Podcasts about Giver

Jesus Christ is our constant and consistent Giver of hope. As we find our strength in Him, He will help us overcome the trials we face. Click here to see the speech page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!We're back with another banned book discussion; this month's book is The Giver by Lois Lowry. Tune in to hear our thoughts about The Giver.Mentioned in this episode: https://thisbookisbanned.com/banned/the-giver-banned/Support the showSupport the showBe part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Amanda Holmes reads James Baldwin's “The Giver.” Have a suggestion for a poem by a (dead) writer? Email us: podcast@theamericanscholar.org. If we select your entry, you'll win a copy of a poetry collection edited by David Lehman. This episode was produced by Stephanie Bastek and features the song “Canvasback” by Chad Crouch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parenting can come with plenty of unsolicited comments, especially when you're out in public with your children. In “Reminding Our Hearts That Children Are a Blessing,” Emily Rose Massey challenges us to look beyond cultural attitudes toward children and remember what Scripture says about their value. Psalm 127:3 calls children a gift from the Lord and a reward, giving parents a biblical perspective when the world may treat children as a burden or inconvenience. Our words matter, especially because children are always watching and listening. Emily encourages parents to respond to insensitive comments with truth and grace while also challenging Christians to become people who encourage other parents rather than add to their burdens. When we see children as God sees them, our response can become an opportunity to point others toward His goodness, faithfulness, and grace. Highlights Why common comments about parenting can affect both parents and children What Psalm 127:3 teaches us about the value of children How cultural attitudes can cause us to view children as a burden Why Christians are called to think differently from the culture around them How parents can respond to insensitive comments with truth and love Why children are paying attention to the way adults speak about them How everyday interactions can become opportunities to live out our faith Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Reminding Our Hearts That Children Are a Blessing By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3, NASB 1995). “You have your hands full!” If I had a dollar for every time I have heard that phrase in my ten years of being a mom when I was out and about with my kids in public, I would probably be a quasi-millionaire! Well, that might be an over-exaggeration, but I have heard it quite often! Although I know most people are just trying to find something to say to connect with a stranger, I do wish we could find a different phrase to say that encourages moms with little ones who take them out in public. A few times recently, that common phrase was followed up with some extremely rude and inappropriate remarks when they found out that I did not, in fact, have all my children with me and that I had more at home. Our children also hear those negative comments about them. They are much smarter and more observant than we give them credit for sometimes. How do we think their little hearts are being impacted by what strangers believe about their mere existence? It often makes me question how we, as a society, truly view children or big families in general. I only have four children, so I cannot imagine what moms with more than that might hear while grocery shopping! Truthfully, I think we need to pay attention to what the scriptures say about children because God created them. God calls children a blessing, a gift from the Giver of good gifts. Do we have eyes to see them as a blessing? “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3, NASB 1995). Intersecting Life & Faith: I understand that those who are not Christians dismiss what the Bible says about any topic, so we should not be very shocked when the world behaves in a worldly way or says unlovely things about what God has created. Unfortunately, our culture speaks more highly of pets than of children. As Christians, though, we need to live counter-culturally and not get swept up in the world’s ways or thinking. We all might be guilty of viewing children as a burden or annoyance from time to time. It’s human nature to be selfish and bothered by anyone (even those tiny ones) who may interrupt our plans or embarrass us in public. We must remind our hearts of what God says about these precious little souls, and we must lead by example. I have shared some of my thoughts regarding these comments in public with my friends who are moms of little ones to encourage them not to grow offended, but to meet these remarks with truth and love. One idea a dear friend shared with me was that when someone tells her that she has her hands full, she responds, “Not as full as my heart!” Friends, this is our opportunity to boast in the Lord’s goodness for blessing us with these children that He calls a reward! Our response to them testifies to our faith in Jesus Christ and can challenge their own thinking about how they view God’s blessings, especially if the person professes to be a follower of Christ. I think it is important to be prepared to have these kind and truthful responses when we are out in public with our children. What other phrases come to mind that you can offer to the strangers who might choose to connect with you about your kids? Ask the Lord for these opportunities to not only respond lovingly but perhaps even engage in conversation about God’s faithfulness and grace that you experience in parenthood. Let’s live our faith out loud when we are running errands at the grocery store, the post office, the doctor’s office, or waiting in line to order some lunch. How can you encourage moms and dads when they are in public with their kids so that they also know that their children are not seen as a burden or nuisance? Our kids are always listening and watching! What kind of response will they hear from your lips when someone tries to shame their existence? I hope they hear how much you love them and thank the Lord for giving you such amazing gifts from above. More importantly, the Lord is listening and watching how we speak of children in our lives or around us. Thank You, Lord, for our children… what abundant blessings they are to our lives! May You receive all the glory in our hearts and lives as parents to these precious souls. Further Reading: Matthew 18 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Martin Luther's outrage over a corrupt church selling indulgences helped ignite the Reformation, but the beliefs that grew out of that upheaval still shape Christianity centuries later. Zach, Al, John Luke, and Christian trace Luther's struggle with righteousness through Romans, his controversial problem with the book of James, and the tension between faith and works that Christians still wrestle with today. The guys confront the limits of human understanding, exploring whether our obsession with certainty leads us to argue over mysteries we were never equipped to solve. In this episode: Romans 1:16-17, 20; Romans 3; Romans 4; Romans 6-8; Romans 10; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; James 2; Hebrews 11 Today's conversation is about Lesson 7 of Theology 101: The Western Theological Tradition taught by various Hillsdale Professors. Take the course with us at no cost to you!  More about Theology 101: Examine the great questions of Western theology from the ancient Hebrews through today. The gift of speech, or reason, given by God to man, enables us to think about God and to worship Him.  This free online course pursues this purpose by examining the nature of God as revealed in the Bible, exploring the great theological questions and controversies of the early Christian church, studying the history of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, and much more.  We invite you to join us and explore the nature of the relationship between God and man, and how a proper understanding of this relationship can lead to a free and happy life. Sign up at ⁠http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with-phil-robertson/id1835224621 Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Chapters 00:00 The Hillsdale Homies  03:18 ‘Plain Reading' of Scripture Isn't So Plain 11:30 The Corruption Pushed Luther Too Far 18:21 Romans Changed Martin Luther's Theology 23:48 Why the Resurrection Matters as Much as the Cross 28:55 The Struggle Every Christian Faces 31:44 God the Giver & Man the Receiver 34:40 Luther's Problem With the Book of James 38:11 Some Questions Are Too Big to Answer 44:05 Faith Is More Than Believing the Right Things — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (08/17/26), Hank asks you a question: “Have you been transformed into a joyful giver?”Hank also answers the following questions:Are the pre-incarnate appearances of Christ examples of him setting aside his deity before His birth? Robert - Fresno, CA (3:58)What is the general time frame of Genesis 1-2? Dan - PA (8:01)I'm a Christian who has used drugs; I'm going to rehab, but do you think Jesus will take me back? Rob - St. Louis, MO (15:12)Are the people taken up in Matthew 24 taken in judgment, or is this referring to a pre-tribulation rapture? Jason - Akron, OH (18:46)

Ecclesiastes 2 records the Preacher's search for satisfaction through pleasure, achievement, possessions, wisdom, and work. Yet after experiencing everything the world could seemingly offer, he concludes that it is vanity and striving after the wind. In this episode of Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, Dave Jenkins explains why pleasure cannot satisfy the soul, why success and achievement cannot provide lasting meaning, why wisdom remains limited by death, and why work apart from God ultimately frustrates us. The chapter ends by directing us toward a better understanding of life: our work, food, enjoyment, and daily blessings are gifts from the hand of God. Meaning is not ultimately found in the gifts, but in the Giver. Ecclesiastes 2 points us beyond the emptiness of life under the sun to our need for Christ. In Him, our lives have lasting purpose, our work is not meaningless, and our joy is rooted in God Himself. Continue reading through Scripture with Reading the Bible Daily with Dave: https://servantsofgrace.org/reading-the-bible-daily-with-dave/

Ecclesiastes 2 records the Preacher's search for satisfaction through pleasure, achievement, possessions, wisdom, and work. Yet after experiencing everything the world could seemingly offer, he concludes that it is vanity and striving after the wind. In this episode of Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, Dave Jenkins explains why pleasure cannot satisfy the soul, why success and achievement cannot provide lasting meaning, why wisdom remains limited by death, and why work apart from God ultimately frustrates us. The chapter ends by directing us toward a better understanding of life: our work, food, enjoyment, and daily blessings are gifts from the hand of God. Meaning is not ultimately found in the gifts, but in the Giver. Ecclesiastes 2 points us beyond the emptiness of life under the sun to our need for Christ. In Him, our lives have lasting purpose, our work is not meaningless, and our joy is rooted in God Himself. Continue reading through Scripture with Reading the Bible Daily with Dave: https://servantsofgrace.org/reading-the-bible-daily-with-dave/

Ecclesiastes 2 records the Preacher's search for satisfaction through pleasure, achievement, possessions, wisdom, and work. Yet after experiencing everything the world could seemingly offer, he concludes that it is vanity and striving after the wind. In this episode of Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, Dave Jenkins explains why pleasure cannot satisfy the soul, why success and achievement cannot provide lasting meaning, why wisdom remains limited by death, and why work apart from God ultimately frustrates us. The chapter ends by directing us toward a better understanding of life: our work, food, enjoyment, and daily blessings are gifts from the hand of God. Meaning is not ultimately found in the gifts, but in the Giver. Ecclesiastes 2 points us beyond the emptiness of life under the sun to our need for Christ. In Him, our lives have lasting purpose, our work is not meaningless, and our joy is rooted in God Himself. Continue reading through Scripture with Reading the Bible Daily with Dave: https://servantsofgrace.org/reading-the-bible-daily-with-dave/

Julie R. Ølgaard er skuespiller, instruktør og manuskriptforfatter og er lige nu aktuel med filmen Dobbeltspil, som hun både har skrevet, instrueret og selv spiller med i. Idéen til Dobbeltspil har boblet rundt hos Julie i omkring 15 år, så vi snakker om den lange vej fra den første tanke til faktisk at stå på et filmset og føre den ud i livet. Hvordan skriver man en film? Hvordan ved man, hvilke idéer der er værd at holde fast i? Og hvordan er det pludselig selv at skulle instruere den historie, man har gået med i hovedet så længe? Vi snakker også om selve livet på et filmset. For selvom alle arbejder på den samme film, er det også et sted med tidspres, ambitioner og mennesker, der skal fungere sammen i mange timer hver dag. Hvad sker der, når bølgerne går højt, og hvordan håndterer man de frustrationer, der næsten uundgåeligt opstår undervejs? Julie fortæller også om at instruere mennesker, hun kender rigtig godt. Giver det en større tryghed, eller betyder det bare, at man hurtigere siger tingene, som de er, fordi man ikke behøver pakke dem ind? Gå fornøjelse, Christian. Vil du høre resten? Så find hele episoden eksklusivt på Podimo:http://podimo.dk/christian Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Summary of Sorath Mehla 1In this hymn composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the central message highlights the impermanence of the material world and the supreme value of the Divine Name (Naam).The Ultimate Giver: God is the all-wise Giver, while humans are beggars at His door. Since temporal items are fleeting, the Sikh prays solely for the everlasting gift of God's Name.Omnipresence through the Guru: The Creator pervades every heart, the waters, the land, and the sky. Though hidden, God's presence is revealed within one's own heart through the wisdom of the Guru’s Word (Shabad).Escape from Reincarnation: Driven by attachment to worldly illusions (Maya) and duality, humanity remains trapped in the cycle of life and death. By connecting with the True Guru and following divine teachings, a person breaks free from spiritual bondage and avoids rebirth.Inner Enlightenment: When the True Guru blesses a seeker with spiritual wisdom, all worldly ties shatter, allowing the Formless Lord to reside continuously within the mind.

