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Waiting is one of the hardest parts of following Jesus—but it's also one of the places where God does His deepest work. In this episode of our Fruit of the Spirit series, we're talking about patience—not as passive waiting, but as active trust in God's perfect timing. Whether you're waiting for healing, a relationship, answered prayers, direction, or a breakthrough, this conversation is for you. We'll walk through what biblical patience really means, why waiting can feel so difficult, and how God used seasons of waiting to shape some of the most influential people in Scripture—including Abraham, Joseph, David, Moses, Hannah, Job, and even Jesus. If you've ever wondered why God seems silent or why His timing doesn't match yours, I pray this episode encourages you to trust that He is still working—even when you can't see it. Because waiting on God is never wasted. In This Episode: What the Fruit of the Spirit teaches about patience The biblical meaning of patience (makrothymia) Why God often grows us through waiting What impatience reveals about our hearts Lessons from Abraham, Joseph, David, Moses, Hannah, Job, and Jesus How to grow in patience during difficult seasons Encouragement for anyone waiting on God today Key Scriptures: Galatians 5:22–23 James 1:2–4 Romans 5:3–5 Romans 8:25 Isaiah 40:31 Psalm 27:14 Lamentations 3:25–26 Hebrews 6:15 Ephesians 4:2 Colossians 3:12 Psalm 37:7 2 Peter 3:9 If this episode encouraged you, be sure to share it with a friend who may be in a season of waiting. And if you're enjoying our Fruit of the Spirit series, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and join us next week as we continue learning what it looks like to live by the Spirit.
Ellen Cushing, staff writer at The Atlantic, talks about her reporting on how the American produce aisle is increasingly offering fruits that are sweeter than ever, including Sumo citrus and Cotton Candy grapes. Photo: 11 March 2026, Hesse, Frankfurt/Main: A clementine lies on a table. Photo: Michael Brandt/dpa (Photo by Michael Brandt/picture alliance via Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This week we’ve studied what our lives looks like without the Holy Spirit. Without God’s influence, without God’s direction over our life, we naturally drift toward dysfunction, selfishness, broken relationships, and sin. Left to ourselves, our sinful nature becomes the driving force behind our decisions, our attitudes, and our actions. That’s exactly what Paul describes in Galatians 5. He paints an honest picture of what life looks like when the flesh is in control. It’s not a list meant to shame us – it’s a mirror showing us what every one of us is capable of apart from God. But thank God, we’re not left there. The good news is that God didn’t simply save us from our sin; He gave us His very presence. When we place our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. We are no longer left to navigate this life in our own strength. We have a Helper, a Guide, a Teacher, and the very power of God at work in us. So before we can understand the fruit of the Spirit, we have to understand the Spirit Himself. Who is the Holy Spirit? Why did God give Him to us? What is His purpose in our lives? And what does it actually look like to live under His influence every day? The fruit of the Spirit isn’t about trying harder to become a better person. It’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out. I spent many years not understanding who the Holy Spirit is and what it mean to have this influence in my life. Maybe you’re in that place. This doesn’t quite make sense to you. It can be a little confusing, so lets slow down to understand. Quite simply, the Holy Spirit is God HIMSELF. God reveals himself to us in 3 ways which we call the trinity. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – all God. Think of it this way, the Father loved us, the Son saved us, the Spirit changes us. The Holy Spirit is God’s very own presence dwelling within us. Before Jesus returned to Heaven after his crucifixion, he made an incredible promise. In John 14: 16-17, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. You will know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” In verse 23, Jesus says, “We will come and make our home in each one who loves me.” Jesus had been walking with his disciples. He had been living with them, teaching them, guiding them. In flesh, he was there with them. Now, before he returns to Heaven, he is promising for everyone who loves him, they will be given ANOTHER who will actually live in you and never leave you. The Greek, word translated “another” means another of the same kind. So we have been given someone exactly like Jesus in nature and purpose to live inside of us. That’s the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit makes God’s presence permanent in everyone who believes in him. As real as Jesus walked this earth as God in human form, God now lives within us in Spirit form. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live like Jesus. So this isn’t about trying harder and harder, this is about allowing God to live through us. In the Old Testament, God’s Spirit dwelt in the tabernacle and later in the temple. Occasionally his Spirit would come upon specific people for specific purposes. Through the cleansing power of Jesus to make us holy and righteous, God Spirit is now available to each of us and we become his temple. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19, “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God.” For real, God now lives within us! My mind can’t comprehend that, but by faith I choose to believe it. Do you? Let’s look at 3 things the Holy Spirit does: He teaches us, empowers us and transforms us. The Holy Spirit teaches us. When you read the Bible and actually understand it, that’s the work of the Holy Spirit. When you listen to this podcast or a sermon and it hits just right, that’s the work of the Holy Spirit. When you’re living your regular life and you remember what God said about it, that’s the work of the Holy Spirit. What a lot of people describe as a “gut feeling” is actually the prompting of the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit empowers us. Acts 1:8, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” Have you ever been stronger than you ever thought you could be? Girl, that was the Holy Spirit. Have you ever had the power to do things you never thought you could do? That’s the power from the Holy Spirit. We’re so quick to think we’re weak and incapable, but as a believer, remember who is living within you. God himself is inside of you! His power is in you! So yes, you do have the strength for this through the Holy Spirit. Yes, you are good enough. Yes, you are capable. Remember what’s in you! And ultimately what the Holy Spirit does within us is he transforms us. That’s where the Fruit of the Spirit comes in in Galatians 5. WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, we are changed naturally. This change isn’t something we have to force and will, it’s a change that grows in us and makes us more like Jesus. That’s the goal of the Holy Spirit, to make us more and more like Jesus. As we move to the right side of our list and begin to see what it looks like to live under the influence of the Holy Spirit, rather than without him, think of it like this: If you are under the influence of alcohol, you think different, you talk different, you walk different, you have different emotions, and you make different decisions. Why? Because you’re under the influence of that alcohol so you operate different. Now, think of the influence of the Holy Spirit in your life. It changes everything. You think different under the influence of the Holy Spirit. The way you see things changes. The way you see people changes. Your thought process is changed. You talk different under the influence of the Holy Spirit. You don’t even want to be in the conversations you were once in. You walk different with different emotions, making different decisions. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, your desires are literally changed. Your heart begins to align with God’s heart and you begin to pursue the things he created you for. And what happens when there’s a different life within us – FRUIT! Fruit is evidence of life. An apple tree doesn’t struggle to tape apples to its branches to look more like an apple tree. An apple tree just naturally produces apples. When the Holy Spirit lives within us, we don’t have to struggle and strive, we just surrender and then we naturally produce the Fruit of the Spirit. This is what makes us more and more like Jesus. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com
On this week's episode, Turk and JD reveal how they beg, borrow, and steal to make ends meet as medical residents. In the real world, Zach and Donald are joined by television legend, Heather Locklear. Locklear recounts her days as a star on two prime-time television series and the #MeToo moment that led her to remove her name from The First Wives Club.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pastor Mike presents part two of his teaching on biblical repentance, reviewing how it operates as both a mandatory command and a divine gift that occurs simultaneously with faith in time. The core theological focus of the episode centers on the logical and nature-based order of these "twin graces," establishing that repentance is ultimately the fruit of faith. Citing classical and modern theologians like Sinclair Ferguson, G.T. Shed, and R.L. Dabney, Abendroth explains that saving faith must logically precede repentance because a sinner cannot experience true, affectionate sorrow for sin without a prior grasp of God's pardoning mercy and love in Christ. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NEgevDGdPPs No Compromise Radio “Always biblical, always provocative, always in that order.” Video Episode 70: “Fruit of Faith" Hosts: Pastor Mike Abendroth (Pastor & Author) Produced/Edited By: Marrio Escobar (Owner of D2L Productions)
The Wildsea is an award-winning, post-fall fantasy tabletop roleplaying game set on a rampant ocean of living green. Players take on the role of wildsailors, carving paths through the verdancy aboard chainsaw-driven ships. The Happy Eater is the first campaign in Tales From The Wildsea, our new actual play series. In this introductory episode, you'll meet the crew of The Godsinger, a humble hauling vessel with ambitions of glory. They hold a chart to a secret treasure far to the north, but before they can chase after it, they'll need the right parts. Kezza, Bebo, and Zin, alongside their Tzelicrae captain Tzenko, set their sights on Redcrown, the oldest island in Rivenwake, in search of a job big enough to change their fortunes. You'll never expect where things lead in this gonzo adventure. This campaign is inspired by a year-long playtest of an original reach called Rivenwake, a jungle expanse defined by divergent tree currents, strange economies, and the greatest race on the verdancy. Rivenwake wouldn't exist without the support of Mayday's patrons who took part in our Patreon-exclusive campaign. Thank you to everyone who helped bring it to life. You can download a free PDF supplement that helps you follow along: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F04-OvyIBDbeMsryzUDvqWQzdwwsgSb3/view?usp=sharing Our playthrough focuses on immersive roleplay and cinematic storytelling. While mechanics are visible for clarity, you should not expect much "out-of-character" discussion. Sergio describes the successes and complications, and the players describe their failures. Twists are described by the player who rolled them. Disclaimer: This episode contains profanity and violence. Viewer discretion is advised. CAST • Darryl Dorsey (he/him) as Zin (he/him) Corron Slinger • Allison (she/her) as Bebo (he/him) Gau Wordbearer • Caleb James Miller (he/him) as Kezza (he/him) Ketra Hacker • Sergio Crego (he/him) as The Firefly VIDEO, MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS • Recorded, Edited, and Mixed by Sergio Crego • "Uncharted Passage" written by Sergio Crego and composed by Kyle Moore • Epidemic Sound • Soundly • Envato • Beneos Battlemaps WILDSEA LINKS • Get your copy of The Wildsea today and use promo code MAYDAY for 20% off!
