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The Will of God involves patient waiting on God. Weekend broadcast #104To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menu.To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.
Joshua 3 calls Israel to follow the Ark at a distance—“mind the gap”—so they can see the way they must go. Pastor Harold Warner unpacks four takeaways: reverence for God's holiness, surrender to His sovereignty, practical guidance for crowded seasons, and a balanced spirituality that stays humble and sane.Scriptures: Joshua 3:1–5; Ps 25:4–5; John 5:19; 2 Sam 6 (Uzzah); Ps 46:10; John 10:3–4; 2 Chr 20:12; Ps 32:8–9.https://TakingTheLandPodcast.comSUBSCRIBE TO PREMIUM FOR MORE:• Subscribe for only $3/month on Supercast: https://taking-the-land.supercast.com/• Subscribe for only $3.99/month on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taking-the-land/subscribe• Subscribe for only $4.99/month on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3vy1s5bChapters00:00 A Journey of Transformation10:40 The Power of Giving and Obedience13:29 Mind the Gap: Following God's Presence34:18 Practicing the Presence of God45:07 Surrendering Our Timelines to God's Sovereignty48:30 Practical Guidance for the Journey52:38 Balanced Spirituality and the Gap01:00:31 Navigating the Untrodden Path01:05:47 God's Guidance and Our Willingness to FollowShow NotesALL PROCEEDS GO TO WORLD EVANGELISMLocate a CFM Church near you: https://cfmmap.orgWe need five-star reviews! Tell the world what you think about this podcast at: • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3vy1s5b • Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/taking-the-land-cfm-sermon-pod-43369
When God is first, everything else falls into place.
Seek God's word, see God's breakthrough. Give God gratitude, see God's face.
*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. Summary This episode emphasizes how believers can become channels for God's Word, walking boldly in faith and manifesting His presence in the world. It highlights the importance of separating God's Word from human imperfection, stepping beyond fear, and engaging in effective prayer that leads to miracles. The discussion also focuses on the unity of the Body of Christ and the rising remnant that will retain God's presence to influence future generations. Show Notes Embracing God's Word within us and speaking from the heart. How to separate the Word from human imperfection. Overcoming fear to walk in faith and spiritual boldness. Powerful examples of prayer and miracles happening today. The Body of Christ being freed and empowered to manifest God's presence. Raising a remnant to retain God's work and influence future generations. Quotes “All they have to do is open up to what God's speaking to them in their hearts and what they're to become and what they're to move in.” “If you're gonna reject the living word because of the vessels of what they've done, you might as well go home and burn your Bible.” “The fear is the thing that limits the sons of God… we felt no condemnation because we've been trained by the Lord.” “We're touching on something that is effective. Prayer. Very effective, effective prayer.” “It's the body of Christ being set free… God's freeing up his people to be what he's called them to be.” “If the remnant that God is raising up is functioning as he raised it up to function, then there's gonna be those in the world that will be drawn to it.” Scriptural References: 2 Peter 1:4 “…through them you may participate in the divine nature… John 14:26 “…the Holy Spirit…will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
Paul desires for all Christians to experience God's leading and fearless intimacy with Him every day. While not always easy, choosing obedience and Spirit-led living brings blessing. Tune in to hear Pastor Chuck Swindoll teach how a Spirit-controlled mind-set leads to abundant life (Romans 8). Examine the changes that occur when the Holy Spirit is in control of your life. Give God full control. Prioritize obedience and let Him sanctify you.
Paul desires for all Christians to experience God's leading and fearless intimacy with Him every day. While not always easy, choosing obedience and Spirit-led living brings blessing.Tune in to hear Pastor Chuck Swindoll teach how a Spirit-controlled mind-set leads to abundant life (Romans 8). Examine the changes that occur when the Holy Spirit is in control of your life. Give God full control. Prioritise obedience and let Him sanctify you.
Paul desires for all Christians to experience God's leading and fearless intimacy with Him every day. While not always easy, choosing obedience and Spirit-led living brings blessing.Tune in to hear Pastor Chuck Swindoll teach how a Spirit-controlled mind-set leads to abundant life (Romans 8). Examine the changes that occur when the Holy Spirit is in control of your life. Give God full control. Prioritise obedience and let Him sanctify you.
Paul desires for all Christians to experience God's leading and fearless intimacy with Him every day. While not always easy, choosing obedience and Spirit-led living brings blessing. Tune in to hear Pastor Chuck Swindoll teach how a Spirit-controlled mind-set leads to abundant life (Romans 8). Examine the changes that occur when the Holy Spirit is in control of your life. Give God full control. Prioritize obedience and let Him sanctify you.
JOHN 9:17-41 - THE SON OF GOD - BRIAN SUMNER - 2025"17 They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?”He said, “He is a prophet.”18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?”20 His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”24 So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, “Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.”25 He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”26 Then they said to him again, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?”27 He answered them, “I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?”28 Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses' disciples. 29 We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.”30 The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! 31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 32 Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. 33 If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”34 They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.True Vision and True Blindness35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”36 He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?”37 And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.”38 Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”40 Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?”41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.' Therefore your sin remains.”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 becausSupport the showSUPPORT THE SHOW
Paul desires for all Christians to experience God's leading and fearless intimacy with Him every day. While not always easy, choosing obedience and Spirit-led living brings blessing.Tune in to hear Pastor Chuck Swindoll teach how a Spirit-controlled mind-set leads to abundant life (Romans 8). Examine the changes that occur when the Holy Spirit is in control of your life. Give God full control. Prioritise obedience and let Him sanctify you.