(01:00): Hvad har ændret sig for Radikale Venstre? Medvirkende: Brian Weichardt, politisk kommentator og vært på Sig Det' Løgn. (13:00): Hvordan kan mængden af vold, chikane og andre hadforbrydelser mod lgbt+-personer forhindres? Medvirkende: Joanne Bywater, Medlem af Københavns Borgerrepræsentation for Liberal Alliance. (30:00): Giver rig/fattig-sammenligning overhovedet mening i dag? Medvirkende: Rasmus Glenthøj, Ph.d i historie og professor på institut for kultur- og sprogvidenskaber ved Syddansk Universitet. Værter: Anne Phillipsen og Nicolai Dandanell. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Den nye kampagne, som Hizb uT-Tahrir har rettet mod muslimske gymnasieelever, har fyldt en del de seneste dage. Kampagnen har fået flere politikere til at kalde på en undersøgelse af et muligt forbud af organisationen igen. Grunden til, man vil have en undersøgelse af muligheden for et forbud skyldes, at Rigsadvokaten har afvist et forbud tre gange før. Ifølge Sten Schaumburg-Müller, juraprofessor ved Syddansk Universitet, kan det give god mening at lave sådan en undersøgelse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

這集節目特別邀請到剛從高中畢業、即將前往康乃爾大學就讀的優秀青年楊可煌（Andrew）！ 18歲的他熱愛建築與藝術，不僅在高中時期發起「台灣青年建築藝術展」，更創立多個公益團隊，帶領上千位偏鄉孩子透過畫筆一同看見台灣的美麗。 面對被放大的資源，可煌展現了極其成熟客觀的思維，分享自己如何看待家庭支持、並深信「給予者（Giver）」與「種福田」的雙向溫暖。 我們也將聊聊可煌父母「只引導、不逼迫」的多重探索式教育，以及傳統父親那份雖然不擅言詞、卻在畢業典禮上親自頒獎的深刻支持，陪伴你一起思考如何開闊孩子的視野，放手讓他們長出最自信的模樣！ *

This sermon explores how pleasure can either draw us toward God or quietly displace him. Through Deuteronomy 8, Titus 1:15, and the practices of feasting and fasting, Paul Kim considers how gratitude, remembrance, and love for the Giver can shape the way we enjoy God's gifts.

Genesis 22 opens at a moment of rest in Abraham's life. After decades of waiting, wandering, and trusting God through uncertainty, Isaac has finally arrived. The covenant promise is alive and breathing. And then God shows up with a command that seems to contradict everything He had promised. This is not a story about chaos. It is a story about what happens when we grow comfortable holding onto what God gave us, and whether we trust the Giver as much as we treasure the gift.The passage draws a clear line between temptation and testing. Temptation pulls us toward sin and away from God. Testing draws out what we truly trust and deepens faith through obedience. God did not test Abraham because He lacked information. He tested him to move faith from profession to demonstration. The same dynamic plays out in our own lives. The Isaac in your life is not necessarily something sinful. It may be something deeply good, a relationship, a career, a dream, a ministry, an answered prayer. The danger comes when a good gift begins to occupy the place that only belongs to God. Nothing created can carry the weight of being God in your life.Abraham's response to the command is striking. There is no recorded argument, no negotiation, no request for another sign. He rises early and starts walking. And he walks for three days, looking at his son, carrying a command that could not be reconciled with the promise he had held for decades. Somewhere on that road, he reasoned that God could raise the dead. He trusted the Promiser even when he could not understand the method. That is mature faith. It does not demand a complete map before taking the next faithful step. The story ultimately points beyond Abraham and Isaac to a greater sacrifice. Isaac is spared. Jesus is not. The ram dies in Isaac's place. Jesus dies in ours. The deepest provision God has ever made is not something He placed in our hands. It is Someone He gave in our place.

Recognize the 7 Mind Types - How Top Performers Speak Their Customer's LanguageMost salespeople treat every customer the same way. They use one pitch. One approach. One way of communicating. And it doesn't work for everyone.The problem isn't you. The problem is you're not reading the person in front of you. You're not recognizing their mind type.Today Sam sits down with Ridgely Goldsborough, a serial entrepreneur who's started forty-five companies, authored twenty books, and was Jim Rohn's voice in Latin America for decades. In this episode, Ridgely teaches you how to recognize the seven different mind types so you can adapt your communication and close more deals.What You'll Learn:The seven mind types and how to spot them instantly. The Giver loves to make a difference. The Connector values trust above all else. The Problem Solver needs data to make sense of things. The Innovator always wants a better way. The Perfectionist does things right. The Rebel challenges everything. The Master wants depth. Each one is wired differently. Each one communicates differently.Why knowing someone's mind type changes everything. Once you know their mind type, you know their communication keywords. Use those words and they respond as strongly as they respond to their own name. That builds trust. That closes deals.How each mind type has a superpower and a kryptonite. The Giver's superpower is causes. Their kryptonite is overcommitment. The Connector's superpower is trust. Their kryptonite is waste. The Problem Solver's superpower is solutions. Their kryptonite is paralysis when they don't have enough data. Every mind type is exceptional at something and struggles with something else. Knowing yours means you can play to your strength and manage your weakness.Why people who think like you are easy to work with, and why everyone else is difficult. When you don't understand someone's mind type, you clash. The Giver overwhelms the Connector. The Problem Solver frustrates the Innovator. The Perfectionist stifles the Rebel. But when you understand each other's mind type, everything changes.How your personal philosophy shapes which mind type you are. What you read, listen to, watch, and who you hang around with forges who you become. That determines your mind type. That determines how you communicate. That determines your results.Potential beats talent every single time. Someone twenty percent good making one hundred calls talks to twenty people. Someone fifty percent good making ten calls talks to five. Effort beats talent. Volume beats skill. The person willing to work is the person who wins.Why This Matters:If you're struggling to close deals, you probably already know how to sell. The problem is you're not reading the person in front of you. You're using the wrong approach for the wrong mind type. This episode teaches you to recognize the seven mind types so you can adapt your communication instantly. That skill changes your close rate.About Ridgely Goldsborough:Serial entrepreneur who's started forty-five companies. Author of twenty books. Studied alongside Jim Rohn as his voice in Latin America. Two master's degrees. Studied Buddhism, personal development, and human psychology. Now runs Local Market Dominator, helping contractors and home service businesses get found online and convert prospects into customers.Ridgely's Resources:Mind Types Framework and Communication Keywords List: Search "Mind Types" online or email Sam at sam@closeitnow.net and he'll send you everything Ridgely has created.Free AI and Online Visibility Audit: Go to https://www.localmarketdominator.com. Understand how people are finding you online and what happens when they do. Ridgely offers free audits on traffic and conversion for any business.Work with Sam:Website: https://www.closeitnow.netCoaching and training: https://www.closeitnow.net/coachingFacebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/closeitnowEmail: sam@closeitnow.netBook a call: https://calendar.app.google/KZH1j2Q1MAXTKbT38Three Ways to Work with Sam:One: On-site training. Half-day classroom plus half-day ride-alongs with your team.Two: Virtual training. Same frameworks, delivered remotely for teams or individuals.Three: The Build. Company scaling partnership with Doug C. Brown. You built the revenue. We help you build the business.Leave a Review:Five-star review on Apple Podcasts gets you a free one-hour coaching session with Sam. Message Sam with your review and you're in.Google Review Link: https://g.page/r/CbfnnDqTCwQdEAE/review

Start your day off with this 1 minute devotional from Pastor Mike Fabarez of Focal Point Radio Ministries. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1339/29?v=20251111

Adam Wright and Fr. David Skillman have spent twenty weeks walking us through St. John Paul II's encyclical "Dominum et Vivificantem" ("The Lord and Giver of Life"). Today they conclude the series and prepare for JPII's sixth encylcical! Adam Reflects on the Gospel of the day.  Download the Covenant Network app today! Pray the Visual Rosary at VisualRosary.org For more information on Covenant Network, visit OurCatholicRadio.org

What are spiritual gifts, and why does God give them? In today's reflection, Andy begins exploring 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul reminds us that every gift—from wisdom and faith to teaching and service—comes from the same Holy Spirit and is given for the common good. Through a personal story about his wife Holly's remarkable gift of faith, Andy reflects on how God uniquely equips each of us, not to elevate ourselves, but to strengthen the body of Christ. The focus is never on the gift itself, but on the Giver who empowers us to serve.Join us for our daily reflections. In 10 short minutes, we'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help us better understand God's Word.You can read today's passage here. Click here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST.  You can watch this reflection in video form and subscribe to my Substack here. 

