Podcasts about Giver

Matthew 23:8-10 KJVBut be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. [9] And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. [10] Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Hello to you listening in Den Hague, the Netherlands!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.Who is Saint Nicholas? Little is known about the historical Saint Nicholas who was born during the third century in the village of Patara in Asia Minor on what is now the southern coast of Turkey.  The earliest accounts of his life were written centuries after his death. Click HERE to learn more. But it is believed the life and deeds of St. Nicholas gave rise to the Christmas character we know as Santa Claus.From a very early age I remember how my family celebrated December 6th as the Feast of Saint Nicholas; a reminder that Christmas is on its way and someone is watching us - from a distance - to be sure we stay on the nice side of naughty. On the night of December 5th each child put a pair of shoes outside their bedroom door. On the morning of the 6th there was a small gift in the shoes left by Saint Nicholas himself, reminding us to be of love a little more careful than anything else this season.Story Prompt: What one tradition or ritual do you continue at this time of year?  Who might it remind you of? What special meaning does it hold for you? Write that story and tell it out loud!You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Services, arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Long before Christmas lists, shopping carts, and wrapping paper, there were gifts given for one reason alone: worship. Sophia Bricker opens this devotional with the story of Saint Nicholas—a man whose quiet, selfless generosity became the seed of a much later legend. His life reflects the heart of someone whose giving flowed out of devotion to Christ, not cultural expectation. But even before Nicholas, Scripture gives us another unforgettable picture of joyful generosity: the wise men. The Magi traveled far, guided by a star and propelled by hope. When they finally reached the child Jesus, they didn’t debate whether the gifts were too costly or wonder if He “needed” them. They simply bowed in awe and opened their treasures. Their gifts were symbolic—and sincere: Gold for His kingship. Frankincense for His priesthood. Myrrh for His sacrificial death. But more than symbolism, their offering revealed their hearts. They gave because they loved. They gave because they believed. They gave because worship compelled them. Jesus later taught, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).Our spending, our giving, our serving—they all reveal what we value most. For the follower of Christ, generosity is not an obligation. It is an overflow. Like Saint Nicholas, we feel convicted when our resources center on ourselves. Like the wise men, we long to lay what we have at Jesus’ feet. Like those early givers, our generosity flows from beholding the Savior for who He truly is. And the way generosity looks will be unique for each of us. Not everyone gives gold or frankincense. Not everyone tosses gifts through windows. But every believer has something to offer—time, talent, resources, compassion, presence, or encouragement. Generosity begins with worship.Worship leads to open hands.Open hands lead to lives that honor Christ. Bible Reading:“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” – Matthew 2:10–11 (NIV) Takeaway Truths The wise men’s gifts were rooted in joyful worship, not duty. Generosity reveals what we treasure most. Followers of Christ give from abundance, not scarcity. True generosity begins with beholding Jesus. Let’s Pray Great Savior, I stand in awe of Your majesty and grace. How incredible it is that You, the King of all creation, entered this world as a humble child and chose to identify Yourself with us. The wise men saw what so many missed—Your worth, Your glory, and Your identity as the promised Messiah. They bowed in worship and gave freely, not from pressure, but from overflowing joy. Lord, develop in me this same heart of generosity. Help me to use my time, my resources, and my gifts to honor You. Guide my giving so that it reflects trust, gratitude, and devotion. Everything I have is from You. Make me courageous and joyful in sharing my life with others, so that my generosity points back to You, the Giver of salvation and life. Amen. Scriptures for Further Reflection Matthew 6:21 2 Corinthians 9:7 Proverbs 11:25 John 10:10 Additional Encouragement How to cultivate a generous heart – Crosswalk.com Devotionals for Christmas worship – Christianity.com Listen to more daily audio prayers at LifeAudio.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher. All is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1:2 As a philosopher I have loved the great tradition of human wisdom. For many years I drank from the tributaries. Aristotle taught that the good life is something one lives, not something one acquires. Socrates taught that wisdom begins in humility. These insights nourished me long before I realized they were preparing me to recognize the far greater wisdom God has given in Scripture. The Greek thinkers stood downstream from a fountain they dimly sensed but could not reach. The book of Ecclesiastes speaks from that very source. Qoheleth, קהלת, the Assembler, often called the Preacher, gathers what God has revealed about life in this world. He describes the human condition with a single Hebrew word: hevel, breath, vapor. Not meaninglessness, but ungraspability - and paradox. Life slips through the fingers of those who try to seize it, and understanding reaches its limit in paradox. What cannot be possessed must be received. What we cannot control must become ours by gift. And this is why Ecclesiastes so often speaks the language of generosity. Work is a gift. Food and drink are gifts. Joy is gift. Companionship is gift. Time itself is gift. The Preacher calls us to leave behind the restless striving that characterizes life in the tributaries, and to return instead to the fountain where every good and perfect gift flows from the hand of the Giver. He also tells us something our age urgently needs to hear. There is nothing new under the sun. Our modern confidence in our own progress (central to the evolutionary mythos) is little more than hubris. We imagine ourselves advanced beyond our “primitive” forebears, yet our world repeats the same patterns of confusion and pride. Postmodern deconstruction, gender confusion, DEI initiatives, and cultural relativism are not new. They are ancient errors retold in new vocabulary. Ecclesiastes understood the human heart long before our age attempted to deconstruct it. Near the end of the book the imagery sharpens. “The words of the wise are like goads,” given by one Shepherd to guide us back toward the fountain of wisdom. When the risen Jesus confronted Saul and said, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads,” Paul, deeply trained in Greek language and philosophy, recognized the proverb immediately. The Shepherd's mercy often comes to us as a sharp turn, redirecting us from the dry channels of self-reliance back to the living waters of God Himself. The book ends where all honest searching must end. Fear God. Keep His commandments. Receive His gifts with gratitude. This is the whole duty of man, the culmination not only of the Bible's wisdom literature, but of every sincere philosophical quest. I wandered long among the tributaries, but Scripture led me home to the Fount of every blessing and tuned my heart to sing His grace. Here is a helpful overview of Ecclesiastes. May your listening be as blessed as ours was in the reading. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrsQ1tc-2w

It's December, so we are continuing on with our tradition of doing a kid's book, but this year, the kids are a little older. This is more like a young adult novel. Our book is THE GIVER written by Lois Lowry. It became an instant classic when it was published in 1993. That year, Lowry won the Newbery Award which is given by the American Library Association to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. She also had previously won a Newberry Award in 1990 for her book NUMBER THE STARS.In THE GIVER is set in a dystopian future. It is a sort of speculative work of fiction in which 12-year-old Jonas is selected to become the apprentice of the Giver. The Giver is the protector of memories that have been suppressed in this tightly-controlled community where there are no wrong choices and no competition or conflict and even no war, no music, few feelings, no color. It doesn't sound like much of a life but this is what they know. Linny says she thinks a message in this book is that knowledge is power that brings us choices and also consequences. When we take away knowledge, such as is found in books, society is weakened. Linny makes an impassioned case for no book banning. Nancy remarks that THE GIVER is a book that has been banned in US libraries. Ironic, right?Nancy said one of the really wrenching part of the books for her was when Jonas asks his mother and father if they love him, they ask him to be more specific, that the word “love” is meaningless. Linny says this is a coming-of-age book that tracks the developmental changes that children/teens face.Linny and Nancy had different ideas of what happens in THE GIVER's ambiguous ending. Then Nancy shares Lois Lowry's examples of how some of her readers have interpreted the ending over the years. Finally, Nancy provides a thumbnail sketch of the remaining three books in the series and this gives Linny and Nancy an idea of what happens with Jonas and Gabe.Linny said she enjoyed THE GIVER and liked that it was an easy read. She feels it is relevant today. Nancy thinks most teenagers would relate to this book and encourages everyone who has a teenager in their life to purchase this book for them.

Most of us think of sleep as a nightly event. Michael Breus thinks of it as a lifelong pattern—a shifting, evolving chronotype that changes as we age. Every time he joins me, we end up deep in the details of how rest, alertness, and biology shape our days. This conversation was no different.In this episode, Michael and I dig into the core ideas behind his book Sleep, Drink, Breathe, why wellness keeps getting more complicated, and how simple habits—done with intention—can create real momentum. We also get into mouth taping, CPAP myths, the rise of at-home sleep tests, and why hydration and breathwork may be more important than most people realize.Six Discussion PointsHow chronotypes shift as we age—and why both of us are noticing that shift right now.The three “dominoes” of wellness and why breathing and hydration often need fixing before sleep.Why wellness feels overwhelming today, and the simple starting points Michael recommends.The real science behind mouth taping and why it can be risky without proper screening.How home sleep testing has changed—and why diagnosing sleep apnea is easier than ever.The Sleep, Drink, Breathe plan and how small, steady habits build lifelong change.Three Connection PointsRead Sleep Drink Breathe: Simple Daily Habits for Profound Long-Term HealthGet Life Gives to the Giver by Joe PolishTake The Sleep QuizConversations with Michael always leave me thinking differently about how deeply biology shapes behaviour. His work reminds me that productivity isn't a matter of pushing harder—it's a matter of aligning with the rhythms that already exist. If you're looking to simplify wellness, understand your changing chronotype, or build habits that actually last, this episode is a worthwhile listen.

Christians believe that Jesus is worth more than every good thing in their lives combined. He is the source of every good thing! So what do we are found guilty of leaving Jesus in the attic during our Christmas celebrations? Of course, Jesus should be front and center, but sometimes our attempts to rectify this problem reveal a serious lack of faith. Let's consider how to enjoy both the Giver and His gifts.

