Podcasts about Galilee

ACTS 1:1-11 - YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER - BRIAN SUMNER - 2026The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.The Holy Spirit Promised4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”Jesus Ascends to Heaven9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”To support this channel and partner with Brian in Ministryhttps://www.briansumner.net/support/For more on Brianhttp://www.briansumner.nethttps://www.instagram.com/BRIANSUMNER/https://www.facebook.com/BRIANSUMNEROFFICIALTo listen to Brians Podcast, click below.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Purchase Brians Marriage book at https://www.amazon.com/Never-Fails-Da...Brian is a full time "Urban Missionary" both locally and internationally with a focus on MISSIONS - MARRIAGES - MINISTRY. Since coming to faith in 2004 doors continued opening locally and internationally to do more and more ministry with a focus on Evangelism, Outreach Missions, Marriage, Counsel, Schools, Festivals, Conferences and the like.  Everything about this ministry is made possible because of people personally partnering through the non profit. God Bless and thank you. †Support the showSUPPORT THE SHOW

Welcome to Day 2874 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2874 – “Freedom From Bondage”  based on Luke 8:22-39 Putnam Church Message – 05/03/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “Freedom from Bondage”   Last week's message was: “Where Are You in This Picture?” We reflected on what type of soil our lives represent and whether we are hiding the light of Christ rather than sharing it with others. Today, we continue with our twenty-first message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “Freedom from Bondage.” Our core passage today is Luke 8:22-39, which is found on page 1606 of your pew Bibles. Jesus Calms the Storm 22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we're going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man 26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,[a] which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. 30 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. 32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. 34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. Opening Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for Your living Word and for the Gospel of Luke, which continues to show us more clearly who Jesus is. Thank You that You did not leave this fallen world to sink under the weight of sin, fear, and evil, but You sent Your Son into our darkness. As we come to this passage today, open our eyes to the power of Christ, open our hearts to trust Him more fully, and open our lives to the freedom only He can give. Calm what is storming within us. Break what has held us captive. Strengthen what has grown weak. And let us leave today with a deeper confidence that Jesus is Lord over every force that terrifies us. In His name we pray, amen. As we continue with our twenty-first message in this Luke series, we come to a dramatic turning point. Up to this point, Luke has shown Jesus healing diseases, cleansing lepers, forgiving sins, raising the dead, and receiving the broken. We have watched Him touch individual lives with compassion and power. But in Luke 8:22–39, the curtain pulls back even farther. Here, Jesus does not merely ease suffering. / He confronts the larger powers behind suffering. / He speaks to the wind and the waves. / He commands demons. / He crosses into hostile territory. / He delivers a man no one else could help. / And then He sends that healed man home as a witness. This is not just a story about weather and one troubled man. This is a revelation of the King who has come to reclaim enemy-held ground. The world we live in is not the world God originally made it to be. Genesis tells us that God created a good world, ordered, fruitful, beautiful, and fit for human flourishing. But because of sin, our world has become a place of storms, sorrow, chaos, fear, bondage, disease, death, and decay. We all know this, not just from theology, but from experience. We have all ridden through storms. We have all seen chaos. We have all known people in bondage. And if we are honest, some of us know bondage from the inside. So, this passage asks us a very important question: When the forces of chaos and darkness rise, who is Jesus really? Luke's answer is clear:   He is Lord over the storm. He is Lord over the demons. He is Lord over the broken human heart. And He is Lord over the mission that turns the delivered / into witnesses. A Simple Object Lesson Hold up a small chain connected to a padlock and a set of keys. “This is what bondage looks like. Sometimes it is visible, sometimes invisible. Sometimes it is addiction. Sometimes fear. Sometimes bitterness. Sometimes shame. Sometimes torment of mind.” Hold up the keys and say, “Chains are strong, but keys represent authority. The chain may look powerful, but the one with the key has the final word.” Luke 8 shows us a man whom everyone else tried to bind with chains. Those chains failed. But when Jesus arrived, no chain, no demon, no storm, and no chaos could stand against Him. Christ has the key. That leads us to our first of four truths. Main Point 1: Jesus has authority over the chaos that terrifies us. Luke tells us that Jesus said to His disciples, “Let's cross to the other side of the lake.” So, they got into a boat and set out. Then, as they sailed, Jesus fell asleep. A fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat began to fill with water. The disciples panicked and woke Him, crying, “Master, Master, we're going to drown!” Now pause there and feel the scene. These were not children afraid of a little rain. / Several of these men were seasoned fishermen. / They knew this lake. / They had read the sky before. They had handled boats before. But the Sea of Galilee could turn violent in moments. Sitting far below sea level, surrounded by hills, and cut by sudden winds, it could quickly become dangerous. Ancient people often saw the sea not merely as water, but as a symbol of disorder and threat. To them, the sea represented what could not be controlled. The mighty sea serpent. So, when experienced men panic, this was no small inconvenience. And where is Jesus? / Asleep. That detail matters. It reveals both His humanity and His calm. He is weary enough to sleep through danger, and secure enough to rest in the middle of it. Then Jesus rises and rebukes the wind and the raging waves. Immediately, the storm stops, and the lake becomes calm. What a moment that must have been. One instant: shrieking wind, crashing water, frantic bailing, shouted voices, terror in the eyes. The next instant: stillness. Silence. Water settling. Hearts pounding. The disciples staring at Jesus in stunned fear and wonder. And then Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?” / Not, “Why were there waves?” / Not, “Why were you surprised that life got hard?” / But, “Where is your faith?” This passage does not teach that real...

After all the disciples had seen Jesus do, they still lived with a sense of wonder and amazement. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”Main Points:1.  I'm grateful for my relationship with Jesus, the Son of God, but after all I have seen and experienced, I don't want to lose the wonder of Jesus. I don't want to depart from my sense of amazement. 2. Don't lose the wonder of Jesus. Never stop being amazed at who He is. Remember His power, His imminence, and His glory. There is nothing He cannot do. Just as He calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee with one word, He can calm the storm in your life.3. Let's live everyday in wonder and amazement of our incredible savior.Today's Scripture Verses:Matthew 8:25-27 - “The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We're going to drown!”  Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.  The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”John 1:14 - “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

Jesus understood that He alone could faithfully bear the spiritual load and withstand the spiritual labor necessary to atone for sins. Just one Passover lamb would die that year. And Jesus predicted Peter’s restoration too. After I rise, I’ll go ahead of you back to Galilee. Peter’s failures are met by Jesus’ faithfulness. Our failures are met by Jesus’ faithfulness.

Send us Fan MailIn this powerful episode, the pastor explores Mark 14, where Jesus and His disciples sing a hymnfull of themes of distress, steadfast love, sacrifice, and ultimate triumph right before heading to the Mount of Olives. Jesus then predicts that all the disciples will fall away and specifically tells Peter he will deny Him three times before the rooster crows twice, despite Peter's passionate vow to die rather than deny his Lord. The “good news” shines through the failure: Jesus was proven right , He remained unshaken in His love even while knowing their deepest weaknesses, and their scattering was never the end—He promised resurrection and restoration in Galilee. This story offers profound hope: Christ knows our failures completely, loves us anyway, and turns even our greatest denials into testimonies of His grace and faithfulness.

(1) James Tabor introduces the historical Mary through the city of Sepphoris, the urban capital of Galilee located just miles from Nazareth. Unlike the small village of Nazareth, Sepphoris was a bustling Roman "jewel" where Mary was born to parents Joachim and Anne. Joseph is described as a "tecton" or builder, likely a stonemason involved in the city's reconstruction after it was burned by Romans in 4 BCE. Tabor emphasizes the traumatic environment of Jesus' infancy, suggesting Mary witnessed the smoke of the city and thousands of Roman crucifixions, which shaped her spiritual focus on the kingdom of God.

Matthew 28:16-20   The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Mission isn't a church program—it's the overflow of God's own life. The Father sends the Son, the Son sends the Church, and the Spirit makes us God's sons and daughters who cry “Abba!” and live with courage. We've received peace, been formed, learned love, seen compassion, been empowered by the Spirit—now we're sent in God's name. Matthew 28:16–20 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”Romans 8:14–17For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

