Podcasts about god god

"The cross we bear always precedes the crown we wear." - MLK Happy Resurrection day. Not just His... Yours. He is You. His story is yours. There's only One. Remember. I Love you, Nik nikki@curlynikki.com Please help me keep the show ad free + Get Merch! ▶▶https://www.patreon.com/goodmornings ________________________________ Today's Quotes: "Inhale Love, exhale gratitude." -@RamdasBatchelder via IG "Always remember that when dusk arrives, it already has dawn in its womb." -Amma "No matter where you are in life, celebrate it. It's either a product of your growth or a place that will help you grow. Notice the progress. Cheers to today." -@antthewriter on IG "In Adam- the universal man- God sleeps. In Jesus Christ- the individualized God- God wakes." -Neville Goddard “Christ was lost in love. He was one with all beings and he had great love for all in the world. He was crucified so that his spirit could spread throughout the world. He was one with God. He sacrificed his body for the dharma. He never died. He never died. He is atman living in the hearts of all. See all beings as the reflection of Christ.” -Maharajji "Om. That is perfect. This is perfect. From the perfect springs the perfect. If the perfect is taken from the perfect, the perfect remains." -Swami Muktananda “Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames." -Rumi "Hanuman is the knower of all hearts, and lives only to serve God within us and prepare us to live fully in the spirit. His entrance into our lives brings about the fulfillment of every desire. It's not necessary to ask Hanuman for anything, For he knows all." -Krishna Das Filling Up My Eyes from Mooji Mala, written and saaaaaang by my friend, Ana Ling!

  MIRACLE MINDEDNESS God's Desire for Us God wants us to be miracle-minded. A miracle is the supernatural intervention of God in the affairs of men. The Importance of Miracles In times of crisis, knowing that you serve a miracle-working God is crucial. Without miracles, you are not living the Christian life. Miracles make God God in your life. When God decides to be God, miracles become rampant. Types of Miracles Healing Miracle: Miracles of healing and restoration. Material Miracle: Miracles of material provision (John 9:6-13). Financial Miracle: Miracles of financial provision (Matthew 17:25). Business Miracle: Miracles in business and finances. Academic Miracle: Miracles of academic excellence and understanding. Deliverance Miracle: Miracles of deliverance from bondage and oppression. Major Miracle: Big and mighty miracles. How to Access Miracles Have Faith in Prayer: Have faith in prayer (Mark 11:24). Believe in the Word of God: Believe in the word of God (Romans 4:18). Believe in the Word of the Man of God: Believe in the word of the man of God (Matthew 8:8).

  MIRACLE MINDEDNESS God's Desire for Us God wants us to be miracle-minded. A miracle is the supernatural intervention of God in the affairs of men. The Importance of Miracles In times of crisis, knowing that you serve a miracle-working God is crucial. Without miracles, you are not living the Christian life. Miracles make God God in your life. When God decides to be God, miracles become rampant. Types of Miracles Healing Miracle: Miracles of healing and restoration. Material Miracle: Miracles of material provision (John 9:6-13). Financial Miracle: Miracles of financial provision (Matthew 17:25). Business Miracle: Miracles in business and finances. Academic Miracle: Miracles of academic excellence and understanding. Deliverance Miracle: Miracles of deliverance from bondage and oppression. Major Miracle: Big and mighty miracles. How to Access Miracles Have Faith in Prayer: Have faith in prayer (Mark 11:24). Believe in the Word of God: Believe in the word of God (Romans 4:18). Believe in the Word of the Man of God: Believe in the word of the man of God (Matthew 8:8).

In the second to last chapter of Swami Vivekananda's Bhakti Yoga (or Volume III of the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda), Swamiji gives us a walkthrough of all the attitudes of supreme love, prema with which we can relate to God: God as quietistic ideal (shānta), God as master (dāsya), God as friend (sakya), God as child (vatśalya) and of course, God as lover (Madhura).We explore the first three of these attitudes and discuss what makes seeing God as "master" so much more intense than a quietistic reverence and what seeing God as a "friend" that much more radical! We also make a strong claim for non-sectarianism when studying these attitudes to avoid putting everything in a kind of hierarchy and using that to judge others and to feel superior about our own spirituality. As such, we do a study of Bhakti Yoga in the light of Sri Ramakrishna, the spirit of Harmony of Religions and the "bhāva-rāja", king of devotional attitudes!You'll find the playlist for our Swami Vivekananda Bhakti Yoga series here! And here is a playlist on Tantrik Vaishnavism. Lectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and again Friday at 6pm PST.Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrMJai Swamiji! Support the show

Sunday AM

Aly McCroskey, wedding photographer and host of the Oh Happy Day Podcast, shares a powerful perspective of what it means to live out your faith behind the camera. With over a decade in the wedding industry, she shares how beauty, service, and the Holy Spirit collide on event days. From unexpected rainstorms to soul-deep reflections on identity and calling, Aly's story is equal parts inspiring and practical. This episode is a vibrant reminder that even in high-pressure, creative work, Jesus shows up. HIGHLIGHTS On Obedience:  "How many times have I not been obedient to the Lord when he was nudging me to do something like that? Because I was afraid, afraid of how my client would act, afraid, you know, would happen forget, you know, that something in or seem inappropriate. And so that was such a good reminder to me to pay attention when the Holy Spirit is nudging you to do something. Because not only is that affecting you and your spiritual life, but it had an effect in my client, who was not a particularly religious person and showed her a glimpse that God cares about her and even small things about the weather on her wedding day." On the character of God: "God reveals aspects of his character to people in their various industries. Like people in medicine know different things about God than I might know as a photographer. And it really takes doing our redemptive work in the world, whatever that is, and sharing about it with others to sort of give humanity a full picture of God is really like and the things that he cares about."   RESOURCES Download the episode transcript Learn more about Aly & her work Wild Cotton Photography  Wild Cotton Photography Instagram Oh Happy Day Podcast Every Good Endeavor - Tim Keller Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24) And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:9)  

This is part 2 of the series titled Knowing God. In this message Pastor Vern teaches how to find God's plan for our lives. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pacbible.org/