Pastor Levi and Lisa talk about the healing of 10 lepers from Luke 17:11-19 and how only 1 of them returned to thank Jesus, including: 10 Healed but only 1 Made Well, Recognizing God as the Giver of Blessings, and Gratitude thru Humility that Leads Us to Christ. This is an episode of Pearls & Swine on the Evangel Houghton Podcast from Evangel Community Church, Houghton, Michigan, December 3, 2025.

We've reached the final week of our "Grateful Anyway" series, and Lead Pastor Clay Monkus brings us to the foundation that makes lasting gratitude possible. In Psalm 100:4–5, we encounter a worship song sung by God's people as they entered the temple courts. This wasn't just a feel-good moment—it was a declaration rooted in deep theology. The psalmist calls us to give thanks and praise, but notice where the focus lands: on God's goodness, His enduring love, and His faithfulness that spans every generation. Here's the truth: gratitude anchored in circumstances will always be fragile. When life is good, we're thankful. When life gets hard, our gratitude wavers. But when we transfer our gratitude from the gifts to the Giver—from what God does to who God is—everything changes. That kind of gratitude grows deep roots that can withstand any storm. This message will challenge you to build your thankfulness on the only foundation that never shifts: the unchanging character of God. His love doesn't fluctuate with your circumstances. His faithfulness doesn't depend on your performance. And His goodness endures forever. Series Theme: This series explores how to find and express thankfulness even when circumstances are far from perfect. True gratitude isn't based on circumstances—it's rooted in the character of God, which never changes. Scripture: Psalm 100:4–5 As we close this series, our prayer is that you'll discover a gratitude that goes deeper than your circumstances—a gratitude anchored in the God who never changes.

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher. All is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1:2 As a philosopher I have loved the great tradition of human wisdom. For many years I drank from the tributaries. Aristotle taught that the good life is something one lives, not something one acquires. Socrates taught that wisdom begins in humility. These insights nourished me long before I realized they were preparing me to recognize the far greater wisdom God has given in Scripture. The Greek thinkers stood downstream from a fountain they dimly sensed but could not reach. The book of Ecclesiastes speaks from that very source. Qoheleth, קהלת, the Assembler, often called the Preacher, gathers what God has revealed about life in this world. He describes the human condition with a single Hebrew word: hevel, breath, vapor. Not meaninglessness, but ungraspability - and paradox. Life slips through the fingers of those who try to seize it, and understanding reaches its limit in paradox. What cannot be possessed must be received. What we cannot control must become ours by gift. And this is why Ecclesiastes so often speaks the language of generosity. Work is a gift. Food and drink are gifts. Joy is gift. Companionship is gift. Time itself is gift. The Preacher calls us to leave behind the restless striving that characterizes life in the tributaries, and to return instead to the fountain where every good and perfect gift flows from the hand of the Giver. He also tells us something our age urgently needs to hear. There is nothing new under the sun. Our modern confidence in our own progress (central to the evolutionary mythos) is little more than hubris. We imagine ourselves advanced beyond our “primitive” forebears, yet our world repeats the same patterns of confusion and pride. Postmodern deconstruction, gender confusion, DEI initiatives, and cultural relativism are not new. They are ancient errors retold in new vocabulary. Ecclesiastes understood the human heart long before our age attempted to deconstruct it. Near the end of the book the imagery sharpens. “The words of the wise are like goads,” given by one Shepherd to guide us back toward the fountain of wisdom. When the risen Jesus confronted Saul and said, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads,” Paul, deeply trained in Greek language and philosophy, recognized the proverb immediately. The Shepherd's mercy often comes to us as a sharp turn, redirecting us from the dry channels of self-reliance back to the living waters of God Himself. The book ends where all honest searching must end. Fear God. Keep His commandments. Receive His gifts with gratitude. This is the whole duty of man, the culmination not only of the Bible's wisdom literature, but of every sincere philosophical quest. I wandered long among the tributaries, but Scripture led me home to the Fount of every blessing and tuned my heart to sing His grace. Here is a helpful overview of Ecclesiastes. May your listening be as blessed as ours was in the reading. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrsQ1tc-2w

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher. All is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1:2 As a philosopher I have loved the great tradition of human wisdom. For many years I drank from the tributaries. Aristotle taught that the good life is something one lives, not something one acquires. Socrates taught that wisdom begins in humility. These insights nourished me long before I realized they were preparing me to recognize the far greater wisdom God has given in Scripture. The Greek thinkers stood downstream from a fountain they dimly sensed but could not reach. The book of Ecclesiastes speaks from that very source. Qoheleth, קהלת, the Assembler, often called the Preacher, gathers what God has revealed about life in this world. He describes the human condition with a single Hebrew word: hevel, breath, vapor. Not meaninglessness, but ungraspability - and paradox. Life slips through the fingers of those who try to seize it, and understanding reaches its limit in paradox. What cannot be possessed must be received. What we cannot control must become ours by gift. And this is why Ecclesiastes so often speaks the language of generosity. Work is a gift. Food and drink are gifts. Joy is gift. Companionship is gift. Time itself is gift. The Preacher calls us to leave behind the restless striving that characterizes life in the tributaries, and to return instead to the fountain where every good and perfect gift flows from the hand of the Giver. He also tells us something our age urgently needs to hear. There is nothing new under the sun. Our modern confidence in our own progress (central to the evolutionary mythos) is little more than hubris. We imagine ourselves advanced beyond our “primitive” forebears, yet our world repeats the same patterns of confusion and pride. Postmodern deconstruction, gender confusion, DEI initiatives, and cultural relativism are not new. They are ancient errors retold in new vocabulary. Ecclesiastes understood the human heart long before our age attempted to deconstruct it. Near the end of the book the imagery sharpens. “The words of the wise are like goads,” given by one Shepherd to guide us back toward the fountain of wisdom. When the risen Jesus confronted Saul and said, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads,” Paul, deeply trained in Greek language and philosophy, recognized the proverb immediately. The Shepherd's mercy often comes to us as a sharp turn, redirecting us from the dry channels of self-reliance back to the living waters of God Himself. The book ends where all honest searching must end. Fear God. Keep His commandments. Receive His gifts with gratitude. This is the whole duty of man, the culmination not only of the Bible's wisdom literature, but of every sincere philosophical quest. I wandered long among the tributaries, but Scripture led me home to the Fount of every blessing and tuned my heart to sing His grace. Here is a helpful overview of Ecclesiastes. May your listening be as blessed as ours was in the reading. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrsQ1tc-2w

Scripture: John 1:1–3; John 1:14, 18 "Without exaggeration it can be said that every church and every Christian ought to know the Nicene Creed." – Kevin DeYoung, The Nicene Creed.   + Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.   And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made.   Who, for us and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.   And we believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.   And we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. + Jude 3 + John 1:1-3 + John 1:14 + John 1:18 + Hebrews 1:1-3 "Though it is normal for humans to beget in time, due to the imperfection of their nature, God's offspring is eternal, because His nature is perfect." – Athanasius + Homoousia vs Homoiousia   "Jesus Christ is the Creator of the universe. Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. Jesus Christ, the Person, never had a beginning. He is absolute Reality. He has the unparalleled honor and unique glory of being there first and always. He never came into being." – John Piper, Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ. + It is necessary to believe to be saved. + 1 Corinthians 12:3 + John 17:5 + John 17:24–26 + It is how we grow to love Jesus + It is how we overcome temptation "On Christ's glory I would fix all my thoughts and desires, and the more I see of the glory of Christ, the more the painted beauties of this world will wither in my eyes, and I will be more and more crucified to this world. It will become to me like something dead and putrid, impossible for me to enjoy." – John Owen, The Glory of Christ 

My next guest is a TRUE BOSS BABE in the Skincare Space. She has done so many things in the spa world and now being one of the TOP Babez for PDO Max. Whether you're an esthetician, medical spa tech or a hairstylist--YOU NEED to listen, watch and learn from the fabulous, Jaclyn Luongo! WANT MORE JACLYN?GET THE SKIN CARE:https://www.lumenvyskincare.comhttps://www.pdomax.comWANT MORE KRYSTINE?For 1:1 Coaching, Freebies & More, TAP HERE: ⁠bit.ly/3S5R2lo⁠LOVE THIS EPISODE?Leave Your Ratings, Reviews & Comments on the Podcast! Your feedback allows for more nourishing content and for more on-point education for beauty & barber pros.

Series: Matthew for TodayPastor Mark SmithNovember 30, 2025

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher. All is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1:2 As a philosopher I have loved the great tradition of human wisdom. For many years I drank from the tributaries. Aristotle taught that the good life is something one lives, not something one acquires. Socrates taught that wisdom begins in humility. These insights nourished me long before I realized they were preparing me to recognize the far greater wisdom God has given in Scripture. The Greek thinkers stood downstream from a fountain they dimly sensed but could not reach. The book of Ecclesiastes speaks from that very source. Qoheleth, קהלת, the Assembler, often called the Preacher, gathers what God has revealed about life in this world. He describes the human condition with a single Hebrew word: hevel, breath, vapor. Not meaninglessness, but ungraspability - and paradox. Life slips through the fingers of those who try to seize it, and understanding reaches its limit in paradox. What cannot be possessed must be received. What we cannot control must become ours by gift. And this is why Ecclesiastes so often speaks the language of generosity. Work is a gift. Food and drink are gifts. Joy is gift. Companionship is gift. Time itself is gift. The Preacher calls us to leave behind the restless striving that characterizes life in the tributaries, and to return instead to the fountain where every good and perfect gift flows from the hand of the Giver. He also tells us something our age urgently needs to hear. There is nothing new under the sun. Our modern confidence in our own progress (central to the evolutionary mythos) is little more than hubris. We imagine ourselves advanced beyond our “primitive” forebears, yet our world repeats the same patterns of confusion and pride. Postmodern deconstruction, gender confusion, DEI initiatives, and cultural relativism are not new. They are ancient errors retold in new vocabulary. Ecclesiastes understood the human heart long before our age attempted to deconstruct it. Near the end of the book the imagery sharpens. “The words of the wise are like goads,” given by one Shepherd to guide us back toward the fountain of wisdom. When the risen Jesus confronted Saul and said, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads,” Paul, deeply trained in Greek language and philosophy, recognized the proverb immediately. The Shepherd's mercy often comes to us as a sharp turn, redirecting us from the dry channels of self-reliance back to the living waters of God Himself. The book ends where all honest searching must end. Fear God. Keep His commandments. Receive His gifts with gratitude. This is the whole duty of man, the culmination not only of the Bible's wisdom literature, but of every sincere philosophical quest. I wandered long among the tributaries, but Scripture led me home to the Fount of every blessing and tuned my heart to sing His grace. Here is a helpful overview of Ecclesiastes. May your listening be as blessed as ours was in the reading. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrsQ1tc-2w

Caleb Drahosh In the opening words of His Gospel, John takes us back to the very first words of Scripture. The One John writes about was present in the beginning. Jesus is the divine Word which is God's eternal, powerful, unstoppable, self-expression. This is the foundation of what we celebrate at Christmas.