Episode 1039 (18:24) In this episode: Fr. Bill preaches about the mystery of desire; What do we desire? Where does desire come from and where does it lead? God is the source and summit of our deepest desires; Sin comes from disordered desires; Let God heal and restore desires. Music: "The Gift and the Giver (18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, YR A)" (Lyrics & music generated by AI: Chat GPT and Suno.com) Audio Produced on Logic Pro Music: Suno.com Related Web Sites:  "Journey of Desire" book by John Eldredge My Website Podcast Page All Previous Episodes  

Jeremiah 38:10–11Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, “Take thirty men with you from here, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.” So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the house of the king, to a wardrobe in the storehouse, and took from there old rags and worn-out clothes, which he let down to Jeremiah in the cistern by ropes.In an earlier episode called "Bricks, Rags, and Mercy" (episode 217), I shared how Ebed-melech showed mercy by using old rags and worn-out clothes to make Jeremiah's rescue much less harsh than ropes alone.Mercy softens the rough edges of life in this world—whether through rags, old clothes, casseroles, songs, a cold cup of water, or a brick on a step.You'll have to listen to discover how two bricks on the top step of a community pool, a family of fuzzy little ducklings, and a year-long question became another reminder of God's mercy. Then, one year later, eight new ducklings arrived… and the story wasn't over.If you would like to support this podcast with a monthly or one-time gift, thank you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.sherriyoungward.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To find out about upcoming gatherings and new projects, please join my email list at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.sherriyoungward.com

It's easy to remember God's faithfulness when life is going well, but much harder when we're walking through seasons of uncertainty, disappointment, or struggle. Psalm 136 calls God's people to remember- not because God forgets, but because we do. Recounting God's work throughout creation, the Exodus, the wilderness, and the Promised Land, this psalm reminds us that His steadfast love has been present through every chapter of His people's story. When we remember what God has done in the past, we gain confidence to trust Him with both the present and the future. The story of Israel ultimately points to our own journey of faith. God is our Creator who gives us purpose, our Rescuer who brings freedom through Christ, our Shepherd who faithfully forms us through life's wilderness seasons, and our Giver who invites us to live in the fullness of His promises. No matter where you find yourself today, God's faithful love has not changed. As we remember His goodness, our hearts are strengthened to follow Him with confidence, worship Him with gratitude, and share His love with the world.

In a culture that often treats pleasure as either something to chase or something to distrust, this message explores a different way. Drawing from Scripture and personal experience, it considers how joy, delight, and gratitude can become means of grace that draw us toward God. What if enjoying God's good gifts could deepen, rather than distract from, our love for the Giver?

