professor at Yale University “I believe that it was the religion's particular doctrines that permitted Christianity to be among the most sweeping and successful revitalization movements in history. And it was the way these doctrines took on actual flesh, the way they directed organizational actions and individual behavior, that led to the rise of Christianity.”~Sociologist Rodney Stark (1934-2022) in The Rise of Christianity “Assist…one another in good faith, and by deed and with a hearty will; nor let anyone remove his hand from the help of a brother, since ‘by this' saith the Lord, ‘shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.'”~Zephyrinus, bishop of Rome from A.D. 199 to 217 on John 13:35 “The person characterized by humility, gentleness, mercy and righteousness does not build a fence around good deeds. Rather, that one ensures that these good fountains overflow for the benefit of others. One who is pure in heart and a peacemaker, even when persecuted for the sake of truth, orders his way of life for the common good.”~John Chrysostom (347-407) revered early church leader in homily on Matthew 5SERMON PASSAGE selected passages (ESV)Genesis 12 1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Psalm 671 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah2 that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Isaiah 22 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it,3 and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Matthew 5 – Jesus's Teaching to His Disciples 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 1 1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 28 – Jesus's Commission to the Church 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” John 13 – Jesus's Commandment to the Church 34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 17 – Jesus's Prayer for the Church 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

Can We Know God?1 John 4:16b-21Caleb Middleton Throughout Scripture, the imagery of being rooted, planted, and grown paints a beautiful picture of spiritual formation. Like a tiny seed placed into soil, believers are planted by God and watered by His word. Over time, roots stretch deep into the ground, securing us in the love of the Father and forming a strong foundation beneath what was once so small. From this tender care and steady growth, something beautiful begins to bloom: the fruit of love. Join us this week in our 1 John series as we seek to be rooted in God's truth, growing toward the goal of Christ-like love.

Jay Jenkins and Maurice Cabirac discussing John 17, and eternal life being found in the knowing the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ. The post This is Eternal Life: To Know God and Jesus Christ the One He Sent appeared first on Gospel Revolution Church.

This week's message from Romans 8:12–17 invites us to see the Christian life through two powerful callings—aspiration and mortification. Eric reminds us that while God has made us more than conquerors through Christ, we still face a daily battle with the “kudzu” of sin that tries to reclaim the ground God has freed. But we do not fight alone: the Spirit empowers us to put sin to death and to become who God envisions us to be. And as adopted sons and daughters of God, we fight not out of fear but out of identity—heirs with Christ, led by the Spirit, crying “Abba, Father.” This sermon is a strong encouragement to step into your freedom and live as the child of God you truly are.

In these dark times, we must fight evil with the most powerful weapons we have.The Rosary is foremost among them.Join the Great Rosary Campaign today at: www.GreatRosaryCampaign.com.The Great Rosary Campaign is an ongoing prayer and penance campaign for the conversion and strengthening of both Catholic and non-Catholic leaders.THIS WEEK of the Great Rosary Campaign, we will pray for the conversion of Ben Shapiro to the Catholic Faith.The SUGGESTED PENANCE this week is a 24 hour water fast, adjusted for your state in life.Countless Saints and Popes have told us that the Rosary is incredibly powerful for three things in particular:Keeping the FaithMoral renovationConversions of non-CatholicsThe Great Rosary Campaign is also based on several biblical themes and principles.First, PRAY FOR OUR BRETHREN. “Pray for one another…” (Jas. 5:16). “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Gal. 6:10).Second, PRAY FOR OUR ENEMIES. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:43-44).Third, PRAY FOR ALL MEN, PARTICULARLY LEADERS AND THOSE IN AUTHORITY. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, or kings and all who are in high positions…” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).Fourth, GOING INTO BATTLE WITH THE ARK. When the ancient Israelites came to Jericho, God didn't tell them to besiege the city. Instead, He told them to march around it with the Ark of the Covenant seven times, and on the seventh the walls would fall. We will now "march" in prayer for seven days with the New Ark of the Covenant, Our Lady, through the Rosary. We pray in hope that on the seventh day, a day especially devoted to Our Lady (Saturday), extraordinary graces of conversion will be given to those we are praying for.Fifth, EVANGELISM AND APOLOGETICS = LOVE + ARGUMENTS + PRAYER + PENANCE. Ultimately it is God who reveals Himself to a soul, and empowers them to say "yes" to Him by His grace. He chooses to use us, but He does not have to. We must remember that as we evangelize and defend the Faith, our arguments will be fruitless unless informed by love (charity), and reinforced by prayer and penance.Sixth, RETURNING GOOD FOR EVIL. “Do not return evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing" (1 Pet. 3:9).Sign up to take part in the Great Rosary Campaign today: www.GreatRosaryCampaign.com