In this final message of our "Gratitude" series, we explore the concept of putting on our "Gratitude Glasses" to help us see past the gifts and focus on the Giver. Discover the crucial difference between loving what God provides and truly loving Him, the source of every good thing. We'll dive into scripture to understand how gratitude is the ultimate battle plan against the enemies of entitlement and comparison, both of which seek to steal our joy and thankfulness. Learn how to shift your perspective to recognize God's character and love behind every circumstance—good or bad—because when your gratitude is rooted in the Giver, your faith is solid. This message concludes with a simple, powerful challenge to practice connecting the gift to the Giver all week long, transforming your daily life into an act of worship.

In the final message of our Gratitude series, learn to put on your "Gratitude Glasses" to see every good thing in your life as a gift from God. This message addresses the tension between gratitude and entitlement, explaining that entitlement evaluates life through what you lack, while true gratitude recognizes what you already have. Discover how to shift your focus from the gifts, which can fade, to the Giver, whose goodness endures forever. When you connect the gift to the Giver, you fuel your worship and build a solid faith that is not dependent on your circumstances.

Dr. Steven Roby Christmas Gifts  for the Giver of Life Know Him & Glorify Him John 17:1-5

2 Corinthians 8:1–9

Part of the The Heartbeat of the Universe sermon series. This sermon was preached by Ben Goldenberg and is 37 minutes long.

Hello lovelies! Thanks for listening (and reading!)Amber Lilyestrom discusses her work as a business mentor for women entrepreneurs, emphasizing the creation of "right-sized" businesses that align with their life goals.She advocates for a mindset shift on money, viewing it as a tool and a means of exchange rather than a source of stress.Amber highlights the importance of giving and receiving, and shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, including her book "Master Your Money Mind" and her poetry.She stresses the significance of living in the present and the richness of everyday experiences, encouraging a focus on gratitude and contribution.Here's the transcript per Otter!Amber Lilyestrom's websiteAmber Liyestrom's booksIf you've enjoyed this episode, can you please leave a review on Spotify or on Apple podcasts. It would mean the world to me. :)Sincerely,ElizabethListen to my Podcast "I'm Speaking...with Elizabeth West"

Be thankful that the Giver is greater than the gifts.

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher. All is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1:2 As a philosopher I have loved the great tradition of human wisdom. For many years I drank from the tributaries. Aristotle taught that the good life is something one lives, not something one acquires. Socrates taught that wisdom begins in humility. These insights nourished me long before I realized they were preparing me to recognize the far greater wisdom God has given in Scripture. The Greek thinkers stood downstream from a fountain they dimly sensed but could not reach. The book of Ecclesiastes speaks from that very source. Qoheleth, קהלת, the Assembler, often called the Preacher, gathers what God has revealed about life in this world. He describes the human condition with a single Hebrew word: hevel, breath, vapor. Not meaninglessness, but ungraspability - and paradox. Life slips through the fingers of those who try to seize it, and understanding reaches its limit in paradox. What cannot be possessed must be received. What we cannot control must become ours by gift. And this is why Ecclesiastes so often speaks the language of generosity. Work is a gift. Food and drink are gifts. Joy is gift. Companionship is gift. Time itself is gift. The Preacher calls us to leave behind the restless striving that characterizes life in the tributaries, and to return instead to the fountain where every good and perfect gift flows from the hand of the Giver. He also tells us something our age urgently needs to hear. There is nothing new under the sun. Our modern confidence in our own progress (central to the evolutionary mythos) is little more than hubris. We imagine ourselves advanced beyond our “primitive” forebears, yet our world repeats the same patterns of confusion and pride. Postmodern deconstruction, gender confusion, DEI initiatives, and cultural relativism are not new. They are ancient errors retold in new vocabulary. Ecclesiastes understood the human heart long before our age attempted to deconstruct it. Near the end of the book the imagery sharpens. “The words of the wise are like goads,” given by one Shepherd to guide us back toward the fountain of wisdom. When the risen Jesus confronted Saul and said, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads,” Paul, deeply trained in Greek language and philosophy, recognized the proverb immediately. The Shepherd's mercy often comes to us as a sharp turn, redirecting us from the dry channels of self-reliance back to the living waters of God Himself. The book ends where all honest searching must end. Fear God. Keep His commandments. Receive His gifts with gratitude. This is the whole duty of man, the culmination not only of the Bible's wisdom literature, but of every sincere philosophical quest. I wandered long among the tributaries, but Scripture led me home to the Fount of every blessing and tuned my heart to sing His grace. Here is a helpful overview of Ecclesiastes. May your listening be as blessed as ours was in the reading. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrsQ1tc-2w

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher. All is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1:2 As a philosopher I have loved the great tradition of human wisdom. For many years I drank from the tributaries. Aristotle taught that the good life is something one lives, not something one acquires. Socrates taught that wisdom begins in humility. These insights nourished me long before I realized they were preparing me to recognize the far greater wisdom God has given in Scripture. The Greek thinkers stood downstream from a fountain they dimly sensed but could not reach. The book of Ecclesiastes speaks from that very source. Qoheleth, קהלת, the Assembler, often called the Preacher, gathers what God has revealed about life in this world. He describes the human condition with a single Hebrew word: hevel, breath, vapor. Not meaninglessness, but ungraspability - and paradox. Life slips through the fingers of those who try to seize it, and understanding reaches its limit in paradox. What cannot be possessed must be received. What we cannot control must become ours by gift. And this is why Ecclesiastes so often speaks the language of generosity. Work is a gift. Food and drink are gifts. Joy is gift. Companionship is gift. Time itself is gift. The Preacher calls us to leave behind the restless striving that characterizes life in the tributaries, and to return instead to the fountain where every good and perfect gift flows from the hand of the Giver. He also tells us something our age urgently needs to hear. There is nothing new under the sun. Our modern confidence in our own progress (central to the evolutionary mythos) is little more than hubris. We imagine ourselves advanced beyond our “primitive” forebears, yet our world repeats the same patterns of confusion and pride. Postmodern deconstruction, gender confusion, DEI initiatives, and cultural relativism are not new. They are ancient errors retold in new vocabulary. Ecclesiastes understood the human heart long before our age attempted to deconstruct it. Near the end of the book the imagery sharpens. “The words of the wise are like goads,” given by one Shepherd to guide us back toward the fountain of wisdom. When the risen Jesus confronted Saul and said, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads,” Paul, deeply trained in Greek language and philosophy, recognized the proverb immediately. The Shepherd's mercy often comes to us as a sharp turn, redirecting us from the dry channels of self-reliance back to the living waters of God Himself. The book ends where all honest searching must end. Fear God. Keep His commandments. Receive His gifts with gratitude. This is the whole duty of man, the culmination not only of the Bible's wisdom literature, but of every sincere philosophical quest. I wandered long among the tributaries, but Scripture led me home to the Fount of every blessing and tuned my heart to sing His grace. Here is a helpful overview of Ecclesiastes. May your listening be as blessed as ours was in the reading. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrsQ1tc-2w

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Sander din portefølje til med aktier, du på et tidspunkt var stærkt begejstret for, men som alligevel viste sig mest af alt at være en fuser? Så er det måske tid til at rydde op. Millionærklubbens porteføljeforvaltere, Lau Svenssen og Lars Persson, giver gode råd om løbende porteføljestyring og svarer på lytterspørgsmål i studiet. Vært: Bodil Johanne GantzelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Share a commentGrace doesn't discount the price—it pays the whole bill. We explore why the law was never meant to save you, how it functions like a mirror that reveals but can't repair, and what it means to receive an inheritance you could never earn. Using Abraham as our guide and Romans 4 as our map, we unpack the difference between righteous deeds, religious rituals, and rule‑keeping on one side, and faith, grace, and promise on the other. The contrast is not subtle: try to pay for the gift and you void it; trust the Giver and you receive a guaranteed promise rooted in God's character.We share vivid stories that bring theology down to street level—from a bank reversing the rules of lending to everyday analogies like bathroom scales and X‑rays—each one pressing the same point: exposure isn't cure. The law brings knowledge of sin and, with it, wrath; only Christ brings righteousness by faith. We also address the quiet ways many of us mix grace with works, turning good practices into bargaining chips and trading assurance for anxiety. Abraham's example speaks across time: the inheritance of the world came not through the law but through the righteousness of faith.If you've wrestled with being “good enough,” or wondered whether your standing with God rises and falls with your performance, this conversation is for you. You'll walk away with a clearer grasp of why God's promise is unconditional, why assurance rests on His character, and how faith receives what works can never secure. Listen now, share it with a friend who needs hope, and if it helps you, subscribe and leave a review so others can find it too.Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Share a commentGrace doesn't discount the price—it pays the whole bill. We explore why the law was never meant to save you, how it functions like a mirror that reveals but can't repair, and what it means to receive an inheritance you could never earn. Using Abraham as our guide and Romans 4 as our map, we unpack the difference between righteous deeds, religious rituals, and rule‑keeping on one side, and faith, grace, and promise on the other. The contrast is not subtle: try to pay for the gift and you void it; trust the Giver and you receive a guaranteed promise rooted in God's character.We share vivid stories that bring theology down to street level—from a bank reversing the rules of lending to everyday analogies like bathroom scales and X‑rays—each one pressing the same point: exposure isn't cure. The law brings knowledge of sin and, with it, wrath; only Christ brings righteousness by faith. We also address the quiet ways many of us mix grace with works, turning good practices into bargaining chips and trading assurance for anxiety. Abraham's example speaks across time: the inheritance of the world came not through the law but through the righteousness of faith.If you've wrestled with being “good enough,” or wondered whether your standing with God rises and falls with your performance, this conversation is for you. You'll walk away with a clearer grasp of why God's promise is unconditional, why assurance rests on His character, and how faith receives what works can never secure. Listen now, share it with a friend who needs hope, and if it helps you, subscribe and leave a review so others can find it too.Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