Paul desires for all Christians to experience God's leading and fearless intimacy with Him every day. While not always easy, choosing obedience and Spirit-led living brings blessing.Tune in to hear Pastor Chuck Swindoll teach how a Spirit-controlled mind-set leads to abundant life (Romans 8). Examine the changes that occur when the Holy Spirit is in control of your life. Give God full control. Prioritise obedience and let Him sanctify you.
Be Graceful with the Ignorant (1) (audio) David Eells - 10/1/25 Giving grace to people rather than always correction should be our norm. Grace is unmerited favor, so no one deserves it. When we speak faith into people, they get grace: “for by grace have ye been saved through faith.” There is a place for condemnation but not in the life of one who truly wants to obey and be holy. These people need grace to do the works of God, but condemnation is contrary to faith and robs them of the very power of God they need to overcome. Brethren, I was once questioned by a dear sister as to why I dealt so gently with a brother who was in an apostate so-called “Christian” religion. My answer may help you know how to deal with someone who is caught up in a false doctrine yet appears to desire truth. Anyone can judge, but love is more acceptable to others and will build them up and help the one who lacks. Dear sister, I can assure you that few know as I do how evil that false religion is. I was thought to be a member of it until I was old enough to walk away. I assume my chat with the brother bothered you. Every time I talk with him, though, he learns more about the Scriptures and gets hungrier for the Word. If I had spoken against his religion immediately, his defenses would have gone up, and I would not be speaking to him at all. This is not God's way of grace. We must be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” as Jesus said in (Mat.10:16). Even a smoldering wick we should not put out (Isaiah 42:3; Matthew 12:20). Jesus confronted the self-righteous Pharisees directly without mercy, but He had mercy on the ignorant and erring who wanted truth. Jesus said to the Pharisees, “If ye were blind, ye would have no sin: but now ye say, We see: your sin remaineth” (Joh.9:41) and, “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin” (Joh.15:22). This man was born again, but he is an infant and knows so little. He needs milk (Hebrews 5:13). Soon, I will be able to tell him clearly and he will be able to hear. Many people have made up their minds with comfortable ideas and don't change easily. If you tell them the big picture up front, they will close you out or leave you, or both. Jesus said, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now” (Joh.16:12). (Ecc.10:10) If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. I.e., A dull axe bounces out of hardwood, but if you sharpen it so that it enters by a very narrow front, the wood will receive it and then each successive blow can go deeper and deeper. (Ecc 10:11) If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer. The serpent, or flesh, bites when the charmer is not graceful. We have to enable people to overcome their own flesh so they can receive the bigger picture. We have to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves (Mat.10:16). Paul called it as deceivers, and [yet] true” (2Co.6:8) because we are calming and deceiving their old flesh so that we can gracefully get truth into their spirit. (Ecc 10:12) The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. We should follow God's advice for charming the serpent in them. (1Co.9:19) For though I was free from all [men,] I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. (20) And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, not being myself under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; (21) to them that are without law, as without law, not being without law to God, but under law to Christ, that I might gain them that are without law. (22) To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. (23) And I do all things for the gospel's sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof. Self-righteousness demands that we be strong to those who are weak and impulsive, but this same Paul shaved his head, took a vow and circumcised Timothy in order to be acceptable to the Jews so he could share the Gospel with them. However, all of these were things he preached against to the knowledgeable. He would have been a lousy charmer any other way. (Jas.3:17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. (18) And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace. I hope you will understand, or at least not judge me in this. I wish we would permit as much difference in doctrine in our assemblies as God commands in Romans, in order that the young may grow up and that we may learn the ways of peace. (Rom.14:1) But him that is weak in faith receive ye, [yet] not for decision of scruples. In other words, not to argue with them, but to teach them with grace. (Rom.14:2) One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs. (3) Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. (4) Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand. (5) One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. (I.e., let him obey his conscience until he has wisdom.) (6) He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, unto the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. (7) For none of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to himself. (8) For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. (9) For to this end Christ died and lived [again], that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. (10) But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God. (11) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God. (12) So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Rom.14:13) Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother's way, or an occasion of falling. (14) I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. (This makes room for the conscience and grace.) (15) For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died. (16) Let not then your good be evil spoken of: (17) for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (18) For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men. (19) So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another. (Let the peace of the Spirit reign in our words.) (20) Overthrow not for meat's sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. (21) It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor [to do anything] whereby thy brother stumbleth. (22) The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth. (23) But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (15:1) Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (2) Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying. (3) For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me. The little brother or sister should be able to fellowship in peace with the elder brother or sister long enough to grow up in the knowledge of God. In these days, many who consider themselves mature in doctrine do not permit those weak in the faith into their fellowship. Give God time to reveal Himself to them. Take them under your wing and be patient with them. The self-righteous and proud do not permit differences of opinion. We need to remember that we did not get where we are, or learn what we learned, overnight. We are not talking about immorality or heresy here. That has to be dealt with as Paul taught. (1Co.5:11) But as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat. Yours in Christ, David P.S. The brother spoken of above is now delivered and Spirit-filled. Glory to God! We all need to remember to accept those whom God accepts. Our hearts should really be burdened for those people around us who just can't seem to get ahold of any faith. They want to please God, but they really can't get ahold of any faith because they have spirits of rejection and religion so anything in their heart is condemnation. They've never been