Revelation 15–16 gives us a look at the final crescendo of God's justice. His wrath isn't unjust or cruel—it's the necessary and holy response of His love as He refuses to let evil go unpunished. As judgment is poured out in seven bowls, we're reminded again and again that God is righteous, holy, and trustworthy. The invitation to flee His wrath is still open—and the time to respond is now.Key Themes:· The Good Wrath of God: God's wrath is not contrary to His love—it flows from it. Just as love protects what it cherishes, God's wrath comes against all that harms His creation. (Revelation 15:1; Romans 1:18)· Songs of the Redeemed: The saints sing the song of Moses and the Lamb—songs of victory and deliverance from their great enemies. Worship in heaven is God-centered, not self-centered. (Revelation 15:2-4)· Recapitulation and Judgment: Revelation uses multiple viewpoints—seven seals, seven trumpets, and now seven bowls—to show the same unfolding judgment with growing intensity. (Revelation 15–16)· God's Wrath Is Finished: With the final bowl poured out, the wrath of God is declared finished. Evil collapses. Babylon—the symbol of rebellion—is destroyed. (Revelation 16:17-21)· The Justice of God: Even heaven celebrates God's judgments, declaring them just and true. (Revelation 16:5-7)· The Call to Repentance: Again and again, the unrepentant curse God rather than turn to Him. The window of mercy remains open, but not forever. Judgment is both horrifying and comforting—it glorifies God and vindicates the faithful. (Revelation 16:8-11)· Armageddon and the Final Stand: The forces of evil gather for a final rebellion. Yet even this is under God's control. The King of kings will win, and no power of darkness can stop Him. (Revelation 16:12-16)Reflection:The wrath of God should sober us—but it should also comfort us. Evil will not win. Justice will prevail. And mercy is still available. Will we harden our hearts, or will we respond in repentance and awe? Jesus Christ has absorbed the wrath of God for those who are His. In Him, we are safe—forever.Key Texts:·Revelation 15–16·Exodus (plagues and the song of Moses)·Romans 1:18 (the wrath of God revealed against sin)·Psalm 139:23-24 (search me and know me)·John 19:30 (“It is finished”)Support Our Mission:Your generosity helps us proclaim Christ as King and equip disciples to make disciples.https://alloflife.churchcenter.com/givingVisit Our Website:www.alloflife.church#Revelation14 #ChristIsKing #ForkInTheRoad #TheLambWins #EnduranceInFaith

Luke 12:8,9 – “And I say to you, everyone who confesses me before God, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” മനുഷ്യരുടെ മുമ്പിൽ ആരെങ്കിലും എന്നെ ഏറ്റുപറഞ്ഞാൽ അവനെ മനുഷ്യപുത്രനുംദൈവദൂതന്മാരുടെ മുമ്പാകെ ഏറ്റുപറയും.  മനുഷ്യരുടെ മുമ്പിൽ എന്നെ തള്ളിപ്പറയുന്നവനെദൈവദൂതന്മാരുടെ മുമ്പിൽ തള്ളിപ്പറയും. Please note that the 1st part is in English, and the 2nd part is in Malayalam starting at 17:44 mark.First of all we should acknowledge that God is our sovereign authority who is in control of everything in the universe.  Our God is faithful and true to His promises in all situations. He remains steadfast during moments of challenges and blessings.  He is powerful enough to increase our faith and hope.  When we acknowledge God, it transforms our understanding of the world around us. We will get the realization that we are never alone and that He walks beside us.  It will develop humility and gratitude within us.  It will teach us that every good thing comes from Him and that we should thank God genuinely.  When we acknowledge Him, He will fill us with love, grace, and purpose in everything we do.  This recognition empowers us to face challenges with a sense of peace and assurance that He is watching over us.  We can acknowledge God in our daily life in many ways.My name... Cicilysunny@gmail.com

Crisis of Faith:  A crisis of faith is a deeply personal and often painful experience where a believer struggles with doubts about God, His goodness, or their beliefs. While it can feel like spiritual darkness, it is not uncommon—many strong Christians have faced seasons of questioning and uncertainty. 1. Understanding a Crisis of Faith A crisis of faith can be triggered by: Personal suffering – Loss, illness, unanswered prayers, or hardships can make God seem distant. Unfulfilled expectations – When life doesn't go as planned, we may question God's promises. Intellectual doubts – Questions about theology, science, or the problem of evil can shake one's faith. Hypocrisy or church hurt – Seeing failures in Christian leaders or experiencing hurt from believers can create disillusionment. Even biblical figures like Job, David, Elijah, and Thomas wrestled with doubts, yet God remained faithful to them. 2. How to Navigate a Crisis of Faith Bring Your Doubts to God – God isn't afraid of our questions. The Psalms are full of raw prayers where David expresses his struggles (Psalm 13:1-2). Stay in the Word – Even when faith feels weak, continuing to read Scripture allows truth to anchor your heart. Romans 10:17 reminds us that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Surround Yourself with Godly Community – Isolation deepens doubt, but wise counsel and fellowship can bring clarity (Proverbs 11:14). Seek God, Not Just Answers – Sometimes, we want explanations when God invites us into deeper trust (Proverbs 3:5-6). Faith grows not by having all the answers but by leaning into God despite uncertainty. Remember Past Faithfulness – Reflecting on what God has done in the past can remind us of His faithfulness even in the present storm. 3. The Outcome: Strengthened, Not Destroyed A crisis of faith does not mean the end of faith—it can be a refining process. James 1:2-4 tells us that trials develop perseverance and maturity. Even Jesus, on the cross, cried out, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46). Yet, in the resurrection, we see that doubt and despair are never the final word.  

Thank you for listening to the Disciple City Church Podcast! To learn more about us or to connect with us, please visit our…Website: https://disciplecitychurch.orgInstagram: https://instagram.com/disciplecitychurch Facebook: https://facebook.com/disciplecitychurch

