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In a season of Stillness—but I'm still here. ❤️
By Alex WilsonWhen I was 17, my parents gave me my dad's 1997 Chevy Silverado. The truck was almost completely made of steel, and their thinking was simple: if Alex gets into an accident, he has a better chance of walking away because of how tough this truck is. They were right – I did get into a wreck, and I walked away from it. I even went to school that day.This gift was meant to protect me, to help me flourish, to get me safely to school and football practice. It was given so I might live an abundant high school life. But I trashed the gift. I didn't honor it – I did donuts, raced my friends, drove without a seatbelt. I failed to honor the gift they had given me.God's law is a lot like that truck.In our ongoing 52-week study through the New City Catechism (by Crossway), we arrive at Question 8: "What is the law of God stated in the Ten Commandments?"The law that God gave to Moses was a gift to His people. Think of it as a vehicle to transport them from Egypt to the promised land, to get them from point A to point B safely so they could flourish and experience the abundance of life that comes from walking in communion with God. But like me with my truck, they saw it as something to be broken.Let's break down the Ten Commandments:The first four commandments focus on our relationship with God:* Have no other gods before me* Do not make an idol for yourself* Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God* Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holyThe remaining six govern our relationships with others: 5. Honor your father and mother 6. Do not murder 7. Do not commit adultery 8. Do not steal 9. Do not give false testimony 10. Do not covetJesus beautifully summarizes these into two commands: Love God and love your neighbor. The first four commandments show us how to love God, while the last six teach us how to love our neighbors.Here's the challenging part: if you break even one of these commandments, you've broken them all. If you've kept them perfectly for 30 years but fail in year 31, you've broken them all. These laws show us how holy God is and how impossible it is for us to keep them perfectly on our own.This is where Christ enters the picture. He takes God's law – this gift – and obeys it completely because He is perfect, the Son of God. He dies to pay the punishment for our law-breaking (death), and rises three days later by the Spirit of God.This means we now live under a new covenant. If you trust in Jesus, you're no longer under the covenant of works (trying to perfectly obey the law to earn salvation) but under the covenant of grace. Jesus did the work for us. Even when we slip up, we remain in right relationship with God because of Christ's perfect obedience.Now we can finally experience the gift of God's law as it was intended. Instead of seeing it as a monster lurking over us, we can view it as the gift it truly is – a guide to abundant life and flourishing.I think back to my reckless driving days. I was searching for happiness in all the wrong places, putting myself in danger, living with anxiety. What if I had stopped and recognized that truck as the gift it was? What if I had shed my entitled attitude and instead spent time caring for it, appreciating it?Here on Kauai where we live, I see local boys with their first trucks taking such incredible care of them – washing them, maintaining them, treating them with respect. There's a joy they have that others miss when they don't treat their vehicles as gifts.Can we approach God's law the same way? Instead of viewing it as a burden, what if we saw it as a gift that shows us the path to abundant life? Under the covenant of grace, God's law isn't a harsh taskmaster but a loving guide, leading us to freedom rather than slavery.If you want to dive deeper into these weekly reflections, subscribe to our Substack where I post detailed outlines of each episode. And if you'd like to support this podcast, visit AMENpodcast.comSee you next week for Question 9!With love, Alex This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com
By Alex WilsonWhen I was 17, my parents gave me my dad's 1997 Chevy Silverado. The truck was almost completely made of steel, and their thinking was simple: if Alex gets into an accident, he has a better chance of walking away because of how tough this truck is. They were right – I did get into a wreck, and I walked away from it. I even went to school that day.This gift was meant to protect me, to help me flourish, to get me safely to school and football practice. It was given so I might live an abundant high school life. But I trashed the gift. I didn't honor it – I did donuts, raced my friends, drove without a seatbelt. I failed to honor the gift they had given me.God's law is a lot like that truck.In our ongoing 52-week study through the New City Catechism (by Crossway), we arrive at Question 8: "What is the law of God stated in the Ten Commandments?"The law that God gave to Moses was a gift to His people. Think of it as a vehicle to transport them from Egypt to the promised land, to get them from point A to point B safely so they could flourish and experience the abundance of life that comes from walking in communion with God. But like me with my truck, they saw it as something to be broken.Let's break down the Ten Commandments:The first four commandments focus on our relationship with God:* Have no other gods before me* Do not make an idol for yourself* Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God* Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holyThe remaining six govern our relationships with others: 5. Honor your father and mother 6. Do not murder 7. Do not commit adultery 8. Do not steal 9. Do not give false testimony 10. Do not covetJesus beautifully summarizes these into two commands: Love God and love your neighbor. The first four commandments show us how to love God, while the last six teach us how to love our neighbors.Here's the challenging part: if you break even one of these commandments, you've broken them all. If you've kept them perfectly for 30 years but fail in year 31, you've broken them all. These laws show us how holy God is and how impossible it is for us to keep them perfectly on our own.This is where Christ enters the picture. He takes God's law – this gift – and obeys it completely because He is perfect, the Son of God. He dies to pay the punishment for our law-breaking (death), and rises three days later by the Spirit of God.This means we now live under a new covenant. If you trust in Jesus, you're no longer under the covenant of works (trying to perfectly obey the law to earn salvation) but under the covenant of grace. Jesus did the work for us. Even when we slip up, we remain in right relationship with God because of Christ's perfect obedience.Now we can finally experience the gift of God's law as it was intended. Instead of seeing it as a monster lurking over us, we can view it as the gift it truly is – a guide to abundant life and flourishing.I think back to my reckless driving days. I was searching for happiness in all the wrong places, putting myself in danger, living with anxiety. What if I had stopped and recognized that truck as the gift it was? What if I had shed my entitled attitude and instead spent time caring for it, appreciating it?Here on Kauai where we live, I see local boys with their first trucks taking such incredible care of them – washing them, maintaining them, treating them with respect. There's a joy they have that others miss when they don't treat their vehicles as gifts.Can we approach God's law the same way? Instead of viewing it as a burden, what if we saw it as a gift that shows us the path to abundant life? Under the covenant of grace, God's law isn't a harsh taskmaster but a loving guide, leading us to freedom rather than slavery.If you want to dive deeper into these weekly reflections, subscribe to our Substack where I post detailed outlines of each episode. And if you'd like to support this podcast, visit AMENpodcast.comSee you next week for Question 9!With love, Alex This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com
Humble is not an attribute we generally associate with God. Holy? Yes. Almighty? Sure. Loving, righteous, and all-knowing? Of course. But when was the last time you heard God called “humble”? Have you ever? But if God is righteous, and being righteous means being contrastive, and being contrastive requires humility, then doesn't God HAVE to be humble? The answer is yes! Not only is God humble, the way He demonstrates His Humility is the story of our entire history on Earth! In this week's podcast:Can we get to Heaven by always being right like God?How and why God is humbleHow God demonstrates His humility through His interactions with manWhy it would be UNJUST for God to unilaterally implement His plan for usWhat are the “Dispensations”? Am I a dispensationalist? (short answer – no)Why the term “7-year Tribulation” is inaccurate and cannot be used to justify a Post-Trib Rapture (ok, I got a bit off-topic here…)For exclusive content, Q&A Videos, and private Bible study, become a Faith By Reason Patreon www.patreon.com/faithbyreason
AMDG. What questions should homeschool parents be asking halfway through the academic year? Homeschooling moms and Kolbe employees Vanessa Delgado and Elyse Williams join the Kolbecast to talk about what to do— and not do!— if you've fallen behind; how to deal with burnout and unmotivated kids; when you should change courses and how to do it; when to start planning next year's courses; the role of ability tests; and so much more. Vanessa and Elyse will leave you feeling understood and encouraged, ready to take on second semester. Kolbecast episodes mentioned & relevant: 107 Wander & Wonder with Vanessa Delgado & Nikki Shaffer 207 A Privilege of a Lifetime with Elyse Williams 232 Part of the Family: Parents & Advisors as Partners 29 The February Staredown 140 Burnout Happens 83 This Is Only a Test 176 The Agenda Is to Grow with Art & Laraine Bennett 183 Gratuitous Gifts: Charisms with Sherry Weddell 59 The Secret Whiteboard 214 A Long View 74 Special Teams: Kolbe Dads Related links: Articles from the Kolbe.org Help Center: Late & Mid-Year Enrollment High School Planning folder High School Graduation Planner Interest & Ability Tools Grade Reporting Standardized Testing Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation aptitude testing Scripture readings for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Have questions or suggestions for future episodes or a story of your own experience that you'd like to share? We'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to podcast@kolbe.org and be a part of the Kolbecast odyssey. We'd be grateful for your feedback! Please share your thoughts with us via this Kolbecast survey! The Kolbecast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most podcast apps. By leaving a rating and review in your podcast app of choice, you can help the Kolbecast reach more listeners. The Kolbecast is also on Kolbe's YouTube channel (audio only with subtitles). Using the filters on our website, you can sort through the episodes to find just what you're looking for. However you listen, spread the word about the Kolbecast!