John 14:12-13 (NIV) 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.Being flows from doing. Believers do.Acts 1:8 (NIV) 8 you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”The Holy Spirit empowers witness/doing. Witnesses move.We can do mission out of…Duty. Guilt/Empathy. Being. 360° MissionProverbs 11:25 (NIV) “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

This morning, we were called to recognize and confidently walk in the divine authority (“Exousia”) given by God through Christ, with an emphasis that true spiritual power is rooted in humility, compassion, and total dependence on the Father’s will. Walking through the book of Matthew and drawing from the life and teachings of Jesus, we were challenged to reject self-serving authority and instead use our God-given right and might to serve others, confront spiritual opposition, and bring healing and deliverance. This message urged us to embrace sacrifice, deny ourselves, and boldly act in faith—knowing that our authority is meant to build up others, advance God’s kingdom, and make disciples who display the same heavenly authority, all while trusting that God will equip, strengthen, and be present with us as we go.

The readings that the Church gives us for this time of year often direct us to contemplate the end of the world. Why shouldn't this make us anxious? Fr. Kubick has the answer on today's reflection.

In one of the most perplexing stories in the Torah, Isaac wanted to bless his older son Esau before his death. However, his younger son Jacob tricked his father into believing that he was Esau and blessing him instead. How was Jacob allowed to trick his father? Was it ethical for him to take the blessings meant for his brother?A fascinating class about how Jacob was able to trick his father.

Jesus was radical. Over the thousands of years people have studied, learned, and read about Jesus it feels that we have forgotten just how truly radical He was, and is! From His personal walk with the Father, to His intense focus on accomplishing the mission He came for, there are radical things we should be in awe of. One thing that we see in Jesus as his compassion. Intense, deep, gut turning moments for Him where He “should” have been focused on Himself, and yet we see Him care deeply for those around Him. Imagine if we had radical compassion like Jesus did in Matthew 9 as He saw the crowds and cared for them because His compassion was for their real condition. Join us this weekend as Greg Stier, the founder of Dare 2 Share Ministries shares with us about what it looks like to be Radical Like Jesus. -Pastor Ben Greg Stier Bio - Greg witnessed the Gospel radically transform his tough, inner‐city family before he reached adolescence, sparking his passion for evangelism. In 1991, as a young church planter, he founded Dare 2 Share to equip teens to reach their peers with the Gospel. Three decades later, millions of students have been trained and mobilized across the U.S. and around the world. Greg and his wife, Debbie, have been married for 35 years and have two adult children, Kailey and Jeremy, and Jeremy's wife, Kat. For this week's Scripture and notes: http://bible.com/events/49496623

In week four of Rhythms, Pastor Tyler invites us to slow down and honestly ask, “How's your soul?”Even Jesus withdrew from the crowds to spend time alone with the Father. In the same way, we're reminded that spiritual maturity requires moments of silence, solitude, and rest. Life with God isn't about doing more, it's about being with Him. When we learn to rest in God's presence, our souls find renewal and strength for the life He's called us to live.Questions for Reflection:How's your soul? What does rest with God look like for you right now?What's one way you can create more space for silence, solitude, or rest in your current season?

