Podcasts about Forgiveness

Family relationships are being reexamined across today's culture, as more adult children choose to cut off contact with their parents in the name of “boundaries.” What began as a broader social trend is now affecting Christian and Apostolic families as well.In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard addresses a challenging and deeply personal question: Does Scripture support an adult Christian cutting ties with Christian parents?With biblical clarity and pastoral sensitivity, Dr. Bernard explores the command to honor father and mother (Exodus 20:12), the role of healthy boundaries, and personal responsibility in strained relationships. Rather than adopting cultural narratives uncritically, this conversation invites believers to evaluate family conflict through the lens of Scripture.This episode was inspired by a recent article from The Federalist highlighting the growing trend of family estrangement.Visit PentecostalPublishing.com to shop Dr. Bernard's full catalog of published works. Enter promo code DKB10 at checkout to save 10 percent on your order.If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on iTunes or your preferred podcast platform. We also appreciate it when you share Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with family and friends.

In this cathartic episode of the Secret Life Podcast, host Brianne Davis-Gantt delves into the heavy yet liberating topic of letting go of resentments. Drawing from her own journey of recovery, Brianne emphasizes the importance of releasing the burdens of bitterness and pain that we often hold onto, which only serves to poison our own well-being. She shares her insights on how unprocessed resentments can manifest in our lives and the toll they take on our mental and physical health.Throughout the episode, Brianne outlines the common causes of resentment, including feelings of injustice, unmet expectations, and mistreatment. She further explores the stages of resentment and provides listeners with a practical six-step process for letting go of grudges. By recognizing triggers, understanding perspectives, and practicing forgiveness, Brianne guides you toward reclaiming your power and emotional freedom.This episode serves as a powerful reminder that healing begins when we confront our feelings and take responsibility for our own happiness. Join Brianne as she encourages you to break free from the cycle of resentment and embrace a more empowered, authentic life.

I welcome my childhood friend Dr. Mike Meaney back on the show where we discuss how pain changes how a life moves. It sharpens every edge, tests every bond, and forces you to decide what you believe when there are no easy choices left. That's where our conversation begins: a candid account of failed orthopedic surgeries, a system that too often rewards the cut over the cure, and the daily reality of living inside a body that won't stop hurting. We examine how fee-for-service medicine, device royalties, and surgical center ownership can bend decisions, why second and third opinions matter, and what patients can do to avoid becoming a statistic in a volume-driven industry.From there, we turn toward the inner struggle—resentment, justice, and the long road to healing. We talk openly about opioids as a seductive solution to the human problem of physical pain, and the devastation they leave behind. We sit with the hardest question: when harm is done under anesthesia, what does forgiveness mean? Faith enters not as a slogan but as a practice. We return to the simple Catholic teachings we learned as kids—tell the truth, avoid violence, treat others as you wish to be treated, care for the marginal—and measure them against adult complexity. We explore the mystical claims of Christianity with clear eyes, and why daily sobriety can feel like proof enough for belief.Then we build forward. Our guest shares One Small Step, a platform delivering certified peer support on nights and weekends for people on Medicaid—exactly when the rest of the system is closed or the ER is the only option. We walk through how human-in-the-loop AI can safely triage, detect pre-crisis signals, and route people to real peers with lived experience, reducing avoidable ER visits and giving support that actually meets people where they are. It's a practical blueprint for reform: dignified care, data-informed decisions, and a focus on outcomes that matter.If this conversation resonates—about pain, faith, accountability, or access to real help—share it with someone who needs it. And if you appreciate these deep, unfiltered talks, tap follow, leave a quick review, and tell us: where do you draw the line between justice and mercy?To learn more about One Small Step head over to https://onesmallstep.io/Support the showWarmly,Nico Barraza@FeedTheSoulNBwww.nicobarraza.com