accepted, so they don't feel the acceptance of God either. These people need faith in their hearts, and people around them need to put that faith in their hearts. Often they don't need correction for they know what their problems are. I come from a background of overcorrection, so I know how it tends to make a person feel rejected and hopeless about the future because it takes away every bit of faith. What we have to know and understand is that “the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation” (Rom.1:16). The Gospel is the good news. When we preach the good news that Jesus has set us free and delivered us to people who are coming from a background of rejection, that's the only thing they need. They don't need more correction or condemnation; they need acceptance. Think of all these Christians who cannot get ahold of faith to get delivered, yet faith is all they need. Nobody has any need but faith. I like what televangelist Robert W. Schambach used to say: “You don't have any problems; all you need is faith in God.” That's so true! It has all been accomplished in Jesus and “the works were finished from the foundation of the world” (Heb.4:3). The only thing that remains is for us to enter into those works through faith and enter into His rest through faith. So people need faith and God knows this. I think one of the devil's largest armies is an army of spirits of rejection, because that's one of the most common spirits around. And maybe I think that because I came from that background and I see it a lot in others. It seems to be such an easy way for the devil to sidetrack people. I think that's why God designed the New Covenant to be the covenant of grace, the covenant of “no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus” (Rom.8:1). We have to learn to accept people with all their problems and all their imperfections the same way that God accepts us in grace. One of our biggest problems is that we need to accept whom God accepts, and when we don't do that, we are judging and having unforgiveness. People who have received rejection have only one need in their life – faith – but what they have instead is condemnation, and you can't have them both at the same time. You have to drop condemnation to grasp faith. You can put that faith in a person by pumping the Word of God into their heart and changing their direction from looking inward to looking outward and upward. Everyone with that problem is always looking inward at what their failure has been and always will be, in their mind. All they can see is their failure and inability, even though pride will not admit it. But since it was God Who designed us and put “this treasure in earthen vessels,” He knows that we are unable and that's part of His plan. We need to be unable; otherwise it's not by grace, it's by works. Part of God's plan is that He put this great “treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves” (2Co.4:7). We need to know that we can't do it. Those people who are under the Law, and looking inward and seeing their failure, are thinking, “I just can't do it!” Well, that's great to know that you can't do it, but if you condemn yourself because you can't do it, then that proves that you're under the Law. When you're condemning “self” because you can't do it, you are proving that you have your eyes looking inward instead of upward. We must keep our eyes on the Lord and what He's done. (Rom.8:31) What then shall we say to these things? If God [is] for us, who [is] against us? (32) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? There isn't anything God won't give us to supply our needs. If He would give us Jesus, the most precious, valuable, and sacrificial gift He had to give, surely He wouldn't deny us anything else. Anything else would be insignificant; it would be like the ribbon on the box. If you're giving a great and precious gift to somebody, you're not going to begrudge the ribbon or anything else. God has given us and will give us anything, but He does demand one thing: He demands faith. So instead of rejecting someone because we're looking at the problem or person, we need to learn to put faith in them. Its for whosoever will. (Rom.1:16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation (Greek: soteria) to everyone that believeth … The Gospel is the “power of God.” The Gospel is the good news, and we need to put that good news in people. They need to hear, “Listen, Jesus set you free” (Romans 6:22). He has made us free from sin; it is already passed and done (Romans 6). I know this can be a hard thing for a person to believe after hearing so much criticism and rejection, even by church and “religious” people who don't know how to put grace into others. All we need is grace, God's favor, and it's hard to receive grace without faith, and it's hard to receive faith if you have condemnation or rejection in your heart. (Rom.8:33) Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; (34) who is he that condemneth? Woe be unto the person who rejects the person whom God accepts! Judgment is upon those who reject people whom God accepts. God wants to put faith in people's hearts, but when we look at their problems, situations and failures, and then get them to look only at those things, rather than at the Savior and His salvation, we steal from them the faith God wants them to have. And many are so prone to do that as religious people! Most people already know where they're going wrong; they just don't know how to get free and go on. The only way for a Christian to get free is to have faith; otherwise, you wouldn't need God because you could save yourself. But He will not permit you to get free and prosper on your own; it is going to be grace through faith in the promises, or it's going to be nothing. We all need to learn how to get grace into people's hearts by speaking grace to them and pumping them full of faith. (Rom.8:33) Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; (34) who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. That verse reminds me of where the angels were asking, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” (Rev.5:2) Who has overcome to open up the seals? It asks, “Who?” And the answer is the Lamb has overcome to open up the seals (Revelation 5:5). They were weeping there because nobody had overcome to open up the seals of judgment and that's true. Nobody has overcome sin to the extent that they can judge without the anointing and wisdom of God. If we step out ahead of God and judge by our own sight and wisdom, we are doing something that only the Lamb has been given authority to do. He loosed the seals of judgment upon the earth; Jesus was the Lamb Who overcame. The Bible says to be ready “to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be made full” (2Co.10:6), but we are quick to correct. Our obedience may not be full, but we're quick to correct and point out, “Here is your problem,” to people who just can't get up off the ground and cannot find faith. We even wonder why they can't find faith and yet we don't speak that faith into them. (Rom.8:35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, (39) nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. And that's even with all of our failures and shortcomings. All of us come from different backgrounds, and we all have our own shortcomings and faults. It's very easy for us to see one another's shortcomings and to keep pointing them out, even though they've probably been pointed out to those people from birth (Luke 6:41-42). It's the good news that we need to be preaching more of: “Jesus has set you free.” He bore the curse for us (Galatians 3:13) and set us free at Calvary from everything and we need to accept that. Let me tell you about a guy I knew who had a problem with alcohol and was really condemning himself because he just didn't have the willpower to stay away from the stuff. I told him if it were up to willpower, there wouldn't be any salvation, especially for a Christian. If you could do it with your own willpower, you wouldn't need Jesus and you wouldn't be learning about