As Christmas draws near, excitement fills our homes—along with the endless catalogs, wish lists, and the subtle temptation to want more. In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, hosts Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden wrestle honestly with the tension every family feels: how do we help our daughters avoid holiday greediness and instead cultivate grateful, generous hearts? Through personal stories and biblical wisdom, they explore how the desire for "just one more thing" can take root even in the sweetest child—and how God gives parents the tools to gently guide their girls toward contentment.  Rachael and Melissa take listeners back to their own childhood Christmases—where innocence, wonder, and excitement sometimes gave way to comparison or selfishness. They remind us that these moments aren't failures but opportunities. Opportunities to help our girls understand the difference between healthy desire and a heart consumed with having more. Through Patti Garibay's "Greedy Christmas" devotion, moms are encouraged to simplify traditions, model self-control, and anchor the season in the joy that comes from thoughtful, meaningful giving.  The episode also equips moms with practical, faith-filled strategies for shaping their daughter's heart: reframing the Christmas list, creating space for gratitude, and gently redirecting attention away from abundance and toward the Giver of every good gift. Rachael and Melissa highlight how modeling contentment in our own habits—whether through budgeting, slowing down, or choosing simplicity—sets a powerful example for the next generation. And as always, the conversation returns to the truth that generosity isn't about what we can afford, but about reflecting the heart of Christ.  Listeners will also hear how American Heritage Girls reinforces these lessons year-round. Through badges, service projects, and Troop community life, girls learn that generosity, stewardship, and humility are practiced virtues—shaped not by Christmas morning, but by a Christ-centered lifestyle. This episode empowers moms to help their daughters resist the cultural pull toward more and embrace the lasting joy of being a cheerful giver.    Three Takeaways from This Episode  Contentment Over Consumption — Help your daughter practice gratitude and resist the pressure to pursue "more."  Thoughtful Gift-Giving — Tools like the four-gift rule teach budgeting, stewardship, and generosity.  Generosity From the Heart — Joy grows when girls give with love, reflecting God's character rather than the world's expectations.  Scripture References  Luke 12:15 – "Be on guard against all greed…"  2 Corinthians 9:7 – "God loves a cheerful giver."    Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com. Find or start an AHG Troop at americanheritagegirls.org. 

Be thankful that the Giver is greater than the gifts.

Send us a textIn this special Thanksgiving episode, Coach Chris Wilson dives into the timeless ideas from Adam Grant's bestselling book Give and Take — exploring how gratitude, generosity, and giving back can transform not just your relationships, but your success and happiness as well.As the world slows down for the holiday, this is the perfect time to reflect on who's helped you get where you are, and how you can pour back into others. Chris breaks down the three types of people — Givers, Takers, and Matchers — and shares how adopting a giver's mindset can multiply your impact without burning out.You'll hear insights on:How gratitude fuels generosity — and how giving deepens gratitude.The difference between selfless and “otherish” giving (and why one sustains you while the other drains you).Why leading with generosity creates stronger relationships, richer opportunities, and lasting fulfillment.How to make Thanksgiving more than a holiday — but a habit of the heart.Chris also shares practical ways to live these ideas daily — from small acts of kindness to building a gratitude and giving practice that rewires how you lead, live, and love.This is a heartfelt reminder that success isn't just about what you get — it's about what you give. Because when you give first, everyone wins.Share it with a friend, family member, or teammate who's made a difference in your life. Let them know how much they matter — that's the real spirit of Thanksgiving.Time Stamps00:55 – Welcome to the 'Strong by Design' podcast01:19 – Join Chris Wilson for a special solo episode04:00 – What this episode is all about07:14 – A book that changed Chris's perspective09:28 – Discover the three types of people in life13:45 – Unlocking the concept of 'Otherish Giving'18:31 – How generosity drives long-term impact21:35 – Connecting it all to Thanksgiving24:29 – The power of being in a state of gratitude28:00 – Simple ways to show thankfulness every day31:09 – The ripple effect: small actions, big impact33:35 – A powerful, heartfelt reflection from Chris1:09:42 – Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast!Resources:Give and Take – The BookConnect with Chris:InstagramSupport the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Be thankful that the Giver is greater than the gifts.