In a theological landscape that often softens sin into "brokenness," Episode 480 re-establishes the biblical category of sin as debt. Jesse Schwamb takes us into the house of Simon the Pharisee to analyze the Parable of the Two Debtors. The central argument is forensic: sin creates an objective liability against God's justice that no amount of human currency—tears, works, or religious heritage—can satisfy. We explore the critical distinction between the cause of justification (God's free grace) and the evidence of justification (love and repentance). This episode dismantles the self-righteous math of the Pharisee and points us to the only currency God accepts: the finished work of Christ. Key Takeaways Sin is Objective Debt: Sin is not merely a relational slight; it is a quantifiable liability on God's ledger that demands clearing. Universal Insolvency: Whether you owe 50 denarii (the moralist) or 500 denarii (the open sinner), the result is the same: total inability to pay. God Names the Claim: The debtor does not get to negotiate the terms of repayment; only the Creditor determines the acceptable currency. Love is Fruit, Not Root: The sinful woman's love was the evidence that she had been forgiven, not the payment to purchase forgiveness. The Danger of Horizontal Math: Simon's error was comparing his debt to the woman's, rather than comparing his assets to God's standard. Justification by Grace: Forgiveness is a free cancellation of the debt, based entirely on the benevolence of the Moneylender (God). Key Concepts The Definition of Money and Grace To understand Luke 7, we must understand money. Money is a system of credit accounts and their clearing. When we apply this to theology, we realize that "religious effort" is a currency that God does not accept. We are like travelers trying to pay a US debt with Zimbabwean dollars. The Gospel is the news that Christ has entered the market with the only currency that satisfies the Father—His own righteousness—and has cleared the accounts of those who are spiritually bankrupt. The Pharisee's Calculation Error Simon the Pharisee wasn't condemned because he wasn't a sinner; he was condemned because he thought his debt was manageable. He believed he had "surplus righteousness." This is the deadly error of legalism. By assuming he owed little, he loved little. He treated Jesus as a guest to be evaluated rather than a Savior to be worshipped. A low view of our own sin inevitably leads to a low view of Christ's glory. Evangelical Obedience The woman in the passage demonstrates what Reformed theologians call "evangelical obedience"—obedience that flows from faith and gratitude, not from a desire to earn merit. Her tears did not wash away her sins; the blood of Christ did that. Her tears were the overflow of a heart that realized the mortgage had been burned. We must never confuse the fruit of salvation with the root of salvation. Quotes Tears don't cancel the ledger. Christ does that. Tears are what debtors do when Mercy lands. Grace received produces love expressed. A creditor doesn't need to be convinced you did harm. The ledger already stands. Transcript [00:01:10] Welcome to The Reformed Brotherhood + Teasing the Parable [00:01:10] Jesse Schwamb: Welcome to episode 480 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse, and this is the podcast for those with ears to hear. Hey, brothers and sisters, how great is it that we have these incredible teachings of Jesus? Can we talk about that for a second? Tony and I have loved hanging out in these parables with you all, and Tony will be back next week. Don't you worry. But in the meantime, I've got another parable for us to consider, and I figured we would just get. Straight to the points, but I have to let you in in a little secret first, and that is not even Tony knows until he hears this, which parable I've selected for us to chat about. And I knew that there might come a time where I would be able to sneak in with this parable because I love. This parable, and I love it because it's so beautiful in communicating the full breadth and scope of the gospel of God's grace and his mercy for all of his children. And it just makes sense to me, and part of the reason why it makes so much sense to me is. The topic which is embedded in this is something that more or less I've kind of built my career around, and so it just resonates with me. It makes complete sense. I understand it inside and out. I feel a connection to what Jesus is saying here very predominantly because the topic at hand means so much to me, and I've seen it play out in the world over and over and over again. So if that wasn't enough buildup and you're not ready, I have no idea what will get you prepared, but we're going to go hang out in Luke chapter seven, and before I even give you a hint as to what this amazing, the really brief parable is, it does take a little bit of setup, but rather than me doing the setup. What do you say if we just go to the scriptures? Let's just let God's word set up the environment in which this parable is gonna unfold. And like a good movie or a good narrative, even as you hear this, you might be pulled in the direction of the topic that you know is coming. And so I say to you, wait for it. Wait for it is coming.  [00:03:20] Luke 7 Setup: Simon's Dinner & the "Sinful Woman" Arrives [00:03:20] Jesse Schwamb: So this is Luke's book, his gospel chapter seven, beginning in verse 36. Now one of the Pharisees was asking Jesus to eat with him, and Jesus entered the Pharisees house and reclined at the table. And behold, there was a woman in the city who was a sinner, and when she learned that he was reclining at the table in the Pharisees house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. And standing behind him at his feet crying. She began to wet his feet with her tears, and she kept wiping them with her hair over her head and kissing his feet and anointing them with perfume. Now, in the Pharisee, who had invited him, saw this, he said to himself saying, if this man were, he would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching him, that she is a sinner. Let's stop there for a second. So this incredible dinner party that Jesus attends and here is this woman. Well, all we're told is that she's a woman who's identified as a sinner. Clearly moved by the presence of Jesus clearly wanting to worship him in a very particular way. By the way, loved ones. Can we address the fact that this goes back to something Tony and I have been talking about, I dunno, for like seven episodes now, which is coming outta Luke chapter 15. This idea that sinners, the marginalized, the outcasts, the down and out, they were drawn to Jesus. Something about him, his presence, the power of his teaching drew them in, but in a way that invited vulnerability, this kind of overwhelming response to who he was. And what his mission was. And so here maybe is like any other occurrence that happened in Jesus' day, maybe like a million other accounts that are not recorded in the scriptures. But here's one for us to appreciate that. Here's this woman coming, and her response is to weep before him, and then with these tears, to use them to wash his feet and to anoint him with this precious perfume. Now, there's a lot of people at this dinner party. At least we're led to believe. There's many, and there's one Pharisee in particular whose home this was. It was Simon. And so out of this particular little vignette, there's so much we could probably talk about. But of course what we see here is that the Pharisee who invited him, Simon, he sees this going on. He does not address it verbally, but he has his own opinions, he's got thoughts and he's thinking them. And so out of all of that, then there's a pause. And I, I would imagine that if we were to find ourselves in that situation, maybe we'd be feeling the tension of this. It would be awkward, I think. And so here we have Jesus coming in and giving them this account, this parable, and I wanna read the parable in its entirety. It's very, very short, but it gives us a full sense of both. Like what's happening here? It's both what's happening, what's not happening, what's being. Presented plain for us to see what's below the surface that Jesus is going to reveal, which is both a reflection on Simon and a reflection on us as well. [00:06:18] The Two Debtors Parable (Read in Full) [00:06:18] Jesse Schwamb: So picking up in, in verse 40, and Jesus answered and said to him, Simon, I owe something to say to you. And he replied, say it, teacher a money lender had two debtors, one owned 500 in RI and the other 50. When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more? Simon answered and said, I suppose the one who he graciously forgave more, and he said to him, you have judged correctly and turning toward the woman. He said to Simon, do you see this woman? I entered your house? You gave me no water from my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with perfume. For this reason, I say to you her sins, which are many have been forgiven for. She loved much, but he who is forgiven, little loves little. Then he said to her, your sins have been forgiven, and those were reclining at the table. With him began to say to themselves, who is this man who even forgives sins? And he said to the woman, your faith has saved you. Go in peace.  [00:07:42] What This Scene Teaches: Sin, Forgiveness, Love as Fruit [00:07:42] Jesse Schwamb: What a beautiful, tiny, deep, amazing instruction from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So in this just short 10 verses here, it's we're sitting inside. This dinner at Simon, the Pharisees house, and a woman known publicly only as a sinner, has shown some striking love toward Jesus, and Jesus explains her actions. Then through this mini parable of debt, two debtors, one creditor, neither can pay. Both are freely forgiven. Love flows. Then from that forgiveness. And so there's a lot within the reform theological spectrum here that helps us to really understand. I think the essential principles of what's going on here, and I just wanna hit on some of those and chat with you about those and hopefully encourage you in those as I'm trying to encourage myself. First, we get some sense about what sin really is like. We get a sense of the inability to cope with sin. We get the free forgiveness that's grounded in Christ, in Christ alone, and we get this idea of love and repentance as the fruit or the evidence, not the cause of justification. Now to set this whole thing up. [00:08:50] Why Talk About Money? Defining Money as Credit & Clearing [00:08:50] Jesse Schwamb: I do think it's so important for us to talk about money for a second, not money, like we're gonna have a budget talk, not what you spend on groceries or your vacation, not even what you do in terms of planning for your retirement or what you give to the church in way of tithe than offering none of that. I'm actually more interested to talk to you about money itself. One of the things I love to ask people. Especially when I was teaching students in money and finance is the question, what is money? And I bet you if you and I were hanging out across the kitchen table and I asked you, what is money? I'm guessing you would go in one or two directions. Either you would gimme examples of money, types of money. You might talk about the US dollar or the Zimbabwean dollar, or the Euro or the Yuan. That would be correct in a way, but really that's just symptomatic of money because that's just an example or a type of some money that you might use. And of course those definitions are not ubiquitous because if I take my US dollars and I go travel to see our Scott brothers and sisters, more than likely that money. That currency, those dollars will not be accepted in kind. There'd have to be some kind of translation because they're not acceptable in that parts of the world. That's true of most types of money. Or you might go to talking about precious metals and the price of gold or silver and how somehow these seem to be above and beyond the different types of currency or paper, currency in our communities and around our world. And of course, you'd be right as an example of a type of money, but. Gold itself, if you press on it, is not just money, it's describing as some kind of definition of what money is. The second direction you might take is you might describe for me all the things that money is like its attributes. Well, it must be accepted generally as a form of currency. It might must be used to discharge debt or to pay taxes, or it must have a store of value and be able to be used as a medium of exchange. And you would be correct about all of those things as well because. Probably, whether you know it or not, you're an expert in money because you have to use it in some way to transact in this lifetime. But even those are again, just attributes. It's not what money is in its essential first principle. So this is not like an economics lecture, I promise, but I think it is something that Jesus is actually truly drawing us to, and that is the best definition of money I can give, is money is a system of credit accounts and their clearing. It's a whole system of credit accounts and their clearing. So think of it like this, every time you need something from somebody else. Anytime you wanna buy something or you wanna sell something, what's happening there is somebody is creating a claim. So let's say that I go to the grocery store and I fill up the cart with all kinds of fruits and vegetables and meats, and I'm at the counter to check out. What I've just done is said that I have all of these things I would like to take from the grocery store, and now the grocery store has some kind of claim because they're handing them over to me and I need a way to settle that claim. And the way that I settle that claim is using money. It is the method that allows us to settle those transactions. And in my particular instance, it's going to be the US dollar, or maybe it's just ones and zeros electronically, of course representing US dollars. But in this case, the way I settle it is with money and a particular type of money. But, and I want you to keep this in mind 'cause we're gonna come back to it. This is my whole setup for this whole thing. The reason why this is important is because you have to have the type of money. That will settle the debt or settle the creditor. You have to have the thing itself that the creditor demands so that you can be a hundred percent released from the claim that they have on you. If you do not have exactly a. The type of money that they desire, then the debt will not be released. The creditor will not be satisfied. You will not go free, and that it's so critically important.  [00:12:52] Sin as Objective Debt: God Names the Claim [00:12:52] Jesse Schwamb: I think it's just like this really plain backdrop to what's happening here When Jesus addresses Simon with this whole parable. So he starts this whole idea by saying to Simon that he is something to say to him, which I think in a way is profound anyway, because Simon invites him to speak. But Jesus here is taking the initiative. Simon is the host. He socially, as it were, above this sinful woman. But Jesus becomes the true examiner of the heart in this parable. What we have is. Christ's word interrupts self-justifying narratives, and clearly there was a self-justifying narrative going on in Simon's head. We know this because we're privy to his thoughts in the text here. The gospel does not wait here for the Pharisee to figure it out, the gospel lovingly correct. Always goes in, always initiates, always intervenes as Christ intercedes. And here, before any accounting happens, Jesus sets the terms. God is the one who names the debt, not the debtor. And this really is probably the beating hearts, the center of gravity of this whole exchange. I love that Jesus goes to this parable. Of a money lender, a money lender who had two debtors, one owned, 500, one owned 50. Now of course, I would argue that really, you can put this in any currency, you can translate into modern terms, you can adjust it for inflation. It doesn't really matter. What we have here is one relatively small debt, another debt 10 times the size. So one small, one large, and that's the juxtaposition. That's the whole setup here. And I would submit to you something super important that Jesus does here, which flies in the face of a lot of kind of just general wishy-washy evangelicalism that teaches us somehow that sin is just not doing it quite right, or is just a little brokenness, or is just in some way just slightly suboptimal or missing the mark. It is those things, but it is not the entirety of those things because what's clear here is that Jesus frames sin as debt. In other words, it's an objective liability. A liability is just simply something of value that you owe to somebody else. And I am going to presume that almost everybody within an earshot of my voice here all over the world has at some point incurred debt. And I think there's, there's lots of great and productive reasons to incur debt. Debt itself is not pejorative. That would be a whole nother podcast. We could talk about. Maybe Tony and I sometime, but. What is true is that debt is an objective liability. The amounts differ, but both are genuinely in the red here. And what's critical about this is that because debt is this objective reality, whenever you enter into an arrangement of debt, let's say that you borrow some money to purchase a car or home or simply to make some kind of purchase in your life, that's unsecured debt. In all of those cases, the. The one lending you the money, the creditor now has a claim on you. What's important to understand here is that this kind of thing changes it. It provides way more color and contrast to really the effects of what sin is and what sin does in its natural accountability. And so in this way we have this nuance that there are differences in outward sin and its social consequences. That is for sure that's how life works, but all sin is ultimately against God and makes us debtors to divine justice. That is now God has a claim against us. And this shouldn't make sense because unless we are able to satisfy that claim, all have that claim against them all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. And as a result of this, it's not just that we somehow have lived a way that is just slightly off the mark and suboptimal, but instead that we've heaped up or accumulated for ourselves an objective liability, which is truly. Owed to God and because it is truly owed him, he's the one who can only truly satisfy it. This is why the scripture speak of God as being both just and justifier. That is a just creditor ensures that the debt is paid before it is released, and the one who is justifier is the one who pays that debt to ensure it will be released. God does both of these things through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Praise be to his name. So here we have a really true understanding. Of what sin is. There's no mincing of words here. There's a ubiquity in all of our worlds about money lending and borrowing, and Christ leans into that heavily. We know for a fact that the ancient Mesopotamians learned how to calculate interests before they figured out to put wheels on car. And so this idea of lending and borrowing and indebtedness, this whole concept has an ancient pedigree, and Jesus leans into this. And so we have this really lovely and timeless example of drawing in the spiritual state into the very physical or financial state to help us understand truly what it means when we incur sin. Sin is not easily discharged, and just like debt, it stands over us, has a claim on us, and we need somebody to satisfy that claim on our behalf. By the way, this gets me back to this reoccurring theme of we need the right currency, we need the right money, as it were to satisfy this debt only that which is acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Our Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit is what will be acceptable in payment in full for this kind of debt. And so that's again, this whole setup, it's the spiritual realm being immediately kind of dragged into this corporal reality of the balance sheet, assets and liabilities, things of value that we owe to someone else. [00:18:50] Unable to Repay: Free Cancellation, Justification by Grace [00:18:50] Jesse Schwamb: Notice in Luke verse 42, that the reason why it's important to understand the full ferocity, the ferocious of sin and the weight of the debt that it incurs upon us, is that it cannot be repaid no matter what. So look at both of these borrowers. Neither could repay. Neither could repay. So think about that for a second. It doesn't even matter how much they owed. Both were way beyond their ability. It's not merely they didn't want to, but they didn't have the resources in the spiritual state. In other words, there was no surplus righteousness to pay God back and the creditor's action here is free cancellation grace, not a negotiated settlement, but free cancellation. So whether it was 50 or 500, it was irrelevant to the fact that these borrowers just like you and I, have nothing within our means, our wherewithal to actually satisfy the this cosmic debt that we have rightfully incurred against God. And so you should be hearing this align so closely with justification By Grace, God doesn't forgive because we eventually scraped together payment. He forgives because he's gracious and in the full biblical picture because Christ pays and bears that penalty. So this isn't, we have somehow, as you've heard, sometimes in kinda very again, wishy-washy, evangelical ways that we've somehow come forward at the right time. To receive from God some kind of gift or that we've somehow elevated ourself to the place of the deserving poor, or that we come with our own extended arms, empty, but outstretched so that we might receive something from God, in part because we make ourselves present before him, not loved ones. It's far better than that. It's not being able to pay and Christ saying, come and buy. Not being able to put food on the table and him saying, come and eat. It's him saying, you who are thirsty, come and drink from the fountain of life freely and unreservedly. Not because you have some way deserved it, because in fact you desperately do not. And because God has made a way in Christ a way that we could not make for ourselves, he's paid a debt that we just could not repay. It doesn't matter what it is that you think is outstanding against you. The fact of the matter is you cannot repay it. And so of course, that's why Paul writes in Ephesians, it's by grace through faith and not by works that you've been set free in the love of the Kingdom of Christ, that all of these things have been given to you by God because he loves you and because he's made a way for you. You may remember that when Tony and I spent some time in the Lord's Prayer. That we really settled, we sunk down into what we thought was the best translation of that portion where we come to forgiving debts and forgiving debtors, and we settled on that one because we feel it's the most accurate representation of the actual language there in the text. But two, because that language also comports with all this other teaching of Jesus, this teaching that. Emphasizes the debt nature of sin, and that when we think about the fact that we in fact have a giant loan or a lease or an outstanding obligation, something that has been that our souls ourselves in a way have been mortgaged. And we need a freedom that breaks that mortgage, that wants to take that paper and to satisfy the payment and then to throw it into the fire so that it's gone and no more upon us. That because of all of that, it's appropriate for us to pray that we be forgiven our debts, and that, that we, when we understand that there's been a great debt upon us, that we are willing to look at others and forgive our debtors as well. And so you'll see that in, I'd say it looks like verse 43 here, Simon answers. Jesus question appropriately. Jesus basically pegs him with this very simple, straightforward, and probably really only one answer question, which is, which one do you think loved the creditor more? Which of these borrowers was more ecstatic, which appreciated what had been done more? And of course he says, well, the one with the larger debt, that that seems absolutely obvious. And Jesus essentially here gets Simon to pronounce judgment and then turns that judgment into a mirror. This is brilliantly what Jesus often does with these parables, and to be honest, loved ones. I think he still is doing that today with us. Even those of us who are familiar with these parables, they're always being turned into a mirror so that when we look into the, the text we see ourselves, but like maybe whatever the opposite of like the picture of the Dorian Gray is like, well, maybe it's the same as the picture. You know, this idea that we're seeing the ugliness of ourselves in the beauty of Christ as he's presenting the gospel in this passage. And the issue of course here is not whether you and I or Simon can do math. It's whether Simon will accept the implication and you and I as well, that we are a debtor who cannot repay. That. That's just the reality of the situation.  [00:23:44] The Mirror Turns: Simon's Little Love vs Her Overflowing Gratitude [00:23:44] Jesse Schwamb: And so Jesus turns then, and this is remarkable, he turns toward the woman and he compares her actions with Simon's lack of hospitality, speaking to Simon while he stares intently at the woman. I mean, the drama unfolding in this quick small little passage is exceptional. It's extraordinary. And unlike some of the. Other teachings that we've already looked at here, there is something where Jesus is teaching and acting at the same time. That is the scripture is giving us some direct indication of his movements, of his direction, of his attentional focus. And here there's an attentional focus on the woman while he speaks to Simon the Pharisee. And first what we find is Jesus dignifies the woman by addressing Simon about her while looking at her. He makes the sinner central and the respectable man answerable. That's wild. And there's an angle here that still leads us back to debt, which is Simon behaves like someone who thinks that he is little debt. So he offers little love and the woman behaves like someone who knows she's been rescued from insolvency, and so she pours out gratitude. And then there's a whole host, a little list here, a litany of things that Jesus essentially accuses Simon of directly and pulls them back into this proper understanding of the outpouring of affection. That is a fruit of justification exemplified in the woman's behavior. For instance, Simon gave no kiss, and yet here's this woman. She has not stopped kissing Jesus' feet and then wiping her feet, washing his feet with her tears.  [00:25:19] Grace Received, Love Expressed (Not Earned) [00:25:19] Jesse Schwamb: Of course, in that culture, Simon withheld this ordinary honor and the woman lavish is extraordinary affection. You know, we would often call this an reformed theology, evangelical obedience. It's the kind that flows from faith and gratitude, not a plan to earn acceptance. And this is tough for us, loved ones because we want to conflate these two. It's easy to conflate these two, and we're well-meaning sometimes when we do that. But we have to be careful in understanding that there is an appropriate response of loving worship to one who has set you free. While at the same time understanding that that loving worship never should spill over and, and into any kind of self-proclaimed pride or meritorious earning. And this woman apparently does this so exceptionally well that Jesus calls it out, that all of this is flowing from her faith and her gratitude. Jesus says, Simon didn't anoint his head with oil and she anoints his feet with perfume again. Notice some really interesting juxtaposition in terms of the top and the bottom of the body here. Here's this woman's costly act, underscoring a pattern, grace received, produces love expressed. I love thinking of it that way. Grace, perceived, excuse me, grace received produces love expressed.  [00:26:39] Sin as Crushing Debt: Why It Must Be Paid [00:26:39] Jesse Schwamb: That is the point that Jesus is driving to here, that if we understand the gospel and the gospel tells us that there is a law. That we have transgressed and that this law has accumulated in all of this debt that we cannot pay. And so the weight of this means not just that, oh, it's, it's so hard to have debt in our lives. Oh, it's so annoying and inconvenient. No, instead it's oppressive. This debt itself, this grand burden is over our heads, pushing down on our necks, weighting us down in every way, and especially in the spiritual realm. And because of this, we would be without hope, unless there was one who could come and release us from this debt. And the releasing of this debt has to be, again, an A currency acceptable to the debtor, and it has to actually be paid. There's no wiping away. There's no just amnesty for the sake of absolve. Instead, it must be satisfied. And the woman here has received this kind of extraordinary grace has acknowledged, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, through opened eyes and unstopped ears and a clean heart, has been able to understand the severity of the situation. And then this produces in her love expressed, which again is not the means of her justification, but certainly is one of the fruit of it. And Jesus explains then the reason for her response.  [00:27:58] Forgiveness First: Clearing Up Luke 7's Logic [00:27:58] Jesse Schwamb: The reason why Grace received produces love expressed is because she and her many sins have been forgiven. Hence, her love is great, love the one forgiven, little forgives little. I think sometimes that verse is often misunderstood as if. Her love caused her forgiveness. But again, we want to hear clearly from Jesus on this. The logic he gives is forgiveness, leading to love. Love is evidence or fruits. And so her love is the sign that forgiveness has already been granted and is truly possessed, not the purchase price. And Simon's Lovelessness exposes a heart still clinging to self-righteousness, acting like a small debtor who doesn't even need mercy, like one who doesn't understand that they will never, ever be able to repay the thing that is over them. You know, I love that John Val is often quoted along the lines of something like this. Those forgiven much will love much. And in his writing to me, he captures so much of this moral psychology of grace and I think there is a psychology of grace here. There is a reasonable response. That moves us by the power of the Holy Spirit, from deep within this renewal of the man, such that we express our love to God in all kinds of ways. I think especially in our age, on the Lord's day, in acts of singing through worship and meditation, through worship, and listening through worship and application, through worship, all of these means in particular as our expression of what it means to have been received, having received grace, producing a loving response. [00:29:36] "Your Sins Are Forgiven": Jesus' Divine Authority [00:29:36] Jesse Schwamb: I love that all of this ends as it draws to a close. Jesus speaks these incredible words. He tells her that her sins are forgiven. You know, notice here that Christ speaks an authoritative verdict. This is justifying speech. It's God's court declaration. It's not some like mere the therapeutic. Like reassurance here. It's not like whistling in the dark. It's Jesus himself saying This woman has been forgiven. Blessed is the one whose sins are forgiven. And of course, like so many other times in Jesus' ministry, and I have to imagine by the way, loved ones that this question got asked all the time, and not just on the occasion in which it was a court of us in scripture, but the other guests ask the right question and that question is. Who is this? Who even forgives sins, and that is the right question. Only God can forgive sins against God. Jesus is implicitly claiming divine authority. Now, we finally arrived. This is God's currency. This is the currency or the money, so to speak, that is desperately needed, the only one acceptable to discharge the debt, the cosmic treason that has been done against God himself. So because of that, here's Jesus making the claim that the way that you are led out, the way that you are set free is through me. So even here in the course of just this confronting Simon speaking about sin, he's also providing the way he's saying, I am this way, I am this truth. I am this life. Come through me. [00:31:14] Jesus the Greater Moses: The Gospel as Exodus [00:31:14] Jesse Schwamb: What I find amazing about this is in the beginning. With Adam and Eve, they transgress God's law. And from that day in all days forth, we have been building this massive sin, debt that we cannot repay. And part of the, the repercussions of that debt were for Adam and Eve to be driven to be Exodus as it were, out of the garden. And ever since then, the grand narrative of the redemptive history of God's people has been an exodus instead. Not out of what is idyllic, not out of perfection, but instead. Out of sin, out of bondage, out of sin and death and the devil and the deaths that we have incurred. And so here we have Jesus representing. He is the, the new and better Moses, he is the exodus, so to speak, who comes and grabs us by the hand almost as in the same way that the angelic representations in the story of la. And Sonor grabbed his hand to pull him, maybe even kicking him, screaming. Out of that sinful place, into the glorious light, into safety and security out from underneath this grand debt that we cannot repay. I think of Jesus's acal meeting with Moses and Elijah on the mounts of transfiguration. That's also in Luke, right? And Luke tells us that they spoke of his deceased, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. And the word deceased there literally means Exodus. In Jesus, God would affect an infinitely greater deliverance than he had under Moses. And then interestingly, we see that even in all the way back in Psalm 23, you know David, he's writing as a rescue sinner who has been brought out. Brought to the Heavenly Shepherd, into the security and freedom of a sheep hold in love ones I submit to you. That is what Jesus is after here. He's after it in your life and he's after in mind that there is death, and he wants to take us out from underneath that debt by paying it off that he is the rescuer, the one who is just and justifier that he's the greater Moses, and that he leads us into Exodus. So we are transferred into the kingdom of a light. And that kingdom of light is also a kingdom of lightness in the sense that what was once a burden on our back, like it was for Pilgrim, has now been taken off. And so we are free. In that freedom, in that financial freedom, in that spiritual freedom as it were, to use both of the sides of this metaphor. What we find is our response is appropriately one of worship, that we weep and we cry for who we were, that we rejoice for who God is, and that we come proudly into His kingdom because of what he has done. And this changes us. It messes us up. You know, I think we've said before that. The joy of the Christian life of Christian lives is that the transformation process that God undertakes in each of us is very different, and some honestly are more dramatic than others. But what I think is always dramatic is one, the scripture tells us that it is a miracle. That even one would be saved. So hardhearted are we, and again, so great this debt against us that when God intervenes all get what they deserve. But some get mercy. And if we have been the ones who have received mercy, how joyful ought we to be toward the one who has granted it to us? And so here we have Christ, the the one who delivers, the one who leads out, the one who pays off, the one who pays it all.  [00:34:45] Behold the Cross: What Sin Costs, What Love Pays [00:34:45] Jesse Schwamb: I think what's clear is that the cross gives us this sense when we look upon it of just how deep and dark and heavy sin is, and that there is no easy way out of it. That what we find is that sin constantly wants to drag us down. It constantly wants to take us farther than we wanted to go, and it certainly costs us way more than we were willing to pay. So I think if we come and we behold the wood, if we behold the nails, if we look on this crown pressed into the brow that knew no guilt or disobedience, if we, not in our mind's eye, but by faith, behold, the hands that open, the blind eyes now being opened by iron. If we see the feet. Walked toward the hurting, now fixed in place for the healing of the world. If we look at the thirst of the one who is living water and the hunger of the one who is the bread of life, we ought to see the one who here, even in this passage, is just and justifier, and he invites us to say with him, come witness the death of death in the death of Jesus Christ. That is the glorious mission, right? As as, um, Horatio Spafford said, my sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin not in part, but the whole is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Oh my soul of ones. This is the beauty of, I think of what Jesus is, is teaching here. It's the lamb. It's the one promise on the mountain provided in place of Isaac. It's the Passover marked with Crimson death passing over doors that were covered. Here's the suffering. Servant despised and rejected a man of sorrows. Who here is one who is truly well acquainted with grief? When we see Jesus lifted up, lifted up on the cross, lifted up between heaven and earth. Here the instrument of exalted torment but also unexpected triumph, the perfect God man, lifted up between earth and heaven, lifted up in shame so that we might be lifted up in grace, lifted up in cursing. We might be lifted up in blessing lifted up in Forsakenness so that we might be lifted up in divine communion with God the father lifted up to be stared at as he presents himself here, so that we could finally see what sin costs and what love pays. That is everything that he's teaching us in this passage, and I hope that you are as encouraged about this as I am because. When I think about the gospel framed in this way with the full severity of its repercussions, thinking about sin as debt objectively as a liability, that must be satisfied. My heart is instantly warmed, and I think the warming of that is not because this manufactured some kind of sentimentality around this, but there is something about this that's so resonant to me that in my professional career, in my business, I'm intimately familiar with, with debt and understanding how to manage it, but also the dangers of it. And what a liability it truly is. And so when I hear that sin not just is like this, but is this way, it makes complete sense to me and I see that this is really the, the true way that we ought to understand, I think the gospel message.  [00:38:18] Key Takeaways: Debt, Currency, and Canceling the Ledger [00:38:18] Jesse Schwamb: So here's what we should remember. Debt highlights objective guilt. I think I've said that a bunch of times and I just feel like it's, it bears repeating one last time. Sin is not only damage, it is consequences, but it's also a liability. A creditor doesn't need to be convinced you did harm. The ledger already stands and the ledger against us is not on our side. Loved ones. We are deeply in the red, and it really doesn't matter what the balance is because we just cannot repay. So it's really about our lack of ability, our inability, the no, we have no capability to pay this, and so it doesn't matter. We find ourselves in a place of hopelessness no matter what, and this debt highlights that inability none of these particular borrowers could repay. It's devastating to moral pride. We lean on this in our reform theological perspective. Even our best works can't erase guilt or generate merit sufficient to square the accounts. It's impossible. It's impossible with two ways, and this is some, I think really like the beautiful nuance of what Jesus after here in the one way that we are enabled to do this. Is because we just actually cannot earn enough. So in other words, the debt is too big. So think of the biggest number in your head that you could possibly think of, and that's at least minimally the outstanding debt. But then think about this. You don't even have the right currency. So you might find that you spend your entire lifetime working to the bone. It's like finding out that you have a million dollar loan or lien against you, and you work hard all your life, 50, 60, 70 years. And finally, on your deathbed, you've assembled enough cash with all of your savings to put toward and finally satisfy. So you might die in peace with this $1 million free and clear from your account, and you turn over the money and the creditor says, what is this currency? I won't accept this. I can't accept this. How debilitating. So it's not even the size of the debt. It's also that we don't have, we cannot earn the right currency. Only. God. God. I think this debt also highlights grace as cancellation. Forgiveness is not God pretending the debt doesn't exist. It is God releasing the debtor. This is him in triumph, being the greater Moses who walks us out through the waters outside of the city into the glorious light and the broader New Testament explains how God can do that justly. The charge is dealt with through Christ. You can go check out Colossians two. Read the whole thing of Love it. It's fantastic. I think lastly, this debt explains love, as shall we say, like a downstream effect. People love a little when they imagine that they have little needs and people love much when they were spiritually bankrupt and then freely pardoned freely in that it didn't cost you and I anything, but of course it cost our Lord and Savior everything, and so. In this way, our hopes to frame the fact that our love should be an outpouring of gratitude, uh, for the grace that God has given us through Jesus Christ.  [00:41:28] Putting It Into Practice: Don't Compare Debts, Watch for "Simon Symptoms" [00:41:28] Jesse Schwamb: Here's some things I would say that we should all walk away with to help us then both process what we've talked about here, and also put some of this into action. First thing would be, don't measure your need by comparing debts horizontally. That's a fool's errand, whether 50 or 500. The point is we cannot pay. And this levels the Pharisee and the prostitute alike. That is like Tony talked about elsewhere in the previous Luke 15, where we're talking about the PR prodigal of the father, the prodigal of the two lost sons. How there's like a great insult against the Pharisee there. And here's the insult, it's also a little bit cutting to us, and again, that the Pharisee and the prostitute are alike. Can't repay. It Doesn't matter what debt you think you have in the corporal sense, or again in this horizontal means, but you cannot repay it. And so therefore, guess what? We're all like, we need to let forgiveness lead and we need to let love follow. If you reverse that order like I'll love so I can be forgiven. You crush assurance and you turn the gospel into wages and that's again exactly I think what Jesus is against in this. He's making that very clear. The, the beauty of the gospel is this receiving that Christ has done all these things that we, uh, find ourselves by his arresting, by again, his intervening by his coming forward. He does all this on our behalf. You've heard me say before, I always like take that old phrase, what would Jesus do? That question that was on everybody's bracelets and everybody's minds and what, two decades ago? And turn that answer into what would Jesus do? Everything And it's already done. We need to watch for Simon symptoms. That's my clever way of saying this, like low love, high judgment. A chilly heart toward Christ often signals a warm heart towards self justification. And so we wanna be about the kind of people that are closely king, clinging to Jesus Christ as all of our hope and stay that the strength for today and hope for tomorrow comes from what Christ has already accomplished on our behalf. And therefore, there is a dutiful and meaningful and appropriate response for us. But that response again, is not obedience for merit. It is obedience out of warm heartedness for our savior. And for a sincere repentance because a sincere repentance is not payment. It's agreement with God about the debt. Tears, don't cancel the ledger. Christ does that. Tears are what debtors do when Mercy lands, and I think in some way the challenge here is that have we really meditated on the life of this woman and then more personally on our own experiences on what it means to be saved? Well, I'm not asking you to get yourself worked up into an emotional state, but what I am asking all of us to do is. Have we spent enough time recently meditating on what it means that Christ has set us free, that we are incredible debtors, and that Christ in our own ledger in this way hasn't just wiped out the debt, but he's filled up the account with righteousness. And so we can exchange these horrible soiled garments for garments of praise. Now, have we thought about that recently? The call here is to be reminded. That sincere repentance is an agreement with God about the debt, and in that agreement we're sensing that weight. There should be a response.  [00:44:42] Final Charge + Community & Support (Telegram / Patreon) [00:44:42] Jesse Schwamb: So I leave it to you loved ones, you've heard it here, or at least you've heard me talk for a little while about this parable. And maybe one day, maybe there'll be an episode one day about Tony's perspective on this, which I can't imagine will be too much different. But again, I saw my opportunity, loved ones. I said, oh, I'm gonna sneak in hard on this one because this one is particularly meaningful and special to me, and I hope that even though it involved a little bit of economics and maybe a lot of finance, that it didn't lose its resonance with you. I think this is the great weight of the way in which Jesus teaches that he's not just using practical means. But he's using these things to give greater weight and flesh, as it were, to these concepts of a spiritual nature that sometimes feel ephemeral. Instead, he wants them to sink in heaviness upon us. And I wanna be clear that. This whole parable is both law and gospel. It is the weightiness and the sharp edge knife of the law which cuts against us. And Jesus throwing his weight around literally at this dinner party and in this parable, and you and I should feel that weight. It should knock us around a little bit. And then. And then comes the reminder that there is good news and that good news, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ, is that he has made a way that the debt that was incurred against us, that we ourselves added to, that we continue to want to try to borrow against, that Jesus has, in fact paid that debt in full and that he's done so in the currency of his own flesh and blood and his own passive and active obedience so that it may be paid in full. It's true what the hymn says. Jesus paid it all, all to him. I owe. So I hope loved ones that you'll be encouraged with that message that it is both law and gospel, but it ends in this high and elevated state, which is we have been made together alive with Christ for his own sake, for his glory, and for our good. So now that you know that go out into the world and live that way, meditate on that, enjoy that. Talk about it with a family member or a brother and sister, or you can talk about it with us. You didn't think that we'd get this far without me even a plug for telegram, did you? So if you. Haven't listened to us before, or if this is your 480th time, I say welcome and also come hang, hang out with us online. You can do that by going to your browser and putting in there. T me slash reformed brotherhood. T. Dummy slash reformed brotherhood, and that will take you to a little app called Telegram, which is just a messaging app. And we have a closed community in there, which you can preview and then become a part of. And there's lots of lovely brothers, sisters from all over the world interacting, talking about the conversations we're having here, sharing prayer requests, sharing memes, talking about life tasting foods on video. It's really. Absolutely delightful, and I know you want to be a part of it, so come hang out. It's one other thing you can do. If at any point you felt like this podcast, the conversations have been a blessing to you, may I ask a favor, something at least for you to consider, and that is there are all kinds of expenses to make sure that this thing keeps going on. Keeps going strong. And there are brothers and sisters who after they've satisfied their financial obligations, have said, I want to give a little bit to that. So if you've been blessed, I'm what I can I boldly ask that you might consider that it's so many people giving so many tiny little gifts because all of these things compound for God's glory in the kingdom. And if you're interested in giving to us one time or reoccurring, here's a website for you to check out. It's patreon.com. Reform Brotherhood, P-A-T-R-E-O n.com, reform slash reform brotherhood. Go check that out. Alright, that's it. Loved ones, you know what to do. Until next time, honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. 