grace. But he was one of those introverts who was always looking at himself, instead of looking at what Jesus had already done and rejoicing in the salvation Jesus gave him. Many people are like that, and if one can't find faith, that's generally the reason. They are not looking in the right direction; their eye is not single (Matthew 6:22). You're either looking at yourself and your ability, or you're looking at your inability. (Rom.3:28) We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. You know what that says to me? God justifies us and accepts us as righteous before we are perfect, and it has to be before we are perfect. No matter how you see that, it has to be apart from the works of the Law. (Rom.4:1) What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hath found according to the flesh? (2) For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God. See, when you're condemning yourself, it's because you're expecting yourself to do better, and that's not where success comes from. If you, or any of us, could do better by our own willpower, then we would be justified by our own works. We would be able to glory before the Lord, and that's not possible. (Rom.4:3) For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. That's our job, to put that belief in people to believe God and be counted as righteous. Abraham believed God before he saw the answer, and everybody needs to believe God before they see the answer. We need to believe God for deliverance before we get delivered from our faults. That's the Gospel and that's what faith is; it's calling “the things that are not, as though they were” (Rom.4:17). (Rom.4:3) For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. (4) Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt. (5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly (that's you and me), his faith is reckoned for righteousness. Now that's God's acceptance and we have to accept whom God accepts. If we don't accept them, then without even knowing it, we'll be speaking the wrong things to those people. We're going to be hurting them and we'll be separating them from God. (Rom.8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. That is, those who believe in His salvation. (Rom.4:5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness. (6) Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works, (7) [saying,] Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered. (8) Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin. (9) Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? Stop and think about what circumcision is: it's a cutting away of the flesh. It's a symbol of our deliverance from the bondage of the flesh because it is a cutting away of the foreskin of the flesh. It symbolizes putting to death the flesh that you've been sowing. When you cut off the foreskin, it is a changing of the way you sow; you are not sowing the flesh anymore. The only way that we are going to reap the blessings of God is if we change the way we sow. Notice what Paul says: “Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness” (Rom.4:9). (10) How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? When did God call Abraham righteous? It was before Abraham received the sign of the Covenant, circumcision, which is a type of our deliverance from our old carnal nature. You say, “Well, circumcision is baptism,” and that's true. Paul said in Colossians that circumcision is a type of baptism. (Col.2:11) In whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; (12) having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Baptism is putting to death the fleshly old man and the resurrection of the new man, “Christ in you.” That's what it's all about – an act of faith whereby we are being united with Christ in death, burial and resurrection. And when we come up out of that water, we say, “I'm a new man. It is Christ Who lives in me; the old man died.” So we reckon it by faith, but the baptism has to be manifested in our life as we are continually dying and letting Christ come to life in us, day by day. Paul said, “I die daily” (1Co.15:31). He brought to life his baptism daily; it was a manifestation coming to pass in his life. If baptism is not manifested in our lives, then that act of faith has no works. The washing of the water of the Word (Ephesians 5:26) is putting to death our old man and the new man is coming up continuously. But even before that manifestation, when does God count you righteous? You are reckoned righteous even before circumcision is manifested in your life; in other words, before you are sanctified and holy; delivered completely unto the Lord. How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision (Rom.4:10) before he had manifested this righteousness toward the Lord. God called him righteous for one reason – faith. And that's the way we have to see those who are running after the Lord, even with all their failures. A person's failures don't make any difference. (Rom.4:11) And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them. 2Co.5:17 Wherefore if any man is in Christ (by faith), he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new. (I.e. we reckon it accomplished.) 18 But all things are of God, who reconciled (Greek meaning of this word is “exchanged.” He exchanged His righteous life for our fallen life. He reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; (I.e. We preach faith that “we don't live anymore; Christ lives in us.”) 19 to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, (When we, or others we preach to, walk in repentance and faith, our sins and their sins are not reckoned.) and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (I.e. We preach faith that others might receive the exchange of Christ's life for their life.) 20 We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God. 2Co.5:21 Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him. In Genesis 15, there are several signs of the Covenant that are manifested. For instance, there is the blood covenant that God made with Abraham. Another example is when God promised Abraham that his seed would be as the stars, a multitude (Genesis 15:5). So God made a covenant with Abraham. In fact, at this time he was called “Abram” and not “Abraham.” This covenant was before he had a name change. A name change symbolizes a change of nature, character and authority. The Hebrew word for “name” is shem, which means “nature, character and authority.” The same as the New Testament's Greek word for “name,” which is onoma. This is a type for us because we're getting a name change, too. Our nature, character and authority are being changed as we are reconciled and become sanctified through our walk of faith in Jesus Christ. “Ah” in Hebrew means “the brother of.” When it was added to Abram's name to make it “Abraham,” it changed his name to mean “the father of a multitude” (Genesis 17:5). So before he could become “the father of a multitude,” or before he could become somebody who would sow the seed and bring forth a multitude, he had to have a name change. And that's what we want to do. We want to sow a seed to bring people out of this world. We want to have spiritual children in this world. But before we can be the “father of a multitude,” we have to be “the brother of” the Lord; we have to come into unity with the Lord by taking His name. As a matter of fact, did you know that “ah” is also a part of the Lord's name, “YHWH”? Translators added the “ah” to make “Jehovah.” A lot of Hebrew names have “ah” in them, and originally that was the taking on of the Lord's name. At any rate, before Abraham's name change, God said to him, “Take me a heifer three years old, and a she-goat three years old, and a ram three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon” (Gen.15:9). (10) And he took him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each half over against the other: but the birds divided he not. The animals were cut in half, which was the way they made the blood covenant. Then the two people making the covenant would walk between the halved