Wake Up to Love, and pray the Holy Rosary with us LIVE every weekday morning at 4:44 am ET
The first of a new mini-series from CMF, hosted by Dr Grace Petkovic and Dr Felicia Wong discuss embodiment, womanhood, and what our bodies reveal about God Have you ever wondered why God made women in the form that he did? What does it mean to be a woman and to be made in God's image? What about when things hurt (such as periods or labour), or go wrong (such as miscarriage or infertility) or change altogether (such as in menopause)? What do our bodies show us about God? This podcast is for the inquisitive woman – real conversations about the female body that we don't talk about at church. Future episodes will explore:Episode 2 – periods – is there meaning in menstruation? Episode 3 – contraception – for better or for worse? Episode 4 – motherhood in pregnancy Episode 5 – reproductive lack and loss Episode 6 – meaning in menopause Support the show
This issue of LW focuses on the LCMS community, which is made up of “flock[s] of God” (1 PETER 5:2) under “the chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4), who sends men to shepherd His holy people (in Latin, pastor means “shepherd”). If both preachers and hearers heed Peter's advice, congregations will be blessed with peace and concord; if they don't, dissension and conflict will ensue. Peter encourages humility for all Christians (1 Peter 5:6–7). Although he doesn't mention the example of Jesus in this passage, He should be on our minds as we act in humility toward one another and humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5–8). Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the November 2024 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “A Humble Community” on 1 Peter 5:1-7. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Elect Exiles” and will walk through the First Epistle of St. Peter. Follow along every month and search Scripture with us! Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.
This issue of LW focuses on the LCMS community, which is made up of “flock[s] of God” (1 PETER 5:2) under “the chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4), who sends men to shepherd His holy people (in Latin, pastor means “shepherd”). If both preachers and hearers heed Peter's advice, congregations will be blessed with peace and concord; if they don't, dissension and conflict will ensue. Peter encourages humility for all Christians (1 Peter 5:6–7). Although he doesn't mention the example of Jesus in this passage, He should be on our minds as we act in humility toward one another and humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5–8). Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the November 2024 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “A Humble Community” on 1 Peter 5:1-7. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Elect Exiles” and will walk through the First Epistle of St. Peter. Follow along every month and search Scripture with us! Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.
Sr. Nancy is the Director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Culver City, California. She is a Media Literacy Education Specialist, theologian, international speaker, film/TV reviewer, and author of an award-winning theology of popular culture called, A Sacred Look: Becoming Cultural Mystics. Sr Nancy is a Doctoral Candidate in Ministry at Catholic University of America in the area of Liturgical Catechesis and holds degrees in Communications Arts and a Masters in Theology and the Arts from Fuller Theological Seminary, along with certificates in Catechetics and Media Literacy Education. Sr Nancy has extensive experience in the creative aspects of social media, print media, radio and video production as well as in marketing, advertising, retail management and administration. She joins us to talk about her free Zoom-based, Lenten retreat, iFaith: What's God Have to do With My Media?
I don't feel like I hit the ground running most days. There are pressures and challenges, decisions that must be made, aches and pains (betraying my age), and scar tissue from relationships that went badly. I face temptation and too often give in. In a word, I am weak. I am, like every other human being, in need of strength for each day. Some admit it. Others are in denial. We all need to be strengthened to face a world that takes and does not give back in the same proportion. In this Sunday's passage, we'll see Paul and Barnabas backtracking along the route they had followed on their first missionary journey. Along the way, they returned to the cities in which they had previously preached the gospel, “strengthening the souls of the disciples.” What follows is what that strengthening looks like in the life of a believer: continuing in the faith, enduring every trial, under the care of spiritual leaders, growing in prayer, and on mission to share the gospel with others. That's what it means to be strong as a Christian. And that's what we'll look at together in Acts 14:19-28 this Sunday. Series: The Acts of the Apostles (Chapters 11-16) Todd Dugard Message: 38 – Through many tribulations Harvest Bible Chapel Text: Acts 14:19-28 February 4, 2024 I'll be strengthened as a Christian—no matter what—if I am… (v. 19-22a) …continuing in the faith (v. 22b) 2 Timothy 3:10–12 One can know a great deal about God without much knowledge of him. J. I. Packer, Knowing God Those who know God... • Have great energy for God • Have great thoughts of God • Show great boldness for God • Have great contentment in God J. I. Packer, Knowing God Knowing God: https://a.co/d/3YUL0dE …enduring every trial (v. 22c) James 1:2–4 2 Corinthians 11:23b–28 …following spiritual leaders (v. 23a) Hebrews 13:17 …praying and seeking prayer (v. 23b) James 5:16b …telling others about Jesus (v. 24-28)
In this inspiring video, we delve into the story of Jephthah's vow, a powerful commitment of faith found in the book of Judges. We'll explore the lessons we can learn from his vow and how it can impact our lives today. Join us as we uncover the beauty of faith and commitment to God. Highlights Promises to God: Have you ever made a promise to Jesus? Have you stayed true to that promise? Let's dive into the importance of keeping our commitments to God. The Power of Sharing: Sharing God's word with others is a beautiful way to honor Him and draw people closer to Him. Don't hold back; share the love! Jephthah's Unusual Vow: Discover the intriguing story of Jephthah's vow in Judges 11:30-31, and how it was a commitment of unwavering faith. Trusting God's Providence: Jephthah cast himself upon the providence of God, recognizing that victory could only come with divine help. Learn how to trust God in challenging times. Crying Out to God: Have you ever found yourself in a difficult situation, crying out to God for help, and making promises in return? Reflect on your own commitments to God. Living by Faith: The Christian life is a journey of faith. Without faith, it's impossible to please God. Discover how faith shapes our relationship with Him. Keeping Your Promises: God doesn't forget the commitments we make to Him. Let's reflect on the importance of honoring our promises and staying true to our word. Commit Yourself to God: In the end, there's no one greater to commit yourself to than God. Let your commitment be a source of strength, hope, and unwavering faith. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gnbc/message
Does someone need an attitude adjustment? Wretched Radio | Air Date: September 07, 2023 https://media-wretched.org/Radio/Podcast/WR2023-0907.mp3 Segment 1 How does a Christian live in a world that offers so much controversy? The Christian DSM. Segment 2 Richard Baxter – This Christian Directory Dr. Heath Lambert – The Great Love of God Have you been pulled into […] The post UH OH. ARE YOU BECOMING A CRABBY CHRISTIAN? appeared first on Wretched.