Welcome to the Grace in Focus podcast. Today, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates are continuing from our previous episode about 1 John 1:9. What is forgiveness? What does forgiveness bring? What is the result or reason for our need of ongoing forgiveness? Please listen to this and every episode of the Grace in Focus podcast!

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260216dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17:2 Who Is Jesus? People have lots of opinions about Jesus. Some say he was just a good teacher. Some say he was just a prophet. Some say he was just a symbol of love and justice. Some say he was just a legend. But what Jesus reveals and tells us about himself doesn’t leave any room for “just.” The apostle Matthew tells us that Jesus was “transfigured.” That means he changed right in front of his disciples. For a moment, his glory showed through. He shone like the sun. His clothes became dazzling white. And God the Father spoke from a cloud: “This is my Son.” That means Jesus isn’t simply an inspirational leader. He is God’s Son. And that changes everything. Maybe you need that reminder today. It’s easy for doubts to creep in. Life gets messy. Suffering makes you wonder if God is really there. And sometimes Jesus can feel far away. That’s why this moment matters. God didn’t just want the disciples to hope Jesus was the Savior. He wanted to show them so they would know with certainty. Since Jesus is God’s Son, his words carry authority. His promises carry weight. His death is not a tragedy; it’s a rescue. His resurrection isn’t a myth; it's the doorway to eternal life. And that is why Jesus matters for you right now. Because Jesus is God’s Son, your life is not an accident. Your sins are not too big for forgiveness. Your pain is not ignored. And your future is not hopeless. You don’t have to wonder if God loves you. God sent his Son for you. The Transfiguration shines a spotlight on who Jesus really is. And when you see him clearly, you can finally see your life clearly too. Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me see you for who you truly are, God’s Son and my Savior. Give me confidence in your promises today. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Alice Irizarry and Patrick Woodward talk about a mother found the strength to forgive and do even greater things for many more girls.https://spotlightenglish.com/uncategorized/angelina-atyam-the-forgiveness-of-a-mother/Download our app for Android at http://bit.ly/spotlight-androidDownload our app for iOS at http://bit.ly/spotlight-appleFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotlightradioAre you learning English? Are you looking for a way to practice your English? Listen to Spotlight to learn about people and places all around the world. You can learn English words, and even practice English by writing a comment.Visit our website to follow along with the script: http://spotlightenglish.com

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Milt Lowder explores why forgiveness may be the single most important factor in personal growth. He explains how the inability to forgive (ourselves or others) quietly keeps us stuck, weighed down by shame, resentment, and things we can't control. Forgiveness isn't about excusing behavior; it's about freeing yourself. Dr. Lowder shares how practicing forgiveness creates emotional freedom, clarity, and the ability to move forward with strength and purpose.