animals. But God showed that Abraham would not fulfill his half of the normal covenant when He put Abraham to sleep. (Gen.15:12) And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him. I've thought about this, as that's your revelation of your sinful state when you come to know God; it's “a horror of great darkness.” You get a revelation, “Hey, I'm undone!” And there's not a thing you can do about it. (Gen.15:13) And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years. As a type, this was the Israelites when they were in bondage to the world, to Egypt. It was before they were baptized in the Red Sea and went to the Promised Land, so it was a type of them when they were lost and in degeneration. (Gen.15:14) And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. (15) But thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. So God put Abraham to sleep and the only thing that passed between the sacrificial halves was the smoking furnace and the flaming torch (Genesis 15:17), which represents the Lord burning up the wood, hay, and stubble of the old life. This means that Abraham could not fulfill his part of the covenant, that there were no works he could add to bring about the blood covenant of our cleansing. And here's another example, again from before Abraham was circumcised and from before he had his name changed: (Gen.17:10) This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised. (11) And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of a covenant betwixt me and you. And then He calls it my covenant shall be in your flesh (13). So, before Abraham fulfilled righteousness in putting to death his flesh, in the cutting away of his flesh, God called him righteous. And the Lord calls us righteous, not because of where we have attained to in the Lord, but because of election (Romans 9). It's simply just because God has chosen us; He sees the end before the beginning (Isaiah 41:4) and He calls us righteous. And that's the way He wants us to look at other people. He wants us to say, “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Php.1:6). Just as Paul said, “It is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you” (7). In other words, “It is right for me to be thus minded on your behalf that He who started a good work in you will perfect it, will finish it.” It's right for us to be minded that way toward the imperfections that we see in one another. It's to look past them and not to reject or criticize but to say, “God's going to finish the work.” We just saw that before Abraham was circumcised, God had accepted him. Here's another good example: (Rom.9:9) For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. (10) And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac — (11) for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, (12) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13) Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. So it was according to election that God accepted Jacob and rejected Esau. When we see the calling of God in a person's life, aside from all their failures and foolishness, God has accepted them. We need to accept them, too, and not be so quick to try to do what is God's work to straighten them out. First of all, we accept them, and then God's work through us is to put faith into their lives because that's the good news of the cross of Christ. It's the good news that He bore their sins on that cross, and they need to realize that. Now let me share this testimony of grace and faith called: Ministry of Reconciliation E. D. - 04/03/2008 My wife, was infected with the Brownsville and Toronto spirits as a result of attending one of their meetings. Our relationship began to deteriorate as she lost respect for the Word. We separated for what I originally blamed solely on these manifested spirits in her. But the Lord has impressed upon me in the midst of this trial that there is a better way of reconciliation. And as a Christian, it is my duty to be a minister of reconciliation. And I not only abrogated my responsibility to minister to my wife, but I was a purveyor of the bad report by confessing to brethren my desire to leave my wife as a result of the manifesting spirits. I was so effective in speaking anti-faith to my friends that they may feel the need to argue with me concerning her and me reconciling our relationship. Since she was still my wife, I took authority over those Brownsville spirits and according to scripture, commanded those spirits to loose my wife in the name of Jesus Christ. The spirits did leave. She went back to school and got a job. She did not exhibit the signs of the Brownsville spirits, and she requested reconciliation with me on a couple of occasions. The Lord has recently revealed to me that He loves reconciliation, and we should also. Though she tried to reconcile with me, I kept her at arm's length due to mistrust and weighing her spiritual growth according to my standards, rather than the righteous standards in which our Father weighs my spiritual growth. He sees the end from the beginning. As her husband, I denied her the patience, grace and mercy my Father in heaven granted me. It is no surprise that she recently confessed to me that I make her feel she can never reach my expectations. This is when the Lord impressed upon me that I needed to repent of the way I viewed our marriage. I first had to reconcile my mind of how our Father viewed our marriage and see her from an entirely different perspective. I was not walking by faith but walking by sight. As a result, I was judging her. I was denying our Father the opportunity to work His perfect will in our relationship by putting the onus on her and not on my faith in our Father's Word. Eph.5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it. Our Father reminded me of His long suffering, quickness to forgive and forget. If He can do that for me through Jesus Christ, then who am I not to do the same regarding my wife? I failed to see my wife for what she will be by faith but saw her as she was. Heb.11:1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. I compared myself to how Christ deals with me and found myself lacking. 1Cor.7:10 But unto the married I give charge, yea not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband 11 (but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife. She felt rejected by me, which was perfectly understandable. Instead of speaking faith I made the gulf wider, pushing her into the arms of another man. But the Lord heard my prayers concerning the other man that he should be removed immediately, and this happened in such a way that both her and I knew it was from the Lord. That is when we began talking to each other and confessing our faults. She confessed she didn't even want to be with that man but felt desperate and unloved. I confessed I was not doing right by her because I was not speaking faith. I was more intent on pointing out her past faults than in realizing the love Jesus Christ displayed for us through His victory at the cross. I didn't realize I was doing this. When I repented and changed the way I conversed with her, I began to see a great change over time in her. She not only became far more receptive to me but to the Word also. She is now like a flower blossoming in the desert. When I speak to any brethren who are going through a similar trial, I tell them, remember, we are to love our spouses as Jesus Christ loved the church. Because that is what their troubled spouse needs. They need to see the love of Christ in us. All it took on my part was to obey the Word of God and lay down myself so she could see true forgiveness and grace. Now I know reconciliation is the Lord's best way. Seeing that we are ministers of reconciliation, I now see my marriage as a part of this ministry. So remember, brethren, speak the end from the beginning for your spouse and speak of things that are not as though they are, because we have the authority in Christ to do this. And my prayer is that our Father restores the spiritual house of all my brethren in similar trials and situations. Amen.