» For the Neville Goddard listener: Get the 30-Day Unlock God Mode Program «  Unlock God Mode is a 30-day program designed to elevate your manifestation skills and and align you with your deepest desires. Join this tranformative course designed to help you connect deeply with life and achieve your goals with clarity and purpose. Claim the early bird sale (limited-time) at unlockgodmode.org ----------------------In The Only Christianity, Neville Goddard asserts that the true nature of God is human imagination—the supreme creative power in the universe. He explains that biblical references to God can be understood as imagining, making Romans 4:20 and other scriptures more practical. Faith, he states, is the unwavering belief in one's imagined desires becoming reality.Goddard illustrates this principle with personal anecdotes about his father, who unknowingly exercised this power, shaping future events through his imagination. He also discusses the power of inner speech, warning that many unknowingly justify failure through negative internal conversations. True Christianity, he argues, is not a religion or church doctrine, but the freedom to exercise the divine arts of imagination.He urges listeners to practice deliberate imagination, recognize its divine power, and avoid worshiping external circumstances over the Creator within. The key to transformation, he concludes, is faithfully persisting in one's imagined reality until it externalizes in the physical world.Key Takeaways:God and Human Imagination Are OneImagining is God—the supreme creative power behind all reality.Every external form first existed as an imagined state.Faith Means Absolute Conviction in the UnseenAbraham's faith in Romans 4:20 symbolizes unwavering belief in the fulfillment of imagination."Giving glory to God" means trusting the reality of one's imaginal act.Imagination Shapes Reality—For Good or BadNeville's father unknowingly created realities through his vivid mental imagery.People unconsciously fulfill negative prophecies cast upon them by others.Worship the Creator (Imagination), Not the CreationMany people idolize wealth, status, or external conditions rather than the inner power that created them.Everything visible will vanish, but the imaginative creator remains eternal.The Only Christianity Is the Freedom to ImagineChristianity is not a church, doctrine, or religious belief—it is the liberty to exercise imagination.Blake: “I know of no other Christianity than the liberty to exercise the divine arts of imagination.”Inner Speech Reflects & Creates RealityMost people unknowingly justify failure in their inner conversations.Monitoring and redirecting inner speech aligns one with creative power.Circumcision of the Spirit vs. Literal ReligionTrue Christianity is a shift in consciousness, not rituals or birthright.One is not born a Christian but chooses to embody imagination as a way of life.Transform Others Through Your ImaginationYou can mentally revise the state of another, breaking the spell of negativity over them.Imagining for others is an act of divine mercy that transforms both parties.Dreaming Is the Voice of GodGod speaks to man through dreams—whether sleeping or through waking imagination.Holding a dream faithfully transforms it into reality.The Power of Sustained BeliefPoverty, limitation, or failure exist only as long as one accepts them.The arrogance of wealth—feeling rich before evidence appears—leads to its fulfillment. ***Download the free Neville Goddard PDF Guide at manifestwithneville.com - Discover the transformative power of Neville Goddard's wisdom with this FREE 60-page guide on his 12 timeless principles of manifestation and reality creation.★ Follow the podcast for daily lectures from the mystic Neville Goddard ★FREE RESOURCES:• Join the FREE Neville Goddard newsletter• Join the FREE Telegram Channel• Feeling is the Secret • Full Audiobook* * *The James Xander Trip Podcast:• Listen on Spotify• Listen on Apple Podcasts• Listen on YouTubeDIVE DEEPER:• The Unlock God Mode Course• The Infinite Wealth Guided Meditation* * *ABOUT NEVILLE GODDARD:Neville Goddard (1905-1972), was an English writer, speaker and mystic. He grew up in Barbados and moved to the United States of America as a young adult. Neville Goddard was perhaps the last century's most intellectually substantive and charismatic purveyor of the philosophy generally called New Thought. He wrote more than ten books under the solitary pen name Neville, and was a popular speaker on metaphysical themes from the late 1930s until his death in 1972.Possessed of a self-educated and uncommonly sharp intellect, Neville espoused a spiritual vision that was bold and total: Everything you see and experience, including other people, is the result of your own thoughts and emotional states. Each of us dreams into existence an infinitude of realities and outcomes. When you realize this, Neville taught, you will discover yourself to be a slumbering branch of the Creator clothed in human form, and at the helm of limitless possibilities.Neville's thought system influenced a wide range of spiritual thinkers and writers, from bestselling author Dr. Joseph Murphy to Rhonda Byrne and Wayne Dyer.He has inspired and continues to inspire millions of readers around the world.* * *SOCIALS:• Neville Goddard Newsletter• Neville Goddard Telegram• Neville Goddard Instagram• Neville Goddard Threads• Neville Goddard Twitter• Neville Goddard YouTube

The story of Jesus' transfiguration on the mount before Peter, James, and John prompts three reflections. Zack first reflects on holiness -- that quality that makes God God, that cannot be attained but only caught contagiously from Him, that takes the form of shining face. Second, Zack examines fear. While fear can function to motivate people in Scripture, here, as often elsewhere, it more properly means something like "intense awe" -- the sort that God sometimes grants us as encouragement at the exact point we need that. Finally, Zack argues for the importance of Jesus being a (capital P) Person (to use classic Trinitarian language) and not a mere abstraction.

Our creator God transcends time, existing eternally before the beginning began, and delights in creating all things from nothing through the power of His word.• God is eternal, existing before and outside of time, with no beginning or end• Creation reveals God's power as He creates ex nihilo (out of nothing) simply by speaking• Every human being has infinite dignity and worth as image-bearers of God• God formed man personally from dust and breathed His own life into humanity• Work was part of God's perfect design before sin entered the world• God's commands are pathways to freedom rather than restrictive limitations• The Bible's story moves from garden to garden-city through Christ's redemptive work• Our Creator entered His creation to restore what was broken through sinIf you're here today and want to know more about having a relationship with your Creator, please come speak with one of our pastors after the service.

Do you live with an awareness of God's presence?   1.  There is the Omnipresence of God:            - God is everywhere even when you do not experience His presence.          - God's omnipresence can exist without our awareness.          - Psalm 139:7-12:  Where can I flee from God's presence?                    v. 8. Death cannot separate you from His presence.             vs. 9-10. Distance cannot separate you from His presence.           vs. 11-12.  Darkness cannot separate you from His presence.   2.  There is the Manifest Presence of God:           - God's manifest presence is when He is made known.  It is clear to see.        - Adam & Eve:  Genesis 3:7-8        - Cain:  Genesis 4:16        - God the Father manifested Himself to Moses at the burning bush.  Exodus 3       - God the Son (Jesus) manifested Himself in Daniel 3.                  Jesus the Word became flesh in John 1:14.        - God the Holy Spirit manifested Himself at Pentecost in Acts 2.   3.  There is the Indwelling Presence of God:             What is better than Jesus walking beside you?  It is Jesus living inside of you.                     - Acts 1:8;  Acts 2:38-39           - 1 Corinthians 6:19   What is the result of being in God's presence?   "In Your presence is fullness of joy."  Psalm 16:11                Are you living aware of God's presence?              Do you have the indwelling presence of God?