First Sunday after Pentecost Trinity Sunday Old Testament: Genesis 1:1-2:4a 1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.5God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. 6And God said, "Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." 7So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. 8God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. 9And God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. 10God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11Then God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it." And it was so. 12The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good.13And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. 14And God said, "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, 15and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth." And it was so. 16God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, 18to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. 20And God said, "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky." 21So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. 22God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." 23And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. 24And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind." And it was so. 25God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. 26Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth."27So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." 29God said, "See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so. 31God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. 1Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude.2And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. 3So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. 4These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created. Psalm: Canticle 13 Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; *        you are worthy of praise; glory to you. Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; *        we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever. Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; *        on the throne of your majesty, glory to you. Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; *        we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever. Glory to you, beholding the depths; *        in the high vault of heaven, glory to you. Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; *        we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever. Epistle: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 11Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. 13The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20 16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Faith, Doubt, and The A Team Pastor Mark Havel Matthew 28:16-20Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him but some doubted. Jesus said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore, and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, the +Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I've commanded you. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age.” “I love it when a plan comes together.” (Does anyone else remember the A-Team? Murdock … Hannibal … Mr. T as B.A. Baracus? It was a show from way back in the 1900's.) John Hannibal, was the leader of The A-Team who coined that phrase, or at least made it a pop-culture thing at the time – “I love it when a plan comes together.” I watched the show faithfully, but had to look it up to remember that the A-Team was a group of special forces, military guys, who had been wrongly accused and imprisoned for war-crimes they didn't commit. After breaking out of prison, these good guys were simultaneously on the run from the military police AND finding ways to help people in need, as benevolent vigilantes.Anyway, the phrase, “I love it when a plan comes together,” was funny because, The A-Team was this motley crew of mismatched misfits who joked and argued and got into all sorts of trouble and fights and shenanigans as they did their thing. They achieved their goals, rescued their people, accomplished their missions, made their escapes … barely … by the skin of their teeth … every time. And, at the end of every successful mission, their leader, John Hannibal, sucking on a log-sized cigar, would declare – as though it was his design and strategy all along – “I love it when a plan comes together.”This phrase came to mind because our plans have been all over the place the last couple of months where this building project is concerned. Securing reliable bids, getting a loan approved, scheduling congregational meetings, then re-scheduling congregational meetings, and all the rest have landed us here on May 31st – which for all sorts of practical, logistical reasons – was the last best option for all that's on our plate for today's Annual Meeting.Which led to the practical, holy need for this Unified Worship service – where we can all be together in one place at the same time – which just so happened to be Holy Trinity Sunday, which is the Church's invitation to wrestle with and wonder about and celebrate the unity of God's nature – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the Triune God; three persons, equal in majesty; three in one and all the rest.“I love it when a plan comes together.” (For a preaching pastor, this is kismet, serendipity, or it might just be the work of the Holy Spirit.)And there's also this Gospel reading where Jesus gives “The Great Commission” to “go and baptize and make disciples and remember.” But before all of that, what grabs my attention every time, is the notion that when the disciples showed up in Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go, “they worshiped him,” we're told, “but some doubted.” They all worshiped him, but some doubted.For my money, there's not a more accurate description of what the church is up to, generally, in the world these days, and what we're up to, very particularly as Partners in Mission at Cross of Grace, at this moment in time. They all worship, but some doubted.“I love it when a plan comes together.”I mean I'm glad we're all here today – and that we show up week after week to worship. (… and to learn and to serve, too.) And I'm grateful to be reminded that, even with Jesus standing among his disciples, having done all that he'd promised he would do – up to and including rising from the dead – some of them still doubted. Some of them still weren't sure. Some of them were still skeptical, cynical, afraid, maybe. Because that means we can be all of those things, too – and still be faithful. Because I'm right there with the doubters, more often than I'd like to admit.I worry every year that General Fund commitments – never mind actual offerings – are going to show up in a way that supports and grows this ministry. I worry every year that Time and Talent offerings may or may not meet the needs of our nursery, a mowed lawn, a cleaned building, a Grace Quest program, and all the rest. And every time we've engaged a building project over the last 25 years at Cross of Grace – and this will be our fourth – I've worried that we are building too much, too soon, of the right spaces, for the right about amount of money.And I worry most about you – and about whose doubts, discouragement, and disappointments are going to get the best of them.But in spite of my doubts and my worries and my misgivings and concerns, I just keep showing up to this mountain I feel God has called us to. Maybe it's foolish. Maybe it's faith. I don't know. But I just keep doing my best to worship and learn and serve, I mean. I doubt and I worship. I doubt and I learn. I doubt and I serve. And I do it all over and over and over again. And I'm grateful that so many of you join me for it, too.Because I love it when a plan comes together … a plan only God can design, dictate, and deliver.It's a plan that looks like a wide welcome of love and affirmation for LGBTQ+ children of God – in a world and a faith that still doesn't get it.It's plan that has helped to build over 100 houses in Fondwa, Haiti, right along with every square foot of facility we've built for ourselves around here.It's a plan that includes a voice for racial justice and equity that would otherwise be silent in a community that hasn't heard all we have to say on the matter.It's a plan that has called us – as Partners in Mission – to baptize and confirm, to marry and bury, to feed and nourish, to party, pray, and otherwise walk together – by faith – through a world that can be so lonely and lost and without meaningful connection so much of the time. It's a plan that's still in the making … a plan that's still coming together … a plan that is messy and risky and cobbled together by an A Team of mismatched misfits and sinners, but full of beautiful things I doubt would happen otherwise, if Cross of Grace weren't here continuing to grow, still building, and still sharing grace in the unique, bold, faithful ways God has called us to do.And it's a plan that will only come together if and when we seek to accomplish it BY God's grace, FOR God's glory, and GROUNDED in God's love revealed in Jesus Christ, crucified and risen for the sake of the world we're called to serve.Amen

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20The eleven disciples went to Galilee,to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.Then Jesus approached and said to them,“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father,and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

38 And Jesus rising up out of the synagogue, went into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever, and they besought him for her.Surgens autem Jesus de synagoga, introivit in domum Simonis. Socrus autem Simonis tenebatur magnis febribus : et rogaverunt illum pro ea. 39 And standing over her, he commanded the fever, and it left her. And immediately rising, she ministered to them.Et stans super illam imperavit febri : et dimisit illam. Et continuo surgens, ministrabat illis. 40 And when the sun was down, all they that had any sick with divers diseases, brought them to him. But he laying his hands on every one of them, healed them.Cum autem sol occidisset, omnes qui habebant infirmos variis languoribus, ducebant illos ad eum. At ille singulis manus imponens, curabat eos. 41 And devils went out from many, crying out and saying: Thou art the Son of God. And rebuking them he suffered them not to speak, for they knew that he was Christ.Exibant autem daemonia a multis clamantia, et dicentia : Quia tu es Filius Dei : et increpans non sinebat ea loqui : quia sciebant ipsum esse Christum. 42 And when it was day, going out he went into a desert place, and the multitudes sought him, and came unto him: and they stayed him that he should not depart from them.Facta autem die egressus ibat in desertum locum, et turbae requirebant eum, et venerunt usque ad ipsum : et detinebant illum ne discederet ab eis. 43 To whom he said: To other cities also I must preach the kingdom of God: for therefore am I sent.Quibus ille ait : Quia et aliis civitatibus oportet me evangelizare regnum Dei : quia ideo missus sum. 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.Et erat praedicans in synagogis Galilaeae.Let us love to listen to the word of God: it will cure our souls and secure them from the Devil who seeks to reign therein.

17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he sat teaching, that there were also Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, that were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was to heal them.Et factum est in una dierum, et ipse sedebat docens. Et erant pharisaei sedentes, et legis doctores, qui venerunt ex omni castello Galilaeae, et Judaeae, et Jerusalem : et virtus Domini erat ad sanandum eos. 18 And behold, men brought in a bed a man, who had the palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.Et ecce viri portantes in lecto hominem, qui erat paralyticus : et quaerebant eum inferre, et ponere ante eum. 19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in, because of the multitude, they went up upon the roof, and let him down through the tiles with his bed into the midst before Jesus.Et non invenientes qua parte illum inferrent prae turba, ascenderunt supra tectum, et per tegulas summiserunt eum cum lecto in medium ante Jesum. 20 Whose faith when he saw, he said: Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.Quorum fidem ut vidit, dixit : Homo, remittuntur tibi peccata tua. 21 And the scribes and Pharisees began to think, saying: Who is this who speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?Et coeperunt cogitare scribae et pharisaei, dicentes : Quis est hic, qui loquitur blasphemias? quis potest dimittere peccata, nisi solus Deus? 22 And when Jesus knew their thoughts, answering, he said to them: What is it you think in your hearts?Ut cognovit autem Jesus cogitationes eorum, respondens, dixit ad illos : Quid cogitatis in cordibus vestris? 23 Which is easier to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk?Quid est facilius dicere : Dimittuntur tibi peccata : an dicere : Surge, et ambula? 24 But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say to thee, Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house.Ut autem sciatis quia Filius hominis habet potestatem in terra dimittendi peccata, ( ait paralytico) tibi dico, surge, tolle lectum tuum, et vade in domum tuam. 25 And immediately rising up before them, he took up the bed on which he lay; and he went away to his own house, glorifying God.Et confestim consurgens coram illis, tulit lectum in quo jacebat : et abiit in domum suam, magnificans Deum. 26 And all were astonished; and they glorified God. And they were filled with fear, saying: We have seen wonderful things today.Et stupor apprehendit omnes, et magnificabant Deum. Et repleti sunt timore, dicentes : Quia vidimus mirabilia hodie.Jesus worked wonders by the power of the Holy Ghost: healing of the man with the palsy; He remitted the sins of this sick man at the same time that He restored him to health.

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)

Scripture: Mark 4:35–41 Series: Mark Part 15 Have you ever been in a storm and felt afraid? In today's episode, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark and hear the incredible story of Jesus calming the storm. After a long day of teaching, Jesus and His disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee by boat. Many of the disciples were experienced fishermen, so they knew storms well—but this storm was terrifying. Today's Key Truth:Storms do not mean Jesus has left us or stopped loving us. Jesus is powerful over creation, and He is also loving toward His people. When life feels scary, we can turn to Him, pray, ask for help, and remember His love shown clearly at the cross. This episode is part of our Gospel of Mark series. Keep listening as Mark shows us, little by little, who Jesus truly is. ----------------- Also, don't forget to check out Minno, a wonderful Christian streaming option for kids and families. I was tired of streaming services actually causing me more work. I felt I had to vet so much content before they could watch and I appreciate with Minno I don't have to do that. It's great for elementary ages!Check Minno out! --------------- If your family would like to support Kids Bible Stories, you can join the Family Library for ad-free episodes, bedtime Bible stories, coloring pages, bonus content, and more at: patreon.com/kidsbiblestories

Reading 1Acts 1:1-11In the first book, Theophilus,I dealt with all that Jesus did and taughtuntil the day he was taken up,after giving instructions through the Holy Spiritto the apostles whom he had chosen.He presented himself alive to themby many proofs after he had suffered,appearing to them during forty daysand speaking about the kingdom of God.While meeting with them,he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,but to wait for “the promise of the Fatherabout which you have heard me speak;for John baptized with water,but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”When they had gathered together they asked him,“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasonsthat the Father has established by his own authority.But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,throughout Judea and Samaria,and to the ends of the earth.”When he had said this, as they were looking on,he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going,suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.They said, “Men of Galilee,why are you standing there looking at the sky?This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heavenwill return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”Reading 2Ephesians 1:17-23Brothers and sisters:May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelationresulting in knowledge of him.May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,what are the riches of gloryin his inheritance among the holy ones,and what is the surpassing greatness of his powerfor us who believe,in accord with the exercise of his great might,which he worked in Christ,raising him from the deadand seating him at his right hand in the heavens,far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion,and every name that is namednot only in this age but also in the one to come.And he put all things beneath his feetand gave him as head over all things to the church,which is his body,the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.GospelMatthew 28:16-20The eleven disciples went to Galilee,to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.Then Jesus approached and said to them,“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father,and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

To become a follower of Jesus, visit: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/MeetJesus  (NOT a Morning Mindset resource)   ⇒ TODAY'S DAILY SPONSOR: Tyrsa and Wes, Morning Mindset listeners are sponsoring this episode.   You can sponsor a daily episode of the Morning Mindset too, by going to https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/DailySponsor ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Matthew 4:23–24 - And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. [24] So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. (ESV) ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE MORNING MINDSET: (not tax-deductible) -- Become a monthly partner: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ -- Underwrite one daily episode: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/daily-sponsor/ -- Give one-time: https://give.cornerstone.cc/careygreen -- Venmo: @CareyNGreen ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FOREIGN LANGUAGE VERSIONS OF THIS PODCAST: Subscribe to the SPANISH version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Spanish Subscribe to the CHINESE version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Chinese ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ CONTACT: Carey@careygreen.com   