Paul desires for all Christians to experience God's leading and fearless intimacy with Him every day. While not always easy, choosing obedience and Spirit-led living brings blessing.Tune in to hear Pastor Chuck Swindoll teach how a Spirit-controlled mind-set leads to abundant life (Romans 8). Examine the changes that occur when the Holy Spirit is in control of your life.Give God full control. Prioritize obedience and let Him sanctify you. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/82/29
This episode features a full length Bible study taught by Pastor Jack Abeelen of Morningstar Christian Chapel in Whittier, California.If today you prayed with Pastor Jack to receive the Lord, we'd love to hear about it and get you started on the right foot. Visit us online at: https://morningstarcc.org/born-again/To see more of Pastor Jack's Bible studies, visit our Morningstar Christian Chapel channel at https://www.youtube.com/@morningstarcc.To subscribe to our Podcast newsletter go to http://eepurl.com/iGzsP6.If you would like to support our electronic ministry, you may do so by going to our donations page at https://morningstarcc.churchcenter.com/giving/to/podcast.Visit our church website at https://morningstarcc.org.
Yes! You are in! Thank you for sharing when worthy. We'll see how this one stacks up. Did you know you are a surfer? Ok, maybe you've never touched the ocean. You are absolutely surfing waves called life. Some waves can be thrills of a lifetime. Some waves can wreck you, destroy relationships and even you. Here you go...Thank you Pastor Rick Warren, Daily Hope and Saddleback Church. I start off almost every day with Daily Hope. How about you? Do you start your day with something uplifting and strengthening or the news or Fakebook or Instabrag?When I have my A game. I start the day in the Word, prayer and iron sharpens iron listens. Oh, to hear more on that one, please click below...https://www.pastorrick.com/current-teaching/series/a-toolbox-for-life-2025?view=learning-to-be-both-fast-and-slow---part-1So I do call SoCal home. I do surf. And that's when the vision came to me. To catch waves you need intention. You need to train. You best take some lessons. Better yet, you go with a pack so you can keep an eye on each other. When it comes to Life Planning, that's how GCrossSurf was born. My wife still thinks we should rebrand and maybe we do. What was fun to learn that Pastor Rick and team also use waves for teaching. I love affirmations. I had no idea. First time I ever heard him mention waves. And I pretty much listen to him 5 out of 7 days per week. Anyway, smarty pants out there will say you can create waves behind a wakesurf boat or wave pool. Yet that isn't what Pastor Rick was teaching on. In life, you hop into the ocean called this broken planet. And you have to ride with what God gifts you and also what this broken planet will serve up. If we could all just create our own destinies then we would all be Michael Jordans or Lebron James or Taylor Swifts or Lord knows what. The woman at the well had waves of failed relationships. Check John 4. Joseph's brothers threw him into a pit to die. Genesis 37. Daniel was enslaved by Babylonia. Check the book of Daniel. Moses thought he was leading his people out of slavery in Egypt and ended up enslaving themselves in the desert. Check Exodus. And we can go on and on. Some fair, some deserved, some definitely not deserved, all crappy waves that eventually turn into beautiful surf of life...for those that love and seek Him. Rom 8:28Odds are you are in crappy surf right now. Maybe you are in the best surf of your life. Ok, enjoy it while it lasts. Give God thanks. Yet for those in crappier surf, learning to be content (not happy) content (big difference) shows your might faith and strength. Knowing that Rom 8:28 waves are going to pay...someday is mighty Faith.So if so inspired, hit us up at FriDudes.com and we'll give you a free GCrossSurf workbook. Planning and riding the most important waves of life. If you are tech savvy, we'll even give you early access to the beta web app. For it needs some lovin and shapin. Ending on a prayer note...
Part Six of our new sermon series Stories with Pastor Adam Starling.
Sunday, September 21, 2025, Hebrews 11:17-19 by David Cecil
WILL YOU GIVE GOD YOUR ALL? DEUTERONOMY6 John Adams
In this episode of More Than Money, Jess Rainer (Art's brother) shares powerful stories of how generosity can change lives in unexpected ways. From a father coming to Christ after years of prayer to a student receiving a last-minute camp scholarship, you'll see how giving impacts both individuals and communities. Tune in to discover the eternal ripple effects of your generosity and how God multiplies what you give.Resources:8 Money MilestonesChristian Money HelpAsk a Money Question!
Give God your best.
Dash with Carol Dixon is all about life and how to live that life positively, productively, and prayerfully. After decades of ministry, Dr. Dixon is qualified to address any topic of life from a biblical perspective. Let's Listen Now as Dr. Dixon shares nuggets with us about “To Be Your Best, Give God Your Best.”Send us a textBecome a Dash Legacy Builder Today! For more information go to caroldixon.net/dash
“To God be the glory, great things He has done.” Listen to this last message on Paul's letter to the Philippians to summarize the principles taught in it. Hear Scriptures about God's glory in the New Testament and the meaning of calling upon the name of the Lord. Find out about God's unique essence, including His unique power to perform all He plans. Give God credit for all He has done and is doing for you daily and be encouraged to step up and take your stand in a wicked and perverse world which needs the glorious good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
A new MP3 sermon from Grace Audio Treasures is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Shall we refuse to give God's children this valuable bread because dogs snap at it! Subtitle: Puritan Devotional Speaker: A. W. Pink Broadcaster: Grace Audio Treasures Event: Devotional Date: 8/28/2025 Bible: Romans 9:10-13; Ephesians 1:4-6 Length: 2 min.
A new MP3 sermon from Grace Audio Treasures is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Shall we refuse to give God's children this valuable bread because dogs snap at it! Subtitle: Puritan Devotional Speaker: A. W. Pink Broadcaster: Grace Audio Treasures Event: Devotional Date: 8/28/2025 Bible: Romans 9:10-13; Ephesians 1:4-6 Length: 2 min.
We highly suggest that you READ the TEXT at the link below, as you listen to the audio above. https://gracegems.org/2017/08/Shall we refuse to give unto God's children this valuable bread.html Feel free to FORWARD this gem to others!