Stephanie welcomes Rebecca George to discuss the power of embracing weakness as part of our Gospel Spice Wellness series. They share their experience with the “curse of the capable woman”, as Stephanie calls it, and how surrendering our weaknesses to God allows Him to turn them into His strengths. They discuss the tension between achieving for God's glory while avoiding self-sufficiency and how we can open our hands and offer ourselves to God. The conversation shifts to the ultimate calling of a Christ follower to make disciples, and the importance of surrendering one's life to God. The episode also touches on the dangers of constantly doing and the importance of trusting God's timing. Together Stephanie and Rebecca emphasize that embracing weakness is the path to success and encourage YOU to focus on God in moments of brokenness. Rebecca shares her personal experiences with being an overachiever and how surrendering our weaknesses to God can transform them into strengths. Rebecca also talks about the importance of balancing grace and self-discipline in our lives and the ultimate calling of a Christ follower to make disciples wherever we are and in whatever season we are in. They also discuss the Great Commission and the ongoing behavior of making disciples without striving or burnout. Tune in to gain valuable insights on living a life of surrender and obedience to God! Some key takeaways for this conversation include, - We can feel like we have to rely on our own strength to get things done. - Weakness is what God wants from us, because He already has plenty of strength! - Surrendering our weaknesses to God allows Him to turn it into His strength. That is the goal! - Embracing weakness is actually the path to success, because we learn to trust Him. Stephanie and Rebecca invite you to focus on God: - Have an eternal perspective - Fix your eyes on Jesus and worship Him for His character - In moments of struggle and brokenness, invite God into our weaknesses and ask Him to transform them into strengths. - The outcome belongs to God, and the obedience belongs to humans. They also inspire you to balance grace and self-discipline with the following: - Strive to do everything with excellence for the glory of God; - Hold both grace and self-discipline closely and not see them as opposing forces. Making disciples is the ultimate calling of a Christ follower. Together, they add: - a calling is not necessarily to have a public ministry. - We can make disciples wherever we are and in whatever season we are in. - Making disciples is an ongoing behavior, not a one-time task or something to be added to a to-do list. - Striving to make disciples all the time can lead to burnout. - Different seasons may require a shift in our time and capacity, and it is important to have ongoing conversations about where we feel called to spend our time. To conclude, surrender to God is the key! You have heard it before, but it is important to remember: - Surrendering one's life to God on a regular basis is important. - It means not producing results on one's own strength or measuring one's own performance. - True freedom comes from allowing God's spirit to produce the fruit. NEW! GO DEEPER WITH QUESTIONS, ON YOUR OWN OR WITH A FRIEND: 1. How do you relate to the “curse of the capable woman,” (even if you are a man!) and how have you experienced it in your life? 2. Do you struggle with self-sufficiency or overachievement? How does this conversation resonate with you? 3. What is your view on grace and self-discipline, and how do you balance the two in your life? 4. How do you feel about the importance to fight striving? Do you agree with her stance against “Girl Wash Your Face”? 5. Have you ever experienced a moment of surrender to God in your weakness? How did that change your perspective? 6. What does it mean to you to make disciples as you go about your daily life? How can you apply this principle to your own life? 7. Have you experienced moments of burnout? What do you do to avoid it? 8. How does your personal view of success align or differ from Rebecca's and Stephanie's perspective? 9. How do you remind yourself of God's unconditional love for you and the fact that nothing you do can make Him love you more or less? 10. In moments of struggle and brokenness, how do you invite God into your weaknesses and ask Him to transform them into strengths? MEET REBECCA GEORGE Rebecca George is an author, a speaker, and the host of the popular podcast Radical Radiance. Her greatest joy is helping women pursue their passions in a way that builds God's kingdom. In her free time, she loves running outside or trying a new recipe with Garth Brooks playing in the background. You can connect with her @rebeccageorgeauthor on Instagram or at radicalradiance.live. MORE ABOUT HER BOOK, DO THE THING What is your “thing”? Surely there's a better way to view it than through a lens of striving and worldly achievement. You may have a special cause, project, or talent you feel called to develop. Fear and lack of clarity often make it easier to avoid the “thing” than risk failing at it. Rebecca George is an encouraging voice in your ear to say, “Let's not waste another minute of the all–too–brief time we have on this side of eternity.” She shows you how to pursue your goal with grace and confidence. Part guide, part manifesto, Do the Thing beckons you to pursue the passions that stir your soul. On this journey, you will discover how to: See your gifts and talents from a gospel-centered perspective. Prioritize goals related to your calling as you move forward with gumption and grace. Overcome negative thought patterns so you can brainstorm, develop, and create with the confidence of a go-getter girl! Today is the day to take a brave step in a purposeful direction, using God's Word as your compass to do the thing He has designed for you to do. After all, if not now … when? Find the book here: https://davidccook.org/books/do-the-thing/ We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Or, of course, you can start at the beginning with episode 1. Season 1: the gospel of Matthew like you've never experienced it https://www.podcastics.com/episode/3280/link/ Season 2: Experience Jesus through the Psalms https://www.podcastics.com/episode/33755/link/ Season 3: the gospel of Luke, faith in action https://www.podcastics.com/episode/40838/link/ Season 4: Proverbs spiced with wisdom https://www.podcastics.com/episode/68112/link/ Season 5: Identity in the battle | Ephesians https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/ Season 6: Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/ Season 7: Shades of Red | Against human oppression https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/ Season 8: God's glory, our delight | https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/ The perfect gift for everyone - apparel, drinkware, stickers and more for all the women, men and kids in your life! https://www.gospelspice.com/merch We are spending one whole month having conversations with inspiring guests about parenting at different stages of life - from newborns to adult children, and every stage in between! And then, we spend another whole month discussing essentials of physical, mental, and emotional wellness with a wide range of Christ-centered experts. Support us on PayPal!
