Podcasts about god himself

Practical, Biblical advice if you are looking for a partner.The Bible, which begins and ends with a wedding, reveals the unique importance which God Himself attaches to marriage.Support the show

Practical, Biblical advice if you are looking for a partner.The Bible, which begins and ends with a wedding, reveals the unique importance which God Himself attaches to marriage.Support the show

Change can be exciting, but it can also leave you feeling like the ground is constantly shifting beneath your feet. A new job, changing relationships, family challenges, uncertainty in the world, or simply trying to keep up with a rapidly changing culture can create stress and anxiety. When everything around you feels unpredictable, Isaiah 33:6 offers a powerful reminder: God Himself is your stability. You don't have to predict every change or have every answer before you can move forward. God's character doesn't change even when your circumstances do. While the world may offer conflicting advice and plenty of reasons to panic, God promises to provide the wisdom, knowledge, and strength you need for whatever is in front of you. When you make God your ultimate treasure, you can face changing times with confidence because your foundation isn't changing with your circumstances. Highlights How to find stability when your work, relationships, or circumstances are constantly changing Why God's unchanging character provides confidence in uncertain times What Isaiah 33:6 teaches about God's provision of wisdom, knowledge, and salvation How relying on God can help you navigate challenges you've never faced before Understanding what it means to have “the fear of the Lord” How the Holy Spirit provides peace and stability in the middle of change Practical questions to help you slow down, reconnect with God, and seek His wisdom Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Find Stability in Changing Times By: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading:“And he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” – Isaiah 33:6, ESV Right now, I’m leading a project at work to increase the visibility of our university center’s website content in artificial intelligence search results. For years, my focus was on traditional SEO – optimizing our pages for classic search engines. While those traditional methods are still important, we’re currently living through a massive communications revolution. People are moving away from traditional online search. They’re increasingly using AI tools to find online content. Being on the cutting edge of change is exciting, but it’s also stressful. The best practices for AI visibility are evolving as AI evolves, so my team and I must adapt to constant change. While I lead this effort, I’m grateful to God for being my stability. I know I can always rely on God’s unchanging strength to help me with whatever I need in these rapidly changing times. What kind of changes are you dealing with in your own life right now? Maybe you’re going through a change at work, in your relationships, or with something else that’s important to you. Even dealing with all the uncertainty of events in the news can be stressful. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re dealing with lots of change happening around you. But you don’t need to worry about whether or not you’ll be able to manage change well if you rely on God as your source of stability. Isaiah 33:6 promises that God himself will be your stability in your changing times. When everything around you seems uncertain, God remains completely reliable. This verse also describes how God will give you stability by providing an “abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.” If you look to the world for answers in changing times, you’ll often find conflicting opinions and panic. But if you look to the Lord, he will generously pour out the wisdom and knowledge you need to manage change well. If you face a problem at work that you’ve never encountered before, God will help you solve it. If you’re trying to parent a child through a challenging season, God will teach you how to do so well. You don’t have to try to predict where all the change around you will lead, because you‘re connected to God, who leads you well because he loves you. Finally, Isaiah points out that “the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” In the Bible, the fear of the Lord doesn’t mean being afraid of God. Instead, the fear of the Lord means being in awe of who God is so you’re inspired to relate to God with reverence. When you make the Lord your ultimate treasure, you realize that while your circumstances in this world can change quickly, God’s character never changes. You don’t have to be stressed by all the change around you when you remember that the Holy Spirit lives inside you, offering you a strong and peaceful stability in the middle of change. Intersecting Faith & Life: As you consider how God gives us stability in these changing times, reflect on these questions: In what area of your life right