Group Guide Use this guide to help your group discussion as you meet this week. Acts 1:1-5 Spencer Carey Download TranscriptGood morning. My name is Spencer. I am one of the pastors here. We did it you guys. We made it through 2 Samuel. 1 and 2 Samuel.And now we're in the book of Acts. So if you're new to our church, we typically, not exclusively, but the majority of what we do is we walk through books of the Bible. And we're gonna go verse by verse, passage by passage. And we're in Acts chapter 1 today. As we begin the book of Acts, we'll be in this for the next season. We're in the first five verses of the book of Acts.That is on page 1053, 1053 in your black Bibles. The main text will be coming from the Bible. So we will hold a Bible and read that with this. There'll be other texts. They'll be on the screen. But we're gonna introduce the book of Acts because it is wise when you jump into a book to have some context for what you're actually studying.So I want to point out three things as we begin to introduce us, I think, well to understanding the book of Acts. If you grab a study Bible, like the ESV study Bible, you open it up before we start reading a book. If you're gonna study it, you're gonna see different introductory elements. And I'm gonna give you three that kind of help us frame our time together in the book of Acts. Genre, author, and purpose. So let me hit those very quickly.It's important to first know the genre because not all scripture is the same. You don't read Proverbs like you read the Psalms, like you read Genesis, like you read the Gospels, like you read the epistles, the letters in the New Testament. They are all, they come from different genres. So it's important to understand what you're reading before you jump in. The book of Acts is historical narrative. Functions like the Gospels in that way.It's historical narrative. It's a bunch of stories that tell the story of how the church began starting in the first three decades of the church is what the book of Acts and 28 chapters covers. So from around 33 AD to around 60 to 65 AD, we're gonna read a bunch of stories and teachings that shaped the church early on and that we get to be shaped by as well. So it's one of the longest books in the New Testament. The Gospel of Luke is the only book that's longer and we'll be in it for a bit. So the second thing that is helpful to know is the author.And the author is Luke. So Luke was inspired by God to write this. So let's introduce ourselves to Luke. We don't know a ton. Here's what we do know. Luke was likely Greek.Okay. He may have been Jewish, it's debated, but if he's Jewish, he's very what you would call Hellenistic, meaning he's very Greek influenced. So he's Greek. What we also can see from the letters of the New Testament is he's likely a doctor. So likely a physician like Mike Goble who was just standing here leading us in prayer.He's a doctor. It's also clear that he's an historian. He was tasked with the job of both telling an orderly account of the Gospel in Luke of Jesus Christ and his life, his ministry, his death, his resurrection and the book of Acts, which tells the story of the early church. So some will say that Paul wrote most of the New Testament. It's actually not true. When you go by word count, Luke actually was inspired to write most of the New Testament because Luke and Acts is longer than all Paul's 13 letters combined.Fun fact. Three, purpose. Okay. Why is the book of Acts and our Bibles? Why did God inspire it? Why was it so important that it became an essential part of what's called the New Testament canon?What is the official books of the New Testament? Why do we have this? That's what we get to look at today. One of the things that's clear when you read the book of Luke is that there's this foreshadowing of the inclusion of the Gentiles. So that's basically, I would assume everybody in this room that comes from a non-Jewish background.There's this foreshadowing that the Gospel is going to go to the nations and that we're going to be included. And the book of Acts is going to show us how. How we are brought into the household of faith. So we're going to see this. We're going to look at the values and the witness and the Gospel that spread all that comes out of this. We're going to look at key figures like Philip and Peter and James, the brother of Jesus Christ, and Paul.We're going to look at all of this. And when you actually, if you look at a Bible and you go to Acts, oftentimes they're going to have the subscript that we have from the earliest manuscripts that says Acts of the Apostles. And if you read that, it may lead you to believe that this book is primarily about the work of the apostles. But what we're going to see is this book is primarily about a God rescuing his people and his rescue plan for the nations. And then even more of the point, one of the things that makes Acts so unique and so essential is it gives us the most comprehensive window into the third member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.We're going to read a lot about the Holy Spirit. No book in the Bible mentions the Holy Spirit more than the book of Acts. It would be wrong to say that this book is only about the work of the Holy Spirit, because God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son are both present and loom large in this book. But there's no other book in the Bible that gives us a more upfront window to the work of the Holy Spirit than the book of Acts, which makes this very helpful for us as we want to be a Spirit empowered people and the season that we're in trying to be missional and planting a church. So we're very excited to be able to walk this book together.And what we're going to see today and these first few verses and what we're going to see throughout this series can be summarized in this sentence, the Holy Spirit in God's church taking Jesus to the world. That what we're going to see is the Holy Spirit in God's church taking Jesus to the world. So let me pray and then we'll walk through this introduction together. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the good news of the gospel that we just sang about, that we just prayed for, that we just recited from the Scriptures. God, I pray that you would help us be, have open eyes to see how you started your church and what it's built upon.And we ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. All right, go to verse one. In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach. So let's pause there.Out the gate, there should be some questions that jump off the page. Who's Theophilus? When did you do all this, where you dealt with all the things that Jesus began and taught? And that is why understanding Acts, it's very helpful to have a working general knowledge of the book of Luke. The gospel of Luke helps us understand the book of Acts. Luke functions very much like a part one and Acts functions very much like a part two.So what I want to do a little bit today is to go to the book of Luke and to help us see a little bit of how this helps us understand Acts. I want to go to Luke chapter one. This will be on the screen. You can look up here and hold that place in Acts because we'll come back to it. Luke chapter one says, many have undertaken to draw up an account of these things that have been fulfilled among us just as they were handed down to us by those who were, who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you most excellent Theophilus so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.So this is very similar to the introduction to the book of Acts. Who is Theophilus? We don't know for sure. We know that his name means lover of God. Theo and Phyllis, those are two different Greek words to come together, lover of God. It is very likely that he was a wealthy Christian who put the money forward for Luke to do the work of gathering all these reports.It takes time and energy and effort and money to go and travel throughout all of the New Testament world and to put together what is the gospel of Luke? What is these stories that tell us about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ? And we should be familiar with that concept because we know today they are investigative reporters, that they make their living, they get paid to go out and do investigative work and put together reports from Bob Woodward and his work all the way to reporters like Christopher Rufo today. They are all types of different people that get paid to put together reports.And that is what Luke was. He was an historian who got paid and traveled to go and put together this gospel of Luke that tells us about Jesus Christ. And what I appreciate about Luke is that he's not only just giving us a bunch of facts about Jesus, he does the work of organizing it into a story. So when you read it, like the other gospels, it has story arc. So most stories, the gospels, stories in the Bible and stories that you go and you watch in the movie theaters, most stories have a general story arc.There's an introduction, there's rising tension, so there's going to be some different plot things that happen. There's rising tension, there's a climax, and then there's resolution. That's the majority of stories. And when you read the gospel of Luke, there's an introduction to who Jesus Christ is. He was born. And then all of a sudden, very early, you see the rising tension as he's ministering and establishing and teaching the kingdom of God.He's got the tension with the Pharisees and the religious leaders. And there's this tension that builds all the way towards Jerusalem where Jesus Christ is crucified, where he is resurrected. And then there's this resulting action, which is the commissioning of the church. And I appreciate that because it makes reading the gospels a lot of fun. It helps us see that he's a good storyteller in pulling all these stories together for us to see. But buried in the end of the gospel of Luke, in what we just read a few minutes ago, is a bit of a cliffhanger.And I also appreciate the art of a cliffhanger. My oldest recently has gotten really into books. She loves reading. And what happens sometimes is that she'll come down tired. And she's like, I'm so frustrated because I just want to go to sleep. But every chapter, there's just this cliffhanger.And I just have to keep reading. And it's like, I love that you love reading. We're going to have to learn to live with a cliffhanger for a bit because you actually need to go to sleep. But cliffhangers do that. They kind of leave something lingering that draw you into the next part. And that's what's the genius of the end of the gospel of Luke.And I want to go back to what we read just a few minutes ago so that we can see that. You get the very end of Luke, chapter 24, verses 44 through 49. This is how the gospel of Luke ends. Then he said to them, this is on the screen, these are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. Okay. That's what we call biblical theology.That's the reality that the entire Old Testament, all of it points to Jesus Christ. And he sang it. Listen, law, the prophets, Psalms, all of it points to me. Verse 45. Then he opened their minds to the scriptures, which is Jesus Christ, opening their minds to understand.46, And said to them, thus it is written that the Christ should suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead. 47, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed and is named to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things, and behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you, but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high. So Jesus points to the climactic work, his death, his resurrection. And then he tells them in verse 47, really a preview of what is ahead. He nods to, you're going to go and preach.It's going to be the message of this gospel of his life, death, and resurrection. You go preach that there's going to be a call for repentance of sins. They're going to experience forgiveness that washes and covers us. This is what you're going to proclaim, and that message is going to the nations. You are going to be witnesses of this. But first, you're going to go to Jerusalem, and you're going to wait, because power is going to come from on high.Wait for the promise of the Father. It's coming, but you go into Jerusalem first, and that's like the cliff thing. Oh, wait, what? And it's like, oh, I want to know more about that. And here's the good news. You don't have to wait a year for part two of the movie to come out.You can just flip over the book of Acts, which is what we're in. So go back to verse one. Now, we have a good working knowledge of what Luke is doing in the gospel of Luke. Pick up in verse one, the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, verse two, until the day when he was taken up after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. Which just for a moment, I appreciate that what is clear is that when Jesus is teaching his disciples throughout his ministry, the Holy Spirit is present with him, teaching his followers.Verse three, he presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God. Okay, so there's a period of time between Christ's resurrection and his ascension, which is what we're going to look at next week is when he ascended to the right hand of God the Father. That period of time is 40 days. So in that 40 days, when you look and read the end of the gospels and you pick up in this part of the book of Acts, we don't get all likely of what Jesus did during that period. We can tell that he appears to them at various times.He's not with them every second, but he appears to them and what he's doing is he's preparing them. He's teaching them the kingdom of God and he's preparing them for what awaits them. He appears to them in Jerusalem. He appears to them on a mountain in Galilee. He appears to them on a lake in Galilee and he's doing the work of preparing them for what's next for the unfolding plan to reach the nation. So he's preparing them, but also what I like in this passage is it points out that he's also establishing that he is alive, that there are witnesses who have seen Christ.That's why Paul in 1 Corinthians, he points out that there are 500 people at one point that saw Jesus in the flesh. So Jesus is both preparing his church for what is ahead and establishing I am alive through all types of eyewitness accounts that we read in the scriptures. So he's in the period of preparation preparing them for what's next over that 40 days and now he's here verse 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 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.So Jesus is getting ready to ascend, but he tells them you're going to wait. You're going to wait in Jerusalem. You're gonna wait for the promise of the Father and that's foreshadowing what we're going to see the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the church. You're gonna wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon you. Now at this point, it's very likely Jesus has taught them all about water baptism from the moment that he's baptized until now.And they should have the understanding at this point that baptism is the new covenant sign that you belong to God. But what they're going to learn is that faith does not begin with water baptism. It doesn't begin with water that faith begins with fire. That faith begins with fire that comes upon you when the Holy Spirit changes you into a new creation in Christ Jesus. When you believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, the baptism of the Holy Spirit overtakes you and changes you into someone who is new that you belong to Jesus Christ. And then you enter the waters of baptism to declare that you belong to him, which is why we as good Baptists baptize after someone is converted to Jesus Christ.That's what he's giving a nod to here at the end of this verse five. So he's telling them they need to wait. You're gonna go to Jerusalem and you're gonna wait for the Spirit to come upon you. And then you're going to begin to see this wonderful redemption plan that's going to unfold. And the rest of the book of Acts is how that plan unfolds. God in his people with them, bringing them into his mission to reach the nations.And I personally am very thankful that God brings us out of the stands and into the game so that we get to participate with our God in doing the most important eternal work there is. Around this time every year, I get excited because football is not far away. Okay. I love football. It's my favorite sport. I like other sports.Football is my favorite. I like how in August as the first game approaches, how delusional I get into thinking I will convince myself by the end of August that Lenora Sellers may be a Heisman candidate for the University of South Carolina. It's going to happen. I can convince myself of that delusion while also know I can't wait for the disappointment. It's going to be so exciting. I hold those two intention simultaneously and I get excited because I love watching the Gamecocks.I love watching us take on like blue blooded SEC programs like Kentucky and Mississippi State on the SEC Plus Network where we usually play. I just I look forward to it. I like pro football. I like watching. I'm a huge Indianapolis Colts fan. I love watching every season.I was like one time we won the Super Bowl in my entire life and I enjoy doing it. I love watching it. But let me tell you something. When I play football, I had way more fun. When I got to play football growing up, I mean Friday nights were way better than Saturday mornings in the stands. Friday nights in the field were far superior to ever watching something on TV or being there in person to watch it.No, it was a lot more rewarding, a lot more fun to be in the game playing. And what I appreciate about our God is that this wonderful redemption plan that He has given us, that He's unfolding for us, we get to participate in. That we get to wait for the power of God to come upon us and we get to be obedient to where He calls us to go. We get to see the spirit change people's lives. Guys, there's nothing more wonderful in this world than declaring the good news of Jesus Christ to someone who does not believe. And then God goes to work in their heart, brings them to faith in Jesus Christ.And then 10,000 years from now, you are standing in the presence of Christ with that brother's sister because you leveraged your life now for eternity. There is nothing more important. There's nothing more glorious. There's nothing more wonderful. And none of that happens unless the Holy Spirit is present. None of that happens unless the Spirit goes to work.We're like little kids that just want to get in the game and we're like three feet tall and we want to dunk a basketball and we can jump two inches off the ground and we're dreaming up just I want to dunk it and then we get picked up and we get to participate. And that's what the spirit does in us. He works in us in a way where we get to be a part of this, the Holy Spirit in God's church taking Jesus to the world. That's what all of this is about. And that's what we're gonna see throughout the book of Acts. The Holy Spirit in God's church taking Jesus to the world.I just want to give you a preview of what's ahead. I want us to see how this this theme of the Holy Spirit and God's church taking Jesus to the world, how it shows up all over the place. Because we'll work through