Bev Joins The Bow Tie Guy for part 5 of the Fruit of the Spirit series to talk about forebearnce.
California cherry growers are facing one of the most difficult seasons in recent memory after multiple spring rain events devastated what had initially appeared to be a promising crop. According to longtime industry veteran Michael Jameson of Morada Produce, the 2026 California cherry season may be the worst he has seen in nearly four decades in the business. Jameson, who has worked in the cherry industry for 38 years, said growers entered the season with optimism. Strong winter chill accumulation, favorable bloom conditions, and excellent fruit set had many expecting an ideal crop of approximately 8.5 to 9 million cartons. That production level is considered optimal for California's harvesting, packing, and marketing infrastructure while also providing profitable returns to growers. However, Mother Nature had other plans. A series of rainstorms struck California cherry-producing regions during critical stages of fruit development. The first major rain event arrived in April, followed by several additional storms that damaged both early- and late-season varieties. According to Jameson, cherries become highly vulnerable once they begin transitioning from green to red. Excess moisture absorbed through the roots and fruit stems can cause cherries to crack when the fruit skin cannot stretch enough to accommodate the additional water. The result was widespread crop damage across multiple growing regions. Jameson noted that San Joaquin County alone experienced estimated losses exceeding 63 percent of its cherry crop, with economic losses reaching approximately $174 million. When factoring in damage across all California cherry-producing districts, total losses likely climbed into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Even fruit that survived the storms presented challenges. Modern optical sorting technology allows packinghouses to identify and remove defective cherries more effectively than in previous decades. While that technology helped salvage portions of the crop, Jameson explained that many cherries still suffered from reduced shelf life due to repeated weather events. Fruit that appeared marketable when packed often deteriorated during transportation to distant markets. That created significant problems throughout the supply chain. Shipments arriving at retailers sometimes failed to meet quality standards, forcing receivers to reject loads. Those rejected loads then had to be diverted to wholesale markets, often resulting in substantial financial losses. Jameson said rejected cherry shipments can cost growers and shippers between $100,000 and $150,000 per load. During this season, some operations experienced multiple rejected loads in a single day. Beyond the financial impact, Jameson expressed concern about the effect on consumers. When shoppers purchase cherries that lack flavor, firmness, or shelf life, they are less likely to return and buy additional fruit. Maintaining consumer confidence is critical for specialty crops like cherries, where repeat purchases drive seasonal demand. Despite the challenges, growers remain committed to producing high-quality fruit and navigating difficult conditions. Jameson emphasized that farming is inherently unpredictable, with weather often determining whether a season becomes highly profitable or financially devastating. For California's cherry industry, 2026 will likely be remembered as a season that tested the resilience of growers, packers, shippers, and marketers alike.
Join us for a special Sunday as our guest speaker David Bradshaw (founder of Awaken the Dawn and Communion America) shares some testimony and a word on fruitfulness! Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode we'll talk about:Why fruit is not what most people think it isWhat scripture actually means when it talks about the fruit of the SpiritHow real fruit shows up in someone's daily behavior — not their public presentationWhy fruit cannot be performed... only livedHow recognizing fruit in others requires cultivating it in yourselfWhat your spirit knows about someone long before your mind can explain itAnd more… START HERE…→ Join The Niche Is You® — my Substack (20K+) — Weekly essays, the full workshop library, the private community + the Quarterly Challenges. → https://mattgottesman.substack.com/aboutNEW HERE…→ 6 Days to Clarity Workshop — clarity for your time, energy, money, creativity, work & play. → https://mattgottesman.com/reverse-engineer-your-life (FREE)CONNECT WITH ME…→ Instagram — @mattgottesman→ TikTok — @mattgottesman→ YouTube — @mattgottesmanRESOURCES…→ Write • Design • Build — my Content Creator Studio & OS masterclass (Included when you join my Substack) — Growing the niche of you, your audience, reach, voice, passion & income — CLICK HERE→ Recommended Book List — CLICK HERE→ Apparel — thenicheisyou.comOTHER RELATED EPISODES:Faith Isn't Knowing the Whole Path… It's Taking the Next Honest StepApple: https://apple.co/3MB62IuSpotify: https://bit.ly/4rZw3RN
In this episode, Mal explores the impact of social media and technology on Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of genuine spiritual discipline over superficial content consumption. She discusses the dangers of gamification, content addiction, and the need for authentic community and Bible study.Articles Mentioned in the Episode:The Age of Christian Content Girl Talk= False Teaching Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Housekeeping02:24 Book Club and Upcoming Content05:28 The Digital Age of Christianity08:01 Concerns About Gamification of Faith10:46 The Importance of Community and Church Attendance13:16 Navigating Christian Influencer Culture15:48 The Fruit of Faith and Authenticity18:38 Self-Reflection and Intentions in Faith20:45 Cultural Influences on Christian Women23:23 The Balance of Self-Care and Selflessness28:12 Balancing Self-Care and Selflessness30:19 Navigating Relationships and Commitment Issues32:35 The Impact of Casual Intimacy on Culture35:11 Intentional Consumption of Media38:43 The Importance of Deep Bible Study45:46 Reflection and Growth in FaithFollow on Instagram:TOG: @thoseothergirlspodcastMal: @malyourgalpal This is a Other Girls Media production.You are able to listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Pandora PLUS YouTube.Join ourPatreonSponsors:COL 192:https://col1972.com/ "thoseothergirls1972"America Women Beauty:https://americanwomanbeauty.net/ "mal15"Garnuu:https://garnuu.com/ "othergirls10"The Pink Rose:https://shopthepinkrose.com/ "othergirls10"Want more TOG?Get theappCheck out ourwebsiteThose Other Girls Youtube Channel
If the kingdom of God is already here, what does that actually mean for how we live today? This episode dives into the original, often-overlooked instructions that Jesus and the apostles gave for kingdom living—stripping away the layers added by centuries of tradition. Discover a simpler, more powerful vision of faith rooted in love, forgiveness, service, and authentic community. If you're ready to rethink what it really means to be a kingdom citizen, this episode will both challenge and inspire you."The kingdom comes first. Everything else finds its place after that." - Tim WindersAccess all show and episode resources HEREEpisode Resources:NT90 Hub – This is the central website for the 90-day New Testament reading plan, with downloadable, printable plans, background information, and links to all episodes and resources.Episode Highlights:00:00 Kingdom Is Here 00:35 NT90 Reading Journey 02:44 Episode 12 Setup 04:32 Layers Over Scripture 07:44 Simplify Kingdom Living 09:45 Love God Love People 11:02 Make Disciples 13:01 Forgive Relentlessly 14:54 Serve Not Dominate 16:21 Seek Kingdom First 17:58 Be Peacemakers 19:07 Bear Spiritual Fruit 21:38 Real Kingdom Community 26:09 Steward Your Gifts 27:39 Justice Mercy Humility 28:55 Peter's Growth Trajectory 29:36 Final Letter Context 30:54 Faith to Love Ladder 31:39 Self Control Hinge 33:20 Progress Not Arrival 34:37 Drift Toward Decay 35:56 Stewarding Toward Love 37:22 Church Metrics vs Kingdom 40:47 First Century Lived Faith 42:02 Modern Misread of Fruit 42:33 Kingdom Today Politics Work 45:43 No Buildings Required 48:21 Next Episodes and Invite
Send us Fan MailThis week the guys try ALL the fruit snacks they can find. Results: mixed. Johnny thinks maybe fruit leather is mushed up rotten fruit. There's a lot of Target talk. Do you like Target? I do. Other topics include: the delayed gratification fallacy, what is a Spindrift, the pleasure (and lack thereof), of eating food.Support the showAs always you can email us at Johnnysgotsnacks@gmail.comConsider joining our Patreon at Patreon.com/johnnysgotsnacks@Johnnysgotsnacks on instagramTheme music "More Snacks Please" by Matthew Nielson, check out his other work at https://www.matthewnielson.com/“Totally Accurate” music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/jonny-boyle/happy-like-larryLicense code: IHSL10Z4EM8QNPWD
Shiur given by Rabbi Yisroel Gottlieb on Hilchos Basar BiChalav and Taaruvos. Shiur given in Yeshivas Ohr Reuven, Monsey NY.
Matthew 7:15-23 False Fruit & Hard Truth SouthPoint/Brett Spross
Dr. David Hughes brings the word this week.The spirit of peace comes into your life differently than you might expect.
Good Morning ARISE Family Happy First Fruit Monday! Let's Start Our Week Together Strong As We Honor Our Holy Father! God Bless
Le Carnet de Maxime Blot "Devenir un Artisan Hôtelier" pour 39€ seulement !Fruit de plusieurs années d'expérience sur le terrain, ce carnet signé Maxime Blot, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, offre un regard affûté sur les enjeux actuels du service hôtelier.1️⃣ Présentation de l'invitée :Quelle meilleure manière de briser la glace que d'immerger son invité dans un bain à 2 degrés ?Ce n'est pas ma technique, mais celle de la dénommée “Ice Queen”, Caroline Arditti !Caroline Arditti est bien plus qu'une simple coach en bains glacés. Elle se définit comme une exploratrice de l'humain, une architecte d'expériences et une créatrice de liens. Originaire de Paris, elle a passé cinq ans en Australie pour ses études avant de se lancer dans le conseil en communication et événementiel. Après 15 ans dans le domaine, elle a fondé ses propres entreprises, Sunshine Makers et Paris Ice Club, pour se consacrer à sa passion : rendre le monde plus humain et l'humain plus vivant ! Caroline utilise ses compétences pour organiser des séminaires et des expériences de déconnexion d'entreprise, se spécialisant dans les icebreakers qui peuvent inclure ou non la glace.Comment les bains glacés permettent de calmer le mental, de gérer les émotions ?Pourquoi la méthode Wim Hof prépare-t-elle le corps et l'esprit à un état de relaxation ?Comment les expériences de première fois peuvent revitaliser le mental, l'émotionnel et le physique ?Est-il possible de trouver du confort dans l'inconfort ?Quels sont ses conseils pour intégrer des moments de déconnexion dans le quotidien professionnel ?Comment des pratiques simples, comme la douche froide, peuvent transformer notre résilience et notre bien-être général ?Toutes les réponses dans notre échange !2️⃣ Notes et références :▶️ Toutes les notes et références de l'épisode sont à retrouver ici.3️⃣ Le partenaire de l'épisode :HotelPartner Revenue ManagementPrendre un rendez-vous avec MarjolaineDites que vous venez d'Hospitality Insiders et Marjolaine se déplace gratuitement dans votre établissement pour effectuer un diagnostic !4️⃣ Chapitrage : 00:00:00 - Immersion dans la glace00:03:32 - Parcours de Caroline Arditti00:09:17 - Icebreakers pour entreprises00:16:45 - L'humain dans la performance00:24:38 - Le silence et de la déconnexion00:30:00 - Méthode Wim Hof00:39:00 - Commencer la douche froide00:45:00 - Questions signaturesSi cet épisode vous a passionné, rejoignez-moi sur :L'Hebdo d'Hospitality Insiders, pour ne rien raterL'Académie Hospitality Insiders, pour vous former aux fondamentaux de l'accueilLe E-Carnet "Devenir un Artisan Hôtelier" pour celles et ceux qui souhaitent faire de l'accueil un véritable artLinkedin, pour poursuivre la discussionInstagram, pour découvrir les coulissesLa bibliothèque des invités du podcastMerci de votre fidélité et à bientôt !Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.