now – such as at work, or in your family – are you feeling the most stress because of a change that’s happening? How does the truth that God promises to be your stability give you the confidence to trust God to help you with the challenges you’re currently facing? Think back to a past season of your life when you went through a major change. How did God’s Holy Spirit guide you through it, and how can remembering that give you confidence today? How can you slow down this week to take the time you need to connect with the Holy Spirit and receive an abundance of wisdom and knowledge for managing change well? Isaiah mentions that the fear of the Lord is a treasure. How can you look for God’s wonder in your daily life so you’ll be inspired with a sense of awe that will help you relate to God with reverence? Further Reading: Hebrews 13:8 Malachi 3:6 Psalm 46:1-3 James 1:17 Matthew 7:24-25 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Growing In God Podcast Program Number: GIG #317 Title: Our Giving During the Biblical Feasts   Web Description: The Lord commands us to comfort His people and speak kindly to Jerusalem. And a perfect time to follow that commandment is during the upcoming feast season. Take this time to give to the people of Israel, who have suffered greatly since October 7, 2023. Please consider supporting Israel through Hargrave Ministries, where all your donations for Israel go directly to organizations that assist the people there, combat anti-Semitism, and educate Christians on our Jewish heritage.    Show Notes: Hargrave Ministries is committed to following the command of the Lord to comfort His people. We consistently give to projects in Israel that provide not only financial support but also physical and emotional support to the people. And Israel needs our support today even more than when we started our ministry of giving. Ever since the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023, and the wars that followed, the people of Israel have experienced great trauma and difficulty. Now is the time to minister comfort to Israel.   Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed. And Christians need to be blessing Israel. When we give to Israel, something comes through to the people there, letting them know that people from all over the world are with them, comforting them, standing with them, and believing with them to see all the prophecies and the promises of the Word of God come true over the Jewish people and over the land of Israel. The coming feast times are a wonderful opportunity to express our faith for the fulfillment of God's blessings on Israel.   The projects supported by Hargrave Ministries are an excellent way to express this faith. Listen to this podcast and visit www.hargraveministries.org/israel-projects to learn about these organizations and the tremendous work they do to bring healing and material aid to those who have suffered greatly in this time. These are all nonprofit entities in Israel that we have worked closely with for more than eight years and affirm their integrity. And 100% of your donations for Israel through Hargrave Ministries goes to these organizations.   Key Verses:   •       Isaiah 40:1–2. "'Comfort, O comfort My people,' says your God. 'Speak kindly to Jerusalem.'" •       Genesis 12:1–3. "I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse." •       Matthew 25:31–40. "Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you." •       Luke 6:38. "Give, and it will be given to you ... a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over." •       James 1:27. "Pure and undefiled religion … is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress." •       Jeremiah 32:41. "I will … faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul."   Quotes:   •       "God blesses and will continue to bless Israel. And when you really see the motivation of God behind it, it is through Israel that God does intend to bless all the families of the earth." •       "How are we blessed? Because we first have blessed Abraham and the seed of Abraham and all of God's Word and promises for Israel and the Jewish people." •       "God Himself is saying this is what He is doing with His whole heart and His whole soul. He is bringing His people back to the land and planting them once again in Israel. And we want to be part of helping that happen."   Takeaways:   1.    During this season of the fall feasts, we can be a blessing to Israel through our prayers, our finances, and our faith. We can speak kindly to Jerusalem, and we can comfort His people in this time of great tragedy that they have faced since the October 7 attacks. 2.    If we can sweep away the lies of satan about Israel that come through anti-Semitism, we will see God's love and purpose in choosing Israel. 3.    In all the celebration and rejoicing of the feast season, let us also find a place in our hearts to give to Israel and bless the seed of Abraham according to the Word of God in Genesis 12: "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you."