Holiness by Fear of the Lord (1) (audio) David Eells – 11/26/25 There is NO Ego in the Body of Christ Eve Brast - 10/22/2016 (David's notes in red) While everyone was sharing last night, Father brought a scripture to mind: 1Pe.4:18 And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator. I thought that this was a very weighty and impactful statement, and it makes me tremble with Godly fear at its implications. And then I thought about the next verse, 19, that when we are bitter and unforgiving, critical or judgmental, we are actually being unwilling to “suffer according to the will of God”. Later, I thought about what Jesus said in Joh.13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, a servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him. Jesus suffered injustice and wrongful treatment at the hands of evil people His whole public life: “A man of many sorrows and acquainted with grief”. Should we expect, as His disciples, not to endure the same? I pray for myself and us all that Father will fill us with the same grace to endure the suffering according to His will and recognize that ultimately it comes from Him. If we fight against it, we only delay our progress. While driving to that Friday night meeting, I asked Father to give me confirmation during our meeting if I was to share the word He gave me on Thursday, 10/20/16. So while David was speaking to us about pride and humbling ourselves, he used the term “ego,” which seemed to be the main theme of the Word Father had given me. I knew then that it was the confirmation that I had asked for, and I knew He wanted me to share it with the brethren. So here is that word: “You were created for My purposes and Mine alone. You were created to serve Me, My Kingdom, and your fellow servants. Your sole purpose is to glorify the Name in all you think or do. The body is one. There is no ego in the body (which is His body), no separateness, no fleshly individualism, which is factious and divisive, no independence. There is one Spirit and all who abide in Me and My Son will have the same Spirit. They will have My desire for the life I've given them and for others. There is only one personality, one character in the Body. Ego and individualism are rebellion and Jezebel. (Unforgiveness, offense, anger, self-justification, faction, criticism, slander, backbiting, railing, are all part of this witchcraft spirit.) The life I gave you is not your own. I ransomed you. You belong to Me. Your allegiance is to Me, not to man and the flesh. Serve Me with unwavering loyalty. Understand that this is your sole purpose. There is no other life or reason to exist. Those who live for themselves don't consider My will and they are choosing death. They are choosing separateness, individualism, and separation from Me”. (And, I would say, separation from His character [and his true body].) I posted a word from Father: “Let My Spirit have free course in you”. In which He said, “Get rid of the “I's” and let there be only Me”. Here it is: (I've been hearing this phrase for about two weeks now: “Let My Spirit have free course in you”. So on Wednesday, I asked Father what He wanted to share about this. I really felt the heart of His Spirit pouring out to me while He spoke. I hope it will bless y'all, too. :0) He said, “Come away with Me, My love! Come away with Me, My Bride. I desire to be your only love. I desire to be the only one reflected back to Me in the eyes of My dove. Let My Spirit have free course in you. Surrender to Me. Yield your control to Me. Be still and hear the voice of My Spirit. Let My Holy Spirit lead and guide you into all obedience. I long to be in sweet communion with you, undistracted and unhindered”. “Do you trust Me, My love? Do you truly trust Me? Allow Me to have free course in you. Trust Me to live and move through you as a vessel of honor for My people and My Kingdom. For this purpose, I created you. Get rid of the “I's” and let there be only Me! There is no other fulfillment; no other satisfaction; no other completion outside of sweet communion with Me”. I looked up the word Ego and this was one of the things that was mentioned: Ego is the Latin word for “I”. So if a person seems to begin every sentence with “I”, it's sometimes a sign of a big ego. Thank you, Father, for giving us Your grace and Your humility. Help us to rid ourselves of pride and ego, self-centeredness, or self-importance. By faith, we believe that You are perfecting Christ's character in us. Help us to have the desire and strength to commit ourselves to You and to well-doing, in Jesus' name. Amen. Love to you all, Eve.   Pride, Independence and Egotism is not of the Body David Eells (Notes in red) Proud and independent people do not control their tongue so they destroy the unity of the body and are not part of the body. Jas.3:5 So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell. Those whose tongues do not conform to the confines of scripture destroy the body of Christ and are guilty of its blood. 7 For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind. 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison. Which comes from the evil heart: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh”. 9 Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God: 10 out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? Neither can salt water yield sweet. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. Faction always lies because it is a demon spirit and speaks in order to deceive and take captive even the innocent. Faction is causing division for selfish ambition to make disciples, so there is lying and jealousy involved. Faction is separation and independence from the body and its leadership. 15 This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed. Every vile deed describes well the independence from the body that the faction has and creates in others. Unforgiveness, offense, anger, self-justification, faction, criticism, slander, backbiting, railing, lying, theft, deception, witchcraft, graft, extortion, lust, fornication, perversion, are all brought in by the faction spirit. On the other side of this Beast, the election has revealed this same nature in our government. Ever wonder why they can justify killing Christians all over the world and are ready to do it here? So don't feed on that, or you can receive that spirit. Those Christians who receive this spirit also murder the brethren through slander, introducing them to faction unawares. I have seen faction demons take over brethren who had a lust to rule over the body. I have seen them side with and even become homosexuals under this spirit several times. I have seen brethren taken over by lust after receiving this spirit. I have seen them try to bring convicted unrepentant pedophiles and womanizers into the church and get angry and leave when I forbade it. I have seen them go into grand theft many times. One man stole 300 silver coins that were to be given to the poor brethren, and then a sound system from the church. Another stole a commercial lawnmower. Another stole tractor equipment. I have seen them steal money from the brethren many times when this spirit comes upon them. One man who was hiding his sin among us had spent many years in federal prison for theft, and when he came to us, he was sued because he forged a check sent to his ex-wife for around $22,000, and the judge threw him in jail until he would give the money back to his ex-wife. His new wife told me he still had the money, so I convinced him to give up his stolen money to get out of jail. When faction totally consumed him, he told everyone that I stole the money from him. This is the kind of perversion these spirits do. And these cannot be convicted of any sin. They are no longer moved or constrained by scriptures. I have seen them join religions that were not Christian or go under the law as a Jew to try to be justified because they never have faith for grace anymore when that spirit enters them. As David Wilkerson witnessed, their main target is the true leadership of the church, just like Satan. None of these people would have considered these “vile deeds” before receiving the faction spirit. They were turned over to this because they were hiding a sin or had one of the forms of unforgiveness. So, fear God and avoid like the plague anyone who wants to whisper in your ear against others. These people have lost many years that they could have been bearing fruit, and some are lost eternally. As one man told us when he partially repented and came to us, “The Lord told me that this is my last chance”, and even knowing this, he didn't take it. I pray for all of these people that, like Nebuchadnezzar, they would be granted grace to snap out of this demon possession. Continuing with our James 3 text: 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace. Jas.4:1 Whence come wars and whence come fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your pleasures that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war; ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend it in your pleasures. 4 Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God. 5 Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying? Envy and jealousy come from ego. The Bible codes say, “Ego IS the antichrist”.) 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore the scripture saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 7 Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you. 11 Speak not one against another, brethren. He that speaketh against a brother (Slander and blaspheme mean to speak against another.), or judgeth his brother, speaketh against the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judgest the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 One only is the lawgiver and judge, even he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou that judgest thy neighbor? The independent are proud, unforgiving, and judgmental. They are their own God. Mat.6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. The unforgiving person is under the curse of Deuteronomy 28 because they are not forgiven. The independent person does not have to “obey them that have the rule over you”, for they make themselves elders, prophets, pastors, apostles, etc. They judge others unworthy of grace and therefore have no grace from God to avoid judgment. Mat.18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. 35 So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. The tormenting demons then take this person to show them what it is to have God's unforgiveness with no grace and if they still do not repent, they are reprobated.) Jas.2:7 Do not they blaspheme the honorable name by which ye are called? 8 Howbeit if ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: 9 but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment. We will be judged by grace if we give grace; we will be judged by the law if we judge others according to law. Mat.7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. If you are being judged, you are likely judging others. This judging is manifested in separation, unforgiveness, anger, wrath, etc. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. As much as you judge, is how much you will be judged. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Rom.2:1 Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judges another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things. (When a person has demons, they are the grossest hypocrites, for they accuse others of doing exactly what they do and get judged for it.) 2 And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against them that practise such things. 3 And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practise such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Rom.14:4 Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand.... (This is where our faith must be: that God will save them through their afflictions.) 10 But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother's way, or an occasion of falling. Rom.12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. Mat.12:36 And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (So, if you are an impulsive person saying things that are not right it will come back to bite you with out repentance and confession.)   Holiness Protects from the Curse B. A. - 12/24/2013 (David's notes in red) I dreamed that I was having a dream, and in this dream, I woke up and I was surrounded by tiny black particles (representing the curse). Deu.11:26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if ye shall hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah your God, which I command you this day; 28 and the curse, if ye shall not hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. (Only the true people of God with “spiritual eyes” [renewed by the Word of God] can see the curse around them.) I got up out of bed and went outside, and these black particles were everywhere. I began to fan my right hand up in the air, and I watched as these black particles just moved about. Then I turned my hand palm-side up, and I watched as these black particles hovered just a few inches from my hand. It was amazing. These particles could not touch me in any way. I began to walk around, and I watched as these black particles just moved out of my way. (If we are abiding in Jesus Christ, we have a blood covering and we are protected from the black curse.) (Scientists have proven in Quantum Physics the smallest particles are everywhere and called the quanta. They take on no physical attributes until you believe something. Then they become that, whether good or bad, as in white or BLACK. A black particle is something to avoid with you renewed mind. Jesus affirmed this in Mark 11:24 … All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received (Greek) them, and ye shall have them. Also, Pro 23:7 For as he thinketh within himself, so is he…. (It is not the word of religious leaders that causes us to abide in Jesus, but the Word we received in the beginning. If we abide in this Word, we abide in Jesus. Joh.1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. White particles were all around Jesus. 1Jn.2:24 As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. Jesus, the Word, which was given in the beginning, is the secret place that we hide from the black curse. When we believe the white word of promise we get it. Psa.91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I asked the Father this question: “Father, what are these black particles?” He replied, “You know what they are”. I said, “I do?” And the Father said, “Yes, you do; just think about it”. So I did. I stood there looking at these black particles, when I got the revelation that these black particles are the curse. I said to the Father, “I know what these tiny black particles are! They are the curse, and they are all around us. But if we are abiding in Jesus Christ, they can't even touch us! Wow, Father! This is awesome!” 2Co.5:21 Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Gal.3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Joh.15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. 1Jn.2:24 As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. Just then, the Father showed me an hourglass, and He asked me this question: “Daughter, what do you see?” I said, “I see grains of sand at the bottom of an hourglass”. Isa.10:22 For though thy people, Israel, be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them shall return: a destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness. Isa.44:3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: 4 and they shall spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses. Isa.56:5 Unto them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.) There appeared to be only about 1/8 of the sand left in the hourglass. (I believe these particular grains of sand represent God's elect, and the Father was showing me that these particular grains of sand (or His elect) are those who are coming into the image of Jesus to be sons and daughters, as we are drawing near to the end of days.) I asked the Father, “Father, does this mean that time is running out?” And He replied, “Yes. I only created so much time in the beginning, and when it's gone, it is finished.” Gen.6:3 And Jehovah said, My spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be a hundred and twenty years. (Time is running out to get into the secret place of Jesus because the curse is coming to devour the whole earth, as Isaiah and Revelation show. Isa.24:5 The earth also is polluted [Radiation in the Pacific, oil in the Gulf and Atlantic, biologicals in the atmosphere, poisons from chemtrails in the air, earth and water, our food sources, solar, volcanic, earthquakes, comets, asteroids, meteors, etc.] under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are found guilty: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. Deuteronomy 28 is a long list of the curses, a sample of all the curses seen around us that Jesus, the Word, delivers us from. The cause of these curses is in: Deu.28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. What a curse it is to not read the New Testament to know how to avoid this. I say “a sample” because we are also told that if it's not listed here, God will also put that on you for your disobedience. 61 Also every sickness, and every plague [Does not mean disease. Hebrew meaning “a blow; to smite”.], which is not written in the book of this law, them will Jehovah bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed. Jesus came to bear the curse for we who believe by “working in us to will and to work for His good pleasure”, [Philippians 2:13] meaning He puts the gift of obedience in us when we believe the good news that He took away our sins and the curse.)   Walk in the Infamous Place of Holiness K. H. - 10/23/2008 (David's notes in red) In a dream, I was with a group of students headed toward a convention center when all of the people we encountered along the way tried to discourage us from going there because they said it was in a bad part of town and was very dirty there. No matter what was said, we still kept on walking toward the convention center. When we got there, we all went through the doors, and as soon as I walked through the glass doors, I saw how nice it looked inside. I didn't see that it was dirty like the people had said it was going to be. (The Convention Center is where the students are going to truly learn of God. Apostates have always believed such a place is unclean. The Pharisees thought that Jesus was a false teacher and His students were deceived.) All the other students filed into the auditorium, but I needed to go to the bathroom, and at this point, I felt the need to take off my shoes. I initially began to recall what the people along the way were saying about how dirty a place it was and started to become concerned about where I was about to walk, but I cast that imagination down and just said to the Lord, “I trust you”. I started to head for the bathroom and began to feel how clean the tile and carpet felt under my feet and once I got to the bathroom, I was even more amazed. When I walked into the bathroom, it was the most pristine and cleanest bathroom I think I have ever seen. I knew now without a doubt there was nothing dirty about this place, and began to feel the peace of the Lord about being barefoot. (This training center is holy and clean.) After I was finished in the bathroom, I left to find my seat with my parents in the auditorium for our meal that we were going to have together. I was so filled with joy and peace that I didn't even notice that I didn't have my shoes on when I went into the auditorium. (The spiritual food served here is holy and clean.) When I woke up, I was reminded that I had taken my shoes off my feet in the dream. It was then brought to my attention that when in the presence of God, Moses had to remove his shoes so that he would not be separated from the holiness of God. (Our feet are not to be separated from holy or clean ground, meaning we are to walk in a place of holiness with God.) From what the Lord showed me, I know that this is why I felt led to take my shoes off as well, because I was entering into the holiness of God. The Lord also revealed to me that the students in this dream represented the students of His Word. As students of His Word, we will have many come against our walk with the Lord, but we have to hold fast the confession of our faith that it waver not and walk in spirit and in truth. No matter what the flesh tries to tell us, we have to lean not on our own understanding but just trust in the Lord. This life that we live is not our own, but it is Christ's to live in us; He is our hope of glory. When I didn't notice that I didn't have my shoes on, I believe that it signified walking in His holiness and in His rest; the flesh had been crucified. Thank you Jesus!   Walk Before Me in Fear and Trembling  Debbie Fenske 11/2/25 I would like to share this word that the Lord began speaking to me at 4:45 this morning. He actually woke me at 2:30, and I was in much prayer, for myself, doing much confessing before the Lord, and praying for all of my family, for our body here, and all our families, for David and Michael, and all of UBM, and for all the Elect of the Lord. Then I heard the Lord say, “I want to speak to you, My Beloved.” So, I quickly got out of bed and went and grabbed my notebook and pen. And the Lord began to continue speaking this. “I speak to you, My Beloved, the Elect of God whom I have drawn unto Myself. Yes, you who are My Elect, who I have drawn to Myself with My everlasting love. I say to you, who My eyes have beheld as My Bride from before the foundation of the world; let not this calling negate the fact that you must walk always before Me in fear and trembling. Though I have drawn you to Myself, and have allowed My grace to abound unto you, fear Me, My Bride. Walk before Me in holy fear, and be holy in all your ways, in all your manner of speech, all your days. It has long been the time that you have basked in Me through the love and truth of My Word that enables you to walk with Me, and in Me with a perfect heart. My Beloved, My Bride, I have poured out upon you the anointing of My Spirit, that you will shine forth My beauty, My glory, in all My truth. I have chosen you to be My glory upon this earth, as also many more whom I am perfecting. But you must remember to walk, to live in holiness before Me, in fear and trembling. Yes, My beloved ones, there is always this one condition, holiness, with total and complete surrender. Seek Me about this holy surrender. It is what My Bride must be; wholly surrendered unto Me in all things, understanding that I am your all in all, your Everything. I am your life, your breath, the Giver of TRUE life, sustaining you in all your ways. All the many ways known only in Me, your provider and your complete sustenance, and your righteousness. I will be opening doors before you, and you will enter. There will no longer be anything of this world holding you back. Only a walk of holy fear and trembling before Me will keep your garments shining brightly, reflecting to all your beauty, your anointing, reflecting the brightness, even the glory of My very presence, life, and character before the world. What will this do? It will draw all men unto Me. All whom I have called and ultimately chosen. Remember, “Fear and trembling.” This is your daily, your hourly, and your minute-by-minute assignment. Will you remember? For I will reveal My will to you in ways you have never considered. And I will certainly lead you down paths you have not yet walked. You will know it is I leading you. You will not doubt. For walking before Me with fear and trembling will cause you to know that, “This is the way. Walk ye in it.” It will require much self-denial, so much more than you have known. This is what a walk with fear and trembling before Me will do. And this is how My perfection will be seen in and through you, and will draw many unto Me, completing your part in bringing many into the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice that in all of these things I have chosen you. Rejoice in Me, My Bride, My holy companions, walking step-by-step with Me, in Me. Oh, rejoice, My Beloved! Again, I say rejoice! Let your rejoicing in Me lead you on. Even through all the times when you will not know what lies ahead, I will lead you on. Down every path, and every crooked turn, I will help you to say, “Yes, Lord!” After I finished writing this down, I wanted to see what my word for the day was. I was excited because I felt really compelled to look at it right then. It is always a chapter a day. I thought it was amazing and very timely, that when I opened it up, the chapter to read was Ruth Chapter 1. I took this as confirmation. Thank You, Father. I pray You let this word speak to our hearts and move us on in our walk in You with holy fear and trembling, and with knowledge and understanding of all things You would have us to let go of, thoughts we think, and things we do that will otherwise keep us from having a holy fear of You, Lord, and not allow Your glory to shine forth from us in Your fullness. We need Your help, Father. So help us, Lord. Lead us on! Amen!