Acts 1, then we'll get to Acts 2. And in Acts 2 we're gonna see at the festival of Pentecost where all the Jews are coming in to celebrate that at the right time the Holy Spirit will descend upon the church. And then Peter who, think about this, just six weeks before that was denying Jesus Christ repeatedly, stands up what we'll see at Pentecost and preaches a sermon where 3,000 plus people, their eternity has changed and the church begins.And then we're gonna watch from Acts 3 to Acts 6 as the church explodes in Jerusalem. The Spirit working in profoundly wonderful ways as people are being changed. And with that comes what Jesus promised. That if you declare the good news of Jesus Christ, you will be persecuted. You will suffer and they do. And as the church begins to declare the good news of Jesus Christ and powerful, wonderful things begin to happen, the church begins to be persecuted.And that comes to the head in Acts 7 when Stephen, a servant of Jesus Christ, is declaring the gospel and he's murdered and martyred for his faith. And then we'll see how the Spirit uses that. Because the Spirit uses that to expand the church further. When we get to Acts 8 we'll see how this plan is unfolding because they're gonna spread when they're being persecuted into Samaria, into Syria. And now the gospel is spreading. And then we'll follow this as Acts 10 to Acts 12 we'll see the finally how the Gentiles are included and how God works in that.We'll see in Acts 13 at Antioch when the church is commissioned and Paul and Barnabas are sent to go and take the gospel to Asia Minor into Europe and the gospel begins to spread from Acts 13 to Acts 20 all over from Turkey to Greece. The gospel begins to go everywhere. And then as we finish the book of Acts we're gonna see in Acts 21 to 26 when Paul is giving a defense for the gospel as being persecuted, being imprisoned, and that he uses his imprisonment for the gospel to go forward. He uses imprisonment to get the gospel to Rome. He's like I want to get to Rome. So I'm gonna be in prison and that's where I'm going.And then Acts 27 there's a shipwreck and then Acts 28 he finally gets there. And what I love about Acts 28 is when he gets there guess what there are any Christians there. That's what God does. He keeps working in lots of different people. But you keep reading this the Holy Spirit and God's church taking Jesus to the world.You keep following chapter after chapter after chapter and then all of a sudden you get to 28 you get done reading it and it just ends. It's like Luke just dropped the pen and said I'm done. It's the wildest thing. Go read through the book of Acts. I encourage you guys as we start this series go read through the whole book. And you get to the end and it's just like this isn't complete.And we know that Luke knows how to write a story because you can read the gospel of Luke and you can see such compelling story arc and how it and it just that's not we just have this rising tension and it just stops. He just quits writing and it's clearly so incomplete. It's not like any other book in the Bible just stops. And the question that should linger is why. Why? Why is it just that?And the answer is because the story isn't finished. Acts continues. The story isn't finished. The gospel is still trying. We're still taking the gospel to every tribe nation and tongue. The story isn't over.The church keeps going. Years ago there were some clever Christians that came up with a church network name called Acts 29. Which was brilliant. But it was a statement on it keeps going. That we are living and Acts continues. That the story continues.And it does. It continued in the first century as the gospel spread from North Africa to as far as Spain over to India and to Asia. The gospel spread as of the next few centuries as the church began to be further established as they were once a persecuted minority. Faith becomes a majority faith in the Roman empire. And the church begins to grow and to expand and that eventually you follow the centuries and centuries later that there were some Christians who were being persecuted for their faith by the established church of England. And they say we want to go to this new place called America.And they travel to America and that kind of starts a big wave of Christians moving and pastors moving and missionaries moving to America. And eventually you saw land in this state where they start churches from the coast up to the upstate. And eventually at around the early 1900s people came to this part of the river and they began a new church. First Baptist Church of Casey. And this church ministered for a century and then all of a sudden another church started up in the area of Mill City Church. And then a few years later we merged together as one church, Mill City Church.And the spirit is still at work taking Jesus to the world. And what I love is that if you've ever read a book, you ever watched a movie that leaves the ending ambiguous? That leaves a cliffhanger? Instead of getting frustrated, what I like to do is I like to dream a bit. I like to imagine what actually is going on and what could be. Like if you watch the movie Inception, you get to imagine does the top fall or does it keep spinning?And you get to dream a bit about what that can be. If you read a book like The Giver, you get to imagine does he make it? Did he die in the snow or did he make it to experience reality? Whatever story has this ambiguous ending that is unclear, you get to dream a little bit about what that gets to be. And when you read the book of Acts, what I want us to do is I want us to dream a little bit. When we walk through this series, I want to dream about what can be.That if the Holy Spirit is at work in the church to take Jesus to the world, then let's dream a little bit. Because I'll tell you something, we dreamed for years about doing what we just prayed about earlier. For years we dreamed about planting a church. We want to multiply this church. We want to expand to a different part of the city. And then finally God put the pieces together.And if you've been here the last six months, you remember to hear this story. And I'm excited about sending out Oak Ridge. I'm excited about our little small version of Acts continued that we get to do. I'm excited that Mike who is just standing up here and that Isaac get to head out with right now it seems like 60 of y'all counting to go and take the gospel to a very strategic place on exit 51 to reach that part of Lexington that expands all the way into Gilbert and as far as Leesville. Like I'm pumped about that. But if we do that and we go, yes, we did it.We nailed it. We accomplished it. Then we missed it. If we think we've arrived at this, if we think that Jesus Christ's blood was poured out and wrath came upon him, that he conquered death at the resurrection, that he ascended to the right hand of God the Father to be king over all of creation, that the Holy Spirit descended upon the church for just Mill City in Oak Ridge. We missed it. So we need to dream a little bit.We need to dream about what can be. Dream about how God can continue to work because we got work to do. I'm gonna put up a timeline that'll hopefully help visualize this. You can go to that slide. Christ ascended almost 2,000 years ago. Like literally we're getting close to almost literally 2,000 years ago.Okay. At some point he's promised he's going to come back. He's going to return. Now you go to the next slide. I don't know where we are in this timeline. Don't get hung up on this.If you were in the book of Revelation, it's clear that you know we don't know where we are in this timeline, but we're somewhere in the middle of this. Now this expands for thousands of years. We've got a small place in that timeline where we have work to do until he comes back. And we should dream about what that gets to be. Because here's the deal. We've talked about this and we'll keep saying this, that once we set out Oak Ridge, everyone has work to do.There's no neutrality in how this is going down in January. Oak Ridge is going out and they've got work to do. And everyone who's staying here, we have work to do. So I want you to dream. How are we going to be obedient to the call to go and make disciples? How are we going to do that in our version of the Acts-continued story?What are we going to do? I want to give you some considerations for how you should think of this. Some of you need to start taking your faith more seriously. Some of you come on Sundays and you go to a group and or hopefully both. But what it has largely been is a time for you to be filled up.And don't miss something. We want we want you to be filled up. We want you to grow in maturity. But maturity in Christ is not just consuming and being filled up. It's pouring out. That God fills us so that we might multiply ourselves into others.That we might make disciples. The great commission is to make disciples. And some of you need to press into maturity. You get the wonderful opportunity to do that. You get to go deeper into the Bible, deeper into the discipline of prayer. You get to help you have a zeal for evangelizing, for sharing the gospel with your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers.And then I hope you get people that are coming around that don't know Jesus or just new to Jesus and you get to sit with them and point them to who Jesus Christ is and say, come follow me as I follow Christ. There's no better way to use your life than for the sake of helping others know Christ. And you get to. And this next season, you get to be a disciple maker. Some of you will have the opportunity to become a leader in training in your group. And you should take it and you should want this because community groups are the means by which we advance the mission in our city.Okay. Our groups are how we reach our city and our group leaders, you can talk to them. Leading a group is wonderful, but it's also quite difficult at times because the good work that God calls us to do is difficult. That's told to us. And what you get to be as a leader in training is not only grow in knowing more of Christ and maturity, but you get to be a helpful and healthy part of your group. You get to breathe life into your group that when everyone just opts out last minute and the person who was supposed to bring the meat just says, I got the sniffles and I'm out.But you're just like, I'm okay. Well, I'm jumping in. What do you need? That you're going to be a helpful part of your group. And some of you should aspire to them. You should want that.You should want to be a leader. You should want to say, hey, come follow me as I follow Christ. And I want to follow you as you're following Christ. We should want that. There's another thing I want to point out. And when I say this, this is autobiographical.When I led a group, it's reality in my group. Now, I already told my group leader, I'm like, this isn't, this is, this is not just us. This is widespread, but I want to put up group content for a moment. All right. This is last week's group content. This is second Samuel.We have five different versions of group content that show up. It's typically this format. If you're not in a group, you should be in a group and you'll see this and it's pretty great, but there's a gospel centered section. There's a community section. There's on mission section. Something that I've noticed that happens in not just my group, but in a lot of groups is that we will love discussing the Bible.We will love getting deep. We'll get the community and everyone has updates and we'll share and we'll talk. And then all of a sudden it's like time to leave and kids are going crazy and someone hurt themselves. And, and, and, you know, because they ran into the wall or something downstairs, not a, not an adult, but a child. And then it's on mission and it's like, ah, we should do it, right? Yeah.Cool. All right. Let's go home. I'm not going to ask you to show your hands, but how many times does that get buried? That's an afterthought. And it's like that, that needs to come to the foreground.There might be weeks where it's just like, ah, you know what? I love, but let's, we're eating a meal. Let's, let's, let's share some life updates. Let's, let's have some time for this. Let's not miss this because we have friends and neighbors and coworkers who we need to understand the eternal situation that right now they are journeying towards an eternity under the wrath of God because of their sin.And the church is plan a for advancing. You are the person that God has put in their life to tell them Jesus is better, that, that eternity is real and God wants you and is for you and desires you. And it's you. And we need to remember that because what could happen when you get to a church of our size is that you can get comfortable and you can think there isn't a need, but there is. And we can't miss that for a moment. So some of you, some of us need to regain our missional hustle in this season as we dream about what we could be in this Acts continued story.Some of us, some of you need to step up and serve. We've run some Numbers that are out of retreat. We kind of looked at all this stuff. There are 58 members of our church who currently do not serve in any capacity. Now there are some folks who have very, very real legitimate excuses, members of our church who have legitimate excuses for why that cannot happen.But there's a lot that don't. And here's the problem. There's 58 members of our church right now who've set in their commitment. They're committed to serving the church, but they're not serving in any capacity. When we send out Oak Ridge, there's going to be that number drops to 54. Now that tells us a couple things.First Oak Ridge is about to go out with a bunch of people who've served for years. And what Mike and Isaac are going to tell you is guess what? There's more where that came from. You got more work to do there. But what that means for us is that we're losing a big part of our church that has served for years.Like if I put up a chart right now, which I don't have, but if I put up a chart of all the different areas that people serve in our church and I just put in bright colors all the different people who've committed to go to the Oak Ridge church plan and the next slide, after they're gone, it just gets real dark. And it's because we will have opportunities for everyone to pick up a shovel and go. And I'm excited about that. I think you should be too excited about the opportunity to step into Kid City and breathe life into it, to our kids excited to step into hospitality and into groups and a bunch of different ways and to serve and to hustle and to grind because Jesus Christ is worth it.He's worthy of our worship and our service that is worthy of the gospel going forward. We're going to have a variety of ways that we get to dream. And I want you to dream. I want you to have personal dreams where you pray about this. I hope the series of Acts opens that up for you. I've got some.I want to share one of just one that's personal to me. That I feel called to this land and in this area. All right. That wasn't always the case. At one point when I went to seminary, I was like, I'm never coming back. I said it out loud.I'm never coming back. And I came back. Let me tell you something. I love this people. I love this place. Okay.My family history, they came over like 300 years ago to Pelion and they like never left. Like Pillion, West Columbia, Casey Lexington, you draw a triangle and my people have posted up in that area for 300 years. And I personally, I want this part of the Midlands, I want the Midlands to see scores and hundreds and thousands of people come to Christ. Because there's so, I know you think there's, there's lots of people that are, there's lots of churches that there are thousands of people in and around you that do not know and are not following Jesus Christ. And what I'm also seeing is that there are a lot of churches in our area that are dying as a statistical fact.There are a lot of churches in our area that are running in the red financially, that if they lose a few members, they're losing a big part of their church. They're physically dying. They are like a roof replacement away from just, it just have to shut the doors. My personal dream right now is that I want to see men in this church aspire to the office of overseer elder pastor. I want to see men in this church who want to step up and become pastors and pastor churches in this area over the next 10 years that need to be replanted, that need to be revitalized, that need life again. And right now there's a massive pastor shortage across the country.There's a massive pastor shortage. There's a bunch of boomers who are retiring, who are dying, and it's not being filled with younger generations. So what I want to see is men in this church. I want you to pray some dangerous prayers and I want you to ask, do I need to be the kind of man of character that says, follow me as I follow Christ as I shepherd the people of God here or somewhere else? And that's my personal part of the dream. And for the next 10 years, I want to see that happen all over the city.I want 50 years from now the Midlands to look dramatically different in churches because for the next 10 years, we leveraged our time, our energy, our money, and our people to send out pastors and teams of people to go and make more disciples in this city. And I want it to go further because it's been a few years since we have sent a missionary to the foreign mission field. It's been a few years and there are unreached peoples that get the smallest amount of resources and people. And some of you need to go and you don't need to be here in five years. And some of you need to have a conversation with Ben Johnson at 1040 Hub with Tim.Where's he at? Tim Rice over there, who works with IMB. We got missions, opportunities, good Lord. I'd love to see someone go to the nations, but we're going to have to pray and we're going to have to dream and we're going to have to own our part of the Acts-continued story. So in this next season, let's dream a little bit.Let's pray some dangerous prayers. Let's let the Holy Spirit work in a way that gets us in the game. Let's be obedient even when it feels risky, even when it feels uncomfortable. Let's own our part of our very small part, but important part of the story of the Holy Spirit and His Church taking Jesus to this city and the world. Let's pray.Heavenly Father, I pray that You might work in us in this season to stir us towards faith and trusting You. And the fruit of that would show up in beautiful, eternal ways. God, that first means that in this season there are people that do not know You that need to. There are people in this room who do not know You, have not surrendered their life to You, do not see You as Lord, and they need to. And I pray that You open their eyes to who You are and a baptism of the Holy Spirit would take over their lives. God, there are folks in this room that are going, that are going with Oak Ridge, and I am so thankful for their obedience to go, to be uncomfortable, to take risks.Lord, may You bless their labor, and may there be people in the kingdom of God a thousand years from now because they were obedient to go. And God, may You stir in us. May You give us a hustle. May You empower us for the good work that You have right here and beyond for years to come. In Jesus' name, amen.Transcript