Alisa's leading us through a beautiful Biblical meditation today as she invites you to draw close and linger at the feet of Jesus. She's reminding us to let our breath be an anchor for our soul as she roots us in the words of Jesus found in Luke 10:38-42. May you leave this time feeling a sense of peace as you abide in the presence of the Father. In this season of Lent and Easter, here are some great resources for you to use: Do Michele's Rev on the Mat: "Repentance" Read "When the Supplement of Humility Gets Stuck in Your Throat" Listen to #766 with Jon Tyson on the Hunger for God Have you downloaded the RW App yet? If not, head over to your app store and get our free RW app! You can also become an RW+ subscriber with access to exclusive episodes like Bedtime Meditations and RevXing the Word. RW+ subscribers also have access to podcasts categorized by content so you can quickly find the episode style that you're looking for. Try RW+ free for seven days! Your reviews matter to us and help spread the good news, so please leave us one where you listen to your podcast! If we read your review on our show, we'll send you a gift from the Revelation Wellness Store! We'd also love to hear from you! So leave us a VOICE MESSAGE here! Tell us what you thought about this episode and how God met you in this meditation. The Official Revelation Wellness Facebook / Instagram / RevWell TV / Youtube / Pinterest Playlist: Bethel - William Augusto (11:58) Closer (feat. Brandon Lake) - Maverick City Music (6:41)
Alisa's leading us through a beautiful Biblical meditation today as she invites you to draw close and linger at the feet of Jesus. She's reminding us to let our breath be an anchor for our soul as she roots us in the words of Jesus found in Luke 10:38-42. May you leave this time feeling a sense of peace as you abide in the presence of the Father. In this season of Lent and Easter, here are some great resources for you to use: Do Michele's Rev on the Mat: "Repentance" Read "When the Supplement of Humility Gets Stuck in Your Throat" Listen to #766 with Jon Tyson on the Hunger for God Have you downloaded the RW App yet? If not, head over to your app store and get our free RW app! You can also become an RW+ subscriber with access to exclusive episodes like Bedtime Meditations and RevXing the Word. RW+ subscribers also have access to podcasts categorized by content so you can quickly find the episode style that you're looking for. Try RW+ free for seven days! Your reviews matter to us and help spread the good news, so please leave us one where you listen to your podcast! If we read your review on our show, we'll send you a gift from the Revelation Wellness Store! We'd also love to hear from you! So leave us a VOICE MESSAGE here! Tell us what you thought about this episode and how God met you in this meditation. The Official Revelation Wellness Facebook / Instagram / RevWell TV / Youtube / Pinterest Playlist: Bethel - William Augusto (11:58) Closer (feat. Brandon Lake) - Maverick City Music (6:41)
“You are a child of God” - Have you already heard this 4 billion times? Do you even remember why it matters? …I struggle with the same thing. So let's dive into it - why does it matter what family you belong to? What if you were a Kennedy? A Manning? A Kardashian? …what if you were a member of a family whose last name is CHRIST? You see, it matters!! In this episode of the Steadfast Life Podcast you will learn what it means to actually live as though God is your Dad. Whit and Jake are Christian Life Coaches at Steadfast Life Coaching. We teach you how to awaken your inner athlete to prevent quits, self judgement, negative self talk, disconnection, and pressure as you pursue God's purpose for your life. There are 3 super fun ways to work with us 1. Lifetime Access to our group coaching program called "Remain Steadfast" https://www.steadfastlifecoaching.com/trust-u 2. One on one coaching with either Jake or Whit ...you choose https://www.steadfastlifecoaching.com/whit-vip https://www.steadfastlifecoaching.com/jake-vip 3. Join us on our next ADVENTURE RETREAT!! https://www.steadfastlifecoaching.com/adventure-retreats
A Better Way Part 1 Series: It's a Big Deal October 30, 2022 Elwyn Johnston Matthew 19:3 – 12 Verse of the Week: “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 1. Created by God “Have you not heard that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female” Matthew 19:4 “This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:32 Marriage demonstrates the relationship God desires to have with each of us. Marry people who have a personal relationship with God. “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” 2 Corinthians 6:14 Choose character “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 God created sex in the safe confines of marriage. “two shall become one flesh. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” Mt. 19:5 & 6 “do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, ‘The two will become one flesh.”' 1 Corinthians 6:16 “Flee sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18 God did not create pornography God also created singleness. “I wish everyone were single, just as I am. However, each one has his own gift” 1 Corinthians 7:7
Chapter 2:10-19 Introduction - In this section Haggai is deepening the conviction of the people of God - Have a look at Zech 8:9–13 as a close parallel Hag 2:15–19. Questions about holiness Haggai 2:11 ‘Ask the priests what the law says: - ‘ask the priest' - direct engagement with the priests. Not just Joshua, but his cohort. - Entering into a ‘debate'. The answer is already known, but the exchange is a drama emphasising a point. Jesus did the same thing. Haggai 2:12 If someone carries consecrated meat in the fold of their garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, olive oil or other food, does it become consecrated?' ” The priests answered, “No.” - ‘fold' - “The holy flesh makes the skirt “holy” but the “holy” skirt cannot make anything else “holy.” But impurity is transferable.” WBC Haggai 2:13 Then Haggai said, “If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does it become defiled?” “Yes,” the priests replied, “it becomes defiled.” - ‘dead body' - Is he comparing the people to a dead body? They are dead as a nation, as a people, spiritually? Because they have not given God the pleasure and honour that is right? Haggai 2:14 ‘So it is with this people and this nation in my sight,' declares the LORD. ‘Whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled.” - ‘there' - at the temple site? Are they making sacrifices at the unfinished site? Or has it been finished, and the sacrifices are not acceptable because their attitudes have not changed, even though the work has been completed? - ‘defiled' - perhaps their repentance in building the temple has not been matched with a repentance of their hearts' devotion to God. If they are not ‘holy' of heart, God will not credit their ‘work' as worthy in his sight. - They are not guaranteed God's blessings simply by doing the work he sets them to. - If they are doing things and offering things at the site, it implies the temple is finished. Their community reform is not yet finished. Perhaps this is why he addresses the priests here, because they are to take responsibility for the reform and have not, by implication, yet done so. Are they aware and complacent or afraid? Or are they unaware? - ‘whatever…whatever' - comprehensive The Call to Learn from the Past Haggai 2:15 “‘Now give careful thought to this from this day on —consider how things were before one stone was laid on another in the LORD'S temple. - ‘give careful thought' - vv5, 7, 18 - ‘this day on' - or, ‘to the days past' - Consider the past, learn from it and carry a different attitude into the future. - Looking back at the past. Their harvests were compromised. Now they have been building for three months - Oct-Dec - (WBC) and no improvement in harvests has been observed. They need reassurance they are on the right track. Haggai 2:17 I struck all the work of your hands with blight, mildew and hail, yet you did not return to me,' declares the LORD. - See Amos 4:9 - ‘you did not return to me' - lit. ‘and nothing to me'. Perhaps saying the people were not ‘his' until they repented. - ‘yet you did not' - they have no excuse. God knows they should know it was him that opposed them, and that they had opportunity to repent. - ‘blight, mildew, hail' - significant? Worth looking up. - ‘I struck' - implies deliberate action by God. Haggai 2:18 ‘From this day on, - ‘give careful thought' - vv5, 7, 15. Phrase used twice here. - ‘foundation laid' - why significant? v15. Does it symbolize the totality of the work that has been now finished in completing the temple? Haggai 2:19 ‘From this day on I will bless you.' ”” - ‘in the barn' - I.e. the seed is in the ground, but the time is not yet right for harvest. Do not fret, the time for harvest is coming. The fact you cannot see the blessing does not mean God is not already blessing you. The blessing is now, the fruit is coming. - ‘vine, fig, pomegranate, olive' - significant? All trees that are in existence, standing there, visible, but not yet fruitful. - Are the people impatient for God's blessings to manifest themselves? - Patient perseverance is key, Gal 6:9-10 Conclusion - God does not need our work. He delights in it - if it is wholeheartedly for him. He wants our hearts. - We cannot ‘holy' ourselves. It is God who does that. We get there by honouring him above our priorities. If we treat him as holy, he will ‘holy' us. Questions and points for reflection: 1. What gives you confidence that God accepts you as holy? 2. What have your current or recent challenges taught you about God? 3. What helps you to ‘give careful thought' to what is going on and to see God in it? Next time Haggai 2:20-23 Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community. Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. God bless, Malcolm