Send us a textToday's message from Pastor Luigi is a soul-level reminder that we're all a work in progress and God isn't finished with us yet. Drawing from Ephesians 2:10 and Philippians 1:6, we look at why we shouldn't put a period where God is still writing a command. This episode unpacks the vision of a church that reaches imperfect people, centers on the grace of the Gospel, and refuses to confuse Christianity with perfectionism.You'll hear about the silent second pandemic of apathy, the call to emotional maturity through Luke 2:52 and Hebrews 5, and the challenge to rise above tradition while embracing the messy beauty of growth. This message pushes us to love the Giver more than the gifts, move beyond milk-level spirituality, and let our faith actually show up.A timely, needed word for anyone who feels stuck, weary, or unsure if they're making progress. God began a good work in you — and He intends to complete it. Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today's message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Most of us think of generosity as a sacrifice—something that costs us. But what if giving is actually one of the wisest, most joy-producing ways to live? When we open our hands, God not only blesses others through us—He transforms us in the process.That idea lies at the heart of Chip Ingram's book The Genius of Generosity, and it's why we were grateful to welcome him to the program. Chip is the founder, teaching pastor, and CEO of Living on the Edge, a discipleship ministry helping believers live like Christians every day.A Story That Changes EverythingChip's understanding of generosity was forever shaped by a man named John—a seventy-year-old accountant who invited Chip, then a young pastor, to lunch one day. After the meal, John handed him a small white box. Inside was a checkbook labeled Pastor's Discretionary Fund.John said, “Chip, here's what I'd like you to do. Carry this checkbook with you every day. Anytime you see a need that Jesus wants to meet—or that you think I'd want to help with—write a check.”Chip was stunned. He barely knew how to manage his own finances, let alone someone else's. But John invited him back three times each year to review every check. And so Chip began paying attention to needs around him—fueling a single mom's car, providing groceries for a struggling family, restoring electricity for another.Over time, something unexpected happened:Chip handled John's money more carefully than his own.He found himself eager to spot needs.And a deep friendship formed between two men who had nothing in common except a commitment to generosity.Years later, Chip realized the deeper lesson: What John did for him is what God does for all of us. We manage resources that are not ours. We steward what belongs to the King.That realization became the seed for The Genius of Generosity.Why Generosity Is More Than a VirtueChip told me that generosity didn't just change his financial habits—it changed his life. He began seeing giving as an adventure. He describes generosity as a “gateway to intimacy with God,” a doorway into deeper trust and joy. The more he gave, the more he saw God show up.And interestingly, secular research agrees. Chip noted that even if the Bible didn't exist, studies consistently show:Generous people are happier.They enjoy stronger relationships.They live longer and experience greater satisfaction.Why? Because generosity is a creative, life-giving act. It aligns us with how God designed the world.Generosity Connects Us—to God and to OthersJesus taught that wherever our treasure goes, our hearts follow. So every act of giving is spiritual formation. It's discipleship.And generosity builds unexpected bonds with others. Chip shared the story of a homeless man he saw regularly at a bagel shop. For months, the man never responded to Chip's greetings. One morning, Chip quietly bought him a coffee and a bagel. Minutes later, the man spoke—opening up about his life, his experiences, even pointing out the rare appearance of Venus in the sky.A simple act of kindness became the doorway to relationship and transformation.These moments, Chip says, are all around us if we have “our antenna up and our eyes off our phone.”Chip also told a story of a moment when God prompted him to give a six-figure gift—an amount he didn't feel he had. The Lord reminded him, “Do you think I can't replenish what you give?” Over the years, Chip has seen God refill what he gives away again and again, sometimes miraculously.That's the adventure of generosity: you can't out-give God.What If You Feel Like You Have Little to Give?Chip's encouragement is simple: “Start small. It's your view of God that needs to change, not your circumstances.”You don't wait until you're wealthy or “more spiritual” to begin giving. You practice generosity today—right where you are—and watch God grow your heart.The Genius of GenerosityIn the end, generosity is not about losing. It's about gaining—freedom from fear, deeper trust in God, richer relationships, and greater joy.When we give, we reflect the heart of the ultimate Giver. We discover that everything we have belongs to God—and that He delights to pour His blessings through open hands.To learn more about Chip Ingram and The Genius of Generosity, visit LivingOnTheEdge.org.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I already have a will, but a company that visited our church said I also need a trust—and they quoted me $3,000 to set everything up. Do I really need a trust? They said that without a trust, my kids could spend months or years in probate and might have to fight over things. That made me nervous—so now I'm wondering if I really do need one.I've heard you explain capital gains when someone buys a home, but how does it work if you build your home and only have a small HELOC? So if my house is worth about $400,000 and I sold it… How would that be calculated? I inherited the land through my divorce and built the home after Hurricane Laura.Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Living on the EdgeThe Genius of Generosity: Generous Living Is Joyful Living by Chip IngramWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday 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.