Why does it seem like God is taking longer than you expected to answer, provide, or move? In this message, Pastor Jon explores how biblical patience is more than simply waiting—it's trusting that God is at work even when you can't see it. If you've ever felt frustrated by delays, difficult people, or unanswered prayers, you'll find encouragement and practical wisdom from Scripture. Discover how remembering God's faithfulness in the past can help you trust Him with the present and the future. Watch now and be reminded that patience is active trust in a God who is always working.
The Waiting Well - Infertility, Faith-based Encouragement, Trying to Conceive, Fertility
What if infertility isn't just revealing your desire for a baby—but revealing where God wants to bring healing, freedom, and deeper trust? In this episode, Courtney shares the story behind The Waiting Well Framework, the transformation women have experienced inside it, and how this Christ-centered coaching program is helping women find peace, purpose, and hope while trying to conceive.
Preacher: Jason Min Title: You Will Know Them By Their Fruit Sermon Series: Life Reimagined Scripture: Matthew 7:15-23 (NIV)
Sunday Evening- Pastor Larson- Mark 12:1, John 15:16
In this message from our Fruit of the Spirit series, we discover what real spiritual growth looks like. Paul teaches that the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—is not produced through human effort, but through the Holy Spirit working in our lives as we remain connected to Jesus.Focusing on the first fruit, love, this sermon challenges us to move beyond a self-centered view of love and embrace the sacrificial love of Christ. Learn how the Holy Spirit transforms us over time, helping us overcome the pull of our sinful nature and grow into the people God created us to be.
Unlock the secret to living a truly powerful and fulfilled spiritual life — not through fleeting moments, but through daily, intentional disciplines that reshape who you are.In this episode, Pastor Phil dives deep into the transformative power of consistent spiritual disciplines like fasting, prayer, and studying the Word. Discover how a lifestyle of these practices releases God's power in your life, not just on special days, but every single day. He shares practical insights from Galatians 5 about the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance—that can radically alter your relationships and inner peace. You'll learn why these qualities are more than just ideals—they are the evidence of the Holy Spirit working within you. Pastor Phil discusses the contrast between flesh and Spirit, revealing how the Holy Spirit equips us to endure hardships, forgive, be gentle, and live in genuine goodness. From overcoming bitterness to embracing joy and patience, this episode guides you through how these fruits serve as signs of spiritual maturity—and keys to a more victorious life.Miss out on cultivating these fruits, and you risk living beneath God's best for you. But lean in, and you'll unlock the power of a Spirit-led life—anchored in peace, sustained in patience, and overflowing with love. Whether you're feeling stuck, struggling with your faith, or simply craving genuine spiritual growth, this episode offers the essential tools to walk in victory and authenticity every day.Perfect for anyone eager to see tangible change in their character and relationships or feeling the tug to deepen their spiritual disciplines. Join us in discovering how to align your life with the Fruit of the Spirit, and watch as your inner life begins to reflect God's divine power and love.Gain clarity on your spiritual journey and ignite lasting change—listen now and start living the disciplined, Spirit-led life you're called to.
In Week 3 of Built Different, Pastor Ethan Harris closes the series by looking at 2 Peter 1:5–8 and the progression Peter gives us for a faith that grows into real, Christlike love.Peter knew what it felt like to fail, deny Jesus, and feel unworthy. But Jesus met him right where he was, restored him, and called him into a life of purpose. That same invitation is for us today.When we supplement our faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love, we become people who are not ineffective or unfruitful. We become people who love like Jesus, serve like Jesus, and show the world that we are truly built different.
Who Does the Lord Know? (1) (audio) David Eells, 6/21/26 We received a question regarding Matthew 7:23 and how these people could say they know the Lord, and yet the Lord says, “I never knew you”. Also, Some people think that they are lost people, or that they were never really saved. And so I thought we could look at that today and identify who the Lord knows and those whom the Lord said He never knew. Let's look first in Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. The Bible talks about false prophets quite a bit in both the Old and New Testaments. Sometimes they don't appear to have been apostate, but in some cases, they definitely are. This is true in 2 Peter chapter 2; and the Christians he's talking about there. I believe the whole chapter really is about false prophets. 2Pe 2:15 forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing; Of course, the only one that can forsake the right way is somebody who's been there, and obviously, they are being an apostate or fallen away in this case. For instance in 2Pe 2:20-21 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. 21 For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them. This and many other scriptures clearly refute the ”once saved always saved doctrine. Another good example would be in Jude 11 Woe unto them! for they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah. 12 These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; This includes those who fell into the error of trying to be “a profit” instead of a prophet. But I just wanted to make that point, because some people say that all false prophets are lost people, and that's just not the case. Of course, a lot of times, when we talk about Christians, we really should identify Christians the way the Bible identifies Christians, and not the way the worldly church identifies them. The way the worldly church identifies Christians now is those who have been born in spirit. Their spirit has been born from God, and they have a new spirit. But it is more than that. that's not the way the scriptures identify as Christians. Scriptures identify Christians as those who walk and talk the way Christ walked and talked. Also, there's a big difference between somebody who's just been born in spirit and those who walk the way Christ walked, because you can have Christ's spirit and not live His life as Paul exhorted Christians in Rom 8:13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. That's an exhortation given to those who have the spirit of Christ because he went on to exhort that those who have the spirit of Christ should go on to receive the Spirit of God. Everyone who is born of God receives the Spirit of Christ and today, that's called a born-again Christian. As we read the text, we'll see that “Christian” is identified scripturally as something completely different. So keep that in mind that I'm talking about Christians in the way that the church uses the term, those who have been born in spirit. Back to Mat 7:16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; (Again, now he's not just identifying prophets. Now he's broadening the scope. And in the next few verses, he uses the word “every” several times. So he's broadening the scope to talk about everybody, not just false prophets.) 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Now, this same verse is used in Matthew 3:10, where John the Baptist is rebuking the Covenant people of God; those religious leaders who made their stand on believing that Abraham was their father. Mat 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance: 9 and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I want you to notice here that He's talking about the Covenant people, thinking that because they were children of Abraham, they were entitled to God's blessings. And John told them that that's not the truth. The truth is, only bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance brings you into God's blessings. I think this is a good exhortation for Christians today, because Christians think, “Well, I'm a Christian, God's my Father so I can just go and do what I want to do now.” But this is not so. It says every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit among us is hewn down and cast into the fire. The scripture also says in Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away:… Notice: Every branch in me… Now that can be no other than God's people, right? We're all responsible to bring forth fruit. The fruit is what identifies us as Christians, and the fruit here, as we see in the text, is the actions of your life. The fruit is love, the joy, the peace, the righteousness; all those things that Christ was and is. The actions of our life are the fruit of the inner life, that's what He's talking about; the fruit. Along the same line in several of Jesus's parables, He came looking for fruit on the fig tree. He wasn't looking for fruit on a tree that wasn't supposed to bring forth fruit. He was looking for fruit on a tree that was created to bring forth fruit. It is the fig tree that identifies God's people. Luk 13:6-9 And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none. 7 And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground? 8 And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well; but if not, thou shalt cut it down. Notice: The Lord is the one who's going to cut it down. The Lord is long-suffering with us to bear fruit, but be that as it may, we've been given a certain amount of time to bear that fruit, and I think that's what He's talking about in Matthew 7, because as He goes on in Mat 7:20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Now he's identifying fruit as doing the will of the Father. The fruit of the Spirit is doing the will of the Father. He goes on to say, 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? Let me make a point here. Do you suppose that it's possible that an apostate Christian could prophesy? I mean, prophesy from the Lord? We have examples in the scriptures of false prophets who prophesied in the name of the Lord. A good example is in 1 Samuel 19. This is talking about Saul after he had fallen away from the Lord; in fact, he had been rejected by the Lord. It says 1Sa 19:23 And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God came upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 And he also stripped off his clothes, and he also prophesied before Samuel, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets? Now, some people say, well, because he stripped off all his clothes, that doesn't seem like a godly thing to do, but I think what the Holy Spirit was showing to people around him was that he was walking naked before the Lord. He wasn't dressed up with Christ. He didn't have on his wedding garment, so on and so forth. He had fallen away in his works, because remember when we studied the garment, it symbolized your works, right? In Revelation 19, the righteous acts of the saints were the garment that the bride is wearing. Now, I want you to notice this too; this same man had a demon that was sent from God to him. 1Sa 18:10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as he did day by day. And Saul had his spear in his hand; 11 and Saul cast the spear; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall. And David avoided out of his presence twice. 12 And Saul was afraid of David, because Jehovah was with him, and was departed from Saul. Now this is the same Saul whom the Lord had departed from, who later prophesied in the name of the Lord, because the Spirit came upon him. Here, he prophesied in verse 10 by an evil spirit. He had obviously become a false prophet. Was it always that way? No, it wasn't always that way. He was the anointed of the Lord. But yet he became a false prophet. He became what we would know today as an apostate Christian. He was rejected in 1Sa 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, he hath also rejected thee from being king. So he had been rejected by the Lord, received an evil spirit by which he prophesied, and later even prophesied in the name of the Lord when the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. Now, going back to what I consider to be probably apostate Christians in Mat 7: 22 …Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name,… And some people say, ‘Well, that wouldn't be possible if this person did not know the Lord at all to be able to prophesy by thy name.' And the point I want you to see here, too, is that it says by thy name and not in thy name; in the original, it says by thy name, meaning they could be prophesying true enough, but they weren't in the name. They weren't getting a reward because they weren't abiding in the name of the Lord. Another point, it says, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? Do you remember what Jesus said in Matthew 12, when they accused Him of casting out demons by the prince of demons, Beelzebub? Mat 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince of the demons. 