Series: PsalmsService: Sun PMType: SermonSpeaker: Ryan BoyerJoin us as we dive into Psalm 36, a powerful reflection on the contrast between the wickedness of humanity and the boundless love of God. In this sermon, we explore:--Verses 1-4: A sobering look at the character and actions of the wicked—those who listen to transgression, lack fear of God, and embrace evil without hesitation.--Verses 5-9: A breathtaking description of Yahweh’s steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice—reaching to the heavens and depths, offering salvation, refuge, and abundant provision for all.--Verses 10-12: A heartfelt prayer to experience God’s nature in our lives, coupled with confidence in His ultimate victory over evil.Discover…

1 CORINTHIANS CorrectionWith Confidence Because of The Faithfulness Of God Toward  His Saints!       1 Corinthians 10:22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are westronger than he?  YOUMUST CONSIDER THE PREEMINENCE OF THE LOVE OF GOD, AND IN IT FIND COURAGE ANDCOMFORT   GOD IS THE OBJECTIVEDEFINITION OF LOVE.1 John 4:7–11     God's perfect love is hisdetermination to give of himself to himself and to others, and is his affectionfor himself and his people.MacArthur and  Mayhue, eds., Biblical Doctrine: A SystematicSummary of Bible Truth  God's love means that God eternally gives of himselfto othersWayne A. Grudem, SystematicTheology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine GOD IS THE OBJECTIVEDEFINITION OF HOLY/DIVINE JEALOUSY, PASSION, OR ZEAL. Exodus 34:14 for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord,whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God…        God's jealousy is hiszealous protectiveness of all that belongs to him (himself, his name, hisglory, his people, his sole right to receive worship and ultimate obedience,his land, and his city). (MacArthur and  Mayhue) God's jealousy may bedefined as follows: God's jealousy means that God continually seeks to protecthis own honor.  It is healthy for us spiritually when wesettle in our hearts the fact that God deserves all honor and glory from hiscreation, and that it is right for him to seek this honor. He alone isinfinitely worthy of being praised. To realize this fact and to delight init is to find the secret of true worship.  (Grudem)TWO QUESTIONFOR US ALL TO CONSIDER!  (1) SHALL WE PROVOKE THE LORDTO JEALOUSY?   NO! FIND COURAGE IN HIS LOVE LIVE TO INCITE THEPLEASURE OF GOD!Hebrews 12:10–14      (2) ARE WE STRONGER THAN HE?    NO!   FIND COMFORT IN HIS LOVE LIVE IN THE POWER OFHIS STRENGTH! Romans 8:12–17  

Year C – Second Sunday in Lent – March 16, 2025 Pastor Megan Floyd Luke 13:31-35 Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18   Grace and peace to you from God, who is faithful and true, and from Jesus Christ, our Mother hen, who fiercely protects and provides for us. Amen. *** Have you ever been chased by an angry chicken? I have not… the only animals I grew up around were dogs and cats, and the occasional fish… so I do not have much experience with chickens. And because of my lack of experience, I used to miss much of the nuance of this passage from Luke… I didn't quite understand the intensity of the creature to which Jesus compares himself. I mean… it's a chicken. Not exactly scary, right? Chickens are famous for being… well… chicken… they're scared of everything! Well… so then… one of my friends who raises chickens set me right. Yes… they are scared of everything… until you threaten their babies. A mother hen is gentle and nurturing to her brood. She provides for them, and gathers them under her feathers, sheltering them and keeping them warm. But when her babies are in danger, she will not hesitate to go after the threat with fierceness and tenacity. She will go to great lengths to protect her vulnerable baby chicks… even if it costs her… her life. *** God… as a fierce Mother hen… it's a surprisingly beautiful way to understand who God is in Jesus… but not exactly what the early disciples really hoped for… or expected in a messiah. …and I think it's still that way for many people today. God's people had long awaited a conquering hero… a king who would overthrow the empire and crush those who were crushing them. And instead… we got Jesus. Not a brave warrior, but a poor, gentle Rabbi who insisted on hanging out with all the wrong people. Jesus was not a powerful ruler who would destroy our enemies… but a suffering messiah who calls upon us to love them. We think the strongman is the better deal… we are so conditioned to believe that the powerful and brash leader is the one who will save us… But only the one who was crucified on the cross …has the power to save. Jesus knew the forces of the empire were against him… he knew that his mission would end in death. But just like a Mother hen, Jesus was willing to face death – even death on a cross – in order to protect us… protect us from ourselves and our own sin… and provide for us… provide the salvation that can only come from God. Jesus was willing to face death… because Jesus is God, and God promised long before… that we would always be God's beloved children…  and God is faithful to God's promises. God made this covenant with our ancestors, Abram and Sarai… we are God's people… *** Even Abram doubted though… the scene we read today from Genesis describes one such moment of doubt. Abram laments because the promised future has not yet come to pass, but God reassures him… and Abram believes. But God takes this even further… God instructs Abram to bring animals for a ritual, and cut them in half, and lay them out, each side facing the other. And then God… passed through between the cut animals… to secure the covenant. You've heard the expression… to “cut a covenant” or “cut a deal” …yes? …this is where it comes from. The one who passes through demonstrates that they will fulfill their promise, and if they falter… then let happen to them what has happened to these animals. God promised to Abram and Sarai that they would be the ancestors to a great multitude of people… and that they would be God's children forever… under God's care and provision. And so, God passed through those animals to secure the promise for Abram, and to assure him that God will remain faithful to God's promises… even unto death. God claimed us as God's own, and laid foundations of love and trust… faithfulness and provision. And from the very beginning… God showed us what God was willing to do for us, to nurture and build this mutual relationship… Humans are the ones who falter and fall away… humans have not always held up our end of the agreement… but not God… God remains true. *** And so… roughly two thousand years after cutting that covenant with Abram… Jesus… who is God… knew where his mission would take him… he knew Herod was against him… Maybe the Pharisees were genuine in their attempt to warn him… or… maybe they were taunting him… hoping he would abandon his disciples and his mission, and run and hide… …maybe they were calling him a chicken. So, Jesus, in turn… calls Herod a fox. That's not a compliment. The fox is the notorious enemy of the chicken – and not just because he's a predator.   My friend who taught me about chickens, also taught me about foxes… A fox doesn't just kill when he's hungry. A fox will savage an entire hen house, killing indiscriminately and leaving the bodies behind. In calling Herod a fox, Jesus names Herod as a danger to everyone, including the Pharisees before him. But a hen… a Mother hen, when faced with a threat to her babies… never leaves her post. He tells the Pharisees that he's casting out demons and healing the sick… nothing will deter him from his mission. Jesus is resolute …even knowing that the path leads through death, he does not waver… because he also knows… that on the third day… the work will be complete. On the third day…sin and death will be defeated… and Love and mercy will prevail. We may still falter in our faithfulness to God… but God does not. God remains faithful and true to us, and through Jesus' death and resurrection, God has redeemed us… once and for all. Through Jesus' death and resurrection… we are saved… because Jesus gave his life to protect us… *** God in Jesus… is a fierce Mother. …and yet, tender and merciful, and full of love… longing to gather us under her wing… even though some are unwilling. God in Jesus is not an abstract idea of a god who controls the world through puppet strings, or teases us around like playthings… Jesus… is God who is near… a living, breathing, loving light in our lives who is worthy of our trust and love… worthy of our devotion… the kind of devotion that changes how you live in this world… …the kind of devotion that bends your heart toward those who are cast out and vulnerable… because they are among the first ones Jesus gathers to himself. Jesus is God… a mothering God, spreading her great wings over us, sheltering all of Creation in her feathers, protecting us… and ultimately giving her life… to save us. *** God has redeemed us… redeemed you… and me… God has given us grace and mercy… God has fulfilled the covenant made with Abram and Sarai… once and for all… and secured our place, for all time… as God's beloved children… And we, who are beloved children …we can trust in the fierce determination of our God to protect us from our sin…  …and trust in the shelter of our Lord, always. Amen      