Is your soul truly experiencing healthy circulation, or is there a "stealth pathogen" causing spiritual congestion?In this fifth message of our series, The Hygiene of My Heart, Charlie Grimes diagnoses the ancient root of greed through a modern medical lens. Using the Greek concept of hygieinos—meaning sound, healthy, and whole—we look at how greed mimics financial wisdom and security while secretly cutting off our spiritual immunity.In this episode, you will discover:How greed acts like a "clogged artery," blocking the life-giving flow of generosity through the soul, and creating isolation.The danger of the "Bigger Barn Syndrome" and what the story of the Rich Fool teaches us about security versus significance.How to use the "Diagnostic Rinse" of systematic giving and "Vitamin G for Generosity" to restore your heart's health.Practical illustrations (like the Dead Sea vs. the Sea of Galilee) to identify spiritual stagnation.Big Idea: Greed is a spiritual "clog" in the soul's arteries that mimics "financial wisdom" while cutting off the life-giving circulation of generosity.Key Scripture: Luke 12:13–21; 2 Corinthians 9:6–10

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260525dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Utterly amazed, they asked, “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?” Acts 2:7 Adventure Awaits Wapakoneta, Ohio, is a solid, stable small town. It has a population of about ten thousand. It has a high school and a public library. It has a movie theater and a bowling alley. To grab a bite to eat, you can stop by Lulu’s Diner, RJ’s Coffey Cup, or The Alpha Cafe. And every August, you can attend the county fair located just outside the city limits. Wapakoneta is a great place to raise a family. At the same time, its citizens admit that it’s not the kind of place that automatically comes to mind when you think of famous figures or high adventure. But thanks to a 10-minute plane ride at a local air show, a 6-year-old farm kid by the name of Neil Armstrong got the flying bug. Three decades later, Neil Armstrong was the face of one of the world’s great adventures. He was the first man to set foot on the moon. In the first century A.D., the region of Galilee was not known for much of anything. In fact, many in Jerusalem looked down on Galileans as being just a bit unsophisticated, a bit rough around the edges. Therefore, on the Day of Pentecost, it came as a shock for people in Jerusalem to see and hear several men from Galilee stand up and do something extraordinary. By a miracle, God the Holy Spirit empowered these Galileans to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in a variety of different languages. And the adventure did not stop there. In the years to come, these same men would travel far and wide proclaiming what Jesus had done to take away the sins of the world. By the power of the gospel, that same Holy Spirit brings people today to faith in Jesus as their Savior. And through this miracle of faith, they receive full forgiveness of sin, peace with God, and eternal life in heaven. And adventure awaits them in their future. The Lord will use them to pierce the darkness of this world, to proclaim the praises of him who called them out of darkness into his wonderful light. Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am now yours through faith in you. Let my adventure begin. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

On Holy Trinity Sunday, we step into Matthew 28 where the risen Jesus gathers doubting disciples on a mountain in Galilee and gives them the Church's mission. In this episode we wrestle with the the Trinity—not as a human invention to explain God away, but as the Church's confession that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united in delivering Christ's promise to sinners through preaching and baptism. And even while some still doubt, Jesus speaks with all authority, claiming people not through spiritual effort or better understanding, but by placing his name upon them and promising, “I am with you always.”GOSPEL Matthew 28:16-2016 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."CARE OF SOULS - ADDICTIONIn Care of Souls, a special mini-series podcast from Luther House of Study, Lutheran pastors and theologians come together to explore the deeply personal and pastoral task of preaching to and caring for those struggling with life's challenging situations: addiction, death, family disharmony, and more. Rooted in the theology of the cross and the Lutheran tradition of radical grace, this series offers both theological depth and practical guidance for pastors, church workers, and lay leaders.With conversations, real-life stories, and reflections from the front lines of ministry, Care of Souls equips listeners to enter the broken places of addiction not with easy answers, but with the crucified and risen Christ.Because in the end, it's not about fixing people—it's about preaching the Gospel.Listen to Care of Souls wherever you listen to podcasts or on the Luther House website: Care of Souls - AddictionSupport the showInterested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260525dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Utterly amazed, they asked, “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?” Acts 2:7 Adventure Awaits Wapakoneta, Ohio, is a solid, stable small town. It has a population of about ten thousand. It has a high school and a public library. It has a movie theater and a bowling alley. To grab a bite to eat, you can stop by Lulu’s Diner, RJ’s Coffey Cup, or The Alpha Cafe. And every August, you can attend the county fair located just outside the city limits. Wapakoneta is a great place to raise a family. At the same time, its citizens admit that it’s not the kind of place that automatically comes to mind when you think of famous figures or high adventure. But thanks to a 10-minute plane ride at a local air show, a 6-year-old farm kid by the name of Neil Armstrong got the flying bug. Three decades later, Neil Armstrong was the face of one of the world’s great adventures. He was the first man to set foot on the moon. In the first century A.D., the region of Galilee was not known for much of anything. In fact, many in Jerusalem looked down on Galileans as being just a bit unsophisticated, a bit rough around the edges. Therefore, on the Day of Pentecost, it came as a shock for people in Jerusalem to see and hear several men from Galilee stand up and do something extraordinary. By a miracle, God the Holy Spirit empowered these Galileans to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in a variety of different languages. And the adventure did not stop there. In the years to come, these same men would travel far and wide proclaiming what Jesus had done to take away the sins of the world. By the power of the gospel, that same Holy Spirit brings people today to faith in Jesus as their Savior. And through this miracle of faith, they receive full forgiveness of sin, peace with God, and eternal life in heaven. And adventure awaits them in their future. The Lord will use them to pierce the darkness of this world, to proclaim the praises of him who called them out of darkness into his wonderful light. Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am now yours through faith in you. Let my adventure begin. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Our Current Situation Jonathan Parnell Download Acts 1:1-11,In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”Acts 2:1-4,When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.Today, on Pentecost Sunday, it has seemed good to the elders to have a sermon that addresses our current moment. Now, if you've been around for the past few months, you know that we've not ignored our situation — we have tried to ‘keep our eyes on the base' ahead of us, and every now and then we've said things behind this pulpit, and I've written things, to try to guide us through these days. But what makes today different is that I want to address everything a little more ‘on the nose,' as it were. My hope is to be as clear as possible. I want to tell you three realities about our current moment: Where we areWhat we're facingHow we respond And if you're a guest with us this morning, I need to explain that we normally do what's called expositional preaching. It's the central part of our worship, which is the heartbeat of our church. Every Sunday, we open the Bible and preach through a passage of Scripture. My goal as a preacher is to simply tell you what God says. We do that by conviction, because we believe what we most need, and the power to change our lives, is the word of God. And we're in the word today, here in Acts 2, but we're just gonna spend most of our time, not on exposition, but on application. You'll see what I mean. Let's get started.The first reality of our current moment … I want to tell you …1. Where we areRight away, it's this: we are currently in the promised age of the Spirit.We are in the part of redemptive history when the Holy Spirit has been poured out on the people of God. The gospel is advancing. Jesus is building his church — And that's what I tell my grandfather every summer when I seem him on our family trip to North Carolina.Twenty-three years ago, when I believed God was calling me to be a pastor, my grandfather was one of the first persons I told. He is a godly man who has had a deep influence on me, and I try to see him at least once a year. And every summer that I've seen him for the last decade, he always asks me, “Son, how's the church?” And for several years now, the first thing I say is: “Grandaddy, the gospel is advancing. Jesus is building his church.” And he just smiles.Well, this morning, from Acts 2, I wanna tell you the short story of why that's true.The Story of PentecostThis is where the Day of Pentecost comes in. Pentecost is the foundational event in the Book of Acts, and Luke wants us to see the connection between Pentecost and the ministry of Jesus. Look at Acts 1, verse 4. Luke writes, And while staying with them he [Jesus] ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me…”Notice that when Jesus gives his disciples instructions for receiving the Spirit, he starts it by saying “you've heard me talk about this.” Jesus has taught on the Holy Spirit before, and we've heard this teaching! The Holy Spirit is the big topic in the Farewell Discourse, in the Gospel of John. We've heard Jesus say:John 14:16, “… I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth …”John 15:25, “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”So as we come into the Book of Acts, we already have an expectation: the Spirit proceeds from the Father — he is the promise of the Father and Jesus will ask and receive from the Father to give the Spirit to us. And so we are ready for this. Now jump over to Acts Chapter 2.Acts 2, verse 1 — it is the Day of Pentecost — 50 days after Jesus's resurrection, about a week and a half after Jesus's ascension. And the disciples have done what Jesus instructed; they had been waiting in Jerusalem; they were altogether, and then verse 2: … suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.The promised Spirit has come!And it leaves the onlookers amazed and perplexed, so Peter ‘stands up' among the disciples to explain what's going on. This is significant: Because Peter had fallen — which we saw last week: in his worst moment he denied Jesus — but he is now restored and standing among his brothers. And, filled with the Holy Spirit, he preaches the best sermon ever. He says that Jesus, who had been crucified, is now raised up, and, verse 33:Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.Notice how this ties it altogether. We know the behind-the-scenes here, because Jesus told us: Jesus has asked the Father for the Spirit, to give him to us. Jesus has received the Spirit from the Father, and now, on this Day of Pentecost, Jesus has poured out the Spirit on his people. This is so significant that it marks the official transition from the old covenant to the new. This moment commences what the apostle Paul calls the “day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). That's another way to talk about the ‘promised age of the Spirit' or the ‘messianic age of salvation.'Witness and OpportunityThis age means at least two things:First, it means that we are Jesus's witnesses.The Spirit who bears witness to Jesus, bears witness to Jesus through us. We've talked about this recently: the work of Jesus in this world has not ended, but it's continued now by his Spirit through his people. We are not of the world, but Jesus has sent us into the world, and he tells us in Acts 1:8, “you will be my witnesses.”We are here to be life and light to a dead and dark world by pointing to Jesus.And secondly, this age of the Spirit means what Peter says in Chapter 2, verse 21 … that right now, because the Spirit is poured out, “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from; your background, your mistakes, your name — none of it matters. If you call on the name of Jesus Christ — if you ask Jesus to save you, he will save you. This is more amazing than we can begin to comprehend! It is the real headline today — just like it was the real headline yesterday. In fact, this has been the real headline everyday for the past two thousand years! Ever since Acts Chapter 2, the real daily headline is: TRUST CHRIST AND BE SAVED!That is where we are. That is the truest situation we're in. The grace of God is abounding all over this world! And so get in on the grace while you still can. That's where we are. Now, #2 … what we're facing …2. What we're facingIn a word, what we're facing is opposition — which is not strange.First, it's not strange because opposition is a kind of trial — and trials of various kinds are a means that God uses to produces in us steadfastness (James 1:2–4). This is part of the way that God shapes our character and deepens our hope (Romans 5:2–5). This is how he brings to completion the good work he began in us (Philippians 1:6).Another reason opposition is not strange is that, in light of churches throughout history and churches all around the world, countless local churches face opposition. It's just how it is! From the moment the Spirit is poured out in Acts 2, the church advances through both power and resistance.If anything, the opposition and challenges we're facing make us more at home with world Christianity — and more at home with the Book of Acts — than we ever were before.And so, ultimately, church, we're gonna be okay. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and we will see his face one day, and until then our Heavenly Father watches over us in such a way that not a hair can fall from our heads apart from his will, and in fact, all things must work together for our salvation. Hey, we're blessed! And we need to remind ourselves of this everyday, over and over again. And the Holy Spirit helps us to do that! He ministers hope to us through this Book!And at the same time, as we live in this hope, we should not downplay the opposition set against us, especially not the parts that are unlawful, harmful to our families and children, and that put other churches at risk.I think about a good friend in college … he spent a whole summer in West Africa, in the bush, doing a missions project, and one of the individuals on his team was so eager to suffer for Jesus that they decided not to the bring a toothbrush for the entire four months. And this person experienced all the things you might imagine you would if you don't brush your teeth for a long time. And one of the lessons my friend learned is that “Jesus is most likely okay with a toothbrush.”The lesson is that although suffering for Jesus is normal — and the Bible teaches us to expect it — that doesn't mean that we seek it out or accept it without any concern.For example: God has instituted earthly authorities, known as government, as a means to create and guard ordered societies. According to Romans 13, we should expect our government to punish wrongdoing.What happened to us on January 18 was wrong, period.And much of what continues to go on out here on Sunday mornings is also wrong.And if you have no idea what I'm talking about, then great. Keep it like that. There are ways to get into this space without having to walk past these people who hate us. I'd encourage you: avail yourselves to those ways.But to be clear: out front, over the past few months we have experienced, and have evidence of, chargeable offenses. People have said things and behaved toward our church members with the intent to cause harm and induce reasonable fear. They want to make our coming to worship as uncomfortable as possible so that we would stop coming. (Their goal is to shut us down, just like the people who desecrated our worship service on January 18.) But, the more serious issue is that, so far, our city and state officials are doing nothing about it. And that's the bigger problem. The world hating us is expected — Jesus told us they would. But our local government should enforce the law equally, for all people, including for Baptists … including for Evangelical Christians … but they're not doing that.So that's what we're facing, here in our little slice of the world, in the Twin Cities, in this promised age of the Spirit poured out.Now #3, I want to tell you …3. How we respondNow before I say anything here about our response, I first want to commend you and thank you for your response so far.And I want to give a special thanks to our security team. These men have done so much over the past several months to protect us from physical harm and to promote safety, and I thank God for them. I encourage you, when you get a chance, express your gratitude to these men. And for our entire church, corporately, look, your response has been remarkable. Over and over again the fruit of the Spirit has been manifested in you: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.I've seen it in you! So thanks be to God, and may this fruit abound more and more!Now, as we look forward to a new season, and the opposition drags on, I want to tell you about a three-part strategy that's trying to taking everything into account. With God's help, these are three actions that we can take in these days.1. We will pursue wise and lawful means to hold our opponents accountable for wrongdoing. We are continuing to document everything, and we're doing our best to work with the St. Paul Police and city officials to get the law enforced. This means that we, as your pastors, gotta be a little persistent. We have to kindly bother them, and that's what I plan to do.I hope to have an audience with Mayor Her, and I want to appeal to her. And I would say:Mayor Her, on April 20th this year, in your address on the state of St. Paul, you said that you are committed to listening and to acting and to lifting St. Paul higher to its full potential, but I wonder: Do you include Evangelical Christians in that commitment? Or, do you only care about people you agree with? You have left us to wonder this. These are serious questions that we need to ask. That's one part of our response.Here's the second:2. We will increase our fervent prayer.I know many of us have been praying, and many other churches have been praying for us, and I want to encourage us to keep on, and even pray more. Look, we know, Ephesians 6:12, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.Our opposition is fundamentally spiritual, and therefore our response must be fundamentally spiritual. We put on the armor of the Lord, which includes praying at all times in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18).And so the plan is to equip our greeters and security with some guided prayer points to carry with them as they're serving, and I would like to build a small team of prayer warriors to pray as our people are coming to worship. I will send more communications about this, but just know it's coming. We're gonna pray more. I'm reminded of the quote, goes back to Oswald Chamber. He says:“Prayer does not equip us for greater works — prayer is the greater work.”3. We will remember the real headline. Now I've already told you the real headline, but it's probably not one that you're gonna find in your feeds. The real headline today — and everyday until Jesus comes back — is that THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS BEEN POURED OUT!TRUST CHRIST AND BE SAVED!Church, Jesus is real. Jesus is alive — and he is not anxious about anything. He's not worried about our future. Right now he's reigning from the Father's right hand. He has all authority in heaven and on earth, and he has many in these cities who are his people. We are in the promised age of the Spirit, the age of salvation. And that means that anybody from anywhere — it doesn't matter who you are or where you're from or what you're past is — if you call on the name of the Lord you will be saved!And because this is true, church, be filled with the Holy Spirit and take the next step on mission — Have that gospel conversation with your neighbor or coworker. Invite people to church! — hey, if you think people are not gonna wanna come because of the opposition, just test that out. Invite people to come see for themselves who we truly are.In these days when our opponents want to shut us down, I pray that God doubles our size. I pray that he multiplies us! I pray that he sends us out! We don't want less mission — we want more. More prayer. More courage. More witness. More disciples made.More of the glory of Jesus overcoming us and overflowing through us! The promised Spirit is here! And he is at work. In a couple of months, God willing, I'm going to see my grandfather in North Carolina. And he's been following what's going on. He keeps up on us. But when I see him, he's gonna ask me, “Son, how's the church?” And I'm gonna say, “Granddaddy, the gospel is advancing! Jesus is building his church!”And he's gonna smile because he knows it's true. This is the time in which we live. May God be glorified through us!And that's what brings us to the Table. The TableAt this table each week, we enter into a ritual that Jesus gave to his church. It's for Christians.So if you're here and you're not a Christian, if you have not put your faith in Jesus, this is an opportunity to do that. On this day, in this moment, I invite you: call on the name of Jesus, put your faith in him, and be saved. Now, for Cities Church and all who trust in Christ, let us remember him — let's remember his death and resurrection for us, and let's remember the hope we have in him.