We're nearing the end of our conversations with Fr. David Skillman about St. John Paul II's encyclical "Dominum et Vivificantem" ("The Lord and Giver of Life").  Fr. Skillman shares with us about an invitation from the Holy Spirit and the Church! Adam Reflects on the day's Gospel.  Download the Covenant Network app today! Pray the Visual Rosary at VisualRosary.org For more information on Covenant Network, visit OurCatholicRadio.org

One more rerun for you all! We hope you enjoy relistening about the Giver.

When Jesus miraculously fed more than five thousand people with five loaves and two fish, the crowd was amazed. Yet many followed Him afterward not because they understood who He was, but because they wanted another free meal. In this episode, we'll explore the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:5-14) and Jesus' conversation with the crowd (John 6:24-30). We'll discover the difference between seeking God's blessings and seeking God Himself. Are we following Jesus because of what He can do for us, or because He is our Savior and Lord?

Welcome to episode 256 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we will examine the topic of receiving what you cannot earn — why God insists His greatest gifts must be received freely, and what happens when we try to put a price tag on grace.  Key takeaways:    We are deeply uncomfortable with free gifts. The bigger the gift, the deeper our discomfort. Deep in our bones we believe nothing is truly free — everything has strings attached, every blessing demands reciprocation. Grace without cost does not compute. Naaman returned to Elisha with wagons full of treasure, determined to pay for his healing. His instinct was completely natural — in the ancient Near East, everything operated on patronage and reciprocity. But Elisha's absolute refusal forced Naaman to reckon with something revolutionary: grace that is truly free. Elisha's refusal was not false modesty. It was theology. Accepting payment would have validated Naaman's assumption that God's gifts can be purchased. Grace that can be purchased is not grace — it is wages. It is transaction. It is works. Gehazi did not merely steal. He sold God's grace. He put a price tag on what Elisha had explicitly made free and commodified divine healing into a purchasable product. Once you do that, you have lost the very thing you are trying to sell. Grace marketized is grace destroyed. The punishment of leprosy passed to Gehazi was not disproportionate — it was precise. He took on what Naaman had been freed from. When we turn grace into merchandise, we inherit the very burden Christ came to remove. Naaman's response to unearned healing was not obligation but worship: “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.” When you try to pay for grace, it becomes about you. When you receive it freely, it becomes entirely about the Giver. If your Christianity is primarily duty, debt, and obligation — “I have to, I should, I ought to” — you have not yet grasped grace. Authentic worship is not born from what you owe but from what you have been freely given.  Quotable:    Stop asking “What do I owe?” and start asking “Whom shall I worship?” Your good works do not increase God's grace — they flow from it. Your obedience does not earn His love — it responds to it. You are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Receive it.  Application:    Identify how you are trying to pay God back. More services attended, more money given, more hours volunteered — as if these things earn His favor or increase His grace. This is Naaman's theology dressed in Christian language. Your religious activity does not produce God's blessing; it responds to grace already given. Receive what was freely given and let obedience flow from gratitude, not debt.  Be wary of any teaching that links God's favor to your financial giving. Prosperity preaching, seed offerings, pay-to-access ministry — Gehazi's leprosy is the warning. When grace is turned into a product, the product being sold is not grace at all. Test every teacher who suggests that your giving unlocks God's generosity. That is not the gospel; it is commerce.  Examine whether your Christianity is worship or obligation. Ask yourself honestly: Do I read my Bible because I love God or because I am afraid of what happens if I don't? Do I serve because I am grateful or because I feel I owe? Joyless religion is a sign that grace has not yet reached the center. Let the magnitude of what Christ freely gave — forgiveness you could not earn, righteousness you did not deserve, eternal life you could not purchase — move you from duty to delight.  Receive before you give. The order matters. Naaman worshiped because he received. Gehazi corrupted because he grabbed. You cannot give from grace you have not first received. Sit with the gospel this week — not as a theological category but as a personal reality. You were sick. You were healed. You owe nothing. Respond accordingly.  Connect with us:    Web site:  https://springbaptist.org  Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus)  Need us to pray for you? Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/  If you haven't already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Rev Robbie Ytterberg preaches his sermon "Giver of Spirit" as part of our Windows to Jesus sermon series. July 25 & 26, 2026

Date: July 26, 2026 Title: The Giver, Gifts, and Grace Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-14 Speaker: Mark McDowell Series: Ephesians—Walk in Love

The Giver Matters. Join us as we are reminded that God's eyes are on the Giver not the Gift. Period.

What do you treasure most? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we explore Matthew 19:21-22 and Jesus' invitation to the rich young ruler. While God graciously gives us family, security, careers, and countless blessings, none of those gifts are meant to replace the Giver. Jesus calls us to hold every earthly treasure with open hands so our hearts remain fully devoted to Him. God's kingdom is worth more than anything this world can offer. When we recognize Christ as our greatest treasure, following Him becomes a joyful response rather than a reluctant sacrifice. As we invest our lives in what lasts forever, we discover the peace, joy, and eternal hope that only Jesus can provide. Highlights: Discover why Matthew 19:21-22 challenges us to examine what we treasure most. Learn how even good gifts can become idols when they take God's rightful place. Be encouraged to pursue eternal treasures that cannot be taken away. Understand why following Jesus is always a greater gain than anything we leave behind. Reflect on how your time, attention, and priorities reveal what your heart values most. Find lasting joy by making Christ your greatest treasure above every earthly possession. Join the Conversation What is one thing you find yourself holding onto most tightly? How can you surrender it to God and trust that He is your greatest treasure? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: The Treasure Worth EverythingBy Sarah Frazer Bible Reading:The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” - Matthew 19:21-22 (ESV) One morning, while walking my dog, I slowed down to go around a curve. Walking slower allowed my thoughts to shift to the morning sun peaking over the mountains. It was a sweet moment of quiet, peace, and gratitude. I was so thankful to the Lord for all of the good things in my life, the things I still had that were of great value. I started listing the relationships, the comfort, and the security God had provided for my family and me after a few years of upheaval and heartache. Those things, as I meditated on them, are wonderful, certainly they are gifts from God, but as I read the Gospel of Matthew, I realized those things can also quietly take center place in my life. None of those gifts from God is bad, but they can have the tendency to feel more important than God Himself. I think we can be thankful for the gifts of family, protection, and financial stability. But after reading Jesus’ words in Matthew, there is also a warning. We need to remember that what we treasure most has a way of shaping our hearts. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (ESV) Jesus isn’t just talking about money or possessions, but anything that would take our hearts away from God. In those verses, we see the value of eternal things, instead of earthly things. The two things that will last forever are God's Word and people. The things we invest our time, energy, and attention into reveal what we believe will last. Do we believe that eternity is coming? We can start now, focusing our minds, our hearts, and our actions on things that will last beyond our years here on earth. It is easy to focus on earthly things because we can see those things, and God’s rewards, God’s treasures, are often unseen. If we could see the value of what God is offering to us, as believers, I think we would do as the man does in Matthew 13:44. Jesus tells his followers, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (ESV) God’s kingdom, the eternal things, are worth more than everything we could accumulate here in this lifetime. Notice that the man sells everything, not out of obligation, but because of joy. God’s kingdom is not a loss; it is a gain beyond comparison. This man found something better, and we, too, can have these things. God’s kingdom offers us peace (Philippians 4:7), joy (John 15:10, and true life (John 10:10). So what holds us back? Why do we hesitate? I think the answer can be found later in Matthew when a rich young ruler asks Jesus a question in Matthew 19:16, “Teacher, what must I do to gain eternal life?” Jesus tells him about the law, but then says that to be truly perfect, the rich man had to sell all of his things and give his money to the poor. The man walked away because something else was better than Jesus. The lesson for us is not to sell all of our things to follow Jesus – the command from Jesus to this man revealed the man’s heart. He couldn't let go of his wealth, and Jesus knew that. Sometimes the things we treasure most can become the very things that keep us from fully trusting God. Only you know your heart, but God also knows. We treasure things like control, comfort, money, routine, and even our image. Those things are not bad, but when they keep us from following, that’s where we are invited to change. God invites us to depend on Him, not these things. God isn’t trying to take away the good things in our lives, but He is reminding us that He is something better – following Him will always lead to things that will last. Jesus is the true treasure. At the end of this conversation, Jesus says we will “inherit” eternal life. (Matthew 19:29) Jesus is our treasure! The more we see the beauty of Christ, the more everything else begins to take its proper place. Intersecting Faith & Life: What am I holding onto most tightly right now? Does it reflect what I truly believe is most valuable? The treasure of knowing God is worth more than anything this world can offer. And when we begin to see that clearly, we don’t have to force ourselves to let go. We simply begin to open our hands—trusting that what He gives is far better than anything we leave behind. Further Reading:Colossians 3:2Philippians 3:81 Timothy 6:17-19Hebrews 11:24-26 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Adam Wright welcomes Fr. David Skillman back to the studio for another conversation in our series on the Holy Spirit as outlined in St. John Paul II's encyclical "Dominum et Vivificantem" ("The Lord and Giver of Life"). This week Fr. Skillman highlights the passage on the Church as the Sacrament of Intimate Union with God. Adam takes a look at today's Gospel reading. Download the Covenant Network app today! Pray the Visual Rosary at VisualRosary.org For more information on Covenant Network, visit OurCatholicRadio.org