By John Halsey Wood

In Today's Uncertainty, We Need to Remember that God Wants to Walk with Us In All Our Life Situations, Both Good and Bad – Just Ask Him MESSAGE SUMMARY: “Lord is my helper and confident, why should I be afraid? What can man do to me?” For this confidence, you must know who Jesus is – both in your heart and in your mind. Jesus is the Son of God – God in the flesh. As Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.". Therefore, You do not need to worry about troubling circumstances in your life because you know that He is with you; and He will guide you no matter how dark your life seems. Jesus is the light that shines in darkness.  As Jesus tells you in Luke 12:4-5, that when you have anxiety and fear in your life, you must determine if this anxiety derivative of the right kind of fear: “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!”. When you are faced with life's tragedies and the anxieties that result from just living your life, Jesus can turn those situations and your fears into ways and results that you cannot fathom, understand, or anticipate; but you can certainly appreciate. Why not give God a chance to walk with you in all your life situations -- good and bad? Ultimately, the Psalmist got it right in Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, everything in me resists following you into the garden of Gethsemane to fall on my face to the ground before you. Grant me the courage to follow you all the way to the cross, whatever that might mean for my life. And then, by your grace, lead me to resurrection life and power. In Jesus' name, amen.   Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 100). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be ashamed of the Gospel. I will not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (including me). From Romans 1:16 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Philippians 4:4-9; Mathew 6:25-34; Psalm 23:1-6; Psalms 22b:17-31. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 2 – More than Just a Man ” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

TAKEAWAYSHow do you start over from nothing? By rebuilding your relationship with GodGod will meet us wherever we are, even in the darknessGod is hovering over us and will never abandon us, even if our emotions betray usWait until God moves, then follow as closely as you can as you move forward

Fear God not man! First, we need understand thatGod created us as emotional creatures which is an aspect of being created inthe image of God. God has emotions! One of the most powerful and motivatingemotions we have is fear. There is a good benefit about fear, and there is abad aspect about fear. The good thing about fear is that it warns us of impendingdanger so we can prepare for it. I should fear getting to close to the edge ofthe cliff, getting in deep water if I can't swim, jumping out of a plane with afaulty parachute, or someone threatening to kill me with a gun. I get verymotivated to response in a proper way. But there is a fear that is not good.That is why the phrase, “Do not fear” or “do not be afraid” appears several hundredtimes in the Bible. There is a fear that paralyzes us or keeps us from doingthe right thing. There is a fear that indicates that we are not trusting Godfor His presence, protection, or His provision. In this passage in Luke 12, it first appears that the Lordmight be teaching us and addressing fear as one of the basic causes of hypocrisy.You might notice that Jesus mentioned "fear" five times in theseverses. When we are afraid of what others may think or say about us, then wetry to impress them in order to gain their approval. If necessary, we will even lie to accomplish our purposes,and this is hypocrisy. We often get caught up in the moment and follow a crowdto do evil, so we don't get ridiculed for being different or being a religiousnut. We also might fear what the crowd or our enemies could do tous physically, to our body, if we don't compromise our faith and say what theywant to hear or do what they are demanding. It is very possible that this iswhat the Lord is referring to in these verses. For sure the Pharisees weremotivated to be hypocrites because they were more concerned about theirreputation rather than their character, what people thought about them ratherthan what God knew about them. If we are not careful, we easily fall into thesame trap. A good verse to remember when we face this temptation is Proverbs29:25: “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shallbe safe.” The remedy for hypocrisy is to forget about what people maysay or do and fear God alone. The fear of God is the fear that conquers allother fears, for the person who truly fears God need fear nothing else. Allthat men can do is kill the body, but God can condemn the soul! Since He is thefinal Judge, and He judges for eternity, it is logical that we put the fear ofGod ahead of everything else. We also need to remember that the body is only temporary,but the soul is eternal. And that eternity is more important than time. In verses 6-7, Jesus also gives us the answer to what mightbe our greatest fear, and that is, that God really doesn't care about us. Jesusassures us God's amazing love and care. “Are not five sparrows sold for twocopper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God (v. 6). Godsees a sparrow fall from the sky and attends it in its hour of death. Mosestells us that God actually counts how many eggs a bird has in its nest (Deut.22:6-7). Coming closer to home, God “numbers the hairs on our head”. Goddoes not merely count them; He numbers them. The Greek word for “number” isarithmeo (from whence comes our word arithmetic). The word means that God notonly counts our hairs (a virtually impossible task) but He also labels them.  Think of it! God actually knows each separate individualhair on our head as separate and distinct from every other hair. That's ourGod! If He is that concerned about us, we must trust Him even when persecution orthe temptation to compromise comes. We have a God who loves us with aneverlasting love.  Jesus by His own life, death and resurrection teaches usthat we can always trust God  God bless!