April 24, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 2 - 11:00 AM Session Location: Room 116 Instructor: Adam Faughn Title:  Leadership - How to Weather the Storms of Leadership Summary Adam Faughn presents a lecture on the challenges of leadership, framing them as "storms." He argues that leadership is inevitably stormy, especially for those guiding people in the ways of God. Drawing from Matthew 14, where Jesus's disciples face a storm on the Sea of Galilee, Faughn highlights three common pitfalls for leaders in crisis: losing direction, losing sight of reality, and becoming distracted. He asserts that the ultimate solution is unwavering trust in Jesus. Through anecdotes and biblical analysis, he concludes that a leader's duty is to trust Jesus and stand firm through any storm, ensuring they continue guiding people toward heaven. Duration 36:52

“Drop Your Nets”Matthew 4:18-2218 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.CONNECT WITH USIf you have any questions or would like to get to know us further, head over to https://www.triumphlbc.org/connect and fill out our online connection card.ABOUT TRIUMPHTriumph wants to see the life and message of Jesus transform your heart, home, and city. To learn more visit https://www.triumphlbc.org/

Knowledge of Christ's return should not produce fear or anxiety in the heart of the believer. This truth should give us hope. It should cause us to be encouraged. What God has prepared for us is greater than anything this would could give us.Main Points:1. As we read the Bible, it is very clear, Jesus is coming back. While many scoff and disbelieve, it doesn't change the truth of what Jesus has said. We don't know when He is coming, but we do know He is coming soon. 2. In an increasingly chaotic world, what a hopeful thought that this could be the year Jesus returns. More comforting still is the anticipation that all who trust Him for salvation will be gathered together, relieved from this world's suffering, sorrow, and fear. Best of all, we'll be with the Lord forever!3. Don't give up hope. Don't let go of your belief in the promise of Christ's return. He said he would come back, and he will. When is Jesus coming back? He is coming back soon.Today's Scripture Verses:Acts 1:10-11 tells the story. “They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”Revelation 22:20 - “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”2 Peter 3:4 - “They will say, “Where is this ‘coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”Matthew 24:44 - “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

Are you under the impression that the women in the Bible weren't working women? Many of the Christian women I encounter haven't heard this important truth. Women have always worked! In fact, we examined this when we discussed the creation story of Genesis, the prophetesses Miriam and Deborah, and the women who worked in unity with Jesus! God needs us working in unity with men for his glory! Women played an important role in the early church. I think about Mary being the first to see the resurrected Jesus. Scripture could have skipped ahead to meeting the disciples in Galilee, but it doesn't! God wants us to see how his story includes the men and women he created in his image. The Old Testament prophet Joel states, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy. This verse can be found in Joel 28 and in summary in Acts 2. The Spirit is for sons and daughters—both to prophesy! One of the first accounts of healing in the book of Acts is of Tabitha (also known as Dorcas) in Acts 9:36-43. We learn she had died, and she was considered a woman full of good works and charity. She was apparently a very good seamstress as the scripture speaks of the tunics and garments she had made. We learn it was men urging them to come to the bedside of Tabitha. She was clearly respected. And she was raised to life by Peter. Lydia is described in Acts 16 as a seller of purple goods and a worshiper of God. Paul came to find a group of women who had come together in prayer. He sought them out—to be in unity with them in prayer. His seeking and the Lord's opening of Lydia's heart to hear the good news of Jesus, opened new unity and provision for Paul when Lydia invite him to stay in her home. We also see that Paul returned to Lydia when he was released from prison. Lydia needed unity with Jesus, and Paul needed unity with Lydia for his work! We also learn those in Lydia's household encouraged Paul. Lydia was a seller. She worked. God used her work and leadership to help grow the early church! God is still doing this today. Are you a creator like Tabitha or a seller like Lydia? Not only does your influence with others serve as an important way for the gospel to be shared, but your financial provision also can help ministries lay groundwork to encourage others to spread the good news and cause an increase in the Church of Jesus Christ! This is why your work and the unity between men and women is important to the Lord. Working together will ultimately create a much greater impact for the glory of the kingdom.