The Christmas season is filled with twinkling lights, festive excitement, and no shortage of gift lists—but in the middle of the holiday rush, how do we help our daughters understand that generosity is more than presents under a tree? In this heartfelt episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, hosts Rachael Culpepper, American Heritage Girls Executive Director, and Melissa Bearden explore what it truly means to cultivate a generous heart—one rooted in gratitude, compassion, and the character of Christ.  Through stories from their own girlhood Christmases, Rachael and Melissa reflect on simple moments of kindness that shaped their understanding of giving. Together, they unpack the truth that generosity flows not from abundance, but from love—and that the greatest gifts we give our daughters are opportunities to serve, bless others, and reflect God's heart for the world. With insights from American Heritage Girls Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay's "Divine Generosity" devotion, this episode reminds us that God Himself is the model of sacrificial giving, offering His Son as the greatest gift of all.  Listeners will discover practical ways to spark meaningful conversations about generosity, from redefining what "giving" really looks like to letting girls take the lead in blessing someone this season. Rachael and Melissa also share how the American Heritage Girls Program helps cultivate year-round generous living through service, community engagement, and Christ-centered character development.  Whether you're navigating a busy December calendar or longing to bring deeper spiritual meaning back into your family's traditions, this episode will encourage you to slow down, refocus, and lead your daughter toward a joy that lasts far longer than wrapped gifts or glittering décor.  A Few Things to Remember  God is the ultimate Giver—and our generosity reflects His heart.  True giving isn't about the size of the gift, but the love behind it.  Girls learn generosity by watching us—our joy, our sacrifice, our willingness to bless others.    Download the free Raising Godly Girls Guide to Joyful Giving at Christmas a family resource filled with activities, Scriptures, and conversation prompts to help you nurture a spirit of generosity this season.  Explore more tools for raising girls who love and serve the Lord at raisinggodlygirls.com.  Find or start an AHG Troop at americanheritagegirls.org. 

In today's NEW PODCAST, Bible teacher Dave Wager walks through what it really means to give thanks “with all our heart” to the God who provides everything we enjoy. Starting from Psalm 9:1, he explains that true thankfulness needs a Person as its object, not just things. Hope, love, and gratitude all have to be directed somewhere, and for the Christian that “somewhere” is ultimately God. Dave contrasts our American abundance with the deep joy and generosity he witnessed in a poor African village, where believers gladly shared their only meal with him and pointed every ounce of gratitude back to the Lord's daily provision. Their example forced him to confess how casual and shallow his own thanksgiving had often been, even while living with full cupboards and constant comfort. From there, Dave draws a line from Scripture to our own Thanksgiving tables, reminding us that it is God who gives life, safety, health, work, family, and even the heritage of our national Thanksgiving celebration. He unpacks passages like 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 and Philippians 4:6, showing that God's will for His people is to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in everything, including hardship. Using Job, Habakkuk, and the history of the pilgrims, he shows how trials expose our dependence and highlight God's faithfulness. Above all, Dave centers the conversation on the gospel, calling listeners to thank God for His “indescribable gift” in Jesus Christ, who died so we could be adopted into God's family. This Thanksgiving, he urges us to remember that God does not need us, but He wants us, and to respond with lives that gratefully point every good gift back to the Giver.

Robot Fails: In one of the latest robot fails, Russia unveils their AIDOL robot that immediately falls over and is embarrassing. Which of course brings us to talking about the suicide suck pod. Theme Park Guys: We check in on Nick's final episode of the Theme Park Guys and bid farewell to the end of an era. We also learn about the enneagram test. Also having a close relationship with your grandparents is SUS. Andy Booted From DWTS: Andy Richter dances his last dance as he finally gets bounced from the show. Also Kevin James poses as a teacher for viral marketing. THE BEAR!, FUCK YOU, WATCH THIS!, WORD UP!, KORN!, CAMEO!, GETTING FAT!, GUT BIOME!, BUSSY!, FELDDOG SUMMER!, JED FOUNDATION!, ZEN FELDMAN!, HONOR!, DONATION!, ANTI-COREY POD?, TOTS TURNT!, ROBOTS!, MAKE IT!, FORCE IT!, NOT THERE YET!, BOSTON DYNAMICS!, WALK!, RUSSIAN!, ROCKY THEME!, AIDOL!, AI!, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE!, KARAOKE!, DANCING!, ROBOT UPRISING!, FUNCTIONAL!, SCIFI ROBOTS!, SUCK POD!, AI!, SUICIDAL SUCK POD!, WALTER BISHOP!, VAMPIRES BALLAD!, AI MUSIC!, SPOTIFY!, AI DJ!, TOO MUCH PLEASURE!, ENNEAGRAM TEST!, LEVEL!, ENNEAGRAM 6!, 2!, REDDIT!, HOROSCOPE!, GIVER!, WANNABE LIKED!, CRINGE!, GRANDPA!, CRYING!, DIED!, FIRST EPISODE!, LOVING YOUR GRANDPARENTS!, NEW ICK!, LOVES HIS GRANDMA!, DANCING WITH THE STARS!, ANDY RICHTER!, SEXY!, PROGRESS!, WEEKND!, DEATH MONTAGE!, EMMA!, NEXT CHECK!, MASTURBATING BEAR!, BRIAN AUSTEN GREEN!, DWTS LORE!, RELATIONSHIPS!, INCESTUOUS!, TEACHER!, KEVIN JAMES!, LOOKALIKE!, VIRAL!, MARKETING!, MATT TAYLOR!, ARTIST!, ANGEL STUDIOS!, ROMP COMP!, LORE!  You can find the videos from this episode at our Discord RIGHT HERE!

One of the clearest signs that God has changed a person's heart is generosity. Scripture makes it plain: giving isn't merely an act—it's a reflection of God's own character. As believers, we give not because we have to, but because God has given richly to us.Today, we explore what the Bible says about generosity and highlight timeless wisdom from Christian voices throughout history. Their words still inspire us today to give joyfully, sacrificially, and with hearts shaped by the gospel.A Biblical Vision of GenerosityThe Bible paints a sweeping picture of generosity—one that reaches far beyond financial giving.Generosity Begins with CompassionJesus taught, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Generosity starts with seeing the needs right in front of us and responding with compassion, humility, and love.Giving Flows from the HeartThe apostle Paul reminds us that our gifts should reflect the posture of our hearts: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”Generosity isn't measured by the amount of money given, but by the joy, gratitude, and trust behind it.Generosity Reflects God's CharacterPsalm 112 connects generosity to righteousness itself. Giving is not just something Christians do—it becomes part of who we are when our lives are aligned with God's heart.Timeless Christian Wisdom on GivingThroughout the centuries, believers have wrestled with what it means to give faithfully. These quotes reflect deep biblical conviction and continue to encourage us today.C. S. Lewis“I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.”Lewis reminds us that generosity stretches us—it costs something. Yet in that stretching, God grows us.John Wesley“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can…as long as ever you can.”Wesley captures the spirit of a life poured out for God: comprehensive, intentional, and relentless generosity.A. W. Tozer“Any temporal possession can be turned into everlasting wealth. Whatever is given to Christ is immediately touched with immortality.”Our giving invests in eternity, turning temporary resources into lasting treasure.Billy Graham“Tell me what you think about money, and I will tell you what you think about God… A man's heart is closer to his wallet than anything else.”Graham's words challenge us to consider how closely our financial decisions reveal our spiritual values.Evelyn Underhill“The spirit of adoration is the spirit of generosity, for worship is giving.”True generosity flows out of worship—a recognition that everything we have is a gift from God.Randy Alcorn“Giving affirms Christ's lordship. It dethrones me and exalts Him.”Giving reorders our priorities. It loosens our grip on earthly security and strengthens our trust in Christ.St. Augustine“Charity is a virtue which…unites us to God, for by it, we love Him.”For Augustine, generosity wasn't just an action—it was spiritual formation.Amy Carmichael“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.”Our giving is evidence of Christ's love alive in us.St. Paula of Rome“The more we give to Christ, the more we possess Him.”Generosity deepens our fellowship with Christ, reminding us that He is our true treasure.Jesus ChristWhen sending His disciples, Jesus said: “Give as freely as you have received.” (Matthew 10:8)All Christian generosity begins here—in response to His grace.Giving as a Reflection of the GospelWhen we give, we echo the heart of the ultimate Giver. Jesus held nothing back—not even His own life. Generosity isn't defined by the size of the gift but by the surrender of the heart.Every act of giving becomes a small reflection of the love of Christ in us.At FaithFi, we're committed to helping you integrate your faith and finances in a way that reflects God's glory. That's why each issue of our Faithful Steward magazine is designed to encourage you to:Live wiselyGive generouslySee God as your ultimate treasureWhen you become a FaithFi Partner by December 31, you'll receive all four issues of Faithful Steward—plus our brand-new devotional, Our Ultimate Treasure, releasing early next year. Learn more at FaithFi.com/Partner.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm in the process of redoing my will—this is actually the second attorney I've worked with—and I want to leave my house to my daughter, who's on SSDI. The attorneys I've spoken with both mention trusts, but they offer different opinions, which is confusing. What would you recommend? Also, I still owe about seven years on the mortgage at a 3.75% interest rate. Should I pay it off now or keep making payments?How should I advise my 19-year-old granddaughter on investing? Right now, she saves her cash in an envelope or in the bank, but I want to help her get started investing in a simple, conservative way. What's a good company or platform for her to begin with—something that doesn't require a lot of money to start?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)National Christian Foundation (NCF)Schwab Intelligent Portfolios | Betterment | StockpileWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday 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.