Thank you for having fellowship with us! Thank you for having the patience to connect with us by reading or listening to this sermon, which is about patience. Join us as Pastor Chris delivers a powerful message about patience. Vibe Check 6 - Patience Welcome to Redemption Church in Plano Tx. I am glad you are here! My name is Chris Fluitt and I love the Lord and I love His Church. We are in the 6th week of our sermon series – Vibe Check What is a Vibe? Vibe – A person's emotional state, felt by others; The tangible atmosphere created by the disposition of our being. As Christians, it is not enough to carry our belief inside our heart. The love of God is meant to be shed abroad by the Holy Spirit in our heart (Romans 5:5). Our good works should flow out of our heart, and people should see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16). Vibe Check The worst vibes come from the flesh. The best vibes come from the Spirit.Galatians 5:22 (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Fruit of the Spirit Love, Joy, Peace – Heart Patience, Kindness, Goodness – Relationships Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control – Battles We have discussed Love, Joy, and Peace – the vibes that should reside in your heart. Last week Marshal preached a great message on faithfulness and how to respond when you think Jesus is failing the vibe check. Today I want to talk to you about the vibe of patience. Patience Patience is not usually our favorite word or subject. LET'S BE HONEST – Who here is willing to admit they have trouble with patience. Patience is a vibe of the Spirit. The God that is working in you, desires to bring patience into your thoughts, words, and actions. How you treat people matters.How you treat people reveals your vibe.How you treat others reveals the health of your relationship with God. James 5:7-11 (NIV) 7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. 9 Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Here Is our definition of patience Patience – the perspective of grace & faith that enables us to suffer hardship and endure injustice, while trusting that God will make all things right. Simply put, patience is waiting. I am able to wait for God's best.I am able to wait for others to progress in God. Want to be loving… Have patience.Want to be like God… Have patience. In 15th century Japan there is a legend of a Shogun warrior with a broken bowl. Evidently the bowl meant something to the Shogun, and he refused to throw it out, but instead sought a craftsman to fix the bowl. Kintsugi – gold fixing The craftsman put a golden color within the adhesive and then covered the bowl in a new lacquer seal. By embracing the flaws and imperfections, the craftsman created a more beautiful piece of art. !!! Legend has it that God loves broken people, and instead of throwing them out, he seeks to create beauty, restoration, and purpose within them. If you will allow God the craftsman to work, He will take your broken pieces, mistakes, and flaws, and God will cover them in grace and infuse them with beauty and power of His Spirit. God the craftsman is patient. God is graceful and faithful. Some of the people in the Church that you think have a beautiful walk with God, an attractive life,
Fear is a spirit but also an indicator danger is near ( 2nd Timothy 1:7) Fear in Greek : doubt , run away , shock/astonishment Build your faith: The crusher of fear is having faith . God doesn't give us a spirit of fear but He does give us a measure of faith. And we can also pray for the gift of great faith. Mark 11:22-23 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Accepting Jesus as Lord of your life too me the first step of building your faith. Get to know God by reading His word. You won't know what God is doing if you don't what He approves and what He disapproves of. Belong to a local Bible based churched who teaches the Word of God not emotions and theories. Study and mediate on scripture because there will always be a test to test what you know Shut down opposite voices of God Pray , pray , pray ( Jesus was always praying) Pray and ask God : help me with my unbelief , Lord increase my faith Worship & praise God Have absolutes God - knowing His promises that are irrevocable --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/blessbeyondmeasurepodcast/support
Episode 127-I Matter to God Have you ever thought you didn't matter to the people who mattered the most to you? I felt that way about my mother for a long time. When I felt I didn't matter to her it affected how I felt about accepting the comfort of the Holy Spirit. This happens to us when we don't feel the love of a mother or we feel distant from our mothers because one of their jobs is to comfort us. Since that is also the job of the Holy Spirit we don't how how to accept comfort from Him either. The truth is found throughout scripture though. I matter to God. You matter to God. Every single person in this world, no matter who they are, matters to God. We all do. Overcomers Academy link: https://Teresashieldsparker.com/overcomers
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is claimed to be one of the best-selling novels of all time. It was first published in 1859 and set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. Some historians say that one of the main reasons for the great contrast between the bloody revolution that overtook France and the relative peace in England was because of the impact of the great 18th century revival featuring John Wesley and others. While the politics of hatred enflamed France, it was the message of Christ's redeeming love that took root among Britain's working classes. Today around the world we can also see different contrasting responses to the gospel in different places. For example, there is great responsiveness to Christianity in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa and many parts of Asia, while Europe has been described as ‘the graveyard of Christianity'. Acts 17 shows us not only that this is nothing new but also how we can continue to spread the good news in all circumstances. What's more we can decide whether we will be those who change the culture we live in for God or simply reflect the values of the culture that we are part of.In Acts 17, Luke describes Athens, a city resistant to God, and Berea which was very receptive to God. Some key characteristics of Athens and a culture resistant to the gospel:1. They accepted all kinds of gods (Acts 17:16-18)2. They wanted only to debate about god not find God (Acts 17:19-31)3. They were very mixed in their reactions to Goda. Some sneered (Acts 17:32)b. Some were interested (Acts 17:32b-33)c. Some believed (Acts 17:34)In contrast Berea was not a particularly outstanding place, but it had some outstanding people who were highly receptive to the gospel:1. They were hungry for the Word of God (Acts 17:11)2. They really studied the Word of God (Acts 17:11)3. They responded enthusiastically to the Word of God (Acts 17:12)Apply1. They accepted all kinds of gods: Is God truly the Lord of your life, or do you tolerate other idols too? The description of Athens (Acts 17:16-18) describes the UK and other societies today. The concept of there being one God as revealed in Jesus is widely derided. Christianity, which has shaped our country's history, is now expected to accept it is just one faith among many, rather than the predominant faith of our culture (in reality today 53.6% of UK's population still say they are Christian, 6.2% belong to other religions and 40.2% are non-religious). What cannot be denied is that there are many gods worshipped in the land; idols of pleasure, sport, careers, education, fashion, celebrity and even family life.2. They wanted only to debate about god not find God: Do you take every opportunity to share the gospel? In the context of constant chatter and argument, Paul is given an opportunity to convince them about what he believes, even if it is only for novelty value (Acts 17:19-31). He shares: that God is Lord of the world; that man is God's creation so he needs God; and that God and man are related so idolatry is foolish. Paul concludes with a call to abandon false ideas of God and to repent, yet this didn't go down well.3. They were very mixed in their reactions to God: Are you discouraged by past mixed reactions you've seen when sharing the gospel? Some sneered and some were interested (Acts 17:32-33). When people express an interest in Christianity, we should follow up by talking more with them personally or inviting them to an Alpha course or Life Class. Athens wasn't the most fruitful place for the gospel, but even here people were won to Christ (Acts 17:34). We should always expect some fruit from our faithful witness to Christ no matter the state of our culture. But equally we should be quick to look for the most responsive people and places. Paul didn't stay long in Athens and moved onto Corinth where he saw many turn to Christ. As he did so, he would have also been greatly encouraged by the response to the gospel that he had seen in Berea before he came to Athens.Berea was not a particularly outstanding place, but it had some outstanding people who were highly receptive to the gospel (Acts 17:10-14):1. They were hungry for the Word of God: Have you received the Word of God in your own life? Are you passionate to share the love of Jesus with others? These were sincere and genuine people of true character (Acts 17:11). They were salt of the earth country people open to hear the simple good news of the gospel, not cynical city people. This isn't to say that city people, the materially wealthy or highly educated won't respond to Christ. Indeed, we see time and again in Acts that many do. But we should note that Jesus taught us to focus on preaching good news to the poor and that He spent most of his time training a group of very ordinary people to win the world to Christ. Historically in revivals, the biggest and best responses to the gospel come when Christians reach out to those who are not necessarily distinguished by worldly achievements and possessions, or may in fact be regarded as outsiders or even losers in life. All over the nation, all around us, are countless ordinary people of all ages and racial backgrounds who need to taste and see the love of Jesus. It is time to re-evangelise the nation which means every committed Christian disciple needs to be mobilised to plant cells and churches. 2. They really studied the Word of God: Do you study the word of God as a daily habit? The Bereans studied the scriptures and wanted to be sure that what this gifted preacher Paul was talking about actually lined up with the Bible. Every day, not just on the Sabbath, they took time and effort to check out what he was saying (Acts 17:11). To be strong Christians and to develop strong churches we too must daily read and study and meditate on the Bible so that our faith and that of our children and grandchildren is founded, not on changing experiences or circumstances, but on the unchanging truths of Scripture. 3. They responded enthusiastically to the Word of God: Do you have faith to see great results and for those you share the gospel with to respond enthusiastically? Wherever you find a people hungry for God and you faithfully declare the word of God you will always see results (Acts 17:12). You can see many more people coming to faith through your personal witness, your small group and church, including prominent people, than you may have imagined. A great wave of the Holy Spirit is coming and we must prepare for it and dedicate our lives to seeing multitudes swept into the Kingdom of God.