Who can this be?- When Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples asked in fear and amazement, "who can this be?" When they arrived at the other side of the sea in the country of the Gadarenes, their question was answered in an encounter with a demon possessed man.

When you think of your work, do you think about the most important work God has called us to? That work is to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and this work is a shared work for all of us who are brothers and sisters in Christ. Men and women share a critical, unified role in sharing the beautiful gift of mercy and eternity we have in Jesus! Although we see the twelve disciples Jesus calls in the New Testament are all men, we cannot choose to miss all the ways women were used by Jesus for the great work of sharing the good news! Jesus's first revelation of himself being the Messiah is to the woman at the well. This account in John 4 is significant first because Jesus is alone accepting water from a Samaritan woman. The Samaritans were the outcasts of the time, and this woman was a woman with many husbands. He breaks barriers to bring her into unity in his revelation. The best part is her response. This woman runs all the way back to town, not caring about who she is in this community but who she is in Christ, and begins to share the good news of the living water. We see Jesus with Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus in the scriptures. Mary and Martha provided hospitality to Jesus and the disciples with meals and a place to teach. We know Jesus deeply loved Lazarus and deeply cared for Mary and Martha, which was matched by their devotion and trust for him. Not only were women part of the ministry of Jesus in his living but also in his death and resurrection. At the crucifixion in Matthew 27:55-56 we learn there were many women there, looking from a distance. These women had followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered to him, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. Again, this ministering could have been for physical needs like food and shelter or emotional and spiritual support during his ministry. Either way, these women, worked in unity with the men alongside Jesus. The women at the cross displayed great loyalty to the end, and they were also first to learn of the resurrection. After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb (Matthew 28:1). Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me” (Matthew 28:10). We may not see a lot about the unity between the 12 disciples and these women, but we see a more important unity—the unity between Jesus Christ and them. How are you in unity with Jesus at work today?

Stories and storms- After another day of teaching the gathered crowds through parables, Jesus and the disciples prepared to cross the Sea of Galilee, and quickly found themselves in the middle of a storm. There are some lessons we can only learn in the storms of life.

Join us as we dig deeper into last Sunday's sermon from Pastor Gabe Kasper "The Gospel Ascends" and hear from Amy Duncan and Nate Zuellig on "We Will Feast In The House Of Zion". Digging Deeper Questions: In the sermon Pastor Gabe talked about how we live in the fifth act of the Theodrama. What role do you see yourself playing in God's story?   In Jesus' ascension He now sits at the right hand of God the Father, reigning and ruling over all things. How ought this dictate our lives?    The ascension gives us power, purpose, and pardon. Which of these three is hardest for you to believe? Easiest? Why?   Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-11 1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.   4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."   6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."     Intro/Outro Song: "Only One" Nate Zuellig ULC Artist In Residence    "We Will Feast In The House Of Zion" Sandra McCracken CCLI Song # 7041364   CCLI License # 11254293

Matthew 28:16-20The eleven disciples went to Galilee,to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.Then Jesus approached and said to them,“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father,and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:16-20The eleven disciples went to Galilee,to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.Then Jesus approached and said to them,“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father,and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:16-20The eleven disciples went to Galilee,to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.Then Jesus approached and said to them,“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father,and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Rev. Jonathan Brown 05/11/2026 Sometimes the things that become central to who we are begin as a surprise. They do not always arrive with a clear plan, a perfect explanation, or a sense that we understand exactly what we are saying yes to. Sometimes a door opens, an invitation comes, a possibility appears, and only later do we realize that something important in us began to take shape there. When Francis came to us at eleven, he spoke very little English. I spoke no Spanish. Katy knew a bit. And DC Child and Family Services seemed to consider a person bilingual if they had Google Translate on their phone. Every day, I thank God because his young mind has been able to adapt to our language, while I still find myself cursing Duolingo. And since Francis became part of our family, he has also become an accomplished cyclist. He has won two Under 19 series championships, and he spends his free time training to get better. At our local bike shop, someone told us he was a unicorn because he fell in love with cycling even though his parents were not already obsessed with it. This was not a family culture he simply inherited. It became his. One day after a race, I was kind of in awe of him and all he had accomplished, and I asked him, “Francis, how did this happen? How did cycling become your thing?” And he said, “Do you remember when I first moved in with you, and you asked if I wanted a bike?” I said, “Yes.” And he said, “I did not know what you were saying, and I did not want to be rude, so I just said yes. Then I fell in love with it.” I love that. Because so much of life is like that. One day, seemingly out of the blue, something comes into our lives that we did not plan for and could not have predicted. At first, it may feel random. It may feel small. It may feel like a simple yes to a simple question. But over time, that unexpected beginning can become a practice, then a passion, then a major part of who we are. A bike becomes more than a bike. A first ride becomes a rhythm. A rhythm becomes a love. A love becomes part of someone's identity. And that helps me hear Mark's story with fresh ears. Simon and Andrew do not wake up that morning knowing they are about to become disciples. James and John do not begin the day expecting their lives to turn in a new direction. They are working. They are casting nets. They are mending nets. They are living the life they know. Then, seemingly out of the blue, Jesus walks by and says, “Follow me.” What may have felt sudden in the moment becomes the beginning of their identity. They will come to be known as disciples, apostles, witnesses, people whose lives are forever shaped by Jesus. One ordinary day becomes the day they discover the call that will define them. In this first movement of our series, we are asking one of the most basic and important questions Christians can ask: Who are we? In a culture that often tells us our worth depends on success, power, control, or fear, the gospel speaks a deeper truth. We are beloved. We are called. We are connected. We are sent. And today, we begin with this: we know who we are because we know who we follow. We follow Jesus. Mark tells the story with striking simplicity. Jesus passes along the Sea of Galilee and sees Simon and Andrew casting a net into the sea, because they are fishers. Jesus says to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately, they leave their nets and follow him. Then Jesus goes a little farther and sees James and John, the sons of Zebedee, mending nets in their boat. He calls them too, and they leave their father in the boat with the hired men and follow him. That whole scene unfolds with surprising simplicity. Jesus walks along the water and sees ordinary people in the middle of their ordinary work. The call of Jesus meets them right there, in the texture of daily life, among boats, nets, family, labor, and responsibility. Before they have time to prepare themselves, before they know where the road will lead, Jesus invites them into a new life. He finds them in the routines they know and calls them toward a future they cannot yet imagine. That is good news, because many of us assume that if God is going to call us, we need to be somewhere else first. We need to become more faithful, more prepared, more certain, more spiritually mature. But Mark tells us Jesus calls people in the middle of life. Jesus calls them as they are, but he does not leave them as they are. “Follow me,” he says, “and I will make you fishers of people.” That phrase can sound strange to us, especially when it has been used in ways that feel manipulative or aggressive. But Jesus is calling them into a way of life that gathers people into the nearness of God. He is calling them to participate in healing, mercy, liberation, forgiveness, and beloved community. Jesus calls these first disciples to walk with him until his way becomes their way. That is discipleship. Discipleship is the lifelong practice of being shaped by the one we follow. That is why this sermon title matters: “We Know Who We Follow: Jesus.” The church is always tempted to forget. We are tempted to follow success, fear, nostalgia, outrage, or whatever gives us belonging without transformation. But Christians belong to Jesus Christ. And Jesus shows us who God is. As we follow Jesus through Mark, we see what God's life looks like in the world. We see Jesus announcing good news, healing bodies, restoring people to community, touching those others refuse to touch, feeding hungry people, welcoming children, challenging religious hypocrisy, confronting oppressive powers, and refusing to abandon the vulnerable. We see him going to the cross rather than returning violence for violence. We see him raised by God, with the promise that death and empire and abandonment do not get the final word. So when we say, “We follow Jesus,” we are saying our lives are being reoriented around the crucified and risen Christ. We are saying that the clearest picture we have of God's character is Jesus eating with sinners, touching the untouchable, forgiving enemies, blessing the poor, challenging the powerful, and giving himself in love. That is not ideology. That is a way of life. This is where our United Methodist tradition helps us. Methodism began as a renewal movement of people who wanted to follow Jesus with their whole lives. Early Methodists gathered in societies, classes, and bands. They prayed together. They confessed sin together. They studied scripture together. They gave money to the poor. They visited the sick and imprisoned. They held one another accountable in love. As the movement grew, John Wesley gave the people called Methodists what became known as the General Rules: first, do no harm; second, do good; third, attend upon all the ordinances of God. In more recent years, Bishop Rueben P. Job helped many United Methodists recover the power of these rules in his book Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living . Job summarized Wesley's General Rules in language that has become familiar across our tradition: do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. These rules are a way of asking, every day, “What does it mean to follow Jesus here?” What does it mean to follow Jesus in this conversation, this conflict, this family, this workplace, this church, this neighborhood, this moment? There is a sitcom called The Good Place that, beneath all the jokes, bright colors, frozen yogurt shops, and absurd afterlife architecture, is really about moral formation. The show begins with Eleanor Shellstrop waking up after death and being told that she has made it into “the Good Place.” But Eleanor quickly realizes she does not belong there. In life, she had been selfish, rude, careless, and often cruel. So at first, her moral project is not really about becoming good. It is about passing as good. That is part of what makes the show so funny and so honest. Eleanor wants to learn enough ethics to blend in. She wants goodness as a disguise. And if we are honest, that is not always far from how people can treat religion too. We can learn the language, the gestures, and the right answers. We can learn how to pass as good. But Jesus does not call us to pass as faithful. Jesus calls us to follow. And this is where Chidi becomes so important. Chidi Anagonye is a moral philosophy professor. He knows the ethical theories. He can explain Kant, Aristotle, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, and moral duty. If anyone should know how to be good, it should be Chidi. But Chidi's problem is that knowing about goodness does not automatically make him free to live it. He is so afraid of making the wrong choice that he struggles to make any choice at all. His knowledge is real, but it has not yet become courage. His ethics are serious, but they have not yet become love in motion. That makes Eleanor and Chidi surprisingly helpful for the church. Eleanor reminds us that faith is not about passing as good. Chidi reminds us that faith is not only about knowing what is good. Knowledge matters, but knowledge alone is not discipleship. Discipleship is when what we know becomes a life. Discipleship is when truth becomes practice. Discipleship is when grace becomes courage, mercy, forgiveness, service, and love. Over time, Eleanor and Chidi both change because they are drawn into a deeper kind of formation. Eleanor has to practice honesty, compassion, and care for someone beyond herself. Chidi has to practice trust, courage, and choosing love even when he cannot calculate every possible consequence. In other words, both of them have to be discipled beyond appearance and beyond certainty into faithfulness. That is what makes The Good Place surprisingly Wesleyan. The characters become different not because they master one idea or earn enough points, but because they keep practicing a better way of being human. Christian faith is not self improvement with hymns. The gospel is grace. It is God meeting us before we are ready, loving us before we are worthy, and calling us before we fully understand where the road will lead. But grace does not leave us unchanged. Grace begins to form us. That is why the Methodist tradition has always cared about practices. We practice faith because practice keeps us open to the love that is already working on us. We practice doing no harm. We practice doing good. We practice staying in love with God. And over time, through the mercy of God, those practices begin to shape us into people who look a little more like the one we follow. The first rule is: do no harm. Harm is not only physical violence. Harm can come through words, neglect, silence, systems, assumptions, jokes, posts, grudges, and the people we refuse to see. To follow Jesus is to ask: Is my life causing harm? Are my words causing harm? Are my habits causing harm? Are my comforts causing harm? Most of us are not being asked to leave literal nets on the shore, but we may need to ask what nets we are holding. What old ways of being keep catching us? What habits make us feel safe but keep us from love? The second rule is: do good. Christian faith is about participating in God's healing of the world. “Follow me,” Jesus says, “and I will make you fishers of people.” In other words, your life is going to become part of God's work of gathering, healing, feeding, forgiving, restoring, and liberating. Sometimes doing good is serving someone who cannot repay you. Sometimes it is telling the truth when silence would be easier. Sometimes it is forgiving someone, apologizing, showing up, or acting with courage at work or at home. The third rule is: stay in love with God. Wesley's original language was “attend upon all the ordinances of God,” meaning the practices that keep us open to grace: public worship, prayer, searching the scriptures, receiving communion, fasting, Christian conversation, and works of mercy. In other words, stay close to the practices that remind you who you are and whose you are. Because we cannot follow Jesus for long on outrage, willpower, or guilt alone. We need grace. We need prayer. We need worship. We need scripture. We need communion. We need community. We need people who help us remember when we forget. And we do forget. The disciples forgot. Peter left his nets immediately, but later denied Jesus three times. James and John followed Jesus, but later argued about greatness. They followed, but they stumbled. They were called, but they were not instantly complete. And that should comfort us. Following Jesus does not mean we never fail. It means that when we fail, grace calls us again. This matters because the world is full of rival formations. Every day, something is trying to disciple us. Fear disciples us. Consumerism disciples us. Nationalism disciples us. Algorithms disciple us. Anger disciples us. Anxiety disciples us. The endless need to prove ourselves disciples us. The endless need to belong by having an enemy disciples us. So the question is not whether we are being formed. The question is: Who is forming us? So when we talk about discipleship, we are talking about formation. We are talking about what shapes our loves, habits, reflexes, speech, courage, compassion, and imagination. The world is constantly discipling us into anxiety, resentment, consumption, suspicion, and fear. But Jesus calls us into another formation. Jesus says, “Follow me,” and then teaches us the way of mercy, justice, courage, humility, forgiveness, and love. And when Jesus says, “Follow me,” he is giving us both a command and a promise. “Follow me, and I will make you…” The making belongs to Jesus. The transformation belongs to grace. Jesus calls us as we are, and then grace begins its work. Grace teaches us to do no harm. Grace strengthens us to do good. Grace draws us deeper into love with God. Grace makes us into people who can bear witness to another way of life. So this week, choose one small way to follow Jesus intentionally. Serve someone. Forgive someone. Act with courage in your work or home. Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God. Not because these practices save us by our own effort, but because they open our lives to the grace that is already calling us. Because somewhere, even now, Jesus is walking along the shoreline of our ordinary lives. He sees us. He knows us. He calls us. And his invitation is still the same: “Follow me.” May we have the grace to leave behind what binds us. May we have the courage to walk in his way. May we have the humility to be made new. And may our lives become a clear witness to the truth we proclaim: we know who we follow. We follow Jesus. Amen.