Give God, His Word, and the king the benefit of the doubt. For more resources on reading through the Bible in a year, visit my church's website at this link or text us at 888-644-4034. God bless - DoyleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this sacred and deeply personal follow-up to last week's episode, I share the story of Hagar—a woman in Scripture who walked through the wilderness not once, but twice. Discarded, unseen, and weary, she was met by the God who called her by name. And she became the first person in the Bible to give God a name in return: El Roi (pronounced El Roh-EE)—The God Who Sees Me.If you're in a season of feeling forgotten, this episode will remind you: God sees you. He hears you. And He has not abandoned you.✨ In this episode, I share:How Hagar's story in Genesis 16 and 21 mirrors our modern-day wilderness seasonsWhy being stripped of status and striving is often where true faith beginsWhat it means to be seen, sustained, and sent—even when you feel invisibleA reminder that provision may already be near—you just need God to open your eyes to see it
Grace To You - Galatians | Fruit of the Spirit | Pastor Chris Heller Galatians 5:15-26 Remember all those great kid church songs we learned growing up? "Deep and Wide", "Obedience Is...", "Who Built the Ark?", "Rise, Shine and Give God the Glory, Glory"! For many of us, those songs still echo in our childhood memories. I still remember the countless times we excitedly sang the song, “The fruit of the Spirit's not a coconut!” during my time as our Kidztown director. And, with that same excitement, I can share we have finally arrived at those wonderful verses this week in our Galatians series! Join us this Sunday as we not only learn how to walk by the Spirit, but how to be led by and live by the Spirit as well! The fruit of the Spirit's not a WATERMELON!
Show NotesKeywords: faith, self-care, service, God, blessings, prayer, encouragement, love, community, best versionSummaryIn this heartfelt conversation, Ms. G emphasizes the importance of giving God our best in all aspects of life. She discusses the tendency to prioritize our own needs over our spiritual commitments and encourages listeners to engage in selfless acts of service. Through personal anecdotes, she illustrates the blessings that come from a strong faith and the necessity of being mindful of our relationship with God. Ms. G. challenges listeners to reflect on their actions and to actively seek opportunities to bless others, reinforcing the idea that true fulfillment comes from serving God and others.TakeawaysGive God your best, not your sloppy seconds.We often expect God to do his part without reciprocating.Self-care is important, but so is caring for others.Being God-centered leads to a more fulfilling life.We should actively seek to bless others.Prayer should not be a last-minute task.Reflect on how we can serve those around us.True blessings come from selflessness and service.Engaging with God requires effort and intention.We must not take our blessings for granted.Give God Your Best: A Call to ActionThe Power of Selflessness in Faith"Don't take God for granted.""You're not too busy for God.""Help somebody"
You have to give God something to work with to win in spiritual warfare. Think of the boy who gave Jesus his lunch. Jesus adds to and multiplies what we give Him, but the devil subtracts and divides. Many times, we are so consumed with what we need from God that it never once crosses our mind what God wants from us. Could it be that giving something you already have is the key to what you are asking God for? There are no excuses with God when He is offering us everything in return.
In this profoundly moving episode, Liz Wright is joined by Pastor Bill Johnson for an intimate conversation about loss, mystery, and the kind of faith that only suffering can produce. Drawing from his personal journey—especially the passing of his wife—Bill shares wisdom and unveils how surrender becomes the greatest act of worship in grief. He invites us to see our initial responses to pain as sacred opportunities: offerings we will never again be able to give in eternity. Together, they explore how real trust grows not in answers, but in His Presence, and how our mourning can lead either to unbelief or divine comfort. Bill unpacks the danger of exalting human reasoning over the goodness of God and offers a blueprint for living anchored in trust. This episode is a spiritual reset for anyone in pain, reminding us that our greatest inheritance is not just healing—but Him. You will walk away comforted, steadied, and deeply seen.Related MaterialsWhat if Your Loss Could Spark a Divine Breakthrough? When prayers seem to go unanswered, when the miracle you want is nowhere to be found, when the pain of loss sears your soul, how will you respond? For months, thousands around the globe prayed for a miraculous healing for Beni, beloved wife of pastor Bill Johnson, that never came. At Bethel Church, a global outpost of revival known for its signs and wonders, her passing thundered through the community like an avalanche in the valley. In this powerful new book, Bill draws from scripture and his own experience of deep personal loss, teaching you how to process your pain with God and experience new dimensions of His presence available in times of suffering.
Join us in person on Sundays at 8:15 or 10:45am for morning worship with evening worship at 5:00pm at our Plattin Road campus.
Sometimes we give the enemy too much credit. Instead of having him in the conversation flip the script and give God the glory. We all have ups and downs but whatever situation you find yourself in remember we play a part and it's through praising his glory we find comfort, peace, and joy no matter the situation.
We are given time on this earth and we get to choose how we use it. Time spent with God changes everything, in spite of the pressures we face externally. He is more than enough!