Preached on Sunday 27th June 2021 by Rev Dr Victor Thompson and taken from Exodus 3:1-7. The preacher looks at the reason why God had to get Moses attention by speaking through the burning bush. He asks does God Have our attention today? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stratford-ntcg/message
ACCEPTED IN JESUS: the Reality of Relationship with God - Have you been finding yourself in the valley of darkness? Deliverance and Freedom begin with the spirit-revealed understanding of your identity in Christ. If you have believed on Jesus, you are a cherished treasure to Father God and He will war on your behalf. He will never turn away any who come to him in faith, and nothing shall ever snatch you from his ever-loving hand. #rejection #healing #spiritualhealing Audio captured from Facebook Live Stream (https://www.facebook.com/RevivalHistory.nftb) To support this ministry or for more information, please visit: https://www.neverforgettheblood.org --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nftb/support
Pastor Anatoliy continues the "Daring Faith" series, with his message "Daring to Wait on God" Have you ever been in a hurry when God wasn't? Waiting on God can take just as much faith as taking initiative. Pastor Anatoliy will share how God uses seasons of waiting to prepare us for where He wants to lead us.
Thank You Jesus 666 33 911 88 999 6 Covid 19 Stay sharp & stay alert Beloved in this month of February cause trying times are ahead. We still need to be able to go back to God and be forgiven than to corrupt the flesh and be forever alienated from God Have fun taking the vacs for science fans, but don't take the mRNA own. Thank You Jesus As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord
Phil gave an introduction to our new series looking at Colossians, which starts next week. Disciples who make Disciples Introduction Adventures with God Have you Got a taste for Adventure - (beer mat from a couple of years ago) Some have left is to go on their Adventure with God, some have joined us on our AdventureI believe we are entering a new phase of Adventure The Adventure so Far A building Social Action increase Influenced increased through use of the Building by various groups The Gospel being preached 3 Alphas Courses last year Multi site meetings I’ve been living with a challenge for what it means to be a true disciple that’s why last year we took time to look at the life of Peter. We feel God wants to take us deeper into him and for us to be true disciples who go and make disciples. Bible References Matthew 28:18 - 20 Mark 15:15-18 The new order of the Kingdom not the specialist - This is my ministry this was always intended to be the ministry of all believers. A Disciple What is a Disciple One who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: You have to know what is it is you believe and then comes the sharing with others 1. Follow First they Followed Jesus Captivated by him Learnt from Him Learnt to obey him Imitated him Trained by him Transformed by him All Character - Gods more interested in your Character than your Gift. Equipped by him Commissioned by him 2. Go They went because they were sent, not going with their own ambitions but because He sent them Just as he now sends us. Went With him - they were not alone - Presence of the Holy Spirit worked with him - Power of the Holy Spirit Carried his Authority - Equipped by the Holy Spirit Led by him - Directed by the Holy Spirit Continued to Obey him, calling others to the Obedience that comes from Faith. There are some who have said the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit are not for today I would Argue we need him and all that he is and brings to us more then ever before. Conclusion Discipleship starts with Jesus and we first need to look at Jesus so we are going to start the year focusing on him We are going to look through the Book of Colossians Key Verses - For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Colossians 2:9-10It starts with chapter 1 & 2 Jesus Christ is our Lord • Chapter 1 - Lord of Creation, Lord of the Church, Lord of Ministry • Chapter 2 - Lord of our Walk, Lord of our Salvation, Lord of our growth It goes on to focus on us • Chapter 3 - Our Life, Mind, Body, Attitude, Actions • Chapter 4 - Our Love, Love for the Lost, Love for one another Not a time to be complacent not a time for apathy or passivity Questions • How do you know if you are a true Disciple of Jesus?• What are the characteristics of a True Disciple?• Are you and how are you intentionally seeking to be like Jesus? • What is it about Jesus that motivates you to follow him?
Is there room in our faith for bringing our doubts and our pain to God- Have we discovered the gift of lament by which we can express our deepest struggles to God in a way that is more than mere venting our feelings- Lamenting is how we bring our sorrows to God. For many believers it is a missing dimension of their relationship with God. Biblical laments give us permission to turn to God with our pain and wrestling. We need to learn how to lament well -it does not come naturally.
Do you ever take the time to dwell on the protections of God? Have you seen clear evidences of His protections in your everyday routine? While we may not stop to think about the protections of God we are given access to them daily. The events that could have happened but didn't because God stopped them. When we live in the presence of God we are protected from the elements of the world that would otherwise defeat us. Run to the fortress of protection today and begin receiving the blessings that God has instore for you!
Matthew 8:18-9:8 18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” 28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region. 9:1 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. (ESV)
What pleases God? Have you thought about this question lately? What would be your answer? What does Bible say? In this message from Hebrews 11:1-3, we discover not only what pleases God, but who is at the very center of this important question.
It's a long way to go when you don't know where you're going…You don't know where you're going when you're lost. That’s what the late great Guru of Gang Starr said on Hard to Earn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLKmXovPVP8 Do we Negroes know where we are going? Don’t just get upset at the seeming audacity of my question. But think about it…dare to answer it: Do we know where we are going? What is freedom? Where is the Promised Land? In Eucharistic fashion, walking in love as Christ loved us, giving himself for us - an offering and sacrifice to God, Dr. King was assassinated. And on the night before he died for us, while feasting on the Word with friends, our leader Martin Luther King, Jr. gave what we know as the Mountaintop Speech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixfwGLxRJU8 Have you ever listened to it? If not…you should…really. It’s damn sure worth it. What did Dr. King see from the Mountaintop? We know he saw the Promised Land… But what did he see? What did the Promised Land look like? Of what did the Promised Land the Lord showed to Dr. King consist? How did he know that what he saw was the Promised Land of God? Have you ever wondered that? Shouldn’t we want to know what he saw? In this episode of Blacks with Power, Pr. Jimmie and I are exploring the spiritual reality of this last day in this prophet’s life. What does it say to us and how does it shape the Mattering of Black Life? Share your comments! Let us know what you think the Promised Land is made of… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=labOYgSeRjI&sub_confirmation=1
Ever wonder if you've been abandoned by God? Have your life circumstances caused you to question if God is with you and for you? These were some of the very questions asked by those Paul wrote his letter of Romans to. Listen as we see how Paul addresses these questions by painting a picture of hope and God's enduring faithfulness to all humanity.
Are you hungry for more of God? Have you heard stories about the glory of God touching people, and want to know more about how you can experience that in your life? In today's episode, Evangelist Caleb Wampler, is joined by his mother Gayle Wampler. She shares her powerful testimony of being touched by the manifest presence of God when she was a teenager. Growing up as a pastor’s child, Gayle had good and bad experiences in the church. Something inside of her wanted more of the Lord, but she couldn't seem to find Him in her life, leading her to doubt that He cared for her. One particular night, she was sitting in the back of the church her father pastored when she felt pulled to respond to the altar call. In the moments to come, Gayle experienced the manifest presence of God, like nothing she had ever experienced before. A brilliant light, brighter than the sun, threw her to her feet, and she went flat down on her back. God touched her life, calling her into a deeper relationship with Him. In this episode, Gayle shares why His presence is crucial in every believer's life. Without His presence, there would just be religion. If something inside of you is stirring to get to know Him deeper, rest assured that through God's presence, you can meet Him personally. In Hebrews 10:36 (NLT), it says, "patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." Tune in to episode 12 to receive prayer from Gayle on seeing the glory of God in your life! Check out Evangelist Caleb's new book 'Hunger: For those who know there is more', to continue on this journey of intimacy with Jesus.