Have you ever wondered about how convinced well-known Christians are of their faith? We all know they never doubt, right? Wrong. Today, we're continuing our series on doubt, we are in part two of five. We're talking about doubt all week.A well-known preacher, Charles Spurgeon, once said of doubt, “I think when a man says, ‘I never doubt,' it is quite time for us to doubt him.” Doubt is a fact of life for many of us, although most don't like to admit it. In fact, doubt's mentioned often in the Bible. The Bible's full of great faith stories, but it's interesting to notice that there are plenty of doubters, too. Sarah simply didn't believe God's promise that she and Abraham would have a child. Peter's bravado evaporated when he realized it was dangerous to be known as one of Christ's followers. Job's wife told him he should curse God and die because of his misfortune, and Job wished he'd never been born.Humans can be quirky. Imagine seeing Jesus with your own eyes and watching Him perform miracles. In the Book of Matthew, we read about the apostles with Jesus on a mountain in the Galilee after His resurrection. You can't get more miraculous than that, but it says some doubted. Mark 9:24 says, “Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, “I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.'” This is the story of a father who sought Jesus to heal his son, and he seemed to believe and to struggle with belief at the same time. Amazing, but not so unusual. As we are learning, doubting is not the worst thing. Keeping silent about it is worse. Seeking God and trusting a friend or friends to talk it through is healthy. God doesn't punish you for doubting.Andrea Lucado, who has been around churches and preachers all her life, understands the struggle. She says, “Most of us at some time or another ask the question, ‘Why do I believe what I believe?'” Those of us who identify as lifelong Christians sometimes have the most doubt. We've grown up in church, memorized scripture, and volunteered at VBS, but that thought, “Why do I believe what I believe,” sometimes hits us in a moment we least expect. There are plenty of resources and plenty of believing friends who have gone through the same thing to see you through this. So, when you're in a season of doubt, remember one thing: you are not alone. Let's pray.Father, doubt comes to us all at some point, and it's then that we need each other the most. We need your spirit to bring us comfort and calm. We thank you that you don't leave us in our time of doubt, but you long to help us through the valley. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

On May 14, we've had one Ascension Day, yes.[1. Photo by Chase Kennedy on Unsplash.] What about second Ascension Day (May 21)? In either case, Ascension Day marks the lesser-known sequel to Easter Sunday, honoring the time when Jesus Christ returned to Heaven. His disciples recorded His famous last words, including His command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” How does this Great Commission affect our fantastical stories? Episode sponsors All that Glows by Lauren Smyth Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Author Update from Author Media The Talismiths: The Secret Saboteur by M. L. Hodder Mission update New at Lorehaven: newly upgraded Library book search Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild 1. Let's define the Great Commission. Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:16–20, ESV This command is first for Christ's disciples and then all Christians. It's not just about getting people saved but a lifelong faith practice. This starts at home but expands, including baptism and teaching. It doesn't overrule orders to live simply, work hard, raise families. It doesn't overrule God's first “commission,” the Creation Mandate. In fact, this helps restore people to Jesus so we can do that calling. 2. How do some stories try to act this out? In the past, evangelical Christian fiction focuses on nonbelievers. They want to tell good stories, yes, but also get the reader saved. Sometimes the hero is a nonbeliever forced to confront faith issues. In fantasy, we met Jesus-allegories or find prayer is a weapon. In sci-fi, we learned aliens are real (demons) and Jesus is better. Other stories have featured “backslidden” people who need faith. And then other stories push back with more subtle approaches. The rise of YA brings simpler themes, often identity and courage. Romantasy may reduce “gospel” content, favoring virtues and love. Before: overt gospel about God. After: subtle morals about us. In either case, the original “evangelical” impulse may remain. Authors understandably want to do more than entertain readers. 3. Great stories reflect all God's commands. It's important to note differences between these two commands. So far as we know, the Creation Mandate is forever, an eternal call. The Great Commission is temporary . It won't be around forever. This doesn't make the Mandate more important. It does balance. That's why the apostles spoke often about families and hard work. We have seen older novels that valued “message” over excellence. If we feel guilty over not witnessing, we may want to compensate. A novel may make us feel we've “evangelized” or helped others. But sometimes, even then, novels like that don't fulfill that goal. Stephen enjoys novels that can reflect both these high callings. And yet only the Mandate tells creators to make great stories. My own novel does star space missionaries, yet has bigger ideas. The point isn't “share the gospel.” It's, “Here's how that can look.” And then, “What are the costs to the human heroes who do this?” That story is mainly for Christian readers. Others may not get it. That's okay. In my view, we need more stories “inside the club.” And yet Christians can bless nonbelievers just with great stories. They can reflect biblical truth, even gospel, yet have other goals. These can serve as pre-evangelism, or common grace for them. “Common grace” means the ways God blesses even nonbelievers. He sends rain and sunshine, good government, widespread virtue. And He enables good culture-making in a sinful world to bless us. Great stories, even if they don't “evangelize,” can help evangelists. And either way, we follow both commands and glorify our Creator. Com station Top question for listeners Did a great novel help you get saved? Or draw closer to Jesus? Next on Fantastical Truth Summer has returned. That often brings seasonal vacations that give you downtime in a car or airplane, maybe on a nice beach somewhere. You already know that's a great opportunity to catch up on reading. So what are some tips and tricks to refocus on reading, finding the best fantastical novels and gaining the most from these worlds?

Restoration - HCP 302On this podcast Larry asked Drew to share more from a recent message from 1 Peter 5:5-14 and specifically how Peter encourages believers that after they have a season of suffering that the Lord himself will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish them HIMSELF - just as he had done for Peter on the beach in Galilee after his denial of Christ. God can restore anyone willing to humble themselves before Him in surrender. Link to that message:https://youtu.be/HFXPFSXW5as?si=WPFkxLzCK0ur1zJTYou can email us at info@healthychurchpodcast.com orTo find more information about The Healthy Church Podcast go to:http://www.healthychurchpodcast.comor find us on FaceBook!