Pastor Don's Books: https://ttwpress.com 2676 - https://www.thetruthpulpit.comClick the icon below to listen.         Related PodcastsFollowing Christ in Forgiveness #1Soul Desires #2Soul Desires #1 

Send a textEver feel like your mind is running a loop you didn't sign up for—catastrophizing, chasing intensity, or quietly agreeing with stories about scarcity and safety? We pull that thread all the way through: from thought to feeling to perception, showing how unwatched narratives put the body at the center and keep peace just out of reach. The turn begins when we watch a thought and admit its meaninglessness; sensation softens, drama drops, and action becomes simple again.We share how to ask one grounding question—Is this helpful?—and let it guide everything from self-care routines to tough conversations. You'll hear why giving is receiving, how extending love where it feels least appropriate rewires your energy in real time, and why empathy needs to be handed to compassion, not fear. We explore “no victims” without bypassing service, and how recognizing shared authorship restores dignity and strength. Cause and effect return to their rightful home in the mind, and with that, pain, tension, and scarcity lose their script.Labels and early conditioning get a reframing: naming isn't the issue, separation is. Forgiveness becomes a live practice of seeing that everything perceived is what we are not, so we can rest in what knows. Entertainment, news, and even dark symbols can serve awakening when we stop consenting to distraction and use the nervous system's reactions as cues to return to quiet. Relationships shift from special to holy as we drop transactions and remember our shared interest in peace. Throughout, we keep the tone light and practical—turning small talk into joining, replacing “trying” with presence, and letting helpful action arise on its own.If you're ready to stop fueling the ego's roller coaster and discover the steady ease underneath, press play. Then share your takeaway, subscribe for more Wisdom Dialogues, and leave a review so others can find the show. What loop will you watch and release today?Support the show

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260216dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17:2 Who Is Jesus? People have lots of opinions about Jesus. Some say he was just a good teacher. Some say he was just a prophet. Some say he was just a symbol of love and justice. Some say he was just a legend. But what Jesus reveals and tells us about himself doesn’t leave any room for “just.” The apostle Matthew tells us that Jesus was “transfigured.” That means he changed right in front of his disciples. For a moment, his glory showed through. He shone like the sun. His clothes became dazzling white. And God the Father spoke from a cloud: “This is my Son.” That means Jesus isn’t simply an inspirational leader. He is God’s Son. And that changes everything. Maybe you need that reminder today. It’s easy for doubts to creep in. Life gets messy. Suffering makes you wonder if God is really there. And sometimes Jesus can feel far away. That’s why this moment matters. God didn’t just want the disciples to hope Jesus was the Savior. He wanted to show them so they would know with certainty. Since Jesus is God’s Son, his words carry authority. His promises carry weight. His death is not a tragedy; it’s a rescue. His resurrection isn’t a myth; it's the doorway to eternal life. And that is why Jesus matters for you right now. Because Jesus is God’s Son, your life is not an accident. Your sins are not too big for forgiveness. Your pain is not ignored. And your future is not hopeless. You don’t have to wonder if God loves you. God sent his Son for you. The Transfiguration shines a spotlight on who Jesus really is. And when you see him clearly, you can finally see your life clearly too. Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me see you for who you truly are, God’s Son and my Savior. Give me confidence in your promises today. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Equipped – Part 4: Equipped for Forgiveness Spiritual maturity isn't proven when everything is smooth — it shows up when there's tension in the room. Forgiveness is the key ingredient to reconciliation. Drama destroys, but reconciliation rebuilds. Every time we choose to forgive, we wear down bitterness and make room for peace, love, and freedom. Be equipped. Choose reconciliation. Walk in forgiveness. Want more information about Transformation Church Seminole? Head over to https://linktr.ee/TheTCSeminole to see how God is transforming lives & changing the world!

Pastor Drew Zylstra preaches from Luke 7:36-50, “Forgiveness & Love.” —————————— More from Oostburg CRC Sermons: https://www.firstcrcoostburg.org/sermons Bible Study Resources: https://www.firstcrcoostburg.org/resources Original Music: https://open.spotify.com/album/4P7JbJlHzabPNW8GpdxKcB YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJSouYxM1rwWZ4cYAvTIqVA

 Virtue & VicesThis week we are discussing a calling that most of us feel unable to live up to: purity. Also a stumbling block that many of us would rather keep in the dark: lust.How many of us have done the work to try and actually understand purity and lust, and how many of us understand the way God sees these things?We see these two contrasting concepts brought up throughout scripture, we must acknowledge they are important, and how God views them.Series: Virtues & VicesSpeaker: Aaron MonesScripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8Timstamps00:00 - Purity06:06 - Why did the ancient Israelites so often make blood sacrifices to God?09:02 - “The wages of sin is death.”11:46 - 1 Thessalonians 4:3-814:00 - 1 Thessalonians 4:316:19 - 1 Thessalonians 4:417:18 - 1 Thessalonians 4:5-620:25 - 1 Thessalonians 4:721:40 - 1 Thessalonians 4:824:58 - Romans 6:2326:52 - The call for us is that same as Paul's call to the Thessalonians church in his letter30:03 - Prayer30:52 - Updates31:45 - Discussion & Prayer Focus#faith #mountainviewchurch #jesuschrist #hope #forgiveness #vices #virtues #purity #lustSupport the show

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260215dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17:1-2 Jesus Alone is Your Savior It was late summer, a little more than half a year until Jesus’ crucifixion. We don’t know exactly what mountain this was, but since Jesus and his disciples had just been near Caesarea Philippi on the slopes of Mount Hermon, it is likely that this was the Mountain of the Transfiguration. Jesus took three of his disciples up the mountain with him. These three were his inner circle of friends who were privileged to witness an amazing scene—Jesus was transfigured before them. The appearance of his face and clothing changed. For a brief time, those three disciples saw the unveiled divine glory of Jesus, the bright glory that is his from eternity as the Son of God. In a few short months, these same disciples would witness the deepest point of Jesus’ humiliation on earth—his bitter suffering and death on a cross. The vision of Jesus’ divine glory on that mountain helped prepare the disciples for what they would see their friend go through at the hands of his enemies. The transfiguration of Jesus assured them that he is the Son of God whom God the Father appointed and sent to earth to be the world’s Savior from sin. With that firm conviction, Peter later preached, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus alone is the world’s Savior—your Savior! Prayer: Jesus, glorified on the Mount of Transfiguration as the eternal Son of God, you went on to deeply humble yourself as my Savior on Calvary's mountain and die to take away the punishment for my sins. Lead me to always honor you as my Lord God and love you as my only Savior. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Thank you for joining us for a powerful and uplifting service! Rick Fry is the Senior Pastor at The Rock Church located in Danville, California! Please watch as he speaks his message titled “The Promise Of Forgiveness”.Be sure to subscribe to be updated on our upcoming sermons and worship moments!For more information, visit our website at: http://www.therockca.com#TheRock #Danville #EastBay #therockchurch

Thank you for joining us for a powerful and uplifting service! Rick Fry is the Senior Pastor at The Rock Church located in Danville, California! Please watch as he speaks his message titled “The Promise Of Forgiveness”.Be sure to subscribe to be updated on our upcoming sermons and worship moments!For more information, visit our website at: http://www.therockca.com#TheRock #Danville #EastBay #therockchurch

Welcome to episode #1023 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). In an era where outrage travels faster than reflection, few accusations carry as much moral force as the charge of hypocrisy… and yet few concepts are as misunderstood. Michael Hallsworth is Chief Behavioral Scientist at the Behavioral Insights Team and a leading voice in behavioral economics, with academic appointments at the University of Pennsylvania and a career devoted to understanding how real people actually think and act in complex systems. His research spans public policy, organizational behavior and social judgment, examining how incentives, norms, and cognitive biases shape everything from government programs to corporate decision-making. In his new book, The Hypocrisy Trap - How Changing What We Criticize Can Improve Our Lives, Michael challenges the conventional belief that hypocrisy is simply a moral failing to be stamped out. Instead, he reframes it as a process… an inconsistency we dislike because we believe someone is gaining an unjust benefit… and argues that relentless accusations can backfire, breeding cynicism, polarization, and institutional decay. Drawing on evolutionary psychology, behavioral science, and contemporary case studies, he distinguishes between common standards hypocrisy and the more corrosive double standards that undermine fairness itself. He explores how social media amplifies moralistic aggression, how public signaling can both distort and reshape behavior, and why tolerating certain forms of inconsistency may be necessary for leadership and democratic compromise. Rather than excusing deception, Michael calls for sharper discernment: identifying which inconsistencies cause real harm and which reflect the unavoidable trade-offs of human life. Grounded in rigorous scholarship yet strikingly practical, his work urges greater self-reflection, empathy and intellectual humility in a culture quick to condemn. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 55:05. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Michael Hallsworth. The Hypocrisy Trap - How Changing What We Criticize Can Improve Our Lives. Behavioral Insights Team. Michael's Substack, The Judgement Gap. Follow Michael on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Hypocrisy. (02:46) - Understanding the Nature of Hypocrisy. (05:49) - The Cultural and Historical Context of Hypocrisy. (08:51) - The Evolutionary Roots of Hypocrisy. (11:50) - The Role of Hypocrisy in Politics. (14:43) - Hypocrisy in Business and Society. (17:57) - The Hypocrisy Trap Explained. (20:56) - The Balance of Hypocrisy and Honesty. (23:41) - The Emotional Impact of Hypocrisy. (26:36) - Empathy and Self-Reflection in Hypocrisy. (31:32) - Understanding Hypocrisy and Its Implications. (36:16) - The Role of Social Media in Hypocrisy. (40:56) - Navigating Integrity and Leadership. (47:09) - The Complexity of Accusations and Context. (55:13) - Rethinking Hypocrisy and Forgiveness.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260215dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17:1-2 Jesus Alone is Your Savior It was late summer, a little more than half a year until Jesus’ crucifixion. We don’t know exactly what mountain this was, but since Jesus and his disciples had just been near Caesarea Philippi on the slopes of Mount Hermon, it is likely that this was the Mountain of the Transfiguration. Jesus took three of his disciples up the mountain with him. These three were his inner circle of friends who were privileged to witness an amazing scene—Jesus was transfigured before them. The appearance of his face and clothing changed. For a brief time, those three disciples saw the unveiled divine glory of Jesus, the bright glory that is his from eternity as the Son of God. In a few short months, these same disciples would witness the deepest point of Jesus’ humiliation on earth—his bitter suffering and death on a cross. The vision of Jesus’ divine glory on that mountain helped prepare the disciples for what they would see their friend go through at the hands of his enemies. The transfiguration of Jesus assured them that he is the Son of God whom God the Father appointed and sent to earth to be the world’s Savior from sin. With that firm conviction, Peter later preached, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus alone is the world’s Savior—your Savior! Prayer: Jesus, glorified on the Mount of Transfiguration as the eternal Son of God, you went on to deeply humble yourself as my Savior on Calvary's mountain and die to take away the punishment for my sins. Lead me to always honor you as my Lord God and love you as my only Savior. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

To find out more about Momentum: Momentumcc.org  – Download 'Church Center' App: Connect with 'Momentum Christian Church' – Social Media: Facebook.com/momentumcc.org Instagram.com/momentum.cc – Connect: Momentumcc.org/Connect – Baptism: Momentumcc.org/Baptism  – Online Giving: Momentumcc.org/Giving – NextGen: Birth–Elementary: Momentumcc.org/kidmotion Middle–High School: Momentumcc.org/moxie

Our annual White Stone Ceremony with Joshua Whiteland.