Matthew 8–10 Matthew 8–10 (Listen) Jesus Cleanses a Leper 8 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper1 came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus2 stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” The Faith of a Centurion 5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant,3 ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel4 have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment. Jesus Heals Many 14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” The Cost of Following Jesus 18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” Jesus Calms a Storm 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” Jesus Heals Two Men with Demons 28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes,5 two demon-possessed6 men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region. Jesus Heals a Paralytic 9 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing7 their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. Jesus Calls Matthew 9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 10 And as Jesus8 reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” A Question About Fasting 14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast,9 but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed 18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly10 the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district. Jesus Heals Two Blind Men 27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. Jesus Heals a Man Unable to Speak 32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.” The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few 35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” The Twelve Apostles 10 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;11 4 Simon the Zealot,12 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles 5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’13 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers,14 cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics15 or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. Persecution Will Come 16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant16 above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign17 those of his household. Have No Fear 26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.18 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?19 And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Not Peace, but a Sword 34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Rewards 40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” Footnotes [1] 8:2 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 [2] 8:3 Greek he [3] 8:9 Or bondservant [4] 8:10 Some manuscripts not even in Israel [5] 8:28 Some manuscripts Gergesenes; some Gerasenes [6] 8:28 Greek daimonizomai (demonized); also verse 33; elsewhere rendered oppressed by demons [7] 9:4 Some manuscripts perceiving [8] 9:10 Greek he [9] 9:14 Some manuscripts add much, or often [10] 9:22 Greek from that hour [11] 10:3 Some manuscripts Lebbaeus, or Lebbaeus called Thaddaeus [12] 10:4 Greek kananaios, meaning zealot [13] 10:7 Or The kingdom of heaven has come near [14] 10:8 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 [15] 10:10 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin [16] 10:24 Or bondservant; also verse 25 [17] 10:25 Greek lacks will they malign [18] 10:28 Greek Gehenna [19] 10:29 Greek assarion, Roman copper coin (Latin quadrans) worth about 1/16 of a denarius (which was a day’s wage for a laborer) (ESV)
Matthew 8–10 Matthew 8–10 (Listen) Jesus Cleanses a Leper 8 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper1 came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus2 stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” The Faith of a Centurion 5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant,3 ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel4 have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment. Jesus Heals Many 14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” The Cost of Following Jesus 18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” Jesus Calms a Storm 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” Jesus Heals Two Men with Demons 28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes,5 two demon-possessed6 men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region. Jesus Heals a Paralytic 9 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing7 their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. Jesus Calls Matthew 9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 10 And as Jesus8 reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” A Question About Fasting 14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast,9 but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed 18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly10 the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district. Jesus Heals Two Blind Men 27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. Jesus Heals a Man Unable to Speak 32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.” The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few 35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” The Twelve Apostles 10 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;11 4 Simon the Zealot,12 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles 5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’13 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers,14 cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics15 or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. Persecution Will Come 16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant16 above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign17 those of his household. Have No Fear 26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.18 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?19 And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Not Peace, but a Sword 34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Rewards 40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” Footnotes [1] 8:2 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 [2] 8:3 Greek he [3] 8:9 Or bondservant [4] 8:10 Some manuscripts not even in Israel [5] 8:28 Some manuscripts Gergesenes; some Gerasenes [6] 8:28 Greek daimonizomai (demonized); also verse 33; elsewhere rendered oppressed by demons [7] 9:4 Some manuscripts perceiving [8] 9:10 Greek he [9] 9:14 Some manuscripts add much, or often [10] 9:22 Greek from that hour [11] 10:3 Some manuscripts Lebbaeus, or Lebbaeus called Thaddaeus [12] 10:4 Greek kananaios, meaning zealot [13] 10:7 Or The kingdom of heaven has come near [14] 10:8 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 [15] 10:10 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin [16] 10:24 Or bondservant; also verse 25 [17] 10:25 Greek lacks will they malign [18] 10:28 Greek Gehenna [19] 10:29 Greek assarion, Roman copper coin (Latin quadrans) worth about 1/16 of a denarius (which was a day’s wage for a laborer) (ESV)
Our guest this week has been known for her serving heart and spirit of hospitality. Maria joins us to discuss how Jesus pursued her throughout her life. Through her children and friendships, Jesus continues to lead and draw her closer to Himself!Who in your life has brought you closer to God? Have you talked to them in a while?
Jesus Guides His Church to Forgive as God Forgives, Week 4, September 27, 2020 Readings for this Week:First Lesson: Genesis 50:15-21: Joseph had forgiven his brothers their terrible deeds. Through his tears, Joseph never wavered, but he calmed his brothers’ fears, forgave them like God forgives and set them free from their prison of the past.Psalm 103: Praise the Lord; He forgives all your sins, a beautiful psalm of comfort.Second Lesson: Ephesians 4:29-5:2: Forgiveness is the primary mark of the Christian. We forgive because God forgave us in Christ. That makes us imitators of God.Gospel and Sermon Text: Matthew 18:21-35: Jesus’ parable contrasts the forgiveness of God and our own unforgiving nature. Who can comprehend the forgiveness of God? Have mercy on us, Lord, and teach us to forgive like you!Sermon: Jesus Guides His Church to Forgive as God ForgivesIsn’t it easy to think of ourselves as good Christians? I suspect that Peter thought he was a pretty good Christian to suggest forgiving the same person seven times. As it turns out, seven times is not particularly generous, Jesus said. Jesus wants the members of his church to forgive as God forgives; to do as they pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” He wants us to remember that our immense debt of sin has been forgiven, completely wiped out.Let us rejoice that God has graciously and generously forgiven us, and then let’s forgive others as God forgives us.Pastor Nathan Kassulke
Psalm 51 is one of the most raw and brutally honest passages in the entire Bible as David’s surrender and submission to God finally happens following his sin with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. … Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. (Psalm 51:1-4, 7-12 NLT) It is common knowledge that blood stains are almost impossible to remove. Painting white over red until the crimson tint completely disappears takes many, many coats. David’s language reflects those thoughts. He longs to not feel stained or dirty or guilty or broken or disloyal or isolated any longer. We all know these feelings much too well. Reflect on David’s understanding of how absolute the removal of any trace of sin God can bring. Like it never happened. David talks about how his rebellion haunts him day and night. Is there sin in your past, or even currently, that haunts you day and night? Listen again to what David asks of God: Have mercy on me … blot out the stain of my sins … Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. (from Psalm 51:1-4, 7-12 NLT) It is likely that whatever the sin that haunts you day or night is not as drastic as the affair and murder that David carries. In confessing and asking forgiveness we are talking to the same God that David did in this passage. We know that God’s forgiveness is as absolute then as it is now. God’s grace never runs out. His mercy never ends. His love never quits. Can you offer the same grace to yourself that God gives? He promises a clean heart, a loyal spirit, joy of the salvation given to us. Pray with me: “O God, thank You for Your mercy, Your unfailing love, Your removal of guilt and Your cleansing of stains. Thank You for Your restoration, but most of all, thank You for Your presence in my life. As above, so below.”
Have you ever been confronted about how different you are from God? Have you ever been angry with Him? Today, Pastor Ben concludes his series in the book of “Jonah” with a message entitled “Running from the Heart of God.” In it, he’ll not only show how God is bringing a message the city of Nineveh, but He’s bringing the same message to His prophet Jonah. It’s a message for many of us, the ones who are running away from God.