25 And knowing their thoughts he said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26 and if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand? 27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 28 But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. You know, I think you'll find that Satan doesn't cast out Satan; that even the most apostate Christians, because of their Covenant relationship with the Lord, still have authority to do that and can do it. I've seen people that the Lord identified to me as false prophets and actually did prophesy wrongly, and I've seen them cast out demons too. They had the Covenant relationship because of the Jews. The seven sons of Sceva were Jews. You see, the Jews were casting out demons. This wasn't new to the Jews to cast out demons. They had been doing that. And because of Covenant relationship, the Jews got healing, and they got deliverance. Even today, people, because of Covenant relationship, before being completely rejected by God, they can still cast out demons. I know of a false prophet in particular who has identified too many people who cast out demons; in fact, he cast them out with me. Let me say this: a person who is lost, who does not know the Lord, how do they cast out demons? Those who have no Covenant relationship with the Lord; how do they cast out demons? Their father manifestly is Beelzebub, so how do they cast out demons? Well, what happened to the seven sons of Sceva when they tried to use “by Jesus whom Paul preacheth” to cast out demons in Acts 19:13 and then got whipped? They did not know the one who was creating the New Covenant. I think the point is that you have to be in some kind of a Covenant relationship in order to be casting demons out, because Satan doesn't cast out Satan. The One who lives in you now casts out demons. 1Jn 4:4 … greater is he that's in you than he that is in the world. Who's in the world? Satan. Does Satan cast out his own kingdom? Jesus said, No, he doesn't do that. Well, here's the point. Were they casting the demons out by the Spirit of God or were they casting them out by Satan? Jesus said they couldn't cast them out by Satan. The lost people's authority is Satan. The one that lives in them is Satan. The point I'm making about these people here, these false prophets, is that many of them are apostate Christians. Remember, an apostate is one who is falling away from the truth and the grace of God. And it's somebody who is obviously saying, Lord, Lord, (so they obviously believed in their heart that Jesus was their Lord) Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy and by thy name cast out demons and by thy name do many mighty works? Notice they were not “in” thy name but God permitted this “by” thy name as a witness of Jesus. Who is it today that we know that is doing this in the name of the Lord, if it's not somebody who is abiding in His name, which is far more powerful? I was in a situation where a preacher and his girl friend were trying to cast many demons out of a man who chased them out of the building. Previously the demon possessed man chased the preachers deacon through a plate glass door, shattering it, and sending him to the hospital. So, they sent for me and told me their story. They watched from the doorway as I approached this man who thought to do the same to me. By the grace of God he cowered and was delivered. Many today are in “by” mode, meaning they are using the name of the Lord and not doing it in the name. I agree that some people profess the Lord and don't know the Lord or haven't been sent by Him. And all false prophets are not apostate Christians or just lost deceivers. ; not all of them. And I'm convinced that there is some chicanery going on even in Christian circles. I don't know if any of you are familiar with it, but I've been among some of them where they see a demon behind every bush. They cast demons out daily from everybody's flesh. But a lot of that's not demons, it's just run away flesh. Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Now here's the point: is there such a thing as a Christian who's been born in spirit that God spoke to and said, “I don't know you” or “I never knew you?” Yes, we have examples of that. But first, before we get away from this, I want to read on because He says, I never knew you depart from me you that work iniquity. What is it for the Lord to know you? I want to look at that and what that means. When he says depart from me ye that work iniquity verse 24 went right on Every one therefore; (Meaning: He's talking about the same thing as just before this verse.) Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: 25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. 26 And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: Notice, He didn't say whether you had the spirit of Christ or not; it all has to do with obedience. The difference between a foolish man and a wise man is strictly just one word; obedience. The born again spirit filled with the Holy Spirit gives us power to obey through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus. Our text deals with the fruit, which has to do with whether you're obeying. So the main difference between the wise and the foolish is hearing the words and doing them. Notice that both men here in this text heard the words, but only one obeyed, and that was the wise man. 27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. And this is the test that follows. I want to make that point before we go on because I want to look at the foolish virgins briefly, because God spoke to them, and He says, I don't know you. Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Again, what's the difference between the wise and the foolish? It's just one thing, being a hearer and a doer by the anointing of God. 3 For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them: 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. We know that in Pro 20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all his innermost parts. The spirit of man is the lamp of the oil. And the oil being the life of God or the Holy Spirit is to be in that lamp. And there's a vessel that the wise virgins took with them that was also full of oil; that obviously the foolish did not bring. What do you think the vessel is that also has the oil? We've talked about the difference between the born again spirit and the born again soul, which is your mind, will, and emotions. This is the fruit of the Spirit being born in the soul. The person who had just a born-again spirit, but brought forth no fruit in the soul through obedience will be rejected. They were not bearing the fruit of obedience so they could be born again in the soul. The vessel that they brought with their lamp is the vessel of their physical life because that's where you bear the fruit of the oil. That's where you bear the fruit of Christ to be seen by the world. Now, even the foolish virgins here had oil in their lamp or spirit. So you can't classify them as non-Christians? Or, what we've been calling Christians. You understand? Verse 5 Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. This was another question someone had a while back about a word, so I went and looked it up. It's the Greek word, kosmeo. Kosmeo is the word we get cosmetics from. And it simply means ‘to arrange or to adorn'. It's not implying that their lamps were out and they lit them, you understand? It's just talking about adorning or arranging their lamps. They chose to translate it trim in this text; I don't think that's a very good word to use. To trim is to bring the wick up so the light shines best. Continuing in Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut. Notice that - the door was shut. That was ominous because that door being shut is mentioned in other places in the scripture, like in Luke 13:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour. He said, I know you not. Now these virgins did have oil in their lamps. So obviously what the Lord means by knowing you is more than just receiving a new spirit, a born-again spirit. There must be fruit born of that spirit life in order for the Lord to know you. And I want to look at that too. Before we go there, let's look at Luke too, because it has a very close parallel to this door being closed. Luk 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us; … (Obviously the same text there.) and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are; 26 then shall ye begin to say, We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets; 27 and he shall say, I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. See, so many people are relying on their relationship with the Lord by what they know, by who they're connected with, by the fact that they're a Christian, that they've accepted Jesus as their Savior, but they're using none of the criteria of the scriptures. The only basis that God rebuked any of these people was for their disobedience. And we know that the only way we can obey is by having faith in the Lord and being filled with His Spirit. If we have faith, we'll obey. We'll overcome the sins that we struggle against because we fight the good fight of faith. It's not by works. I'm not trying to magnify our works; I'm trying to magnify the Lord's works through us. The criteria by which the Lord is going to judge any of us is going to be works. And he says to them, because of their evil works, not because they weren't Christians, because it's obvious to me from Matthew 25, and what we just read here, that He's talking to His children. But He says, I know not whence ye are… What causes the Lord to know us? First of all, many people are going to be found in this situation. In Matthew 25, there were 10 virgins. It was talking about the time of the coming of the Lord, how that five were ready, and five were not. That's only half of the people mentioned; half were not ready to meet the Lord, and half were. The very next parable is the parable of the talents, and again, there's no paragraph indentation, so He just goes on in Mat 25:14 For it is as when a man, going into another country, (In other words, he's telling you, watch, I'm going to show you the same thing in another way.) There were three groups at that time who had each been given talents. And one-third of them were rejected because they didn't bring forth the fruit that God put in, right? Doesn't the Bible say a third of the stars of heaven will be cast down to the earth? How come it was half of the virgins and yet a third of those with the talents? Because the virgins are those who are living on the earth when the Lord returns, and these men with the talents are standing before the judgment after death, after resurrection, you see? We're talking about those who are living at the time the Lord returns in order to be caught up to be with the Lord. What about the people who die? There are obviously three groups. A third of the stars of heaven were cast to the earth in the Book of Revelation. That's a third of the people. The scriptures say that Abraham's seed are as the stars; also, Jacob. The stars are likened to God's people. In Jacob's dream of the stars, they're the children of the bride chamber; it's in many, many places. There's the star glory in 1 Corinthians 15; the star glory is a person who's manifested star glory with the Lord. And some go on to moon glory and sun glory. But a third of the stars of heaven are being cast to the earth, and it goes on in Rev 6:13 and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind. That's not talking about angels, that's talking about God's people not coming to maturity. You see, this is what's happening to a third of the stars. And yet of the people who are alive and remain, half of those people do not enter to being with the Lord. During this end time many will fall in the great falling away. They were called, twice dead and plucked up by the roots. Do you suppose that if your lamp is going out, you would be called twice dead? I do and that's what he's talking about; there's a great falling away happening right there. I think during the tribulation period, probably a third of the Christians are going to take the mark and spiritually die, and out of the ones that are left, half of them are going to be rejected. This is what I feel from these two parables. In the parable of the sower in Mat 13, three out of four did not bear fruit and were rejected. But let's look now at the Lord and how He knows us. You know that the Lord foreknew a group of people in Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: Let's see who the Lord knew. Okay, it's really important that we know who He foreknew because He didn't foreknow every Christian. I can prove that to you Notice who he's talking about; who was foreknown. Now, that's not knowing what's going to happen before it happens. Foreknew is like Adam knew his wife. The word ‘know' implies an intimate relationship. Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: These people whom He foreknew here is not talking about He foreknew that they would overcome. He knew this person. He knew their nature before the world was created. Watch, it says, For whom He foreknew, He foreordained. (Everybody that He foreknew, He foreordained.) Notice to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Notice now, there's no way out of this verse. If you start in on one end of it, you've got to come out on the other end of it. The ones He foreknew, he foreordained, (He predestined) to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. So, everybody that God foreknew from the foundation of the world will be conformed to the image of His Son. That doesn't mean everyone that we call ‘Christians'. So, Jesus pointed out this group; He called them 30-60 and a 100-fold fruit. Fruit of what? The fruit of Christ. The 30-60 and a 100-fold are going to be conformed to the image of Christ. These are the ones He foreknew. What is it to know God? Did God know anybody who was not in Covenant relationship? No, He didn't. I'm going to make this point at the very beginning that God only knows one family in all the earth, and that family is born again spiritual Israel. Amo 3:2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will visit upon you all your iniquities. Now keep that in your mind that the Lord has only known Israel from the foundation until now. Even though Israel was changed in the New Covenant, it's still Israel. He makes a point back in Rom 9:6 … For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel: In other words, ‘real Israel' is going to be picked out of the midst of mans ‘Israel'. You understand? Because remember, For many are called, but few chosen. Mat 22:14 That word chosen is eklektos, or elected. And Paul exhorts us to give diligence to make our calling and election sure. (2Pe.1:10) This group of people in Romans 8 was called and elect because in verse 33, he said who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? … So, he's specifically talking about the elect, not just the called. Now, everybody who's the elect has to be called because the word call means invited. You remember when Jesus came to the Jews, they were invited, but they all weren't elect, and the reason was that they didn't accept Jesus. So it's only Israel that He knows and specifically only those who are of faith in the Promises. Let's look at Rom 11:1 I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. He cast off all but the elect who are born from above for they are His people. There were some Israelites that He didn't cast off because Paul said, For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. So God didn't cast off the chosen or elect Israelites. But there were other Israelites that He did. 2 God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Notice that. Nobody that God foreknew did He cast off. You know why? Let's read on, and we'll see why. 2 God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel: 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election (or chosen) of grace. Now the remnant is according to the election of grace. Notice that Israel did fall away, but not the elect, not the chosen, not the foreknown. Watch. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. In other words, by no more of your works, no more works of the law, are you going to be justified before God. 7 What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, … Notice, the elect or the chosen will obtain it. The foreknown will obtain it, and they will not be cast off. See, we're identifying something here. There were many people called out of Egypt who fell in the wilderness and did not make it to the Promised Land. The Bible says many are called, but few are chosen or ‘elect'. Who are the ones He foreknew? The many called or the few chosen? So, obviously, from this text you can see very clearly that the ones He foreknew were elect, meaning chosen, and they obtained it. Why did they obtain it? Let's see what it means to be known by God. Look at this verse very closely in Rom 11:19 Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 for if God spared not the natural branches (Israel), neither will he spare thee. 22 Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. The point I wanted to make is in verse 26 And so all Israel shall be saved. So what about all those who were cut off? They were Israel. They were called, but they were not elect. Remember what we saw back at the beginning of the chapter: those who were called and fell away in the wilderness. Those who rebelled against God, the ones whose hearts He hardened, He said, But the elect obtained it, and the rest were hardened. (Rom.11:7) Who is Israel? Who is the Israel that God foreknew? It's the elect. It is the foreknown. What about the rest of them? He didn't foreknow them. You know why? Because they didn't endure to the end in faith and obedience. I want you to notice that everybody who was not foreknown and who was not written in the Lamb's Book of Life from the foundation of the world is going to be deceived and fall away. Everybody. We're talking about those called who fell in the wilderness. That's talking about the world, the flesh, everybody who is not foreknown is going to be deceived by the Beast. Look at Rev 13:8 And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain. Notice, it's everyone who is not written or not foreknown. Many Christians are called, meaning invited, but will not come to prove to be the elect, or chosen. They won't obtain the promise because of unbelief and are broken off. You understand what I'm saying? Remember they do not obtain the promise because they do not endure in faith. You can't obtain the promise that way. Look at Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, they whose name hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come. So everybody whose name was not written there is going to be deceived, but everybody whose name that is written there will see through it. They are the elect; they will obtain. They are the foreknown; they will obtain. They will be the ‘Paul out of Israel', who God chose to go on and to bear fruit. Today, we see Israel as a type of Christianity. Out of that, there are some who are going to go on and be obedient. Because obedience proves your faith. If you have no obedience, if you do not obey, if you are not a doer of the word, you have no proof for your faith. The way God is going to prove that you walk by faith is by your works. Everyone who walks by faith will overcome. If we walk by faith, we will overcome the trials in this life; the sin, the works of the devil; we will win. There's another point I want you to see. Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, in Ephesians, where it also says God chose us; that's the word eklektos in Him, before the foundation of the world. Now, if Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, when was He manifestly slain? Not until 2,000 years ago. Now, if our names were written in the Lamb's Book of Life before the foundation of the world, when are they manifestly written in the Lamb's Book of Life? They're manifestly written in the Lamb's Book of Life when you're born again. Therefore, you were foreknown just as Christ was foreknown. You see that? It is really important that you follow this now. It's manifest when you're born into the Kingdom. In God's plan and His foreknowledge. Just like Jesus was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, but He wasn't killed then. When God set His plan into manifestation, Jesus was sacrificed. But it might as well have been because God calls the things to be not as though they were. So, when you were born from above you were written in the Book of Life. I'm not talking about in God's plan that He foreknew. I'm talking about when manifestly your name was written in. Because everyone who's born of God is written in His Book. But remember, the ones that He foreknew from the beginning were those who endured to the end and came into the manifestation of Jesus. Psa 87:4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon as among them that know me: Behold, Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia: This one was born there. 5 Yea, of Zion it shall be said, This one and that one was born in her; And the Most High himself will establish her. 6 Jehovah will count, when he writeth up the peoples, This one was born there. Selah. The point is, when you're born into the Kingdom, that's when God writes your name. He said, Rejoice not that you have power over the demons, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. (Luk 10:20) So here's the point. Everybody that's born, including all of those that came out of Egypt, were written in that book. But some were blotted out. Who was it that was blotted out, before the full manifestation of Jesus? Remember, we're talking about those whom He foreknew before the foundation of the world who came into the image of His Son. But according to Rev 3:5, He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life,…. So you've got many names written in manifestly, and those who don't overcome are blotted out. Before what? Before the full manifestation, the ones who were foreknown. So all the Jews who came out of Egypt were written at that time. Also, every Christian who receives a new born-again spirit from God is written at that time. But only the ones who endure to bear fruit were foreknown. Therefore, of those who fall in the wilderness, He says, I know you not. I never knew you. Why? He didn't foreknow them. What was the main difference between those two groups of people, the wise and the foolish? The main difference was that they both heard the word, but only the wise became a doer of the word. In both Matthew 7 and Matthew 25, the difference between the wise and the foolish is the same. And yet, clearly, even the foolish had oil in their lamps. But their oil was going out. See, there's a great falling away coming because of tribulation, because of trials and people are going to fall away. Look at Psa 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of life, And not be written with the righteous. There will be those who will be written in Zion but the sinner in Zion will be destroyed out of it. Look in Isa 4:3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem; 4 when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of burning. God is doing a work of purging from the church those who are walking in wickedness, those who are guilty of blood, and walking in disobedience. This scripture is very plain about being blotted out: Psa 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of life, And not be written with the righteous. There's another one where Moses was interceding for the people in Exo 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. 33 And Jehovah said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. So those who are written among the living, those who have manifested fruit, those who came into the image of Christ through the Word. Those who are written at the end are going to be the ones that He foreknew. They're going to be the elect, the ones that He chose. He exhorts us in 2Pe 1:10 Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: Look at 2Ti 2:19 Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness. See, the Lord knows them that are His and that's going to be the ones who depart from unrighteousness, so he's exhorting everybody that names the name of the Lord to depart from unrighteousness, to depart from iniquity. See, we're finding out who the Lord knows. Do you know who He knows? He knows Jesus. He knows the name, which is the nature and character of Jesus. Can you imagine God having relationship with us as Adam did with Eve? (That's what the word ‘know' means.) Imagine God having a relationship with somebody who is contrary to His nature? Do you understand that? God cannot know someone who is contrary to His nature and Word. 1 John 3:9 Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God". Just like He commands us Christians not to choose an unbelieving mate, right? Why did He tell us not to choose an unbelieving mate? Because we're not to know anybody with a contrary nature. What fellowship has light with darkness? So God knows and sows the Word who is Jesus. To the extent Jesus is in you, that's to the extent God knows you. Who did Jesus say the Father would love? Every Christian? No, He didn't. Joh 14:23…If a man love me he will keep my word: and my Father will love him and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. What is the proof that you love God? Jesus said several times that the proof that you love God is that you obey his commandments. This is the one He knows. 1Co 8:3 but if any man loveth God, the same is known by him. In other words, we are proving our love for God by walking in faith and obeying His commandments. The ones that God knows or foreknew are the ones that love Him. Why? Because they not only hear the Word, they do the Word. The ones that God knows will come to know Him because of the foreknowledge part, like I said. It's in the mind of God. It's calling those things that be not as though they were. God spoke, and ever since He spoke this plan, it's been coming into existence. Don't miss it! It was Jesus Who was foreknown to die for the world, but He wasn't manifest until Calvary. And you, who were foreknown to be in God, in Christ, before the foundation of the world, weren't manifest until you were born. Of those who are born and walk by faith and overcome and endure to the end, Jesus said, they shall be saved. Those who endure through the wilderness and enter into the Promised Land; they are the types of the elect. The very thing that causes you to go on is faith and if you don't understand that, then you can't overcome it anyway. Ever since Exodus chapter 3 the Lord revealed Himself to Moses. But you know Moses didn't know the Lord? He confessed it in Exodus chapter 33. He did not know the Lord. We are coming to know the Lord. The Lord is the nature of Jesus Christ. And the more we come to know that nature of the real Jesus, the more we're coming to know the Lord. The one the Father knows, or even foreknew, was Jesus, because He was of like nature. God can only know that which is of like nature. Jesus said in Joh 14:9 If you have seen me you have seen the Father. He doesn't know the worldly person. He doesn't know the wicked person. He knows the righteous man that's inside of those who love Him. Exo 33:12 And Moses said unto Jehovah, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, See, the Lord had told Moses, I know thee by name. You know what the word ‘name' means? It's the same in the Hebrew as it is in the Greek. It's nature, character, and authority. The Lord told him, I know thee by name, and thou hast found favor in my sight. 