LESSON 46God Is The Love In Which I Forgive.God does not forgive because He has never condemned. And there must be condemnation before forgiveness is necessary. Forgiveness is the great need of this world, but that is because it is a world of illusions. Those who forgive are thus releasing themselves from illusions, while those who withhold forgiveness are binding themselves to them. As you condemn only yourself, so do you forgive only yourself.Yet although God does not forgive, His Love is nevertheless the basis of forgiveness. Fear condemns and love forgives. Forgiveness thus undoes what fear has produced, returning the mind to the awareness of God. For this reason, forgiveness can truly be called salvation. It is the means by which illusions disappear.Today's exercises require at least three full five-minute practice periods, and as many shorter ones as possible. Begin the longer practice periods by repeating today's idea to yourself, as usual. Close your eyes as you do so, and spend a minute or two in searching your mind for those whom you have not forgiven. It does not matter “how much” you have not forgiven them. You have forgiven them entirely or not at all.If you are doing the exercises well you should have no difficulty in finding a number of people you have not forgiven. It is a safe rule that anyone you do not like is a suitable subject. Mention each one by name, and say:God is the Love in which I forgive you, [name].The purpose of the first phase of today's practice periods is to put you in a position to forgive yourself. After you have applied the idea to all those who have come to mind, tell yourself:God is the Love in which I forgive myself.Then devote the remainder of the practice period to adding related ideas such as:God is the Love with which I love myself.God is the Love in which I am blessed.The form of the application may vary considerably, but the central idea should not be lost sight of. You might say, for example:I cannot be guilty because I am a Son of God.I have already been forgiven.No fear is possible in a mind beloved of God.There is no need to attack because love has forgiven me.The practice period should end, however, with a repetition of today's idea as originally stated.The shorter practice periods may consist either of a repetition of the idea for today in the original or in a related form, as you prefer. Be sure, however, to make more specific applications if they are needed. They will be needed at any time during the day when you become aware of any kind of negative reaction to anyone, present or not. In that event, tell him silently:God is the Love in which I forgive you.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

LESSON 46God Is The Love In Which I Forgive.God does not forgive because He has never condemned. And there must be condemnation before forgiveness is necessary. Forgiveness is the great need of this world, but that is because it is a world of illusions. Those who forgive are thus releasing themselves from illusions, while those who withhold forgiveness are binding themselves to them. As you condemn only yourself, so do you forgive only yourself.Yet although God does not forgive, His Love is nevertheless the basis of forgiveness. Fear condemns and love forgives. Forgiveness thus undoes what fear has produced, returning the mind to the awareness of God. For this reason, forgiveness can truly be called salvation. It is the means by which illusions disappear.Today's exercises require at least three full five-minute practice periods, and as many shorter ones as possible. Begin the longer practice periods by repeating today's idea to yourself, as usual. Close your eyes as you do so, and spend a minute or two in searching your mind for those whom you have not forgiven. It does not matter “how much” you have not forgiven them. You have forgiven them entirely or not at all.If you are doing the exercises well you should have no difficulty in finding a number of people you have not forgiven. It is a safe rule that anyone you do not like is a suitable subject. Mention each one by name, and say:God is the Love in which I forgive you, [name].The purpose of the first phase of today's practice periods is to put you in a position to forgive yourself. After you have applied the idea to all those who have come to mind, tell yourself:God is the Love in which I forgive myself.Then devote the remainder of the practice period to adding related ideas such as:God is the Love with which I love myself.God is the Love in which I am blessed.The form of the application may vary considerably, but the central idea should not be lost sight of. You might say, for example:I cannot be guilty because I am a Son of God.I have already been forgiven.No fear is possible in a mind beloved of God.There is no need to attack because love has forgiven me.The practice period should end, however, with a repetition of today's idea as originally stated.The shorter practice periods may consist either of a repetition of the idea for today in the original or in a related form, as you prefer. Be sure, however, to make more specific applications if they are needed. They will be needed at any time during the day when you become aware of any kind of negative reaction to anyone, present or not. In that event, tell him silently:God is the Love in which I forgive you.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

In this clip, you’ll hear: You must persevere to be victorious. God’s Vision for our church and His plan for your life are incredible. Our biblically sound teaching will inspire and challenge you to discover it all. You need sincere worship and a church community that loves God and that loves you. At Passion, you will find opportunities for growth through discipleship and personal development. Your children will also have fun and learn about God. At Passion Church, we believe in creating an environment where God's presence is felt, His Word is preached, and lives are transformed. We are a happy and fun church, but are also very committed to being biblically sound. We are led by the Holy Spirit and dedicated to sincere worship. Our mission is to build authentic relationships, disciple individuals, and passionately pursue God’s purpose for our lives. We also have a powerful Missions Program and a commitment to soul-winning. We invite you to join us at 983 Goodman Rd W, Horn Lake, MS 38637. Our Sunday services begin at 10:30 a.m.! You’ll love our Pastor Guy Sheffield, and you’ll find us all happy to see you! All we’re missing is YOU! Let’s grow together in God’s purpose and love. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay connected with Passion Church Desoto. Like us on Facebook & Subscribe to our YouTube page @ ‘Passion Church Desoto’. #Jesus #PassionChurch #GodsPresence #Worship #Discipleship #ChurchFamily #HornLakeMS #GuySheffield #SundayService #Preaching #Bible #encouragmentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

[1 John 2:1-6] Part 4 of "1-3 John: Letters of Gospel Assurance"

What do you do when your 3 day-old-baby just doesn’t wake up?

We all have interests—things that grab our attention and stir our appetite. But interests don't just sit there; they quietly shape our direction. In this message, Pastor Seth explores how unmanaged appetites can slowly form who we're becoming and why awareness matters more than we think. If you've ever wondered why certain desires keep pulling at you, this message is worth revisiting.

Jesus teaches that our behavior must be higher than the scribes and pharisees, and that following the commandments is more than the letter of the Law, but raised. With His grace, we can avoid sin. #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay #mercywithteeth Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: http://eepurl.com/ioCgy2 Give feedback at https://forms.gle/gGhujv39g43BUxmK6 Readings are found at https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021526.cfm True Mercy Has Teeth: A Catholic Journey to Forgiveness and Healing is now available on Amazon and other places as listed at www.mercywithteeth.com

The headlines are filled with calls for attention when it comes to today's youth, what they're doing with their time and how the Police are supposed to handle it. What do YOU know about Juvenile Crime Rates in today's major metropolitan cities? How about the impact of the existing police elements, their overall goals and focuses? There's a LOT to discover inside this episode of The Black and Blue Voices Podcast as the hosts welcome former police officer, police chaplain and speaker Anthony C. Meyers to shares detailed perspective, experience and stories to help give everyone a well-rounded view of what's going on in the world today - as well as to ask some very fair questions that beckon your answer. Are you ready to provide YOUR perspectives? Are you ready to explore deep conversations that truly need to be had in today's communities? To find out, the play button must simply be pushed...   The BlackandBlueVoices.Com Podcast Links Bar:  Connect with The Host!     Subscribe to This Podcast Now!     This program is one of the many parts of The WhatCopsWatch.Com Effort! Rate this podcast on Apple Podcasts. the Ultimate success for every podcaster is FEEDBACK! Not an Apple Podcasts user? No problem! Be sure to check out any of the other many growing podcast directories online to find this and many other podcasts on The 2GuysTalking Podcast Network!   Housekeeping -- The Editor Corps - Make Your Podcast Soar: There's only one question to ask: Why are YOU still editing your podcast? Reclaim the time you spend on editing (easily at least twice the time you spend on capturing the program) to make more great content by enlisting "The Editor Corps" who will "Make Your Podcast Soar!" http://EditorCorps.Com -- The Voice Farm: Fred Wilkerson, Mike's Father that died in the first few days of 2018, always dreamed of a place that those interested in Voiceover could go to learn more about the industry and experience - without all the BS that goes with it. We build it four and a half years go and it continues to provide new voiceover artists and businesses looking for voiceover talent a place to go and secure great voiceover artists. http://VoiceFarmers.Com   Two Great Ways to Listen/Watch This Episode of Black and Blue Voices! We are proud to provide you both a dedicated AUDIO and VIDEO presentation for this program! To Listen Now: Hit the play button in the player on this page or hit the Subscribe button on your favorite Podcast Directory to instantly get these episodes when they release! To Watch Now: Visit this program on YouTube, or hit the window located below to see the hosts, guests and light bulb moments that make this program special! https://youtu.be/59ut-NbE9HU?si=WZUducxRcY6CX9ZB The Detailed Shownotes for This Episode of Black and Blue Voices: Looking for the detailed links, information and references used inside this episode? Read on below to find them all and remember to reach out to ask if there's something else you'd like to see from this episode! 1. Juvenile Justice System & Reform Juvenile Justice Information Exchange (JJIE) – Reporting and resources on juvenile crime, reform efforts, and best practices. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) – U.S. government agency supporting improvements in youth justice systems. Annie E. Casey Foundation: Juvenile Justice – Research and programs aimed at youth justice reform. 2. Community Policing & Public Safety National Initiative for Building Community Trust & Justice – Resources on building trust between police and the communities they serve. Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) – U.S. Department of Justice resource hub for community policing. What Is Community Policing? (National League of Cities) – Primer and resources. 3. Racial Disparity & Equity in Justice The Sentencing Project: Racial Disparity – Research and stats on racial disparities in the criminal justice system. NAACP Criminal Justice Resources – Advocacy and education on equity in policing and youth justice. 4. Youth Intervention & Prevention Programs Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) – Programs that provide mentorship, sports, and safe activities for youth in partnership with law enforcement. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America – Community-based youth mentoring. 5. Societal Factors & Community Development Brookings Institution: Place Matters – The Role of Neighborhoods in Shaping Child and Adult Outcomes – Research on how community environment impacts youth decisions. Urban Institute: Social Determinants of Health and Safety – How education, housing, and social support influence public safety. 6. Mental Health, Faith-Based Interventions & Redemption National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Resources for addressing mental health in justice-involved populations. Faith & Freedom Coalition – Role of faith-based organizations and mentoring in rehabilitation and justice reform. 7. Recent Events and Historical Context PBS: Ferguson in Perspective – Coverage and analysis of the Ferguson protests and their impact on policing. History of Policing in African American Communities (Equal Justice Initiative) – A look at the roots and evolution of modern policing and race. Emmett Till: The Story and Legacy – Historical context for references made in the episode. 8. Moving Forward: Dialogue, Accountability & Building Trust The Stand United Initiative (St. Louis) – Local organization fostering positive police-community relationships. Daryl Davis on Conversation Across Divides – A powerful TED talk on the power of conversation in bridging divides. 9. Additional Listening & Inspiration Code Switch (NPR) – Podcast exploring race, ethnicity, and culture. Policing Matters (Police1) – Conversations about policing challenges and solutions. TED: The Radical Power of Empathy (Jamil Zaki) – On how empathy fuels connection and meaningful social change. Want more? Connect, comment, or ask questions: Black and Blue Voices Website   Timestamps for This Episode of Black and Blue Voices: 00:00 Challenges in Juvenile Justice System 05:42 "Balancing Home Influence and Community" 11:51 Impact of Generational Community Disinvestment 18:29 Rebuilding Trust Through Accountability 25:46 Challenges in the Juvenile Justice System 28:08 Juvenile Justice System Resource Challenges 35:25 "Race, Accountability, and Juvenile Justice" 41:05 Addressing Bias and Influences Together 46:05 "Personal Experiences Shape Police Views" 48:43 "Rebuilding Trust Through Dialogue" 54:38 Policing Challenges and Collaborative Communication 01:01:27 Grace, Unity, Justice, and Redemption 01:07:40 "Ethics and Challenges in Policing" 01:13:47 "Highlighting Positivity in Communities" 01:20:05 "Breaking Barriers for Police Voices" 01:24:34 "Engage, Reflect, and Grow Together"   Questions Answered Inside This Episode of Black and Blue Voices: Juvenile Crime & Reform: The group discussed repeat offenses and the challenges around detaining juveniles. What are the pros and cons of detaining young offenders versus emphasizing rehabilitation and community programs? Community Perception: How does public trust (or lack thereof) in the justice system impact the effectiveness of both policing and community safety, according to the experiences shared by the speakers? Equal Application of Law: Chief Chris emphasized the importance of laws being applied "equally with equity." What does this look like in practice, and what barriers exist to achieving it? Role of Social Media: The episode touches on how social media and news highlight negative stories and amplify fear. How do you think this shapes public opinion about policing and crime in your community? Systemic vs. Individual Responsibility: How do larger systemic issues (like generational disinvestment in certain neighborhoods) interact with personal responsibility when it comes to youth crime? Where should change start? Community Policing: Several speakers shared about the power of having officers truly embedded in the community. What are the benefits and potential drawbacks of more “community-oriented” policing? Race and Law Enforcement: The episode challenges the narrative that all issues in policing are strictly racial. How do the speakers suggest we navigate conversations about race, policing, and justice more productively? Redemption and Forgiveness: What does real redemption look like for youth who have made serious mistakes? Should the justice system emphasize second chances, and where is the line drawn? The Power of Conversation: The speakers repeatedly argue that real dialogue—like the one on this podcast—is key to understanding. What steps could you or your community take to foster more of these conversations? Highlighting the Positive: The episode closes by calling for more recognition of the positive things happening in communities and police departments. Why do you think positive stories so rarely make headlines, and how could we change this?   Additional Actions: Leave your feedback or suggest future topics at blackandbluevoices.com/contact. Join the conversation by commenting on our YouTube channel (search for Black and Blue Voices).   ==== Links to 10+ Years of Chief Chris' WhatCopsWatch.Com: Website: https://whatcopswatch.com/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast.... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2VV1HL9.... Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b46.... Facebook: / whatcopswatch     ==== Links to Eric Alexander Online: /-- Be sure to visit Applied Combatives Group Online!   ==== Connect with Mike Wilkerson (The STLPodFather)'s 20+ Years of Podcasting:

This message was previously recorded by Carol Helland in 2022

Valentine’s Day often centers on romance. For some, that brings joy and celebration. For others, it can stir loneliness or disappointment. But Scripture reminds us that love is far bigger than romance. When Jesus was asked what matters most, He answered with one word: love. Love God fully. Love your neighbor as yourself. Everything else flows from these two commands. Walking in God’s love doesn’t require perfect emotions or flawless behavior. It begins with a daily decision. Love is not just something we feel—it’s something we practice. It’s choosing patience instead of irritation. Kindness instead of indifference. Forgiveness instead of resentment. Service instead of self-focus. Valentine’s Day can be a beautiful reset—a reminder that we are loved first by God. From that secure place, we are free to love others well. Whether you are celebrating with a spouse, spending the day with friends, or navigating it alone, you are invited to walk in the steady, faithful love of the Father. Love grows as we practice it. And when we choose love, we draw closer to the God who is love. Main Takeaways Love is the foundation of faithful living. God’s love is not limited to romance—it is relational, sacrificial, and active. Loving God and loving others shapes every decision we make. Love is a daily choice, not just an emotion. Valentine’s Day can be a fresh commitment to walk in God’s love year-round. Today’s Bible Verse “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:36-40, NIV Your Daily Prayer Prayer excerpt for listeners: “Help me love you with all my heart, soul, and mind, and let your love flow through my life so I can love myself and other people.” You can listen to the entire prayer here or read the full devotional and complete prayer by visiting the links below. Continue growing in faith and love with these resources: LifeAudio.com – Christian podcasts, devotionals, and spiritual encouragement Crosswalk.com – Bible study tools, devotionals, and Christian living content This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.orgTrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Truths Inspiring Me About Confidence and Character — A Conversation with My Son Sometimes the most convicting spiritual lessons don't come from a sermon. They come from hearing a child say something honest— something simple— and realizing God is speaking through it.  And as you listen to this conversation about habits, confidence, and walking with Jesus, you may feel that gentle nudge to return to what's true.  Lean into that. Because your habits are always taking you somewhere. And the small choices you make today shape who you become tomorrow. You Don't Drift Into Confidence You might think confidence is a personality trait. Something you either have or you don't. But confidence is rarely about personality. It's about formation. It's about what you repeatedly do. When you build habits that align with truth — reading Scripture, practicing gratitude, caring for your body, choosing honesty — something steady begins forming inside of you. Not hype. Not ego. Not loud self-assertion. But quiet strength. And the opposite is also true. When you repeatedly avoid truth, bend honesty, indulge jealousy, or neglect your health, that forms something too. And eventually, that formation becomes your character. You don't wake up one day confident or insecure by accident. You drift there — one habit at a time. What You Feed Your Mind Shapes Your Identity If you only occasionally open your Bible, what fills the gap? Your worries. Your spouse's tone. Your insecurities. The voice in your head that says you're not enough. But when you consistently feed your mind the truth of Scripture, something changes. You begin to live from being cared for. Not striving for approval. Not grasping for validation. But anchored in being loved. You cannot feel confident if you don't believe you are deeply cared for. And that belief doesn't grow accidentally. It grows through repetition. Gratitude Rewires Your Perspective If you only focus on what you don't have, you will start to believe you have nothing. You will compare. You will resent. You will feel behind. And even when you do get what you wanted, it won't satisfy you — because comparison has already shaped your lens. But when you practice gratitude — intentionally naming what is good — you retrain your heart to see abundance. You begin to notice: God has been kind. God has provided. God has not left you alone. Gratitude doesn't ignore pain. It simply refuses to let pain define the whole story. And that builds stability. That builds joy. That builds confidence rooted in truth rather than circumstance. Your Body Matters More Than You Think You are not "just a soul." You are embodied. Jesus didn't come as a concept. He came in flesh. Your body is not accidental. It is not disposable. Scripture calls it a temple of the Holy Spirit. When you neglect your body — through constant exhaustion, poor nourishment, or silent self-criticism — you aren't just affecting your health. You are shaping how you see yourself. And when you care for your body — even in small ways — you are saying: "This matters. God's creation matters." Confidence grows when you respect what God has given you. Not in pride. But in stewardship. The Habit That Quietly Undermines Everything Let's talk about honesty. You may not consider yourself a liar. But do you exaggerate to seem more impressive? Withhold truth to avoid discomfort? Bend the story to protect your image? Lies feel small in the moment. But every time you tell one, something inside you weakens. Because you know the truth. Even if no one else does — you do. And when you repeatedly override your own integrity, you slowly erode your own confidence. You cannot feel strong while betraying yourself. Real confidence is inseparable from integrity. And integrity requires courage — especially when no one is watching. God Delights in Integrity Zephaniah says something stunning: "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." -Zephaniah 3:17 ESV But just before that, it speaks of a people who refuse deceit, who walk humbly, who seek the Lord. "Yes, I will punish those who participate in pagan worship ceremonies, and those who fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit." -Zephaniah 1:9 NLT God delights in truth. God delights in humility. God delights in integrity. Not because He is demanding perfection — but because integrity aligns you with how you were created to live. When you choose honesty. When you confess sin. When you turn from a habit that weakens you — even if you fail again tomorrow — you are stepping toward freedom. You are stepping toward formation. And God delights in that movement. You Are Not Stuck If you're listening and thinking: "I have bad habits." "I've let things slide." "I don't like who I've been becoming." Hear this clearly: You are not stuck. Habits can be unlearned. Patterns can be interrupted. Integrity can be rebuilt. Start small. Choose one habit. One verse. One act of gratitude. One moment of honesty. Repeat it. Push through the discomfort. Because the first time you choose differently, it will feel awkward. The fifth time, it will feel possible. The fiftieth time, it will feel like you. The Person You're Becoming You are always becoming someone. Not someday. Today. Your habits are forming the atmosphere of your home. Your habits are shaping your marriage. Your habits are influencing how your children see faith. Your habits are determining how you see yourself. So lean into that gentle nudge. Not with shame. But with resolve. You don't need dramatic reinvention. You need daily alignment. And when you choose small, faithful obedience — again and again — you will wake up one day and realize: You didn't just build better habits. You built stronger character. And from that character, real confidence grew. And that kind of confidence? It cannot be shaken. Blessings, The Delight Your Marriage Team PS - If you want help building up these better habits, in your personal life or your marriage, we would love to chat with you. Schedule a free Clarity Call at delightyourmarriage.com/cc to see if we are the right fit for you. PPS - Here is a quote from a recent Delighted Wife graduate: "Biggest struggles coming into the program were my responses to my husband (detached, uncertain, hurt, even bitter). Everything felt like gloom and doom and I didn't really know what to say or do...[Now,] Forgiveness was huge!  Freed me from weight that was killing me slowly. Gratitudes play a vital role in renewing my mind and showed me that there's always something to be thankful for - even in the storm…DYM has helped me with a hard reset in my mind and heart."

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260214dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 Our Enviable Worth The apostle Peter says some remarkable things in our Bible reading for today. He calls followers of Jesus “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.” Spend a few seconds thinking about yourself as these things. You are chosen, handpicked by God himself. You are royal, a one-time pauper before God adopted you into the royal family of the King of kings. You are holy, a person set aside by God’s grace and for God’s use. You belong to God because he purchased you with the blood of his Son. You are a person of enviable worth because of the grace of God. However, notice that God didn’t create us as precious people just to transfer us from earth to heaven someday. God has made us priests, not to serve ourselves but to serve others. Our job description as redeemed children of God is to “declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” The Holy Spirit has called you out of the darkness of sin into the light of forgiveness and eternal life. Now you have the privilege of praising the God who gave you this enviable worth. Praise him loudly and clearly to the world. Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for choosing me to be yours. Help me to praise you in all that I do and say this day. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Welcome to Legacy Love — a Supernal Rootz special series on how we heal, how we love, and how we stop handing the same pain down like it's a family heirloom.In Episode 1: “The Love You Didn't Choose,” we start with the truth most people skip: you didn't consciously choose the first version of love you experienced… but you can choose what you carry now.This episode is a Legacy Love audit — gentle, honest, and real. We name the patterns so you can stop repeating them automatically.In this episode, we break down:Why your nervous system can crave what's familiar—even when it's harmfulThe 3 inherited love patterns that shape adult relationships: Conditional Love (“I love you when…”), Silent Love (“I provide, so that's love”), and Sacrificial Love (“I suffered for you”)A real-life example that reveals why many people aren't “trying to find love”… they're trying to finish a childhood sentenceHow to honor your people without honoring the pattern (boundaries without guilt)A short integration practice + 3 journal prompts to help you begin shifting from survival to freedomReady to take it deeper right now?✨ Legacy Love — THE RESET is available as an instant digital download— breathwork, release work, and a Love Forward vow designed to reset your love frequency from survival to freedom.* Eternal Supernal * - IAYAALIS / Supernal RootzDROP A WORD -&- send a message: What did this episode spark for you? —and what do you want covered next? Include NAME + LOCATION (city & state). [FYI- by sending, you're giving permission for your message to be read on the show unless you write “PRIVATE.”]Support the show

Quick SiStarz SideNotes: this series started as a Black Love / BHM project… and I pivoted. Why? Because Survival Love is universal — and inherited patterns don't ask our permission. The roots still matter. I just realized this healing can't be boxed in.In this episode, I explain what Legacy Love is really about — why I shifted the direction, what the series will cover, what's coming next, and how to start The Reset now. We're talking inherited patterns, survival strategies we've mistaken for love, and how the body holds on long after the mind understands.Start here: Legacy Love: The Reset (only $11) — officially drops: 02/14/26 (Valentine's Day).DROP A WORD -&- send a message: What did this episode spark for you? —and what do you want covered next? Include NAME + LOCATION (city & state). [FYI- by sending, you're giving permission for your message to be read on the show unless you write “PRIVATE.”]Support the show