Tuesday, 19 May 2026   A summary of Matthew Chapter 19.   Chapter 17 revealed that there is a future for Israel in God's redemptive plans. Chapter 18, above all, showed that childlike faith is required to enter into the kingdom. The final parable, that of the wicked servant, was a clear indicator that the law is set aside but that Israel rejected Christ's fulfillment of it and, instead, went to reimpose the law that Christ had fulfilled.   The parable ended with the thought that Israel would be delivered to the torturers (symbolized by the wicked servant being delivered up) until he should pay all that was due. Until Israel enters the New Covenant, they fulfill the typology of that wicked servant.   Chapter 19 takes the reader through various topics to reveal what God prioritizes. One can see the contrasts between law and faith as the verses progress.   Verse 1, using the word after-lifted, indicated a transition in Jesus' ministry was taking place. The same is true with the narrative that is to be revealed. Jesus departed from the Galilee and “He came unto the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan.”   The east side of the Jordan typologically indicates a time prior to Israel's acceptance of Jesus, the Descender, symbolized by the Jordan. The Pharisees came to Him, asking about divorce. Could a man dismiss his wife for every cause? Jesus' answer took them back to the creation.   At the creation, God made the two one. Therefore, man was not to separate what God had conjoined. As this was the only instruction on the matter until the time of Moses, it was the ideal from the dispensation of innocence, even until the time of the law. Being the ideal, however, does not mean this is what man practiced. As such, Jesus explained that the accommodation, which came during the dispensation of the law, was because of the hardness of their hearts. This is why Moses gave the allowance for divorce, but it was not that way from the beginning.   The covenant of marriage was to be considered binding. So much was this the case that Jesus noted that divorcing and marrying another was to be considered an act of adultery.   The intent of conveying this is to show that the law could not change the heart of man. Rather, it only highlights sin in man, something explained by Paul in Romans 7. Having heard Jesus' words, the disciples exclaimed that if this was the case of a man with a wife, it would be better not to marry.   Jesus' response showed that, despite the baggage of marriage, it is God's intent. Only those who have been eunuchized in one of various ways were to be considered the exception to God's original mandate to be married and to remain faithfully married. God's original ideal, despite the law, was to be upheld.   With that thought complete, it was noted that children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and to pray. The disciples admonished them concerning this, but Jesus told them not to do so, but rather to allow them to come in this manner because, as He said, “for such, it is, the kingdom of the heavens.”   The intent of His words is that those of childlike faith, not those who are obedient to law, are granted entrance into the kingdom. Immediately after that, the thought of law observance was again brought to the forefront with the introduction of the young ruler, relying on an unstated precept of the law (Leviticus 18:5), to gain him perpetual life.   He wanted to know what good he should do to obtain that state. Jesus cited commandments and precepts specifically relating to one's relationship with his neighbor, assuring him that if he did such things, he would enter “the life.”   After claiming he had done those things, Jesus reset his thinking by telling him that one thing was lacking. He was to sell all he had, give it to the poor, and then he would have treasure in heaven. With that, he went away sorrowful.   He had failed to see that he could not meet the law's standard, a law that pointed to Christ. Jesus was essentially telling him exactly that. “The law points to Me. If you want to be perfect under the law, sell what you have and come, follow Me.” That is how you will merit favor under the law.   With his departure, Jesus told His disciples about how difficult it is for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of the heavens. With the disciples' incredulity at Jesus' words, He told them that with men, it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.   It again points to trust and salvation by grace. The wealthy ruler wanted to merit his eternal life. Jesus showed him it could not be done. Only God can provide it, and it must come through faith. Something revealed in the dispensation of grace.   The final paragraph began with the thought introduced by Peter's question concerning what would be there for him and the other disciples. They had given up all to follow Jesus. Jesus assured them that they would sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.   That will occur during the dispensation of the millennium. As such, the words of Chapter 19 span all the dispensations of time. With that having been assured to the disciples, Jesus then assured all who sacrifice of themselves for His name will receive their just reward. The chapter finished up with His words that the many who are first will be last and who are last will be first.   That sets the tone for Chapter 20, where Jesus will give a parable and summarize it with that same thought.   Life application: The flow of Chapter 19 is one that repeatedly returns to the thought of the insufficiency of the law to bring about a right state before God. Rather, the law highlights sin in man, but it can do nothing to correct man's fallen state. The supremacy of Jesus is thus on prominent display in this chapter.   Coming on the heels of Chapter 18, it stands as an admonition for Israel to give up on trying to earn God's favor through personal merit and to come to Christ for renewal. In that, they will receive all of the promised blessings given to them throughout the prophets.   As Jesus promised the disciples that they would sit and judge Israel, it is a clear indication that these millennial blessings can only come to the nation when they acknowledge Jesus, the recognized Messiah by these disciples and the One they will serve. They have entered the New Covenant. When Israel does, it is these men who will judge them under that New Covenant.   Lord God, thank You that salvation comes through what Jesus has done. We don't need to fret over what we must do. He has done it all! Thank You for the hope of eternal life because of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.  

John 4Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”“I have no husband,” she replied.Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him.Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don't you have a saying, ‘It's still four months until harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps' is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”This series was originally preached at James' church Wellspring Worship Centre - a diverse and Jesus loving community found in Toronto. Get full access to Right Side Up: Danielle Strickland at daniellestrickland.substack.com/subscribe

There are moments, I think, when nearly every Christian has envied the Twelve Apostles. We imagine that faith would be simpler if only Christ stood visibly before us as He once stood beside St. Peter and St. Andrew by the sea or walked with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. We think to ourselves: “Surely I should be a braver Christian if I could hear His voice with my own ears. Surely sorrow would lose some of its sting if I could look upon His face and say plainly, ‘Lord, help me.'”And so the Ascension, the great mystery which the Church celebrates this Sunday, can, at first glance, appear a rather melancholy feast. For it speaks of departure. Christ is taken from sight. The disciples remain below, gazing upward like helpless children watching the sun disappear over the horizon. Yet that is only how it appears from the earth. We are creatures of space and time, and therefore we naturally suppose that if Christ were standing three feet away from us, then He would be more present than He is now. But the story of the Ascension tells us precisely the opposite.For while Christ remained on earth in the flesh, His bodily presence was necessarily limited. He could be in Galilee or Jerusalem, but not both at once. But by ascending to the Father in Heaven, He did not abandon the world any more than the sun abandons the earth when it sets in the evening twilight. Rather, He ceased to be present merely as one man among others and became present in a deeper way to all who belong to Him.This is why Pope Leo the Great could say in the 5th century that “what was visible in our Redeemer has passed into the sacraments.” The visible Christ has not vanished; He has, in a sense, hidden Himself. Hidden—not absent. The same Lord who once healed with His hands now heals through water, bread, wine, absolution, and the quiet workings of grace within His Church.Indeed, the Ascension was not Christ withdrawing from human life but drawing humanity upward into the life of God. The Son returned to the Father carrying our nature with Him. Human flesh, the very thing so often wounded, tempted, and humiliated, now sits enthroned in Heaven. One might almost say that the Ascension is Heaven's declaration that humanity has not been discarded after all. Man is not merely a beastly brute, bred for earthly banality, but destined for the heavenly beatific vision of eternal blissful bewilderment. This is why the sacraments matter so profoundly. In the Eucharist, Christ does not merely remind us of Himself; He gives Himself. In Baptism, we do not simply enact a symbol; we are united with His death and resurrection. In Confession, it is not only a man who speaks forgiveness, but Christ Himself who restores the wounded soul. The modern man often says, “If only I could see, then I would believe.” But Christianity turns the sentence upside down. We learn, gradually and painfully, that sight is not the highest form of knowing. Love itself teaches us this. The deepest realities are often those we cannot hold in our hands. And so the Ascension calls us away from the childish notion that God is absent unless He is visible. Christ is not less near because He cannot now be touched. He is nearer than ever—nearer than our own thoughts, nearer than breath itself. The disciples stood looking into Heaven because they thought the story was ending. In truth, it was only then beginning. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Healing the Nobleman's Son (Sermon Series on John) - Sunday, 17th May 2026[Episode 20 - John Chapter 4 KJV]1. A prophet has no honour in his own country.John 4:44-45  For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.2. A nobleman with a sick sonJohn 4:46-47  So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.3. Jesus rebukes himJohn 4:48  Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.4. Jesus heals his son.John 4:49-52  The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.5. He and his household believe.John 4:53-54  So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO  to this reflection from Fr. RonMATTHEW 28: 16-20Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Bible StudyDon't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: .Sermon Notes:Four Questions About Discipleship1. What Is Discipleship?A determined quest for Jesus HimselfBonhoeffer quote:“The determined quest for him who is the sole object of it all”Discipleship is relational, not transactionalCultural lie: “It's all about you”Jesus calls us to lose our lives to find themDiscipleship is ongoing“Follow me” is present tenseDaily, dynamic pursuitJesus is alive and leading us somewhereDistinction from salvationSalvation = gift of graceDiscipleship = walking out the new lifeCollege acceptance illustration:Accepted freelyRespond with grateful participation2. How Is Discipleship Sustained?By love for JesusJesus asks Peter three times:“Do you love me?”Restoration after Peter's three denialsJesus restores failing disciplesPeter failed, but Jesus did not abandon himChrist's love heals and restoresLove becomes the motivationNot guiltNot successNot position or resultsWe follow Jesus because we love Him“We love because he first loved us”3. How Are Others Involved?Discipleship is communal“We will go with you”Christianity is not a solo pursuitImportance of community and Life GroupsBeware of comparisonPeter: “What about this man?”Jesus: “What is that to you? You follow me.”Different callings, gifts, struggles, outcomesComparison damages discipleshipBeware of collapsing faith into communityYou cannot live off someone else's faithEach disciple must personally respond to JesusCommunity supports personal discipleship, not replaces it4. What Does Discipleship Require?EverythingJesus foretells Peter's suffering and martyrdomContrast:Self-determined lifeSurrendered lifeDiscipleship requires surrenderSurrender of:PlansDreamsReputationComfortEven life itselfLearning surrender over timeSometimes through sufferingSometimes through aging and limitationThe Lord teaches each disciple differentlySurrender helps us trust God's goodnessDiscussion QuestionsWhat's your "Sea of Galilee story"? [the circumstances through which you heard Jesus say "follow me"]What's the difference between justification and discipleship?Can someone be a Christian but not a disciple?Explain the difference between a healthy concern for another Christian's discipleship vs. unhealthy comparison.What has surrender looked like in your life?Additional Resources:The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich BonhoefferThe Gospel of Mark course taught by RandyQuestions?Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Randy Forrester ().