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Messy Family Podcast : Catholic conversations on marriage and family
“We need to give God room to show up. Often we try to fix and solve everything without waiting for God to act” - Jonathan and Amanda Texiera Summary The number one conflict in marriages, statistically, is money. How we spend our money reflects our values, but also our belief in the providence of God. Do we truly believe that God cares about all of our life, including our financial needs? How much are we truly trusting in Him and His provision and not just giving in to panic and fear? In this podcast, we invited our friends Jonathan and Amanda Texiera of Wallet Win to give us some encouragement to give our entire lives over to God and believe that He cares for us completely. They give spiritual principles, but also practical advice for families to reject fear and embrace trust. Key Takeaways Remind yourselves of what God has done in your lives and invite God into your money, he wants to be part of your life Give God room to show up - we try to fix and solve everything without waiting for God to act Create financial oneness in our marriage Live as financial disciples - play the long game Couple Discussion Questions Look at the fruits of panic and trusting providence. How have you experienced these? List the ways that God has provided for you. Where can you trust him more? Resources https://walletwin.com/
We are wrapping up our series on the topic of worship with some honest talk, because here's the thing: worshipping God from the heart isn't always easy. There are times when worship comes easily—when life is good, prayers are answered, and joy overflows. But what about when it's not? What about when your heart is heavy, when questions remain unanswered, and when hope feels distant? That is the place where worship sacrifices. Some would say it's hypocritical to praise when you don't feel like it. God says, it's not hypocrisy, it's obedience. Hebrews 13:15 says: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name.”Praise and worship are never to be slaves to our circumstances but masters over them. Sacrifice has been part of worship since the beginning. And while Jesus' death and resurrection mean blood sacrifice is no longer needed, there is still a place for sacrifice in our praise. There is still a time when our worship of God costs us something. Will we worship even then? Is He still worthy of our praise—even when it's hard? Here are three conditions when worship may require sacrifice for you in the days ahead. 1. When someone has hurt or wronged you. (Acts 16)Like Paul and Silas, you, too, to varying degrees, are going to be hurt by people. You're going to be wronged and mistreated. And you're going to face the challenge of how you're going to respond. Will you commit to offering a sacrifice of praise anyway? Is God still worthy of your praise?Christ is often most clearly shown when in our mistreatment, when things are totally unfair, and we worship anyway. It's then that people wonder, “What is it that you have? What do you know? Whatever it is, I want it.” 2. When you are deeply disappointed. (Habakkuk 3:17-18)What happens to your worship when things don't turn out the way you'd hoped? For the prophet Habakkuk, his worship rose like a defiant “nevertheless.” Even in the face of all these hard things, even when things don't go my way…I will rejoice in the Lord. 3. When you're worried or afraid. (Psalm 27)David is faced with threats of all kinds, yet even in the middle of all these fears, the one thing he knows he needs is worship. He knew that in the sanctuary, in God's presence, he would find perspective and the recovery of hope. Note what happened in each of these stories. Worship came first, and then came the transformation. The sacrifice of praise was offered before circumstances changed. Now it's our turn. Will you allow the circumstances to silence your praise, or will you determine to offer God a sacrifice of praise? Give God the worship that perhaps touches His heart the most, and in the process, you may find Him to be everything you need. Text: Heb. 13:15; Acts 16; Hab. 3:17-18; Ps. 27Originally recorded on February 7, 1999, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN
Anxiety is real, but so is the peace of God! This week, we’ll learn how to find the root of our worries, reconnect with God in prayer, and experience the kind of peace that guards our hearts and minds no matter what we’re facing.
Anxiety is real, but so is the peace of God! This week, we’ll learn how to find the root of our worries, reconnect with God in prayer, and experience the kind of peace that guards our hearts and minds no matter what we’re facing.
Your very soul is in danger if you hold on to an attitude of unforgiving bitterness. Leave it to the wrath of God.
Valerie Sneed teaches the power of prayer and continues to share and illustrate the dire need for us to strengthen this ability. Join Valerie on her Prayer line at 877.804.6333 at 6:30 AM Monday through Friday. Valerie Sneed also creates the appropriate materials and teaching tools to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for those in need, and even elevate their own connection with God. For more information go to https://www.prayersheardinheaven.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Pastor Joel Sims shares about the power of your daily habits. He shows how your life could change by doing one thing: Give God Your Mornings.
Recently I've been thinking about how I can put more things into God's care and not worry about them. Here's some of my quick thoughts on that as I'm about to go to the beach with family.Support the show
Unity in the body of Christ doesn’t happen by accident—it takes humility, honesty, and the willingness to address sin with grace. In this episode, we unpack the biblical process for reconciliation, based on Matthew 18, and why it's crucial for maintaining purity and unity within the church. Learn how godly confrontation, led by the Spirit, fosters healing and glorifies God. What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why Matthew 18 is a biblical guide for addressing sin—not just personal offense How private, Spirit-led conversations can lead to repentance and restoration The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, and why both matter Practical steps for apologizing, seeking forgiveness, and restoring unity How church unity reflects the beauty of Christ’s bride—spotless and ready
Today on Bold Steps with Pastor Mark Jobe … we’re discovering whether God is the ruler of our lives. As we move forward in our series on Rock Solid Living … we’re looking at the Ten Commandments and how these ancient words bring about new life. Specifically, the first commandment. In our materialistic culture, the need to be in control is so prevalent … but we need to be asking ourselves … what are we putting before God? Bold Steps Gift: LIES GIRLS BELIEVE: AND THE TRUTH THAT SETS THEM FREEBecome a Bold Partner: https://give.moodyradio.org/bsj?appeal=podcast&utm_source=bs_podcast&utm_medium=description&utm_term=radioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We hope this conversation will serve as a reminder to be more gentle with ourselves as we are letting the Savior mold us into who we need to be. That we don't need to be in a rush to become better immediately, but that we can rest and find some calmness knowing we are a work in progress. In fact, this episode's guest calls it the "slow work of God." Rachel Cope experienced a devastating medical crisis that has resulted in ongoing health struggles. And when she found out that her recovery would be a long road, Rachel tried to better understand how that slow work can become sacred. She looked to historical examples of women in Church history, which she writes about in her book The Slow Work of God. Rachel teaches Church History and Doctrine at BYU. She holds a PhD in American history with an emphasis in women's history and religious history. Follow us on Instagram! Subscribe to our newsletter!