Scripture Reading: Daniel 4 King Nebuchadnezzar was the sovereign king who conquered the remaining kingdom of Israel in 605 B.C. (some 120 years after the northern 10 tribes had already been conquered by Assyria). Tempted to boast in his own strength and military conquests, Nebuchadnezzar had grown arrogant. God sends him a dream with urgent significance for his life, but the king (with all the wise men of Babylon) can't understand the meaning and thus calls on Daniel to interpret the dream for him. In time, the dream comes true and Nebuchadnezzar is humbled by the sickness of insanity, from which he recovers only after he acknowledges the sovereign reign of the Most High God of Israel. So today, our pride can blind us from seeing our own faults and the ultimate sources of our blessings. Pride blinds us to our own temporality or limitations and to the grandeur and eternality of God. There's only room for one person to be on the saddle of your life: if you're calling all the shots, there's no room for God. Today we need a new vision—Nebuchadnezzar's vision—of the eternal sovereignty and glory of God. Replace your self-confidence with God-confidence (not me, my worth, my rights, my kingdom but God: God's worth, God's ability to work in this situation, God's kingdom.) His works are true and faithful (whereas I'm tempted to lie, sugar-coat, exaggerate, tell half the story.) I can't always keep my word; I can't always fulfill my responsibilities. God can. He does. His ways are just: I've failed and sinned, but all his ways are just: both when he gives and when he takes away, as Job said, blessed be His name. He can humble the proud. C.S. Lewis: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”  - If you're thinking “I'm horrible”, or “I'm ugly” and always harshly criticizing yourself, that's not humility: you're still thinking of “YOU”. Want to change? Admit you're proud, and ask God for grace to change and grow. James 4:6 “God resists the proud and he gives grace to the humble.”

By John Halsey Wood

Serving and suffering for God- God gives everyone in the body of Christ spiritual gifts. We are called to be good stewards over those gifts by using them to serve and love others to the glory of God. Suffering and trials should not discourage us in our service to God.

"Let us know what you think."Our feelings can't be trusted. Only God and His Word holds perfect truth.

Hello and Welcome to Silverdale Baptist Church's Podcast! We hope this episode is helpful to you in your relationship with Jesus. We would love to connect with you! To contact Silverdale, click the link to our website below, then click Connect at the top right. ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

Hello and Welcome to Silverdale Baptist Church's Podcast! We hope this episode is helpful to you in your relationship with Jesus. We would love to connect with you! To contact Silverdale, click the link to our website below, then click Connect at the top right. ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

By John Halsey Wood

“The Father Heart of God” – “God has something planned for you!” - 1 Samuel 8:19-22 The Lord Grants Israel's Request * The bible is God's personal reference. * God does not change from the Old Testament to the New Testament. * God's was are always best. - 1 Samuel 9 Saul Chosen to Be King * 1 Samuel 9:6 But the servant replied, "Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let's go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take." - Everything happens for a reason, “NO”, there is a reason everything happens. - * God determines our steps but he does not determine how we will respond. * God askes us, how are you going to respond. * Be faithful where you are serving! God has something planned for you.

Do you feel unlovable because of past mistakes? You are not alone—many grapple with crippling guilt and shame, convinced they have strayed too far for God to care still. But that is not true! Chip emphatically sets the record straight in this powerful program. Dive into James chapter 5 and discover how to release yourself from condemnation and embrace God's limitless love and forgiveness. Learn today the transformative steps you can take for a fresh start.Main Points When Christians "Go Astray" --Proverbs 14:12 So what do you do when someone you know... Morally falls? Isn't walking with the Lord? Deserts their spouse? Shows signs of spiritually drifting? God's plan for spiritual healing. --James 5:19-20 The Problem: "Wandering from the Truth" The Solution: "Bringing them back to God" God's two-part strategy for restoration: Pray for them. Care enough to confront! --Galatians 6:1-2 Four keys to confronting in love: Prerequisite - Spiritual maturity Aim - Restoration Attitude - Gentleness Action - Don't give up! The Result = Life and healing Conclusion: A word to the "wandering." Three lies you must refuse to believe: I'll come home later. --Luke 15 I'm too far gone. --John 21 God could never accept me now. --Isaiah 1:18-20 Broadcast Resource Download Free MP3 Message Notes Additional Resource Mentions Prayer Journal About Chip Ingram Chip Ingram’s passion is helping Christians really live like Christians. As a pastor, author, and teacher for more than three decades, Chip has helped believers around the world move from spiritual spectators to healthy, authentic disciples of Jesus by living out God’s truth in their lives and relationships in transformational ways. About Living on the Edge Living on the Edge exists to help Christians live like Christians. Established in 1995 as the radio ministry of pastor and author Chip Ingram, God has since grown it into a global discipleship ministry. Living on the Edge provides Biblical teaching and discipleship resources that challenge and equip spiritually hungry Christians all over the world to become mature disciples of Jesus. Connect 888-333-6003 Website Chip Ingram App Instagram Facebook Twitter Partner With Us Donate Online 888-333-6003

Watching someone you care about turn away from their faith can be truly heartbreaking. But there is hope! In this program, Chip unveils a practical pathway to guide that friend or family member back to a genuine relationship with Christ. Grasp why people spiritually drift, how to support them without judgment, and what you can say to gently point them back to Jesus. Discover why no one is beyond the reach of God's love.Main Points When Christians "Go Astray" --Proverbs 14:12 So what do you do when someone you know... Morally falls? Isn't walking with the Lord? Deserts their spouse? Shows signs of spiritually drifting? God's plan for spiritual healing. --James 5:19-20 The Problem: "Wandering from the Truth" The Solution: "Bringing them back to God" God's two-part strategy for restoration: Pray for them. Care enough to confront! --Galatians 6:1-2 Four keys to confronting in love: Prerequisite - Spiritual maturity Aim - Restoration Attitude - Gentleness Action - Don't give up! The Result = Life and healing Conclusion: A word to the "wandering." Three lies you must refuse to believe: I'll come home later. --Luke 15 I'm too far gone. --John 21 God could never accept me now. --Isaiah 1:18-20 Broadcast Resource Download Free MP3 Message Notes Additional Resource Mentions Prayer Journal About Chip Ingram Chip Ingram’s passion is helping Christians really live like Christians. As a pastor, author, and teacher for more than three decades, Chip has helped believers around the world move from spiritual spectators to healthy, authentic disciples of Jesus by living out God’s truth in their lives and relationships in transformational ways. About Living on the Edge Living on the Edge exists to help Christians live like Christians. Established in 1995 as the radio ministry of pastor and author Chip Ingram, God has since grown it into a global discipleship ministry. Living on the Edge provides Biblical teaching and discipleship resources that challenge and equip spiritually hungry Christians all over the world to become mature disciples of Jesus. Connect 888-333-6003 Website Chip Ingram App Instagram Facebook Twitter Partner With Us Donate Online 888-333-6003

Receiving Healing – How to Receive Healing from God God wants us to be healed! In Receiving Healing Part 1, Pastor Lawson Perdue shares how the Bible promises healing. God […] The post Receiving Healing Part 1 – How to Receive Healing from God appeared first on Charis Christian Center.