13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thy sight, show me now thy ways, that I may know thee. The Bible talks about the Jews, how they knew the doings of the Lord, but Moses knew the ways of the Lord. There's a difference in knowing His doing and knowing His ways. If you know His ways, you can walk with Him. If you only know His doings, sometimes you're just going from judgment to judgment. …that I may know thee, to the end that I may find favor in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. 14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And in verse 17 And Jehovah said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken; for thou hast found favor in my sight, and I know thee by name. 18 And he said, Show me, I pray thee, thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of Jehovah before thee; Moses found out the name of the Lord in Exodus chapter 3. He told him the exact name. YHWH, I AM THAT I AM. So obviously, he's talking about a different name here. He's talking about the real name here. Verse 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name (the Shem) of Jehovah before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face; for man shall not see me and live. Moses represented the Law; you couldn't come into the likeness of Christ through the Law. So he didn't get to see the face of the Lord, but we have a promise in 1 Corinthians 13. Moses didn't see His face; he spoke to Him face to face, but he didn't see His face. There's a difference. We can speak to the Lord face to face, but not see Him. Now there's a difference. He spoke to God face to face, but he didn't see His face. For man shall not see me and live. In other words, as man, you can't know Him. And as man, you are not known by Him. 1Co 15:50 Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. It is your spirit man that can know Him and be known by Him. The Holy Spirit helps our infirmity that we can know Him and see Him. But He goes on to say, 21 and Jehovah said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon the rock: (The only place you can see God is standing upon the rock, right? That's Jesus, and you have to stand upon the Word of God.) 22 and it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand until I have passed by: 23 and I will take away my hand, and thou shalt see my back; but my face shall not be seen. Now, when He revealed the name of the Lord, the Lord said He was going to proclaim His name. It wasn't YHWH because He told him that 30 chapters before. Look at Exo 34:5 And Jehovah descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of Jehovah. 6 And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, (YHWH; it's YHWH, in the original, that's what He said.) a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth; 7 keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation. This is His Nature, Character, and Authority, Which is the meaning of Name. Now, He just proclaimed the name of the Lord. But what Moses didn't know, and he asked God to show him, ‘Show me thy ways, so I'll know the one who's going with us.' See, this is knowing God. Knowing this person whose name represents the I AM, that's knowing God. The opposite is also true. God knows the same nature. He knows Jesus Christ. He knows Jesus in us. And it is Christ in us by Word and Spirit that is the hope of glory. Remember in Romans 8, the ones He foreknew, and you go all the way to the end of the verse that says, He also glorified. Everyone He foreknew, He glorified. Now in 1Co.13: 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. So knowing fully is seeing God face to face. Moses said, ‘I don't know You; reveal Yourself to me.' Therefore, he could not see Him face to face. Coming to maturity, bearing fruit, or manifesting Christ's likeness is coming to know Him face to face. It is coming to know Him fully as I was fully known. Who is going to come to know Him fully? Only those who were fully known will come to know Him fully and will see Him face to face. Moses himself said, ‘I don't know You yet.' By the Law, you can't know God face to face. That's why Moses didn't enter into the Promised Land as a type and a shadow because the Law could not make perfect. It's also why Moses couldn't see God's face; he could only see His shadow, His back parts. Did you see that? By the Law, all they could see was shadow, so God said I'll let you see My hinder parts but He wouldn't let you see His face because by the Law you can never come to know God. It's only by His grace that you can come to know God. Now Moses was asking for this, ‘Let me know the One Who's going to go with us.' In the New Testament, our Moses is Jesus; He did know God face to face. And we're coming to know God face to face through His grace and through His sacrifice. But the ones that are going to fully know God are the ones that were fully known by God before the foundation of the world. All the rest of them are going to fall away, just like those people in the wilderness. They were written in, but blotted out before coming to the fullness of God, which was what? The Promised Land. Did you know that, as a child, we can speak to God face to face? And God can speak to us face to face as a child of God. And the reason we can speak to God as a child is because of our Covenant relationship. But coming to know the Lord is seeing Him face to face by faith. 2Co 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. That's coming into His nature, coming into His life, coming to know Him. Moses knew the literal name, Y-H-W-H, but he didn't know the One that name just represented. Remember we build on the foundation and we need to able to stand upon the rock when the wind blows and the rain beats against that house. Look, what is the firm foundation of God that stands? It's the name of the Lord. And that everybody who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness. We can't stand on that rock in our own strength. I know I've shared this vision that my wife had years ago, how that I was standing on this rock wearing what was like metal leg braces. The ones who are foreknown are going to stand on that rock of the Word and this shows us it won't be by their own strength, but by the strength of the Lord. So that's why it's our faith that counts. If it were by our works, it would be our strength that would cause us to stand but it's not. We can praise God for this, because it's not by our works. It's by grace, and the only way to get grace is faith in the promises. I thank God that Jesus freely gave us this salvation that we're talking about. We can accept it by faith without trying to work it up in ourselves. Everybody seems to go through that stage of trying to earn their salvation and failing miserably because it's got to be freely given by grace. It's got to be the strength that God supplies, and God supplies that strength by simply believing the word of God, not walking by sight, but believing the word of God. We believe that Jesus took away our sins. Initially we can't see that, but as we believe that He did it will happen. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. We proclaim and confess the word; that's standing upon the rock and that's the only place you can see the Lord. Right now, maybe we speak to Him more face-to-face than see Him face to face. But we're going to know fully, if we walk by faith, even as we were fully known. Can you imagine that? You're going to know God fully as you were fully known. That's a tremendous promise! I mean, we want to know God, and gradually, the more we stand upon the rock, the more we're going to see His face. It's progressive, it's not an instantaneous thing. When Moses stood upon the rock and the Lord proclaimed the Name, He proclaimed the nature of God there. This is the way God is, and yet, we're only learning the nature of God a little by little, line upon line, here a little and there a little. We're learning His nature. A lot of people are building things upon the foundation of God that have got to be torn back down, like in 1 Corinthians chapter 3. People build on it, the wood, hay, and the stubble of their own works, own doctrines, and religious establishment. All those dead things have to be burned back down by tribulation, and then start over. We build upon the foundation, which is Christ. There's no other foundation that can be laid that will work. That's what Paul was saying. Some people are on the shifting sand, yet some who are really on the right foundation, but they're building wrong things on the right foundation, the right foundation being that Jesus took away our sins. But again, you can make the same mistake the Pharisees made in making of no effect the Word of God by their traditions. This is what the worldly church is famous for. This is what the Jews were famous for and Jesus rebuked them several times for that. If you make of no effect the word of God by your traditions, you're not standing upon the rock, and you're not going to see His face. We have to come to know this Lord. We have to humble ourselves to His word. People have ulterior motives for believing what they believe, which is religion's way; they have different reasons for believing what they believe and they don't like to be wrong. They want to be seen as right. They live purely for the glory of men. And so they never change their mind even when you can show them all the verses in the word. They're building other things on the foundation and those things are going to be torn down by tribulations that are coming. Hopefully, many people will repent and rebuild the right things on the right foundation and bear fruit. That's why tribulation is coming. It's coming to tear down, to shake, the things that can be shaken, shake them right down to the ground so that God can rebuild the truth. There's going to be a great outpouring of truth in the tribulation period for those who love the truth. But sadly, for those who will believe a lie, there's great deception coming. That deception is going to blot a lot of names out of the Book of Life so that those who are foreknown will be there alone. Those that are left in Zion will be holy, you understand, because the spirit of fire has cleansed it, so the way is to walk by faith, to stand upon the Word of God continuously, and not be swayed by the traditions of men, by Babylon's wood, hay and stubble. Babylon really has been around since, as people say, the Tower of Babel, but really the nature of Babylon has been around since the very beginning. Religion is supplanting God's way. The problem is, all we like sheep have gone astray, each one after his own way, and that's why we've got so many religions. But we've got God's standard to go by. God's way, and you really can't accept anything else. Religion's ideas, how to organize the church, and how to do the works of God. Religion's ideas are Babylon. God's people, historically, the Jews were taken captive by Babylon, and will later be delivered from the bondage of Babylon to build Zion, and that's really the Christian walk. Every Christian starts out taken captive to Babylon. That's the false ideas of ways God wants things done, false ideas of the nature of God, the name of God, and their false image of Jesus. Everyone needs to be delivered from all that. Their false teachings, church doctrines, traditions of men, etc., and go to Zion where the truth is. The Lord Jesus is our Zion; the true Word is our Zion. It's seeing God the way God wants to be seen; it's knowing God the way God wants to be known, and without knowing God the way God wants to be known, He doesn't know you. Do you know who God knows? It's the inner man, the seed of Christ that's on the inside of us. God knows Him. And the point is, if we're not like those virgins taking the vessel of oil along with the lamp with the oil, then we're not bearing fruit in the area of the soul. Their lamps went out because they didn't carry the oil in the vessel. In these days, people don't think it's necessary to obey. But bearing fruit in the area of the soul comes from obedience. Peter said that, and it's something we need to see. 1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently: 23 having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth. In other words, we're still being born again; we're being born again in our soul. And our souls are being purified, and we're walking in holiness. Heb 12:14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord: 1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. 3 And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. And Jesus said in Joh 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he that is from God, he hath seen the Father. Who is Christ in you. For a more complete teaching on those who are chosen and the elect, see our book Predestined Called and Elect on our Website.