Practical, Biblical advice if you are looking for a partner.The Bible, which begins and ends with a wedding, reveals the unique importance which God Himself attaches to marriage.2Support the show

Paul and Silas didn't end up in prison by accident, and they didn't worship their way out of it by waiting until things got better. Pastor Mattie walks through Acts 16 to show that the most powerful moments in the kingdom happen not when we chase God encounters, but when we chase God Himself. Wherever He places you, including the places that feel like prison, is exactly where He intends to move.Support the show

“Then Gideon said to God, ‘If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.’ And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water.” (Judges 6:36–38 NLT) One of the crucial benefits in learning to be still is that it gives us the opportunity to become more aware of our circumstances. And that’s important because God often speaks to us through circumstances. This is not to say that we should look for God’s hand in every unexpected encounter, every missed opportunity, and every stray comment someone makes. Sometimes circumstances are just circumstances. But I can tell you this: Although I’m not one to base major life decisions on circumstances alone, I’ve experienced occasions when I sensed that something was the will of God and then found that things fell into place circumstantially. I’ve also experienced times when circumstances have made it obvious that God was saying no to something. A classic example of God graciously confirming His word through circumstances is found in the story of Gideon in Judges 6–8. God called Gideon to lead the Israelites against the Midianites. But Gideon had trouble seeing himself as a great military leader, so he asked God to confirm his calling. God worked through the circumstances of the morning dew to assure Gideon that he was the man for the job (see Judges 6:36–38). Likewise, when the prophet Jonah tried to flee from God because he didn’t want to go to Nineveh, God used a storm at sea and a giant fish to bring his journey to an abrupt halt. Of course, not all biblical examples are quite so dramatic. Acts 8:26–40 tells the story of Philip the Evangelist’s encounter with an Ethiopian official. According to verse 29, “The Holy Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and walk along beside the carriage’” (NLT). Philip followed the Spirit’s prompting and led the Ethiopian official to Christ. He obeyed the Spirit’s prompting and recognized the opportunity God had placed before him. Two thousand years later, God still works through circumstances involving other people. For example, there have been times when I was listening to someone preach or was talking with a friend and suddenly realized that what the person was saying addressed a situation I was going through, even though the person was completely unaware of my circumstances. Those occasions made me realize that it was God Himself who was speaking to me through those individuals. Maybe God has spoken to you through a pastor or a Christian friend. Or perhaps He has been speaking to you through circumstances. If so, pay attention. You’ll be glad you did. Reflection question: How has God guided you through circumstances in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathy Williamson believed in God — but she knew there had to be more. Then one night on her bathroom floor, she experienced the Holy Spirit in a way she never imagined.After years of hidden shame, anger, bitterness, and unexplained spiritual torment, Kathy began desperately pursuing God — praying for ten months for the gift of tongues. What followed was a two-and-a-half-hour encounter with the Holy Spirit that included speaking in tongues, visions, supernatural deliverance, and a physical manifestation she describes as black tar leaving her body. Her husband heard it happening through the door and started recording.But Kathy's story isn't ultimately about chasing supernatural experiences or spiritual gifts — it's about discovering intimacy with God. She shares what happened when she stopped simply believing in God and started surrendering her life to truly know Him, and why she believes anyone seeking encounters, healing, deliverance, or spiritual gifts should pursue God Himself first.If you're hungry to experience more of God, hear His voice, understand the Holy Spirit, or walk in greater spiritual freedom, this conversation is for you.----------✟ Small Group Questions From This Episode⇨ How does Kathy's story challenge our understanding of what it means to truly seek God with our whole heart? ⇨ What does her experience reveal about the cost and the beauty of obedience, especially when God asks for something difficult?⇨ How does Kathy's encounter illustrate the Holy Spirit's power to heal past wounds and transform identity? ✟ Bible References for Further Study⇨ John 15:4–5 ⇨ Romans 8:1⇨ James 4:8 ----------

Send us Fan MailLEARN TO LAUGH AGAINSenior Pastor Keith Stewart August 30, 2026Sometimes life becomes so heavy that we forget what it feels like to laugh. Laughter doesn't deny our pain or pretend that everything is okay. Sometimes it is one of the first signs that healing has begun—that we are regaining perspective, reconnecting with others, and rediscovering the joy God never intended us to lose. This Sunday at Springcreek, we're going to laugh together and explore God's gift of joy in a message called LEARN TO LAUGH AGAIN. If life has gotten the better of you lately, this message is especially for you.Discussion Questions 1. Who is someone who consistently makes you laugh? What is it about that person or your relationship that creates laughter? 2. Read Ecclesiastes 3.1–4. Why do you think Scripture places “a time to laugh” alongside experiences such as weeping and mourning? What does this suggest about the place of laughter in a healthy spiritual life? 3. The message described laughter as power, perspective, and perseverance. Which of these have you experienced most clearly? Can you share a time when laughter helped you endure something difficult? 4. Read Luke 6.21: “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” What kind of hope is Jesus offering to people who are suffering? How is this different from simply telling someone to cheer up? 5. Jesus used exaggeration and absurd imagery—such as a plank in someone's eye or swallowing a camel—to expose uncomfortable truths. Why can humor sometimes help us recognize something about ourselves that we might resist if it were communicated through criticism? 6. “Laughter is the shortest distance between two hearts.” How has shared laughter helped you connect with someone, reduce tension, or feel less alone? 7. Read Proverbs 14.13. How can laughter become a mask that conceals sadness, fear, or pain? How can we create relationships in which people feel safe enough to let others see what is behind the laughter? 8. What is the difference between humor that heals and humor that wounds? What warning signs tell us that a joke, sarcasm, or teasing has crossed the line and become harmful? 9. Paul wrote repeatedly about joy while living through suffering and imprisonment. What is the difference between happiness based on circumstances and joy rooted in God's presence? 10. Is there an area of your life that has become so heavy that you have lost some of your capacity for joy or laughter? What might returning to the source of your joy—God Himself—look like for you this week? Closing Reflection Pray for those in the group who are carrying especially heavy burdens. Ask God to help everyone face sorrow honestly, receive the support of others, rediscover the joy of His presence, and recognize the moments when healing allows them to laugh again.