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260214dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 Our Enviable Worth The apostle Peter says some remarkable things in our Bible reading for today. He calls followers of Jesus “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.” Spend a few seconds thinking about yourself as these things. You are chosen, handpicked by God himself. You are royal, a one-time pauper before God adopted you into the royal family of the King of kings. You are holy, a person set aside by God’s grace and for God’s use. You belong to God because he purchased you with the blood of his Son. You are a person of enviable worth because of the grace of God. However, notice that God didn’t create us as precious people just to transfer us from earth to heaven someday. God has made us priests, not to serve ourselves but to serve others. Our job description as redeemed children of God is to “declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” The Holy Spirit has called you out of the darkness of sin into the light of forgiveness and eternal life. Now you have the privilege of praising the God who gave you this enviable worth. Praise him loudly and clearly to the world. Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for choosing me to be yours. Help me to praise you in all that I do and say this day. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Today's episode is a deeply personal one. I was devastated to hear of the passing of James Van Der Beek. Like so many of you, I grew up watching Dawson's Creek. But for me, it was even more than a show. My very first job was working on Dawson's Creek in Wilmington, North Carolina. My parents got to see their little girl step onto a set they watched in our living room every week... and that memory means everything to me. Years later, I had dinner with James and his wife Kimberly (who was one of the very first guests ever on Food Heals episode 6). That night, James sat with me, looked me in the eyes, and told me my parents were proud of me. He held space for me in a way most people never do. He didn't have to. But that's who he was. In this episode, I'm joined by: Reality TV producer Jessica Sirikulbut, who shares her heartfelt reflections on James' character, his spiritual depth, and the emotional impact this loss has had on our generation. Ryan Bailey, host of So Bad It's Good, who brings his thoughtful pop culture lens to James' legacy and the profound way he shaped so many of our lives. Together, we reflect on: • The impact Dawson's Creek had on our generation • James' powerful final interviews about love and worthiness • What cancer teaches us about presence and perspective • The emotional and spiritual layers of healing • Why "I am worthy of love" might be the most important mantra of all James wasn't just a talented actor. He was a light. A father of six. A devoted husband. A man who meditated, journaled, and led with love. And in a world that feels so divided, his passing feels like a wake-up call to return to what actually matters. Love. Presence. Connection. Forgiveness. Sweetness in life. If this episode moves you, and you feel called to support his family during this unimaginable time, you can contribute here:

Welcome to the Grace in Focus podcast. Today, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates will answer another question about 1 John 1:9 which talks about two results of confessed sin. One is forgiveness and the other is cleansing. What is the difference, if any, between forgiveness and cleansing? Why do we need both? Please listen, and

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260213dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jesus said] “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20 Do You Measure Up? “You must be this tall to go on this ride.” Those were terrible and frustrating words for a young boy to read, especially if his friends and/or cousins were tall enough to get on the roller coaster. It generally did not matter how tall I was. I can remember one summer being just an inch shy of the line, and the ride operator would not make an exception. I would have to wait until I measured up. Getting into heaven is like that. In fact, it is even worse. Jesus himself said that to enter heaven, we would have to be more righteous than the Pharisees of his day. To help understand his point, realize that the Pharisees had added hundreds of their own commands to be obeyed on top of the commands that God gave, and they shunned anyone who couldn't measure up to their rules. It is disheartening, then, to hear Jesus say that not even those self-righteous Pharisees could measure up. Truthfully, no one can. God demands perfection as the entrance requirement for heaven, and nobody can measure up to that. Jesus doesn’t say this because he wants to keep you out of heaven. Rather, he wants you to realize that there is only one way to gain entrance into heaven, and it isn’t through our own efforts. He wants us to see that the only way to heaven is through him. Jesus is the only one who measured up to God’s standard of perfection. He lived a perfect life in our place and achieved righteousness on our behalf. He died in our place on the cross to earn salvation for us. Through faith in Jesus, the standard has been met. He now gives us the ticket to heaven. We don’t need to worry about whether we measure up, because he measured up for us. Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for meeting the standard of perfection for me. Grant me confidence that heaven is open to me because of all you did for me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Welcome to a deeply moving love story of redemption, faith, and partnership in this episode of Intimate Conversations: Dark Night to Divine Light with Dylan Gemelli and his wife, Queenie. A God-first couple united by humility, devotion, and teamwork, they join me for an honest conversation about healing the past, choosing integrity, and building a marriage rooted in truth… and humor.  Dylan shares his journey from prison, addiction, and self-destruction to faith, service, and purpose, and how meeting Queenie during the lowest chapter of his life became a turning point. Queenie reflects on seeing his heart beyond his past, receiving his truth with compassion, and choosing love without judgment. Together, they open up about what it means to place God first in marriage, not as religion, but as daily practice. Prayer, honesty, forgiveness, and humility became the foundation that allowed trust, safety, and joy to grow. Their relationship is a living example of how two imperfect people can evolve together when pride softens, responsibility leads and hearts open.  We also explore how complementary differences strengthen a relationship, how playfulness and laughter coexist with devotion, and how a healthy partnership fuels purpose, leadership, and service in the world. We also talk about: -Redemption, responsibility, and owning your past without shame -Choosing honesty early and letting truth build trust -God-first marriage as daily practice, not performance -Forgiveness, humility, and resolving conflict quickly -Complementary differences as gifts for growth -Play, laughter, and joy as spiritual practices -How love and partnership fuel purpose and leadership This episode is a reminder that your past does not disqualify you, ever. And that faith can be lived through love, and that when two people choose truth, humility, and God first, something deeply beautiful becomes possible.  Be sure to watch Dylan's Podcast, #1 in health and fitness and alternative health, The Dylan Gemelli Podcast, where I will also be featured as a Guest this year!  https://dylangemelli.com/ ➡️ Go check out patreon.com/allanapratt for Exclusive content! About Dylan and Queennie:   Dylan Gemelli is a recognized figure in the fitness and biohacking community. He is known by the monikers "The Wellness Revolutionary," "The Mind Body Connector" and "The Aging Optimizer." Dylan hosts the Dylan Gemelli Podcast where he engages with experts to explore ALL ASPECTS of health and wellness, biohacking along with motivation discussions around overcoming adversity to help become the best person you can be. His efforts focus on obtaining FULL health alignment through the MIND-BODY connection, piecing the neurological and physical sides together along with spirituality, culminating in maximum health and longevity. Dylan is currently pursuing another degree, adding neuroscience to wide array of degrees and certifications. As a leading voice in the biohacking, health and wellness space, Dylan has grown his Instagram to over 1.5 million followers and runs successful YouTube channels, including his channel "Dylan Gemelli Biohacking" that is closing in on 100k subscribers. He launched "The Dylan Gemelli Podcast" at the start of 2025 and has already made a huge impact, reaching #1 in health and fitness and alternative health and as a mainstay in the top 50 in ALL CATEGORIES on Apple. He has hosted notable guests such as Dr. Eric Berg, Dave Asprey, Ben Greenfield, Dr. Steven Gundry, Miesha Tate, Ben Azadi, J.J. Virgin, Adam Sosnick, Dr. David Jockers, Cynthia Thurlow and many more! Dylan also made his mark as a speaker at the 60th anniversary of Mr.Olympia in 2024 and made a major impact, speaking again in 2025. Dylan is touring throughout the world appearing on major podcasts sharing his story, inspiring everyone to not only achieve their highest quality of life, but to overcome adversity, and to be a beacon of light, hope and inspiration to everyone! Dylan is a God first family man that is set on doing God's work, which for him, is helping everyone to not just add years to their lives, but life to their years!   Dylan and Queennie just celebrated their 10 year wedding anniversary and stand united by God.  Their marriage is a God first marriage and serves as an inspiration and motivation to others on how to work together for the most successful marriage possible.  They thrive on teamwork and feeding off each others strengths as well as weaknesses to formulate God's plan on what He intended bringing together and man and woman as one!   Website https://dylangemelli.com/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@DylanGemelliBiohacking Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dylangemelli/   We are proud of our February sponsor, Jenette Skin Care. Explore and experience her high-vibrational, plant-based formulations at www.jenetteskincare.com. Use the code INTIMATE15 for special February savings. Scholarship Code: READYNOW Finding the One is Bullsh*t. Becoming the One is brilliant and beautiful, and ironically the key to attracting your ideal partner. Move beyond the fear of getting hurt again. Register for Become the One Introductory Program. http://allanapratt.com/becomeintro Use Code: BTO22 to get over 40% off. Let's stay connected: Exclusive Video Newsletter: http://allanapratt.com/newsletter Instagram - @allanapratt [ / allanapratt ] Facebook - @coachallanapratt [ / coachallanapratt ]

Welcome to Legacy Love—a short audio mini-series about breaking inherited love patterns and building something REAL.This series is for anyone who's tired of repeating the same relationship cycles, stuck in survival-love habits, or realizing that “knowing better” hasn't been enough—because the pattern lives in the body, not just the mind.In Legacy Love, we go there—clearly and practically. You'll hear teachings and grounded guidance on:inherited family/ancestral patterns that shape love, attachment, and tolerancehow survival-mode shows up as “love” (and why it's so hard to stop)what it takes to reset your standard—without fake peace, forced forgiveness, or fluffEach episode is built to be audio-first and actionable: a theme → a teaching → a practice you can actually do.Start here (paid + simple): ✨ Legacy Love: The Reset ($11) — a guided letting-go meditation using breathwork, progressive relaxation, creative visualization, and Ho'oponopono (an ancient Hawaiian practice of forgiveness and reconciliation).REMEMBER = Legacy Love drops Feb 14. Get more info in the show notes SOON!DROP A WORD -&- send a message: What did this episode spark for you? —and what do you want covered next? Include NAME + LOCATION (city & state). [FYI- by sending, you're giving permission for your message to be read on the show unless you write “PRIVATE.”]Support the show

Legacy Love isn't about romance—it's about what you inherited. In this short trailer, I'm introducing Legacy Love, a Valentine's Day mini-series about breaking survival-love patterns, healing what your nervous system has been carrying, and choosing a new standard for love—self-love and relationship love.Start here: Legacy Love: The Reset ($11) — a guided letting-go meditation featuring breathwork, progressive relaxation, creative visualization, and Ho'oponopono.REMEMBER = Legacy Love drops Feb 14.*** More info to come SOON! ***DROP A WORD -&- send a message: What did this episode spark for you? —and what do you want covered next? Include NAME + LOCATION (city & state). [FYI- by sending, you're giving permission for your message to be read on the show unless you write “PRIVATE.”]Support the show

In this episode of The Gateway to Joy Podcast, we conclude our series on The Price of Love (www.elisabethelliot.org/tpl). We share Gateway to Joy radio programs: - The Price of Love-3 The Price of Forgiveness - The Price of Love-4 Presence of God We also hear from special guests: - Walt Shepard - Ariceli, a listener --------- Special thanks to Mike Dize and the Bible Broadcasting Network. Theme music: John Hanson. To leave a comment go to ElisabethElliot.org/share-a-message As you visit, find for more lectures, devotionals, videos, Gateway to Joy programs, and other resources.