The story of your life is your relationships. In this message from The People's Court, we continue exploring what it means to live under God's wisdom in how we treat one another. From family to marriage, friendships to community, God's Word calls us to a life shaped by justice, mercy, and humility. Based on Micah 6:8, this sermon challenges us to examine how we handle relationships in the “lower courts” of life—home, church, and everyday interactions—so we don't end up in higher courts of conflict, brokeness, and regret. You'll be challenged to consider: • What does it mean to act justly in your home? • How do we love mercy when it costs us something? • What does it look like to walk humbly with God in real life? When we live by the Fruit of the Spirit and follow God's design for relationships, we reflect His heart and build stronger families, healthier communities, and deeper faith.
Philippians 1:22-26Rev. Matt Rice
In this exhortation, Pastor Max Kozak reflects on the type of man Psalm 1 describes and exhorts us to be faithful and patient, delighting in God's Word daily.
Steve Smith :: Creekside Church :: Sunday, June 21, 2026 “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” Fruit is impossible if the branch is separate from the vine. From Pastor Steve's message from John 15:1-11, we find the reasons for and the results of Jesus' followers abiding in Him, the true vine. Steve's message follows several announcements. Worship music permitted under CCLI License #264436.
Ephesians 5:25
Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 138 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.
In this episode of our Fruit of the Spirit series, we're talking about peace—what it is, where it comes from, and why so many of us struggle to experience it. The world tells us peace comes from having the right circumstances, enough money, a perfect schedule, or freedom from stress. But the Bible offers a very different picture. Biblical peace isn't the absence of problems—it's the presence of God in the middle of them. We explore the meaning of the Hebrew word shalom and the Greek word eirēnē, discuss the difference between worldly peace and God's peace, and look at what Scripture teaches about living with confidence, rest, and trust in Christ even when life feels uncertain. Whether you're battling anxiety, walking through a difficult season, or simply longing for more peace in your everyday life, this conversation will encourage you to fix your eyes on the One who is our peace. What peace actually means in the Bible The difference between worldly peace and biblical peace Why peace is a Fruit of the Spirit How anxiety and peace compete for our attention What Jesus promised about peace in John 14 and John 16 How prayer unlocks peace according to Philippians 4 Why peace is found in surrender, not control Practical ways to cultivate peace in your daily life Galatians 5:22–23 Isaiah 26:3 John 14:27 John 16:33 Romans 5:1 Philippians 4:6–7 Colossians 3:15 Ephesians 2:14 "The world defines peace as the absence of conflict. The Bible defines peace as the presence of God." What is stealing your peace right now—and have you surrendered it to God?
FRUIT OF DISCIPLINE The Factory Youth
Hello to you listening in Dundalk, Ireland! Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga. I can't get away from it. The Camino de Santiago keeps tugging at me. I remember two truths from the Camino: you will get blisters and you will get unexpected kindness from strangers. I became intimately familiar with both. As to the blisters: wear proper boots, air out your feet every two hours, keep your socks dry, watch for hot spots. But, as careful as you are you'll likely get blisters - the badge of honor on long treks - so you can trade stories and treatment solutions with other pilgrims, like liberal applications of Vick's Vapo-Rub. Who knew? As to the gifts of kindness, they show up when most needed and least expected: a cold bottle of water, a wooden bench with free fruit and juice, directions from a villager, or encouraging words offered in a time of uncertainty or doubt. Just like magic. Story Prompt: As you walk your life, what are a few of the ups and downs (the kindnesses and boot blisters) that have shaped your life? Write that story and share it out loud! You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. AND! Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.
Ask Me Anything and takeaways of the day featuring Andy, Randy, Beau, and Abe.
Are you choosing from peace, or is loneliness choosing for you?In this episode of the Dear Future Husband podcast, Christian Bevere sits down with author and speaker Ashley Hetherington for an honest conversation about singleness, dating, discernment, and becoming the woman God is forming you to be.Together, they talk about why singleness is better than the wrong relationship, how to recognize the difference between a Christian guy and a truly godly man, and why faith talk is not the same as fruit. Ashley shares wisdom from her new book, The Sowing Season, helping women see this season not as a punishment or a pause, but as a time to sow, grow, heal, and prepare with purpose.If you've ever felt like the last single friend, wondered if you're being too picky, or been tempted to settle for an almost-godly guy, this conversation will encourage you to stop wasting your waiting and start trusting what God is growing in you.Pray while you wait with Future Husband, Present Prayers and trust God with your love story with the Dear Future Husband Prayer Journal. Discover both at www.christianbevere.com.
June 18, 2026- State Department of Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball talks about a federal disaster declaration requested for fruit farmers whose crops were impacted by a spring frost.
In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Zach Wagner, who recently completed his DPhil at the University of Oxford, to talk about his new book, Men of Virtue: How the Fruit of the Spirit Forms Male Character in the Modern World (published by Brazos). In our conversation we talk about how the Fruit of the Spirit relates to virtues, whether the virtues are gendered, and what the Fruit of the Spirit looks like uniquely with respect to male embodiment. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Adishian, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, and Dr. Logan Williams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if you could make music with anything around you? Fruit, water, human skin, or even the weight of objects on a kitchen scale? That's the question Playtronica has been answering for over a decade This week on the podcast, Adam McHeffey sits down with co-founders Sasha Pas and Aglaya Nosova to explore how they built one of the most creative and community-driven companies in music technology today. Playtronica makes accessible music instruments that turn everyday objects into musical interfaces, no music theory required. Their products, including Touchme, Biotron, Orbita, and their newest release Scales, have gone viral across social media for their playful, tactile approach to music making. But behind the viral moments is a deeply intentional philosophy: remove the barrier of "are you a musician?" and let curiosity do the rest. In this conversation, we get into how Playtronica grew a loyal global community through creator partnerships and influencer strategy, what their installations with luxury brands like Hermès taught them about creativity and access, and why the form factor of an instrument matters far less than the feeling it creates. Sasha and Aglaya also share practical advice for music tech entrepreneurs looking to break through on social media and build communities that last. The news Merck Mercuariadis on Hipgnosis, vindication, and his next move. The Average On-Demand Streaming User Spends $434 Per Year on Recorded Music in the U.S., Up 27% from 2020, DIMA Report Finds Warner Music Group Acquires AI Attribution Tool Sureel AI SingFit Merges Music with Technology to Improve the Lives of People Facing Cognitive Challenges Despite dying 30 years ago, Tupac Shakur is acting in a new game The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! Get Dmitri's Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.
The Waiting Well - Infertility, Faith-based Encouragement, Trying to Conceive, Fertility
If you've ever watched another pregnancy announcement and wondered—even for a moment—if God loves her more than He loves you, today's episode is for you. Because Romans 9 contains one of the most difficult passages in all of Scripture: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." And if we're not careful, we'll read that verse and start believing something God never intended us to believe—that His sovereignty means He is arbitrary, unfair, or playing favorites with our lives. So today we're going to talk about what Romans 9 actually teaches, what it doesn't teach, and why God's sovereign choice is meant to produce humility, worship, and trust—not fear that you've somehow become less loved because you're still waiting.
Share a commentTrying to become more loving, patient, or self-controlled by sheer effort is exhausting, and it usually collapses before you even get out of the driveway. We take a hard look at why that happens by returning to a simple but freeing claim: it is the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of us. Using Romans 7, we talk about being joined to the risen Christ so our lives can bear “fruit for God,” the kind of spiritual fruit that comes from relationship, not pressure.We walk through three big categories of fruit God grows in believers: the Savior's character (righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ), sanctified conduct that makes holiness visible to the people around us, and the Spirit's control that replaces “fruit for death” with “fruit unto life.” Then we turn to Galatians 5 to contrast the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, and we underline a key detail: it is one fruit with many expressions, like a cluster of grapes, not separate traits we master one at a time.Along the way, we use two surprising stories to make it stick. “Mad as a hatter” becomes a picture of how long-term exposure produces long-term effects, and Helen Keller's bond with Anne Sullivan becomes a moving illustration of the closeness Jesus wants with us. If you want practical Christian spiritual growth, deeper sanctification, and a clearer understanding of abiding in Christ (John 15), press play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show
Share a commentTrying to become more loving, patient, or self-controlled by sheer effort is exhausting, and it usually collapses before you even get out of the driveway. We take a hard look at why that happens by returning to a simple but freeing claim: it is the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of us. Using Romans 7, we talk about being joined to the risen Christ so our lives can bear “fruit for God,” the kind of spiritual fruit that comes from relationship, not pressure.We walk through three big categories of fruit God grows in believers: the Savior's character (righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ), sanctified conduct that makes holiness visible to the people around us, and the Spirit's control that replaces “fruit for death” with “fruit unto life.” Then we turn to Galatians 5 to contrast the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, and we underline a key detail: it is one fruit with many expressions, like a cluster of grapes, not separate traits we master one at a time.Along the way, we use two surprising stories to make it stick. “Mad as a hatter” becomes a picture of how long-term exposure produces long-term effects, and Helen Keller's bond with Anne Sullivan becomes a moving illustration of the closeness Jesus wants with us. If you want practical Christian spiritual growth, deeper sanctification, and a clearer understanding of abiding in Christ (John 15), press play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show
What kind of fruit does the gospel produce in a believer's life? In this message from Colossians 1:3-8, we examine Paul's thanksgiving for the church at Colossae and discover the evidence of a life transformed by the gospel. As the good news of Jesus Christ takes root, it produces faith in Christ, love for God's people, hope rooted in heaven, and faithfulness that continues to bear fruit. Join us as we continue our verse-by-verse study through the book of Colossians in our series, "Christ Above All"
Luke Kelley rejoins the show, this time with is name spelled correctly! This is the third show in the Fruit of the Spirit series and the guys are discussing Peace.