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” — Psalm 27:4 Few passages in St. Isaac the Syrian can be as easily misunderstood as this one. Read superficially, it can sound severe, even offensive to modern ears. His warnings about women, nuns, relatives, and young companions may appear to reflect suspicion toward persons rather than wisdom about the spiritual life. Yet such a reading overlooks both the monastic setting in which Isaac writes and the deeper concern that governs every line of his counsel. Isaac is not teaching that women are a source of evil, nor is he diminishing the goodness of family or friendship. Throughout his writings, his attention is never fixed upon others as dangers in themselves. His gaze remains fixed upon the heart and its extraordinary capacity both for communion with God and for subtle distraction. The repeated refrain of this passage reveals its true center: “lest your heart be chilled from the love of God.” This is the thread that binds together everything he says. The heart, once awakened to divine love, must be protected, not because God is fragile, but because we are. Human desire is easily dispersed. Our attention becomes fragmented. Emotional attachments, conversations, familiarities, anxieties, ambitions, and countless innocent occupations can gradually occupy the inner sanctuary that belongs to Christ alone. Rarely does this happen through great acts of rebellion. More often it happens through slow diffusion, until the fire quietly burns less brightly than before. For this reason Isaac begins, not with avoidance, but with humility. Refuse no lowly task. Judge no one. Consider yourself accountable for another's fall. Hide your spiritual struggles. Seek only one wise and God-fearing confidant. Live quietly. Every one of these counsels gathers the heart inward. They free it from the endless outward movement of self-assertion and return it to the simplicity of standing before God. His counsel regarding relationships belongs within this same ascetical vision. He is writing to monks who have embraced a radical vocation of celibacy and solitude, where even legitimate human affections must be carefully ordered lest they become substitutes for the all-consuming love of Christ. His language reflects the rigor of that calling and the assumptions of his own historical and monastic world. It should not be detached from that context or mechanically applied to every Christian life. Yet beneath these historically conditioned expressions lies a spiritual principle of enduring importance. Every disciple of Christ must ask what quietly draws the heart away from its first love. For some, it may indeed be disordered relationships. For others, it is success, constant activity, endless news, resentment, comfort, or the subtle desire to be admired. The forms differ from person to person, but the interior movement remains the same. Anything that gradually occupies the deepest affection of the heart risks cooling the love that belongs to Christ. Isaac's asceticism is therefore not an asceticism of fear but of love. He is not constructing walls around the monk because the world is unclean. He is protecting a flame. The one who has begun to taste the sweetness of communion with God discovers that there is nothing more precious than preserving that intimacy. Every act of vigilance becomes an expression of love. Every renunciation becomes the joyful refusal to exchange what is eternal for what is passing. Paradoxically, this vigilance does not diminish our capacity to love others. It purifies it. Detached from possessiveness and emotional need, the heart becomes capable of a deeper tenderness, one that seeks the good of the other without making the other the source of its life. The more wholly the heart belongs to Christ, the more freely it can belong to everyone else. This is where Isaac is leading us. Not toward fear of the world, nor toward suspicion of human relationships, but toward that simplicity of heart in which nothing is loved apart from God and everything is loved within Him. Only such a heart remains truly free. Only such a heart can receive every person as gift without ever losing the Giver. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:01:53 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 215 paragraph 5 00:09:59 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: https://www.philokaliaministries.org/post/a-new-book-from-city-a-desert-press 00:14:47 Maureen Cunningham: How do I find Christina the Nun I was telling a friend 00:15:00 John ‘Jack': ❤️ 00:15:26 James Hickman: Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy) https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041226.cfm 00:15:37 Adam Paige: search "Nun Christina" on Amazon 00:15:40 Ambrose Little: Hi, Ren! 00:15:52 Ren Horcher: Reacted to "Hi, Ren!" with ❤️ 00:18:31 Bob Čihák, AZ: P 215, #5, second paragraph 00:21:52 Bob Čihák, AZ: Reacted to "Hi, Ren!" with ❤️ 00:35:13 Aaron: What would ‘linger' and ‘gaze'? Do those terms have different meanings? 00:35:32 Aaron: What would ‘linger' and ‘gaze' mean?* 00:37:06 David Swiderski: A spiritual director I had always said when you stop seeing Christ look away back towards him 00:38:19 Bob Čihák, AZ: P 215, #5, second paragraph 00:39:29 Rebecca Thérèse: I've spent a lot of time travelling alone in Morocco wearing Muslim clothing so I would not stand out. Muslim men do not look directly at women who they are not related to. This felt a little unusual at first but eventually I felt very respected by it. They listened very attentively to me and were very helpful but they never looked at me at all after the first glance. (Moroccan women looked at me and would also touch my hands and my clothing). 00:40:33 Rebecca Thérèse: The attitude of Muslim men is that they do not have the right to look at women. 00:53:04 Aaron: What does St. Isaac mean when he says ‘one who is poor in his place of dwelling' ? 00:54:40 John ‘Jack': One of my very closest confidants is a dear freind who has Glioblastoma Brian cancer 26 years ago, was given 24 hours to live.  He's had 7 years of Hama radiation abs a lobotomy, he's one of the most sincere followers I know, and makes a wonderful confidant as he has a HORRIBLE memory as he literally only has about 1/2 a brain, he's a beautiful man 00:55:31 John ‘Jack': I love him dearly 00:55:34 James Hickman: Unless a side fall and die 00:55:43 James Hickman: Seed 00:59:49 Maureen Cunningham: Wow he looks perfect 01:11:46 James Hickman: We can judge those we are closest with, for the tempter wants to trap us in that familiarity 01:15:48 Maureen Cunningham: Seem the world hate Christians we can easily join in 01:15:48 Adam Paige: I found Fr Charbel's upcoming volume as a Kobo e-book, and you can read a 26-page preview (Author's Note and Prologue): https://kobo.com/en/ebook/the-monastic-heart-and-the-future-of-the-church 01:17:44 Rachel: Yes! So beautiful 01:18:19 Ben: Anna: These paragraphs are heavy and my inclination is to turn away from them as something for someone else. 01:18:24 James Hickman: Will this be an audiobook? 01:19:16 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: For me it's shades of novitiate training... 01:20:41 John ‘Jack': Be plucky 01:21:00 Joan Chakonas: Books are the deposit of the faith- essential 01:22:12 Joan Chakonas: I think where would we be without all of these pages of wisdom? 01:25:25 David Swiderski: Thank you Father may God bless you, your mother and Ren and her husband 01:25:28 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:25:34 Art: Thank you! 01:26:08 Rachel: Thank you! 01:26:08 Aaron: Thank you Father 01:26:11 Gwen's iPhone: Ty

In this episode of Marked by Grace, Pastor Heath Lambert answers a listener question in two parts: what is the significance of fasting, and are Christians required to do it? He explains that fasting means withholding food (or another good gift) in order to shift focus from the gift to the Giver. He then walks through what the New Testament actually teaches about fasting as a spiritual practice, showing that while fasting is assumed throughout Scripture, it is never commanded the way prayer is commanded.00:13 This week's topic: the significance and requirements of fasting01:23 What fasting actually means: withholding food to focus on the Giver02:21 Is fasting required of Christians?03:07 Matthew 6:16-18: Jesus teaches on fasting in the Sermon on the Mount04:14 The New Testament assumes fasting but never commands it05:12 Why the lack of a command gives Christians freedom06:37 Ephesians 6:18 and the command to pray at all times07:04 Why fasting pairs with prayer but is not required like prayer is

In this lecture, Lawrence Lockett, Jr. speaks about intimacy with Jesus as something that requires pursuit, attention, and protection from distraction. He says that many believers want to know Jesus deeply, but daily life, devices, and competing priorities pull the heart in different directions.He presents the message as a warning about “the allure of other loves,” using Exodus 20, Matthew 6, and 1 John 5 to show that Scripture consistently asks who or what has the heart. He explains that idolatry is not only about statues or ancient practices, but also about misplaced worship and divided allegiance.The lecture focuses first on the first and second commandments. He says God's command is exclusive: no other gods and no created image of God. He describes idols as both false gods and false versions of the true God, and says that people still remake God according to their own preferences, ideologies, or desires.He also distinguishes between “idols by nature” and “idols by placement.” Some idols are openly sinful, while others begin as good gifts such as careers, relationships, children, money, or ministry. The danger, he says, is when a gift becomes ultimate and replaces the Giver.A second section turns to Colossians 3 and the idea that idols are redirected rather than simply removed. He says worship begins in the mind, and repeated influences shape the channels of thought that eventually shape the heart. Christian change, he argues, is not mainly behavior modification but renewed thinking that leads worship back to God.In the final section, he returns to Exodus and Revelation to stress that God begins with grace before giving commands. He says Jesus calls wandering believers to remember, repent, and return to their first love. The message ends by pointing to Jesus as the image of the invisible God, who restores intimacy with God and makes lesser loves lose their appeal.

Do you feel like you're constantly putting out fires — at work, at home, in your own head? In this episode, I'm breaking down why so many high-achieving Christian women live in reactive mode (hello, perfectionism, all-or-nothing thinking, and overcompensating) and what to do instead.In this episode, you'll learn 5 practical, faith-rooted shifts to help you move from reactive to focused and faithful:✔️ Setting boundaries around what's actually yours to carry✔️ Reframing hard seasons instead of letting them define you✔️ Falling in love with the Giver (Jesus) instead of the outcome✔️ Inviting your people into the real, hard stuff✔️ Getting clarity on your God-given call so you can let the rest goIf you're ready to trade striving for trust and burnout for peace, this episode is for you.00:00 — Intro 03:11 — What it means to be focused, and not reactive06:10 — Point 1: Create boundaries like a boss06:53 — Point 2: Reframe the tough stuff07:34 — Point 3: Fall in love with the Giver, not the gift08:32 — Point 4: Bring your people in09:48 — Point 5: Know what you're called to (and what you're not)10:54 — Next Steps

At our Hymnal and Pure Worship service, Pastor Colins Nwosu opened up a simple but life-changing message titled "Giving Is the Way." Drawing from Luke 6:37–38, we were reminded that giving is a Kingdom principle woven into every area of life. Whether giving forgiveness, kindness, generosity, honour, or resources, God's pattern is that what we release in faith returns in greater measure. We learned that God blesses His people not merely for personal gain, but so they can become a blessing to others. True generosity is therefore not measured by the size of the gift, but by a willing heart that reflects God's own nature. Building on this truth through Proverbs 11, 2 Corinthians 9, Deuteronomy 15, and Proverbs 3, Pastor Colins showed that generosity is an act of faith, trust, and worship. God's economy often works differently from the world's: those who give freely discover His abundant provision, while cheerful giving opens the door for God to supply every need and empower every good work. The message challenged us to see giving not as a loss, but as a lifestyle that reflects God's heart. Simply put, giving is the way because God Himself is the greatest Giver. Confession: Lord, thank You for being the greatest Giver and for blessing me so I can be a blessing to others. Give me a generous heart that reflects Your character, help me to give cheerfully and faithfully, and let my life become a channel of Your provision, kindness, and love wherever I go. Amen.