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Sunday morning, the 17th of May, 2026, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Book of Psalms - Psalm 34:10:”…But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” Then the other scripture. Matthew 6:33: ”But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” I want to ask you a question this morning. Are you satisfied with where you are at in your life at the moment? I can hear somebody say, ”No, I'm not. I'm still seeking and I don't even know what I'm looking for but I'm not happy with where I am at right now.” Well, I have got good news for you! The Lord says, ”Seek me first and my righteousness and then all these other things that you are seeking, you will receive.”As a young man, my one desire was to be a farmer. I wanted to be a farmer. My dad was a blacksmith. Oh yes, a blue collar worker and what a hard-working man he was. I never had an opportunity to even get a job on a farm, but you know something, I got that farm and I got another one after that, and another one after that, and didn't find any peace and fulfilment. I was looking in the wrong place. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. I've met many men, very successful, in business, in sport, in careers, and every one of them have told me. ”It was only when I met the man from Galilee that I was totally fulfilled.” It's as the Psalmist says, ”Those who seek the Lord shall lack no good thing.” So maybe it's your career today. You need to say, ”Lord, I have enjoyed my work but there is something missing.” I'll tell you what it is, it's fellowship with God. You see, the Lord created you and me for Himself so that He could have fellowship with us. That's why He created us. He doesn't need us, He wants us because He loves us! He doesn't need anybody. He can do whatever He wants at any time but He really desires that we have fellowship with Him. The purpose of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Now today, start to enjoy the Lord and that career that ambition will come automatically.Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day. Goodbye.

Title: A New Way to WalkScripture Reading: Matthew 14:22-33Series: Be Bold!What does it look like to step out of the boat and walk with boldness when the storms of life begin to rise? In this message, we examine Peter's encounter with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee to discover a 'W.A.L.K.' acronym for being bold. We begin by recognizing that Jesus's bold WALK enables our bold walk. To follow Him, we must ABANDON fear for faith. We find stability only when we LOCK eyes with Jesus, refusing to let the wind and waves of our circumstances distract us from His presence. Finally, true boldness leads us to KNEEL in worship, acknowledging Jesus's sovereignty over all creation and His unique power to save us when we cry out. Commit to locking your eyes on Jesus today and call out to Him for help, trusting that He is already walking through the storm with you.

Some storms announce themselves dramatically — a frightening diagnosis, the loss of a job, a relationship falling apart. Others creep in quietly — the steady drip of stress, the thing that squeaks in the night, the accumulating weight of problems that never seem to fully resolve. Whatever the shape of the storm you are facing right now, the feelings it stirs are remarkably familiar: worry, doubt, and the quietly desperate question the disciples cried out from a sinking boat — don't you care? The disciples had Jesus physically present with them on that boat, and they still panicked. It is a comfort to know that fear and doubt are not signs of weak or defective faith — they are simply signs of our humanity. What matters is what we do with them. Jesus did not rebuke the disciples for waking Him. He rebuked the wind. He spoke to the waves. And in an instant, the ferocious storm became a place of complete calm — not because the disciples had managed their anxiety well enough, but because the One who holds authority over wind and water was right there with them. He is right there with you too. He may not remove the storm immediately, but He will walk through every wave of it alongside you, and He has never once lost the ability to speak peace into chaos. Run to Him with your real feelings, your real fears, and your real questions. He can handle every one of them. Today's Bible Verse "He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, 'Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?'" — Mark 4:39-40 Ponder Today Fear and doubt in the middle of a storm are not signs of spiritual failure — the disciples themselves panicked with Jesus physically present, and He met them there with grace, not condemnation. The question the disciples asked — "don't you care?" — is one many of us have whispered in our own storms, and it is a question Jesus is never offended by, but always ready to answer. Jesus does not always remove us from our storms immediately, but He promises to walk through every wave of them with us — His presence in the storm is itself a form of deliverance. Pride, doubt, and insecurity will always try to prevent us from turning to God in hard times — recognizing those obstacles and choosing to trust Him anyway is one of the most courageous acts of faith we can make. The same Jesus who spoke peace to a raging sea on the Sea of Galilee has not lost His voice — He still speaks calm into chaos, and He still has authority over every storm we face. Today's Prayer Dear Jesus, there are many storms in my life right now, and I am worried, stressed, and concerned over so many things. Like the disciples, I sometimes question whether You care — but I know You do, because You loved me enough to die for my sins. Thank You for walking through these storms with me rather than leaving me to face them alone. Although You may not bring me out of this storm immediately, You will experience every wave of it with me, and that gives me comfort. I trust You with what is to come. The storms may try to overwhelm me, but You will bring me through to the other side. All glory, honor, and worship belong to You, Lord. Amen. Enjoy Today's Prayer? If this episode encouraged you, we'd love to stay connected! Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and faith-filled content delivered straight to your inbox. Don't miss an episode — subscribe and share with someone who needs encouragement today. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Read OnlineOne of the Twelve“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles. Acts 1:24–26Matthias, the saint we honor today, was named an Apostle to replace Judas Iscariot after Judas betrayed Jesus and hanged himself. Matthias was likely from Galilee and had followed Jesus from the beginning of His public ministry. After Judas' death, Peter led the approximately 120 disciples in selecting Matthias through prayer and casting lots, ensuring the Apostles once again numbered twelve. This election occurred before Pentecost, so Matthias received the Holy Spirit alongside the other Apostles, affirming the Twelve as the foundational body of the Church.Matthias' selection is profoundly important for two primary reasons. First, by being counted along with the other eleven Apostles, the group once again numbered twelve. Though there are thousands of bishops today, the foundation began with twelve. Once they received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and began their apostolic ministries, their number grew as the Church expanded. Nonetheless, the foundation remained, symbolizing the Twelve Tribes of Israel and uniting the New Testament Church with the Old Covenant.Second, Matthias' election establishes a biblical foundation for apostolic succession, one of the four marks of the Church: “I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church” (Nicene Creed). By proclaiming the Church as “one,” we affirm that there is only one Church—“the one Church of Christ” (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium 8). While not all are visible members of this one Church, all who are united to Christ in a state of grace are part of His one Body. Nonetheless, “This Church, constituted and organized in the world as a society, subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him” (LG 8).The Church is “holy” because she is united to Christ, her divine Head, who is all-holy. As members of this Church, we are sanctified by Christ's grace, the sacraments, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that enable us to grow in holiness and reflect the sanctity of God Himself.The word “catholic” in the Creed is written in lowercase because it does not refer specifically to the Roman Catholic Church as an institution but to the broader meaning of the word “catholic,” which means “universal.” The one Church is universal in scope and mission, welcoming all people. It is the responsibility of the Church's members to share the Gospel with every person, seeking to draw all into full communion with the one visible Body of Christ.Finally, the Church is “apostolic,” which is especially celebrated in today's Feast of Saint Matthias. Every bishop alive today, every bishop in the past, and every bishop yet to be ordained until the end of time takes his episcopal roots from the Twelve Apostles, including Matthias, who received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.According to various traditions, the Apostle Matthias engaged in missionary activity in regions such as Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey), the Caspian Sea area (modern-day Georgia), and possibly as far south as Sudan and Ethiopia. He is believed to have died a martyr, either by crucifixion, stoning, or beheading. Though we do not know who succeeded him, we can be certain that he not only spread the Gospel and celebrated the Sacraments, but also ordained others to serve as apostles within the communities he helped to establish.As we honor Saint Matthias today, reflect on God's eternal wisdom in establishing the Church. God did not merely give us a set of rules to follow; He gave us a Church—His one Church—and entrusted His authority to sinful men who act in His name and convey His grace. Rejoice that you are a member of the Catholic Church, in which Christ's Church subsists. Pray not only for the mission of the Church, but also for those entrusted with apostolic responsibilities, passed on to them from the Twelve Apostles.Saint Matthias, you were counted among the Twelve and became an essential participant in the foundation of the Church. Through your apostolic ministry, you spread the Gospel far and wide, bringing grace and truth to those you were sent to serve. Please pray for me and for the entire Church, that we may always remain one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, so that the Gospel will continue to be spread to the ends of the earth. Saint Matthias, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: School Giusepe Ribera de lo Spagnoletta: St. MatthiasSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

To become a follower of Jesus, visit: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/MeetJesus  (NOT a Morning Mindset resource)   ⇒ TODAY'S DAILY SPONSOR: The cost of today’s episode is financially supported by David, from Ohio, who listens every morning.   You can sponsor a daily episode of the Morning Mindset too, by going to https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/DailySponsor ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Acts 1:6–11 - So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” [7] He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” [9] And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. [10] And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, [11] and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (ESV) ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE MORNING MINDSET: (not tax-deductible) -- Become a monthly partner: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ -- Underwrite one daily episode: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/daily-sponsor/ -- Give one-time: https://give.cornerstone.cc/careygreen -- Venmo: @CareyNGreen ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FOREIGN LANGUAGE VERSIONS OF THIS PODCAST: Subscribe to the SPANISH version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Spanish Subscribe to the HINDI version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Hindi Subscribe to the CHINESE version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Chinese ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ CONTACT: Carey@careygreen.com  ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ THEME MUSIC: “King’s Trailer” – Creative Commons 0 | Provided by https://freepd.com/   ***All NON-ENGLISH versions of the Morning Mindset are translated using A.I. Dubbing and Translation tools from DubFormer.ai ***All NON-ENGLISH text content (descriptions and titles) are translated using the A.I. functionality of Google Translate.

As tensions with Iran continue to rise, questions about Bible prophecy, the Antichrist, UFOs, and the future of Israel are becoming impossible to ignore. In this CONNECT Q&A from Galilee, Amir Tsarfati and Mike Golay discuss the likelihood of renewed U.S. strikes on Iran, the timing of the Ezekiel 38 war, replacement theology, the millennial kingdom, and the growing fascination with UFO phenomena. They also address Israel's spiritual blindness, the role of the Church, and why deception will intensify in the last days. This conversation connects today's headlines with the prophetic framework laid out in Scripture.Connect with us on social:Telegram: @beholdisraelchannelInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amir.tsarfati/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beholdisrael/X: https://x.com/beholdisraelYouTube: https://youtube.com/@beholdisrael

JOHN 21:1-14 - CAST YOUR NET - BRIAN SUMNER - 2025JOHN 21:1-14 "After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and [a]immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”They answered Him, “No.”6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. 9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead."To support this channel and partner with Brian in Ministryhttps://www.briansumner.net/support/For more on Brianhttp://www.briansumner.nethttps://www.instagram.com/BRIANSUMNER/https://www.facebook.com/BRIANSUMNEROFFICIALTo listen to Brians Podcast, click below.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Purchase Brians Marriage book at https://www.amazon.com/Never-Fails-Da...Brian is a full time "Urban Missionary" both locally and internationally with a focus on MISSIONS - MARRIAGES - MINISTRY. Since coming to faith in 2004 doors continued opening locally and internationally to do more and more ministry with a focus on Evangelism, Outreach Missions, Marriage, Counsel, Schools, Festivals, Conferences and the like.  Everything about this ministry is made possible because of people personally partnering through the non profit. God Bless and thank you. †Support the showSUPPORT THE SHOW