In this episode of The Illuminated Woman Podcast, we're taking an honest look at something that's been everywhere the past several years - gratitude. We've been told that gratitude will fix everything. You just need to raise your vibration, manifest your dreams, and attract abundance. But what if gratitude has quietly become just another form of spiritual hustle?In this conversation, I share how I once fell into the “gratitude trap” myself - treating thankfulness like a tool to get what I wanted instead of worshipping the One who gives. We'll unpack what the Bible really says about gratitude, how New Age and New Thought teachings have distorted it, and why true gratitude leads to rest, not performance.You'll learn how to recognize the difference between gratitude and thankfulness, why gratitude without God is empty, and how appreciation can point you back to the Giver when it's rightly ordered. Together, we'll walk through Scriptures like 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Philippians 4:6–7, and Psalm 136 - and discover that gratitude isn't a “high-vibe” state to maintain, but a holy posture of worship and surrender.If you've ever felt pressure to “be more grateful” so you can finally manifest peace or abundance, this episode will help you step off the hamster wheel and back into God's presence.What You'll Hear In This Episode:The real difference between Biblical gratitude and New Age gratitudeHow gratitude journals and affirmations can become a form of strivingWhy gratitude without God becomes another version of self-help performanceThe Scriptural truth that gratitude is worship, not a manifestation toolHow to tell the difference between thankfulness and gratitudeWhat appreciation looks like when it points back to the GiverPractical ways to live with gratitude as a daily act of faithGratitude isn't another task to perform—it's an invitation to worship. When we lift our thanks to God, we step out of the trap of striving and into the peace of His presence.The Illuminated Connection Call is a free conversation where we talk heart to heart—no pressure, no agenda. I'd love to hear what's on your heart, where you are in your life and spiritual journey, and what you're sensing God may be stirring in you. Whether you're just beginning to question the New Age path, exploring Biblical truth, are already living a God-led life, or simply feeling lost and unsure—this space is for you. Schedule through this link.

In this message, The Importance of Giving Thanks to God, Pastor Mike walks through James 1:17, Luke 17:11–19, and 2 Corinthians 9:15 to remind us that gratitude is more than a feeling—it's a response God both deserves and desires. Through the story of the ten lepers, we see the difference between receiving God's gifts and returning thanks to the Giver. As we reflect on where our deepest satisfaction is found, we're challenged to make gratitude a daily practice. This week, take time to list what you're most thankful for—because every good and perfect gift is from Him, and His greatest gift is truly indescribable.  

What if the key to transforming our entire life experience isn't found in changing our circumstances, but in cultivating gratitude? This powerful message explores how gratitude serves as a gateway to God's presence and a weapon against anxiety. Drawing from Philippians 4 and Psalm 100, we discover that gratitude isn't just polite words—it's a deliberate, humble recognition of God's goodness and the Giver behind every blessing. Scientific research confirms what Scripture has taught all along: deliberately writing down things we're grateful for reduces depression by up to 25%, increases optimism, improves sleep, and literally changes our brain chemistry. But more importantly, gratitude opens the gates to God's presence and allows us to experience the peace that surpasses understanding, even in the midst of trials. The Apostle Paul, writing from a prison cell, commanded believers to rejoice always and present their requests with thanksgiving—not because circumstances were perfect, but because God is faithful. When we remember God's benefits—His love, faithfulness, mercy, grace, holiness, sovereignty, wisdom, power, presence, and unchanging nature—we realize there's not one more good thing He needs to do for us and He is still good. Everything beyond our salvation is overflow. Gratitude transforms us from the inside out, helping us see our past properly diminished and our future magnified by God's promises. It's the vocabulary of heaven, and when we speak it, we experience heaven's reality here on earth.

As we reach the climactic conclusion of Revelation, we encounter something breathtaking: the consummation of all things, where every dream finds fulfillment and we live eternally with Christ. This isn't just about destruction and recreation—it's about restoration and renewal. The Greek word 'kainos' reveals that God isn't creating all new things, but making all things new. Like a master craftsman taking what exists and intensifying, glorifying, and customizing it beyond recognition, God is preparing to transform both us and all creation. Christ's resurrection body gives us a preview—recognizable yet capable of extraordinary things we never imagined possible. Our own bodies will be transformed to be like His glorious body, and all creation groans in anticipation of this renewal. The new creation will be both garden and city, combining the best of peaceful paradise and vibrant culture. Nations will bring their glory into it, suggesting that the unique gifts of every culture and people will be preserved and perfected. This vision challenges our shallow notions of heaven as ethereal cloud-sitting. Instead, we're promised a tangible, physical, relational reality where there's no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. The question that pierces our hearts is this: Would we be satisfied with a perfect heaven if Christ weren't there? Our honest answer reveals the true condition of our souls and whether we treasure the Giver more than His gifts.

A single man returned to Jesus after being healed—and his response reveals something deeper than gratitude. This week, we explore how thankfulness exposes the condition of our hearts and draws us closer to God.True gratitude isn't just polite—it's spiritual. It's what turns blessing into worship and keeps our faith alive.If you've been going through life without stopping to acknowledge the Giver, this message will reset your heart toward Jesus.

Did you know there's MAGIC in your Meditation Practice? Say Goodbye to Anxiety and Hello to More Peace & More Prosperity! Here Are the 5 Secrets on How to Unleash Your Meditation Magic https://womensmeditationnetwork.com/5secrets Join Premium! Ready for an ad-free meditation experience? Join Premium now and get every episode from ALL of our podcasts completely ad-free now! Just a few clicks makes it easy for you to listen on your favorite podcast player. Become a PREMIUM member today by going to --> https://WomensMeditationNetwork.com/premium Close your eyes, and let yourself deeply, deeply relax. LONG PAUSE Focus only on relaxing. Let everything else go. Let tension go. Let stress go. Let distracting thoughts go. Watch as they lift away from you like a balloon in the sky. LONG PAUSE Breathe in more relaxation, feeling it spread serenity through all of you. Join our Premium Sleep for Women Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Sleep podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here --> https://bit.ly/sleepforwomen Join our Premium Meditation for Kids Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Kids podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here → https://bit.ly/meditationforkidsapple Hey, I'm so glad you're taking the time to be with us today. My team and I are dedicated to making sure you have all the meditations you need throughout all the seasons of your life. If there's a meditation you desire, but can't find, email us at Katie Krimitsos to make a request. We'd love to create what you want! Namaste, Beautiful,

Share a commentA thank-you note written in chains shouldn't feel this joyful, but Paul's letter to the Philippians turns generosity into worship, partnership, and a promise with real weight. We walk through Philippians 4:14–20 to show how a small church that “gave until it hurt” became equal partners in the work of the gospel—and even in its reward. When others forgot Paul, Philippi remembered. Their loyalty paid past debts, covered present needs, and overflowed into future ministry, not just for Paul but for everyone tied to their account.We unpack what koinonia really means: not potlucks or polite fellowship, but deep, sacrificial investment. Paul borrows banking language to say their giving “increases to your account,” the compounding interest of eternal reward. Then he shifts to temple language—“a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice”—to frame generosity as worship God sees and values. That blend of market and altar imagery grounds a famous promise often pulled out of context: “My God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Not a blank check, but a pledge to givers who meet real needs with real sacrifice. “According to his riches” means provision measured by the Giver's wealth, not by our limits.Along the way, we revisit Philippi's origin story—Lydia's hospitality, a freed slave girl, a jailer's family—and trace how gratitude matured into ongoing support. We also face the sobering reality of missed opportunities from other churches and ask what investments we might be overlooking today. The episode crescendos with Paul's doxology, moving from “my God” to “our God,” inviting us into shared praise and shared mission. If you're hungry for a faith that turns dollars into doxology and partnership into purpose, this conversation will sharpen your vision for giving that lasts.If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs courage to give, and leave a review to help others find it. Then tell us: where are you investing your time and treasure this week?The first of Stephen's two volumes set through the Book of Revelation is now available. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ3XCJMYSupport the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Praise is not just a worship song or a Sunday morning routine—praise is a lifestyle. As our daily prayer and devotional remind us, Scripture tells us to “pray without ceasing,” and in the same way, we can cultivate a posture of continual praise. God gives abundantly, consistently, and generously. Even in difficult seasons, even in uncertainty, He remains the One who provides every good and perfect gift. Keneesha Saunders-Liddie reminds us that the greatest gift God ever gave was His Son. Christ came to earth, bore our sin, and secured our salvation—a gift precious beyond measure. But God’s generosity did not stop at the cross. He continues to sustain us daily with strength, breath, provision, relationships, and opportunities. James 1:17 emphasizes that God does not change. Unlike people who can be fickle or inconsistent, the Lord is steady and faithful. He does not give gifts only to take them back. He does not shift like shadows. His character is constant, and because of that, our praise should be constant too. Every blessing—big or small—flows from His good hand. Every moment of comfort, peace, joy, and strength is evidence of His loving provision. And even when we walk through trials, His presence and sustaining grace are gifts worth praising Him for. He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, and the ultimate source of all goodness. Bible Reading:“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17 Takeaway Truths: God is the source of every good and perfect gift. His character is unchanging, providing stability in an unstable world. Praise is a lifestyle that grows from recognizing God’s constant provision. Let’s Pray Oh Heavenly Father, You are the giver of all good and perfect gifts. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. What a comfort that is to my weary soul. There is evil all around. There are trials and temptations that I have to go through, but You don’t tempt believers with evil. You are the One who gives perfect gifts to Your children. You lead us through temptation, and Jesus has walked the path that we now must walk. There is no temptation that Jesus hasn’t experienced and overcome while He was here on earth. Thank You for being the giver of good gifts. My soul praises and extols Your matchless name because You are Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. You give gifts to me that are wonderful, and even when I have to walk through trials, Your constant presence is there with me. You are unchanging, O God, so that I can depend on You. I will continue to praise and magnify You, O Lord. Let my praises always be on the tip of my tongue. I praise You with my body, with my finances, with my lifestyle, and with everything that You have blessed me with. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Related Scriptures Psalm 103:2 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Psalm 145:7 Hebrews 13:8 Related Resources What Does It Mean That Every Good Gift Comes From God? – Crosswalk.com Understanding God’s Unchanging Character – BibleStudyTools.com More daily prayer devotionals at LifeAudio.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.