In this week's POSC podcast, Pastor Putnam brings a tender but urgent message on a theme woven through all of Scripture: the grace of God—how sweet it is. Drawing from Ephesians 2, Pastor Putnam reminds us that we were dead in our trespasses, unable to save ourselves, yet God—rich in mercy and overflowing with love—made us alive through Christ. Grace isn't God ignoring our sin; it's God overcoming our sin. It's not weakness or permission—it's power. Power to rise. Power to return. Power to become who God already declared we can be. Through the stories of Jonah, Hosea and Gomer, the prodigal son, Peter, and even Noah, Pastor Putnam paints a vivid picture of a God who doesn't give up on His people. A God who chases, restores, and runs toward the broken long before they ever take a step toward Him. A God who meets us in storms, in pigpens, in fish bellies, in our denials, in our wandering—and calls us by name. But this message isn't just about grace given—it's about grace responded to. Grace opens a door, but we must walk through it. Grace creates a space—a space to repent, to forgive, to come home, to obey—but that space won't stay open forever. Just as in the days of Noah, salvation is found in responding while the door is open. If you've ever felt too far gone, too messed up, too inconsistent, too wounded, or too ashamed—this episode is a reminder that you are still within the reach of God's grace. Your failure isn't final. Your story isn't over. And the Father is running toward you. Today is your moment. Step into the space of grace. To hear more about what God is doing in Sheboygan County and beyond, visit us at posc.church!

Today's question, "Why read the Old Testament" is often asked by church going people. It is often stated this way:     ⁃    The Old Testament is so hard to understand.     ⁃    I like the New Testament better than the Old.     ⁃    God seems so angry and mean in the Old.     ⁃    Hasn't the New Testament replaced the Old?     ⁃    All those animal sacrifices are a huge turn off. Why read the Old Testament? Here are four main themes which Pastor will use to answer today's question:     ⁃    Revelation     ⁃    Foundation     ⁃    Confirmation     ⁃    Salvation Revelation: God reveals Himself, the past, the future, His plan, His character:     ⁃    All Scripture is God-breathed. God breaths life. The Old Testament is God's Living word, it's Him speaking, His breath - a God-breathed book.     ⁃    The Old Testament is for future generations - 1 Corinthians 10:11 tells us, "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come." The Old Testament is for all generations. It's not out of date and aids us in understanding the time in which we live.     ⁃    The Old Testament is for our instruction. Not just the story of people from long ago, it is for our instruction. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."     ⁃    The Old Testament is revealing God's character. It shows us what God is like. It's a record of thousands of years and we see His patience with a goal of bringing people back to Himself. Exodus 34:6-7 "And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." God's character is good. Foundation:     ⁃    The Old Testament shows God is our Creator. Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."      ⁃    The Old Testament shows the Sin-Death connection. Death is not natural it is a result of rebellion against God. Genesis 2:16-17 - sin brings death.     ⁃    The Old Testament shows the need for Sacrifice. Genesis 3:21. An innocent animal had to die to clothe Adam and Eve after they sinned. Salvation requires an innocent victim to die for sin.     ⁃    The Old Testament shows Grace and Faith. What saves is God's grace and our response of faith. Genesis 15:6.  Confirmation: The Old Testament confirms what we read in the New Testament.     ⁃    The Old Testament points to Christ. It carries a unified theme that points us to the One that was promised, the One who would defeat the devil. John 5:39-40. Luke 24:27 "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself."     ⁃    The Old Testament points to the Son of Man. Jesus' favorite term for Himself. Daniel 7:13-14. The Old Testament reveals Jesus.     ⁃    The Old Testament points to the cross. 1 Peter 1:10-11 "Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the suffering of the Messiah and the glories that would follow."      ⁃    The Old Testament points to the resurrection of Jesus. Luke 24:46-47. Salvation:     ⁃    The Old Testament makes us wise for salvation. 2 Timothy 3:15 "…from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."      ⁃    The Old Testament makes the New Covenant clear. The definition for the word "testament" has changed over the last several hundred years. Testament originally meant "a covenant."  Jeremiah 31:31 "The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the People of Judah."      ⁃    The Old Testament makes Messiah's death our's. Isaiah 53:4-5.      ⁃    The Old Testament makes the world's future clear. Philippians 2:10-11 "…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  Isiah 45:23 the Living God says, "By Myself I have sworn, My mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked; before Me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear."  Why should I read the Old Testament? Because God speaks in it! Let Him speak to you through ALL of His Word. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