The FiltrateJoel Topf kidneyboy.bsky.socialSwapnil Hiremath @hswapnil.medsky.social Natalie Freidin Program director at Medical University of South CarolinaSophia Ambruso @sophia_kidneyAC @medpeedskidneys.bsky.socialSpecial GuestsCarla Nester, Professor of Medicine, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Iowa. Senior author of ValiantEditingNatalie FreidinThe Kidney Connection written and performed by Timothy YauShow Notes Trial of Pegcetacoplan in C3 Glomerulopathy and Immune-Complex MPGN NEJM | NephJCTubular SecretionsSwapnil: City of Last Chances by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Amazon)Natalie: Heated Rivalry, the books by Rachel ReidCarla: Rowing and gold fiber embroideryAC: Audiobooks, that are appropriate for children: The Giver and Tuck EverlastingSophia: Greeking Out podcast and the Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (Wikipedia)Joel: This is How You Lose The War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone (Amazon)

Today Marianne Howard will take us into deeper intimacy with Jesus, the Giver of rest. Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him. She will take us on a journey to understanding genuine soul rest and how to achieve this rest while examining and modifying spiritual, personal, and professional priorities, in order to move to abundant living.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Heart Of David Merch Now Available at https://theheartofdavid.co!!Stay Connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgejankoTwitter: https://twitter.com/GeorgeJankoTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegeorgejankoshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnadellariccaBusiness Inquiries Email: george@divisionmedia.coWatch full episodes of The George Janko Show podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/GeorgeJanko/videosBlessed are the ones who are humble.Chapters:00:00 Intro02:20 Moving to Hollywood at 1408:46 The "10 Years" That Changed Everything15:42 Faith in Hollywood22:38 The Acting Scam That Led to Avatar36:41 The Secret Avatar Audition43:31 Finding Out He Booked Sokka45:47 Losing God... and Finding Him Again58:42 Becoming a Christian in Hollywood01:11:18 Identity Beyond Acting01:29:33 The Call That Changed His Life01:37:42 Losing Family While Filming Avatar01:44:46 "Avatar Is the Gift, Not the Giver"01:53:24 Favorite Avatar Scenes & Behind the Scenes02:05:46 "There's No God in Avatar" 02:08:02 Comic-Con, Fans & Becoming Sokka02:14:42 Season 4, Zuko & What's Next

After 2 months away, we're back—and we're getting real about how we lost focus on the One who matters most.We started out with God as our foundation. But somewhere between the vision, the business, the podcast, and the grind, we found ourselves chasing the gifts instead of staying close to the Gift Giver.In this raw, unscripted conversation, we're sharing:How ambition quietly became an idol (and you might not even know it's happening in your life)The difference between pursuing your dreams and pursuing GodWhy our sabbatical was the best reset we neededThe tension between faith and effort—and how to actually balance itWhat's changing in our world this season (and why we're more excited than ever)No scripts. No bullet points. Just us getting honest about surrendering control, remembering God's timeline, and choosing the Giver over the gifts.Perfect for: Anyone caught between ambition and faith, those feeling the weight of "doing it all," and anyone ready to get regrounded in what actually matters.-

What if self-control isn't mainly about saying no, but about keeping Christ at the center of what we desire? Money has a way of revealing what our hearts are chasing. Our spending, saving, giving, and borrowing decisions often tell a deeper story about what we love, what we fear, and what we believe will satisfy us. That's why biblical temperance is about far more than discipline or willpower. In our continuing series on the cardinal virtues and how Christian character shapes the way we handle money, author and theologian Pierce Taylor Hibbs joined the show to help us consider temperance, or self-control.  He is a Senior Writer at Westminster Theological Seminary and the author of The Book of Giving: How the God Who Gives Can Make Us Givers. Today, he reminds us that self-control is not merely a human achievement. It is a gift of the Spirit that helps us enjoy God's gifts without letting them take God's place. Self-Control Is a Heart Issue When many people hear the word “self-control,” they think of willpower. They imagine discipline, restraint, or simply saying no to whatever they want in the moment. But Scripture gives us a deeper picture. Self-control is not merely a personality trait some people have and others lack. It is not gained by sheer determination. Instead, self-control is closely connected to the heart. A lack of self-control often reveals disordered desires—places where our hearts are chasing something other than God. The presence of self-control reveals a heart that is increasingly content in God and His promises. That means temperance is not about rejecting every enjoyable thing in the world. It is about rightly ordering our loves. God must be first, and everything else must take its proper place beneath Him. In other words, self-control is about keeping first things first. A Gift of the Spirit That truth should encourage us. If self-control were only a matter of willpower, many of us would have little hope. We have all experienced the frustration of trying harder, setting new goals, making new rules, and still falling back into the same habits. But Galatians 5 tells us that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It is something God produces in His people as we walk with Him. That does not mean discipline is unimportant. Habits, boundaries, budgets, and accountability can all be helpful tools. But they are not the source of true self-control. The source is God Himself. So when our desires are out of order, the first step is not merely to try harder. It is to turn to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to form in us what we cannot produce on our own. God has given us a new heart in Christ, and by His Spirit, He teaches us to desire what is good, lasting, and true. Enjoying God's Gifts Without Replacing Him Temperance may involve restriction because our desires can easily become disordered. But restriction is not the goal. The goal is joy rightly ordered under Christ. A simple example is something like coffee or sugar. There is nothing wrong with enjoying either. They can be good gifts from God. But if our world were to fall apart without them, that might reveal something about the state of our hearts. The problem is not that we enjoy good things. The problem comes when we love those things more than we love our relationship with the Lord. A helpful question to ask is: What is my heart chasing right now? That question applies not only to food and drink, but also to money. What are our purchases chasing? Comfort? Control? Status? Escape? Approval? Security? Pleasure? None of those desires is unfamiliar to the human heart. And money often becomes the tool we use to pursue them. Why Money Reveals Our Desires Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:10 that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” The issue is not money itself but the heart's relationship to it. Jesus also warned that we cannot serve both God and money. Money is powerful because, in many ways, it functions like a key. It can unlock access to many of the things the heart desires—comfort, influence, experiences, possessions, pleasure, recognition, or a sense of control. That is why our financial decisions are so revealing. They show what we are chasing. Of course, money can be used in a good and God-honoring way. It can provide for needs, support a family, bless a neighbor, fund ministry, relieve suffering, and express worship through generosity. But money can also reveal that our hearts are running after something other than God. Our spending decisions tell a story. The question is whether that story points to Christ as our greatest treasure. The Challenge of a Consumer Culture Financial self-control is especially challenging in a culture that constantly tells us to buy now, upgrade now, and satisfy every desire now. Technology has made temptation more immediate than ever. Social media platforms and online ads are designed to place curated products directly in front of us. The very things we are most likely to want often appear in our feeds, inboxes, and search results. That means our commitment to Christ is being tested constantly—not only by obviously sinful things, but also by good gifts that can quietly become ultimate things. A vacation can be a gift. A home can be a gift. A hobby can be a gift. A meal, a phone, a car, a cup of coffee, or a new pair of shoes can all be received with gratitude. But when the gift becomes more captivating than the Giver, our desires have become disordered. Temperance helps us receive God's gifts with open hands, gratitude, and perspective. Jesus Shows Us Perfect Self-Control One beautiful picture of this comes after the resurrection in John 21. The disciples had spent the night fishing and caught nothing. Jesus met them on the shore and neither rebuked them for fishing nor told them that physical things did not matter. Instead, He helped them find fish, prepared a fire, and invited them to breakfast. Fresh fish and warm bread were not treated as distractions from spiritual life. They were gifts to be enjoyed with Jesus at the center. That is a wonderful picture of temperance. Biblical self-control does not require us to reject every earthly blessing. It teaches us to enjoy every blessing in communion with Christ, remembering that He is better than the gifts He gives. We do not need to abandon money or pretend material needs do not matter. But we do need to ask whether Christ remains central in how we earn, spend, save, give, and enjoy. A Question for Every Financial Decision So how can we practice temperance in our financial lives this week? One simple question can help: How is God remaining central in this decision? That question does not produce a mechanical answer, but it does reveal the heart. It invites us to pause, pray, and consider whether our money is serving our love for God or competing with it. Self-control is not the joyless denial of every good thing. It is the Spirit-given ability to enjoy God's gifts without letting them replace God as our ultimate treasure. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I'm 67, and my wife is 68. We have a traditional IRA, and I'm concerned that once RMDs begin at 73, the withdrawals could eventually push us—or my wife, if I pass first—into a higher tax bracket and increase Medicare premiums. What planning steps should we consider? I've been overpaid on Social Security SSDI and am currently repaying it. Do I have to repay the full amount before I can switch to my regular Social Security retirement benefit? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) The Book of Giving: How the God Who Gives Can Make Us Givers by Pierce Taylor Hibbs Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 John 5:11Although it may feel like it, death is not an escape—it leads you into eternity. Ending your life is not your decision to make, it's God's. He is both the Giver and Taker of life.

Marlon and Jake dive into the world of dystopian fiction, unpacking what truly makes a dystopia—and whether some of the genre's biggest ideas hold up under closer scrutiny. Along the way, they discuss why some dystopias feel more believable than others, how our understanding of these stories changes over time, and the real-world parallels that make them resonate long after the final page. Tune in as they explore how history, power, and human nature shape the worlds we imagine. Subscribe to our River-herd digital newsletter and our print newspaper, The Eddy, for sneak peeks of our upcoming books, free giveaways, and exclusive content: https://sites.prh.com/the-eddy-newspaper. The Giver by Lois Lowry Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow The Last Man by Mary Shelley 1984 by George Orwell Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban Pilgermann by Russell Hoban  The Road by Cormac McCarthy  Lord of the Flies by William Golding Pincher Martin by William Golding Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

The Giver came in on fire in this one! Connecting the dots that most people overlook between the bible, numerology and the stars. You don't have to be a christian to enjoy a conversation like this! Stay Weird!To Find The Giver---> linktr.ee/3rdEyeHealingFor A Past Life Regression Or To Inquire About Anything Else, Email Us!—> MetaMystics@yahoo.comSubscribe to our Youtube—> http://www.youtube.com/@MetaMysticsTo Follow Us On TikTok—> https://www.tiktok.com/@metamysticsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cult-of-conspiracy--5700337/support.