John 3:1-21,Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. I have prayed over this morning, this message, these verses because I believe some of you came in needing to feel loved by God again. I know some of you need to feel loved again. You don't feel loved right now, at least not in your worst moments. You might know that you're loved, but you struggle to know it — and even more to feel it. There's something clouding God's love for you — different clouds in different stories.The cloud might be a relationship. Maybe a parent has been especially overbearing — or especially absent. Maybe a child has changed and started responding in ways that are confusing and painful. Maybe a spouse has grown distant, or distracted, or irritated, or worse. Maybe you're a young family battling sickness — and I mean battling, going to absolute war with the flu or RSV for weeks on end. Maybe you're in a job you hate, but you feel stuck. Maybe you're in a job you love but might lose. Maybe you'd love to have any job at all. Maybe you feel stuck in a cycle of sin that you have tried to break, maybe for years. Maybe someone keeps sinning against you. I have my clouds this week. . . . I have needed to be reminded that the God of heaven, the Maker of mountains and oceans, sunsets and freezing temperatures, the final Judge of every human soul, the most powerful, most holy, most valuable being in this or any universe loves me (loves you). Do you know that? Not just in your mind, but in your heart — in every bone and muscle in your body. I want you to know this love like that.I want you to feel how loved you are. And to do that, I'm going to take you to the most familiar verse in all the world: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” You know these words by heart, but I've prayed that you might have ears to hear them this morning as if you've never heard them before. I want the love of God to wash over you and give you strength to endure whatever makes you feel loved any less. Four Loves in One VerseWith these next 30 minutes, I want to show you four loves in John 3:16 (and by extension, John 3:1–21). I see four loves in this one verse, and I think this verse can help us make some sense of the other 20 verses in this passage. 1. God Loves the UnlovelyOkay, so four loves in one verse. First love: God loves the unlovely. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son. . . .”When you hear Jesus say that word “world,” I wonder what you hear. Do you hear “world,” and immediately think of places like Kenya, Japan, and Brazil? Or do you hear “world,” and think darkness, wickedness?“For God so loved [sinners], that he gave his only Son. . . .”The former is certainly and beautifully true — God does love and has redeemed people from all tribes, tongues, peoples, and languages (Revelation 5). And it was provocative, in Israel, for John to say that God loves the world, and not just Israel. But I don't think that's the main point here. No, the main point here is that God loves the unlovely. He loves sinners. He loves the world who despised and rejected him.This “world” is the world immersed, drowning in sin, the entirety of humanity — today, 8.062 billion people, every single one of them perishing apart from faith in Jesus. And we see that when we keep reading, verse 17:For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world (sinners), but in order that the world (sinners) might be saved through him.Why would Jesus have to clarify that: God didn't send me to condemn the world? Because the world deserved condemnation. We deserved condemnation. Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”We all have sinned and do sin, and that sin deserves condemnation, punishment, death. The wages of sin are death (Romans 6:23) — and not just death, but a never-ending, always-dying death.See how ugly this world really is, next verse — how ugly, unlovely we were apart from Christ:Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. . . .We didn't just do bad things; we loved bad things. That's the world Jesus sought out. That's the world God loved. We were evil people — plotting evil, doing evil, savoring evil, and hiding in shadows — and yet God loved us, even while we laid in the dark. He didn't wait for us to come out of the darkness looking for him; no, he sent his Son, the Light of the world, into the awful, wicked shadows to find us and save us. God loves the unlovely.We named our son “Sorin Pierce” because of verses like these. Sorin means “sun” in Romanian. I'm not Romanian (Faye's certainly not Romanian), but we went looking for something that meant light (preferably two syllables, and starting with S). And we wanted to see that light pierce the darkness — the darkness in us, the darkness in our son and other children, and the darkness in the world. We named him Sorin Pierce because our God has a heart for those in darkness, because he loves the unlovely.2. God Loves BelieversSecond, God loves believers. Where do I see that in verse 16?“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Now, this verse would be enough to say that God loves believers simply because it says he saves us from perishing and gives us eternal life. Like I just said, we deserved death — the worst death, a death in which we die and die and die forever — and he gave us the opposite, the very best life imaginable, a life so good, for so long, we can hardly believe it's true. God loves believers. But there's more to this love in these verses. How does God love believers? Does he send his Son into the world and then wait around for someone to believe? This is how I used to think about salvation. God sends his good news out into the world, the gospel, and then he loves those who choose to love and believe in him. There's more to this love, though. And this gets us into the first fifteen verses of our passage. Verse 1:“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.'”Jesus was turning water into wine, healing the blind and sick, seeing people's minds, and the religious leaders were taking notice. Clearly something supernatural's happening here, but it's not happening in the ways they expected. So Nicodemus comes looking for an explanation. He comes in secret, at night, and essentially says, “Help me understand what I'm seeing.” Jesus answers, verse 3:“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”Say what? . . . Nicodemus is even more confused and so he asks, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”Jesus has this pharisee so turned around that he asks if an adult man has to climb back into his mother's womb. It sounds a little like the kinds of crazy questions a curious 5 or 6-year-old might ask. Jesus answers,“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.'”He's not talking about a womb birth. We had two babies born into our community group in the last couple months, two different families — Ambrose and Annie. He's not talking about that — but he's using that to talk about something else. He's talking about a spiritual birth, a birth of faith. He's pointing to the miracle of physical birth to describe something even more miraculous that has to happen in us in order for us to believe. Anyone can be amazed by a man healing blindness, or turning water to wine, or reading people's minds — whoa that's pretty cool. Something profound, something spiritual, has to happen in our eyes for someone to see those same signs and worship. Or, in the words of John 3, to see what Jesus was doing and saying and believe. Believe what? Believe that this man, born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, is the Son of God, the Messiah, and that he came to die in order to save sinners. That's where Jesus goes, verses 13–15:“the Son of Man (must) be lifted up [we know now, lifted up on the cross], that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”So, for someone to believe in Jesus, they have to see the kingdom of God. And to see the kingdom of God, we must be born again by the Spirit. How does that happen? Jesus explains, verse 8:“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”Translation: We don't know. How is someone born of the Spirit? We don't know. You can't predict, much less control, the Spirit. It's like trying to herd the wind. No, God gives life to whoever he chooses, that's the point. This love doesn't wait for a response. This love goes into the darkness and brings sight to the blind. This love brings the dead to life, a new and second and greater birth.So when I