November 16, 2025 - Sunday AM Bible Class   In this episode a church class dives into John 4:21–24 to unpack what it means to "worship the Father in spirit and in truth." The host leads a practical, Scripture-based conversation that revisits Jesus' exchange with the Samaritan woman and challenges listeners to evaluate the sincerity, direction, and authority of their worship. Key biblical passages referenced include John 4, Matthew 15, Acts 17, Colossians 2:23, Psalm 122:1, Proverbs 14:12, and Isaiah 42:8. The episode features contributions and anecdotes from congregation members—Barrett (on the "I AM" statements), Clint Harbison (on singing to God, not the crowd), Phil and others—making the discussion interactive and grounded in real worship experiences. Questions from attendees shape the conversation about practical church life and personal devotion. Major themes include distinguishing true worship from three kinds of false worship (vain/empty worship, ignorant worship, and will-worship/self-made religion), the scriptural requirement that worship be directed toward God alone, and why God does not have to accept worship offered outside His revealed will. The message emphasizes that worship is not a matter of personal preference but of obedience to God's Word. The host and guests also address concrete, everyday issues: the importance of preparing your heart before coming to assembly, maintaining the right attitude and spirit during singing, prayer, and the Lord's Supper, avoiding distractions that hinder others, and resisting the urge to use worship to impress people or elevate leaders. Practical tips include being mentally prepared, focusing on the meaning of the Lord's Supper, and balancing encouragement with humility. The episode stresses a cultural shift from consumer-minded attendance to a giver's posture—asking "What can I do for God?" rather than "What will I get?" Listeners are encouraged to point praise to God when affirming others, so encouragement builds faith rather than ego. In closing, the class reminds listeners that worship is the most important activity of the week and a rehearsal for eternity: learn to worship rightly now so you can join in heaven's unending praise. Expect candid reflection, scripture teaching, practical application, and timely encouragement to prepare your heart and actions for authentic worship.   Duration 40:53

LESSON 320My Father Gives All Power Unto Me.The Son of God is limitless. There are no limits on his strength, his peace, his joy, nor any attributes his Father gave in his creation. What he wills with his Creator and Redeemer must be done. His holy will can never be denied, because his Father shines upon his mind, and lays before it all the strength and love in earth and Heaven. I am he to whom all this is given. I am he in whom the power of my Father's Will abides.Your Will can do all things in me, and then extend to all the world as well through me. There is no limit on Your Will. And so all power has been given to Your Son.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

[Colossians 1:16a NIV] For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible....[Proverbs 25:2 ESV] It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.[1 Corinthians 3:18-20 NIV] Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. [19] For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; [20] and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”[Romans 1:20 NIV] For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.As science progresses, more and more of the evidence points to a wise and intelligent being who created all things.[Proverbs 18:15 NIV] The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.” –[Job 12:7-10 NIV] “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; [8] or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. [9] Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? [10] In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.God designed all things with purpose and for purpose.There are no accidents in God's creation.God is not a God of blind indifference who just set things in motion. He is a God with a plan for every creature under heaven.[Psalm 104:24 NET] How many living things you have made, O Lord! You have exhibited great skill in making all of them; the earth is full of the living things you have made.The very hairs of your head were ordained by God, the color of your skin, the way you look, the interests or gifts that God gave you.[Luke 12:6-7 NIV] Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. [7] Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.[Matthew 6:26 ESV] Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?[Luke 12:24 ESV] Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds![John 1:1-5 ESV] “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. [3] All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. [4] 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.

LESSON 320My Father Gives All Power Unto Me.The Son of God is limitless. There are no limits on his strength, his peace, his joy, nor any attributes his Father gave in his creation. What he wills with his Creator and Redeemer must be done. His holy will can never be denied, because his Father shines upon his mind, and lays before it all the strength and love in earth and Heaven. I am he to whom all this is given. I am he in whom the power of my Father's Will abides.Your Will can do all things in me, and then extend to all the world as well through me. There is no limit on Your Will. And so all power has been given to Your Son.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

Higher dimensions. New covenant. New light. New life.“Father, we just want MORE OF YOUThis is the place where we grow, the space where we rise!Generation XYZ, Saints were stepping into the dimensions Jesus already finished for us! John 16:33Romans 5:2 1 John 4:9John 3:16