Stop, Look, and Listen. Do you hear God? Have you been listening?We have ears to hear but are we listening.Look Out for Joy!© 2020 Adria Wilkins© 2020 Music by Mark Hendricks
“Can you hear me now?” Have you ever felt like saying that to God? Have you ever thought the communication lines between you and God were broken? When God doesn’t seem to answer your prayers, have you wondered if He is listening? Worse yet, maybe He is listening but His answer to your prayer request… The post When Mountains Won’t Move appeared first on Broken Door Ministries.
Daniel 1:1-21. Not trusting God is a sin2 Kings 20:1-19Couple of takeaways…You must decide if you are going to trust man (includes self) or God? Have good boundaries, v. 13 Think beyond yourself, v. 192. Sin always has a consequence"The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.”-Exodus 34:6-73. The consequence of sin is judgementa) judgement teaches us who God isb) judgement informs our behaviorc) Judgement teaches us the Gospel"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”-2 Corinthians 5:21Mental worship…Did you hear anything today that you find hard to believe? Do you ever feel as if your prayers move the heart of God to act on your behalf?What decisions are you making right now that will outlive you?Have you ever experienced God’s judgment and what did it teach you about God? Yourself? The Gospel?How would you summarize the teaching today in one sentence?Has anybody recently expressed a burning desire to know the God you worship?
Have you ever wondered what is going on with how God is portrayed in the Old Testament, blowing people up and flooding the world? And then there is this really loving person named Jesus who we also say is God? Have you also been let down by apologists on the radio who give a pretty weak answers to this question? Well you're not alone, and hopefully our take on the answer to this question will be a little more satisfying. It also based on official Church teach so that's plus ;-) We reference the Vatican II document Dei Verbum which you can access here! We also look at Chapter one of the Book of Ezekiel, which is a wild ride so hold on to your Bibles! Follow along with us here. Intro/Outro Music by Orfeus Other music by Michael Ramir C. thanks to mixkit.co
Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 26-27 ESV, Ch. 28 NET Support Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here. Thoughts Have you ever made a promise to God? Have you ever been... The post LSFAB0069: Matthew 26-28 first appeared on Lifespring! Media.
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Today's Bible Translation Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 26-27 ESV, Ch. 28 NET Support Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here. Thoughts Have you ever made a promise to God? Have you ever been so much in love with Him that you just knew you would always be right in the center of His will? Or let’s dial it back a notch or fifty. Have you ever made a promise to your spouse, your significant other, or even just a friend? And have you ever failed to deliver on that promise? When you break a promise made to a human being, that’s one thing. Ideally you apologize, they forgive you, and you move forward. But when you make a promise to God, that’s BIG, right? In verse 23, Peter says to Jesus, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Peter was one who often spoke from his heart. I think he really believed what he said, because emotionally, at that moment he could not imagine forsaking Jesus. But guess what. Emotions ebb and flow. And when we speak or make commitments based on emotions, we are going to be making promises we cannot keep, which is what Peter did here. So let’s get back to you and me now. I know I’ve made promises that over time I ended up breaking. Promises to people, and promises to God. How about you? Sometimes the broken promises to people create broken relationships. What about broken promises to God? What happened when Peter broke his promise to never fall away? First, when he realized what he had done, it broke his heart. And later, as we shall see in subsequent chapters, Jesus forgave Peter and Peter went on to become one of the early church’s leaders, as Jesus said he would. So when I break a promise to God, as soon as I realize it, I’m on my knees confessing and asking forgiveness. And just as He saw Peter’s remorse and then forgave him, God sees my broken heart and forgives me. Listen. God is not surprised by our failures. Do you think that Jesus was surprised by Peter’s failure? Of course not. As a matter of fact, as soon as Peter made his promise, Jesus said, “Actually Peter, you not only are going to fall away, but you will deny me three times tonight!” So if Jesus knew that Peter was going to fail then, do you think He knew that Peter was going to break that promise a few nights before when He said that Peter was blessed because God had revealed to him that Jesus was the Son of the Living God? Of course Jesus knew. If you are busy beating yourself up because you have failed, stop it. God can still use you. You didn’t throw a monkey wrench in God’s plans. He will forgive you if you ask Him, and He will accomplish His plan in your life. I promise. But more that that, He promises. And He never breaks a promise.
We welcome Laura Hancock to unpick the recently published from Youth for Christ, The Z to A of Spirituality. It's a fascinating conversation that stimulates all kinds of relevant questions for our youth ministries, including... What is the impact of spiritual experience in the lives of young people? Why do more young people believe in ghosts than God? Have we lost our spiritual awareness? How do we has youth workers facilitate healthy spiritual experience with young people? How do we create youth ministries that are unashamedly spiritual without being weird? What do so many young people have a negative view of church? Do young people believe Jesus was a real person? And just how important is it to equip young people with the tools to share Jesus? And that's just Part 1! Enjoy the conversation... TO REGISTER FOR LIMITLESS OXYGEN: http://www.limitlesselim.co.uk/oxygen TO ORDER A COPY OF THE Z TO A OF SPIRITUALITY: https://yfc.co.uk/faithandspirituality/
How does the wrath of God manifest itself, according to the Scriptures?There is no short answer to that question, because the answers are many, depending on an enormous array of circumstances. God’s wrath wiped out almost the entire human race at the Flood. Sometimes God’s punishment of his own covenant people is remedial. Sometimes it is immediate, not the least because it then tends to be instructive (like the defeat of the people at Ai after Achan stole some silver and fine Babylonian clothes): at other times, God forbears, which at one level is gracious, but granted the perversity of God’s image-bearers, is likely to let things get out of hand. The final display of God’s wrath is hell itself (see, for instance, Rev. 14:6ff.).Romans 1:18ff pictures the revelation of God’s wrath in a slightly different way. What Paul presents here is not the only thing to say about God’s wrath — even in Paul — but it contributes something very important. Not only is God’s wrath being revealed against “all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness” (Rom. 1:18), but it manifests itself in such sins — that is, in God’s giving people over to do what they want to do (Rom. 1:24-28).In other words, instead of rebuking them in remedial judgment or curtailing their wickedness, God “gave them over”: to “shameful lusts” (Rom. 1:26) and a “depraved mind” (Rom. 1:28). The result is multiplying “wickedness, evil, greed and depravity” (Rom. 1:29). The picture painted in the rest of the verses of Romans 1 is not a pretty one.We must reflect a little further as to what this means. In our shortsightedness we sometimes think God is a little abrupt when in certain passages, not least in the Old Testament, he instantly chastens his people for their sins. But what is the alternative? Quite simply, it is not instantly chastening them. If chastening were merely a matter of remedial education to morally neutral people, the timing and severity would not matter very much; we would learn. But the Bible insists that this side of the Fall we are by nature and persistent choice rebels against God.If we are chastened, we whine at God’s severity. If we are not chastened, we descend into debauchery until the very foundations of society are threatened. We may then cry to God for mercy. Well and good, but at least we should see that it would have been a mercy if we had not been permitted to descend so far down into the abyss.Granted the shape and trends in Western culture, does this not argue that we are already under the severe wrath of God? Have mercy, Lord! This podcast is designed to be used alongside TGC's Read The Bible initiative (TGC.org/readthebible). The podcast features devotional commentaries from D.A. Carson’s book For the Love of God (vol. 1) that follow the M’Cheyne Bible reading plan.
Have you ever felt you were on the outs from God? Have you ever felt you were on the outs from your parents? What did you do about it? Listen and hear the way Paul addresses this in his letter to the Romans, chapter 11, reminding his readers (you and me) to use God's gifts and God's call on our live to reach those who truly feel they are on the outs from God. Today's devotional addresses how some parents should be dealing with their children.
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