say, “God loves believers,” I don't just mean he loves those who love him. I mean he actually gives the love we have for him. If you know Faye and I's story, you know that it took me a long time to convince her to date me. We met at a wedding. She lived in Los Angeles. So I called and called and called to try and win her. She actually came out to Minnesota to visit her family here. We hung out during her trip. I thought everything was going well, and so I told her how I felt and asked her to be my girlfriend.She said (and I quote), “You're a really nice human being. And I enjoy our conversations. But when I think about a relationship, my heart is cold.”I said, “Like ice cold or lukewarm?”She said, “Cold.” She went back to California. And so I called and called and called and asked, and then called and called and called and asked. She was still colder than a Dairy Queen. Later that year, I was in LA for work, and she was willing to hang out again. I thought it was going well (you're learning some things about your new pastor here), and so I told her how I felt (again), and asked her to be my girlfriend (again). She paused for a second, and then said (and I quote), “Sure.” I was obviously over the moon with sure. And here we are, ten years of marriage, and three beautiful children.I share that story here because that's not the picture of love we get in John 3:1–21. We might imagine a lovesick God who desperately calls and calls and calls and asks, and then calls and calls and calls and asks, just waiting, hoping, begging for a “Sure.” No, this love reaches into the darkness, into the grave, and he pulls his lifeless bride out, breathes life into her body; washes her from head to toe so that she is clean, radiant, beautiful; replaces her heart of stone with a beating heart of flesh; and then performs supernatural surgery on her eyes so that she can see — and when she does see him, in the face of Jesus Christ, she loves him. Of course she loves him! She can't help but love him. We can't help but love him, right? Because his love, by his Spirit, awakens love.I think the whole conversation with Nicodemus is a window into who believes in verse 16. No one can see the kingdom of God — that is, see, believe, and worship — unless he is born again by the Spirit. This God not only loves sinners, but he sends his Spirit to awaken sinners. If you look at Jesus and see your Lord and Savior and Treasure, God's done that in you. You are born again. You're not the same person anymore. God loves those who believe — everyone who believes — with a life-resurrecting, eyesight-restoring, love-awakening love.3. God Loves His SonOkay, God loves the unlovely (he loves sinners), and he loves believers (he awakens us and enables us to see). Now, the third love in John 3:16. I wonder if you see it. This third love is the love on which the others hang. There would be no love in this verse, in this Gospel, in the universe without this third love.Third love, God loves his Son.“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”The sentence doesn't make sense unless the Father really, really, really loves his Son. This is how much God loved us — he gave the Son whom he loved. And this love (of the Father, for the Son) is going to come up again and again in this Gospel. Just a few verses later, Jesus says, verse 35: “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.”In John 15, in his final words to his friends, his disciples, he says,“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”We have never seen nor experienced a love like this one. And this love — from eternity past, long before the foundation of the world — was so sweet, so intense, so pure, that it spilled over in a world, a universe. God made the world in order to share the love they enjoyed within the Godhead — Father, Son, and Spirit. That's what Jesus prays in John 17:24:“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. . . .26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”God has always loved his Son, and will always love his Son.And yet to really show the height and width and depth and glory of this love, the Son had to die. If sinners were going to not perish but have eternal life, someone had to die for our sin. And that someone had to be perfect, infinitely lovely, spotless, blameless, pure, holy. That someone was the Son of God, the Son we meet in Jesus, fully God (God enough to make galaxies and move mountains) and fully man (man enough to sweat and bleed and die, really die).In John 10:17, in maybe the most surprising verse of all about this love, Jesus says, “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.”We might think the Father would love the Son less because he sent him to die (we might think a father hates his son because he gave him up like this), but the Son himself says just the opposite. The Father loves the Son precisely because —“for this reason” — the Son laid down his life and then took it back up again. God loves his Son. He so loves his Son, more than we can put into words. Certainly more than I can put into a few hundred words in this sermon. And yet as much as he loved him — infinite, immeasurable love — he gave that Son, that Treasure, his very Heart, for you. And that brings me to the fourth love in John 3:16.4. God Loves YouGod loves the unlovely. God loves believers. God loves his Son. And finally, God loves you. And I don't mean all of you; I mean each of you. God so loved you that he gave his only Son, so that if you would just believe, you will not perish — you don't have to die that death — but have eternal life.As John relives this conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, and as he hears Jesus say to this confused and curious pharisee, “. . . the Son of Man [must] be lifted up, so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life,” John can't help but jump in and say, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” You can almost see him turning from Jesus and Nicodemus to us and asking, “So do you believe? Do you see? Will you relent from your sin and step under the waterfall of this love?” Like Nicodemus, I suspect someone's hiding in here this morning. He came at night, in secret. You're here in broad daylight, but you're still hiding. You're going through your Sunday morning motions, because someone might ask questions or give you a hard time if you didn't. But you're not sure what to think about Jesus. You're quietly anxious, you're miserable, you're looking for answers and you don't want anyone to know. But you're here hoping something might finally click and make sense of all your questions and longings and heartaches. And so I want to look you in the eye, or as many of you as I can anyway, and tell you: God loves you. God loves you. He really loves you.If you believe, all four of these loves are yours.Are you weighed down by your sin, wondering if anyone (much less God) could love someone like you? The holy God loves unholy people, he loves the unlovely and undeserving. He loves sinners, even you. Do you believe?Do you look at Jesus and see the Son of God? Do you believe he is who he said he was, that he died for your sins so that you don't have to and that he rose from the dead so that you might live with him forever? Do you love him? The love of God gave you those eyes, that heart, that love. Do you see how much he loves his one and only Son? Do you see the holy, happy love that made the universe? God gave that precious Son for you, on the cross. The TableThat's what we rehearse each week at this table. Jesus's body was broken for you. His blood was spilled for you. The wrath that was meant for you fell on him. What more does God have to do to prove his love for you? Does he have to heal that sickness? Does he need to send a husband or a wife, or a child? Does he need to give you that job? Does he need to change your parent or child or spouse? Faye and I are praying all of those prayers for someone we love right now, and we want God to do all those things. We really do. But I want you to hear this morning (I want myself to hear this again): God doesn't have to answer that prayer to prove he loves you. He doesn't. In Jesus, he's already proved it. Behind all the clouds that keep you from feeling loved by God, there's a blazing, irresistible, unstoppable love — bigger and hotter than the sun. He loves you. He loves you. He really loves you.

Pastor Perry Shockley | BFBC: Williston | Wednesday 2.19.25

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