In this powerful episode of Fed by the Fruit, host KB sits down with Brandie Barclay, an author, speaker, ordained minister, and founder of the Power Soul movement, to talk about what it truly means to stop striving and start abiding in God. Brandie shares her journey from 20+ years in the beauty industry to a bold midlife pivot into ministry, the demonic resistance she faced while writing her new book Power Soul: Lit from Within, A Life Powered by the Holy Spirit, and the life-changing prayer that set her on an entirely different course. Together, KB and Brandie unpack the difference between believing in God and truly following Him, how to recognize and break spiritual strongholds, why the Holy Spirit is a gentleman who waits to be invited, and how surrendering your season even when it looks like laundry and high chairs and that is the most powerful act of obedience you can offer.Reach out to Brandie on Instagram and LinkTree if you are interested in her book and connect with KB on Instagram and share your thoughts.
What is the difference between happiness and joy—and why does it matter? In this episode of our Fruit of the Spirit series, we're diving into one of the most misunderstood fruits of the Spirit: joy. Many of us spend our lives chasing happiness through success, relationships, achievements, or the next season of life, only to find ourselves still longing for something deeper. The Bible paints a different picture. Joy isn't dependent on our circumstances—it's rooted in the unchanging character and presence of God. Together, we'll explore: The difference between happiness and biblical joy Why joy is a fruit of the Spirit, not something we can manufacture on our own How Scripture teaches us to experience joy even in difficult seasons What commonly steals our joy (comparison, control, gratitude, and more) Practical ways to cultivate lasting joy in everyday life Whether you're walking through a mountaintop season or a valley, this conversation will encourage you to discover the kind of joy that remains steady no matter what life brings. Key Scriptures Galatians 5:22-23 Psalm 16:11 Habakkuk 3:17-18 James 1:2-4 Hebrews 12:2 Philippians 4:4 Nehemiah 8:10 Journal Prompt What circumstance have I been waiting to change before allowing myself to experience joy, and what would it look like to trust God in that area today? Buy my book Becoming Happy and Healthy
What happens when one of the world's most legendary tropical fruit hunters, permaculture pioneers, and community builders sits down to talk about plants, purpose, spirituality, and the future of humanity? In this deeply inspiring conversation, Darin Olien welcomes longtime friend, ethnobotanist, permaculture educator, and visionary community creator Stephen Brooks for a wide-ranging exploration of regenerative living, plant intelligence, community building, food systems, and humanity's forgotten relationship with nature. From the global success of Down to Earth with Zac Efron to the creation of the Church of Fruit, the evolution of permaculture, tropical fruit exploration, regenerative communities, and Stephen's newest visionary project in Costa Rica, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the solutions to many of humanity's biggest challenges may already exist within nature itself. The question is whether we are willing to listen. What You'll Learn How Down to Earth almost never made it to air The hidden challenge of translating complex ideas to mass audiences Why Stephen created the Church of Fruit How ritual, food, and community can fill a modern spiritual void What permaculture actually means beyond gardening Why perennial agriculture may be one of humanity's most important solutions How exotic fruit hunters are preserving genetic diversity around the world Why plants may be humanity's greatest teachers The future of regenerative communities and conscious living How technology is helping preserve indigenous wisdom Stephen's newest Costa Rican project: Eterna Why community, gathering, and real human connection matter more than ever Chapters 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife 00:00:33 – Sponsor: Manna Vitality 00:02:27 – Introducing Stephen Brooks 00:02:51 – The Down to Earth connection 00:03:18 – Punta Mona, Alegría Village, and 30 years in Costa Rica 00:03:36 – Stephen's newest project: Eterna 00:03:53 – The rise of the Church of Fruit 00:04:19 – Reconnecting people through nature and ritual 00:04:59 – How Darin and Stephen first connected 00:06:02 – The creation of Down to Earth 00:07:26 – The challenges of bringing meaningful content to mainstream audiences 00:09:58 – Life off-grid and observing modern culture 00:11:42 – Why education works best through experience 00:11:55 – The spiritual purpose behind the Church of Fruit 00:12:53 – Addressing modern society's spiritual void 00:13:57 – Stephen as a bridge between humans and plants 00:14:32 – The language of plants 00:16:20 – Why humanity has become disconnected from nature 00:16:56 – The incredible world of exotic fruits 00:18:31 – Plant collectors, seed preservation, and biodiversity 00:20:25 – Discovering new fruits from around the world 00:22:18 – Indigenous wisdom and preserving plant knowledge 00:23:05 – The culture of radical sharing in the plant community 00:24:22 – Sponsor: Shakeology 00:25:59 – The importance of preserving rare genetics 00:30:14 – What permaculture actually means 00:31:12 – Regenerative agriculture and the future of food 00:32:29 – Why current food systems cannot continue 00:33:25 – The concept of the perennial diet 00:34:50 – Meeting human needs with less energy 00:36:07 – Permaculture as a decision-making framework 00:37:47 – Why annual agriculture is energy intensive 00:38:50 – Creating abundance through design 00:39:49 – Learning directly from nature 00:40:29 – How disconnected society has become 00:41:18 – Covid, collective behavior, and social change 00:42:05 – The role of education in transformation 00:42:56 – Building EcoTeach and online communities 00:43:27 – Becoming a "karmic billionaire" 00:44:08 – Why consumer demand is changing the food industry 00:45:23 – Signs humanity is waking up 00:46:26 – Stephen's vision for the future 00:47:19 – Eterna: regenerative living meets community 00:48:42 – Creating event spaces for transformation 00:49:29 – Educational hospitality and regenerative design 00:50:08 – Integrating local communities into development 00:51:30 – Building schools, programs, and shared resources 00:52:03 – Music, festivals, and creating meaningful culture 00:53:17 – Floresta and educational gatherings 00:54:22 – Why community matters more than ever 00:55:12 – Loneliness, connection, and finding your tribe 00:56:01 – Not Your Average Garden Club 00:56:56 – The future of farm schools and regenerative education 00:57:25 – Final reflections on purpose, plants, and possibility Thank You to Our Sponsors Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order. Shakeology: Get 15% off with code DARINO1BODI at Shakeology.com. Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien Find More from Stephen Brooks Website: eterna.earth Education: Ecoversity Instagram: @stephenrbrooks Join the World's Largest Garden Club Here! Attend: The Church of Fruit Find More from Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com New Show: Roadmap to Happiness Key Takeaway "Nature is not something separate from us—it is the original teacher, the original technology, and the original community. The more we align ourselves with the principles that forests, ecosystems, and living systems have been demonstrating for millions of years, the more abundance, connection, resilience, and purpose we create in our own lives. The future may not require inventing something entirely new—it may simply require remembering what nature has been trying to teach us all along."
While secular journalists, scholars, and even the Pope are wrestling with big questions about Artificial Intelligence, the war in the Middle East, and what it means to be truly human, the Southern Baptists have decided the most urgent problem in 2026 is banning women from preaching. Phil asks why evangelicals are still fixated on issues from 50 years ago, while other Christian traditions are leading the culture in tackling modern questions. Zachary Wagner, author of "Men of Virtue," joins Skye and Kaitlyn for a roundup of masculine news. Wagner says the excesses of some expressions of feminism have fueled a subculture of male grievance, and that a pagan vision of masculinity is now masquerading as Christian throughout the manosphere. Also this week, nuns are challenging the tech giants, and Google wants permission to "debug" Florida. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://holypost.substack.com/p/724-the-problem-with-pagan-masculinity Looksmaxing, Beauty, and Masculinity - Bonus Interview with Zachary Wagner: https://holypost.substack.com/p/looksmaxing-beauty-and-masculinity 0:00 - Intro 2:58 - Theme Song 3:20 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware! 4:22 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Get the AG1 $76 Welcome Pack for free when you order from https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST 5:48 - Google Mosquitos! 11:27 - Nuns Pressuring A.I.! 14:48 - A.I. Misconduct and Sin 20:15 - Sponsor - Feeding America - Feeding America, led by neighbors! Give now to end hunger at https://www.feedingamerica.org 20:46 - - Sponsor - World Challenge - Get your 30-day devotional free from World Challenge at https://worldchallenge.org/HOLYPOST 21:50 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month! 22:49 - Frozen in the Cold War 46:22 - Interview 48:40 - Aspirational Masculinity 59:13 - Are the Fruit of the Spirit Gendered? 1:10:28 - Unified by Antifeminism 1:26:50 - End Credits Links Mentioned in News Segment: Google's Literal Debugging: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/01/google-permission-release-mosquitoes-california-florida Catholic Nuns and Palantir A.I. https://religionnews.com/2026/06/03/catholic-sisters-push-palantir-on-human-rights-as-faith-leaders-rally-in-new-york/ A.I. and Sin https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026/06/pope-leo-ai-christian/687388/ Other Resources: Men of Virtue: How the Fruit of the Spirit Forms Male Character in the Modern World (A Guide for Men Seeking Biblical Masculinity, Perfect Father's Day Gift) by Zachary Wagner: https://amzn.to/4uZRL9o Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.