Zephaniah is one of the shortest, most intense, and ultimately magnificent voices in the prophetic corpus. Only three chapters long, the book delivers a concentrated theology of judgment, grace, and redemption, spannning the seventh century BC to the end of history. The Prophet and His Lineage Zephaniah opens with a genealogy unlike any other prophet in Scripture. He traces his ancestry back four generations: the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah. This lineage identifies him as of royal blood, a great-great-grandson of the good king Hezekiah and thus cousin to King Josiah, in whose reign he prophesied. His name, צפניה, means "The LORD has hidden" or "Yahweh has treasured." It is a name full of prophetic irony and hope, pointing to the remnant whom God will shelter in the day of His wrath. The Historical Horizon and the Day of the LORD Zephaniah ministered in Judah during the (likely early) reign of King Josiah, when the nation was spiritually sick, hollowed out by decades of idolatry under Manasseh and Amon. His prophecy proclaims "the Day of the LORD," a cosmic intervention carrying a dual horizon: The Near: The impending devastation of Judah and Jerusalem - destruction and exile under Babylon. The Far: Ultimate, universal reckoning at the end of the age, when all wickedness is swept away. Zephaniah cuts straight to the root of Judah's sin in chapter 1:12. The LORD declares that He will search Jerusalem with lamps to expose the complacent, those settling into practical atheism who say in their hearts, "The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill." It is the sin of spiritual apathy, living as if God is silent, passive, or absent. But judgment is not God's final word. In 3:9, He promises a reversal of fortune: "For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord." The book culminates in one of the most breathtaking passages in all of scripture. The judgments are cast out, the enemy cleared away, and the true King of Israel is declared to be in Zion's midst: "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." The Hebrew word for "who will save" is yoshi'a (יֹושִׁ֑יעַ), sharing the direct root and meaning of the name Jesus (Yeshua), the One who saves His people from their sins. Here, in the shadows of the Old Covenant, we see King Jesus Himself: the warrior who rescues, the shepherd who quiets fear with His love; God Himself breaking into joyful song over His redeemed.

LESSON 244I Am In Danger Nowhere In The World.Your Son is safe wherever he may be, for You are there with him. He need but call upon Your Name, and he will recollect his safety and Your Love, for they are one. How can he fear or doubt or fail to know he cannot suffer, be endangered, or experience unhappiness, when he belongs to You, beloved and loving, in the safety of Your Fatherly embrace?And there we are in truth. No storms can come into the hallowed haven of our home. In God we are secure. For what can come to threaten God Himself, or make afraid what will forever be a part of Him?- Jesus Christ in ACIM

Preaching from Jonah 3, Pastor Jared Richard opens with a striking observation — the greatest miracle in the book of Jonah may not be the great fish at all, but the repentance of Nineveh, one of the most wicked cities in the ancient world. Drawing on the deliberate literary parallels between Jonah 1 and Jonah 3, Pastor Jared shows that God's second call to Jonah is more than a plot device. It is a picture of mercy — the same mercy God has extended to all of His people, and the very reason we go to the lost. Just as God gave Jonah another chance to rise in obedience, He has given us, through new birth in Christ, not just a second chance but the Spirit-empowered ability to take advantage of it. From there, Pastor Jared turns to what we trust in as we go — the Word of God. He points out that from Jonah 3:5 forward, Jonah himself virtually disappears from the narrative, and it is the Word that does the work. Even with a divided heart, Jonah spoke what God gave him to say, and God used it mightily. Drawing on Philippians 1:15-18, Pastor Jared reminds the church that the mission of God does not depend on our eloquence, our apologetic skill, or even the perfect condition of our hearts — it depends on the faithful declaration of God's Word and trust in the power of His Spirit. Finally, the repentance of Nineveh — believing God, humbling themselves, crying out to Him, and turning from their evil ways — gives the church a clear and compelling picture of what Biblical repentance looks like. And because we carry a greater message than Jonah ever did, the incarnate Word of God Himself in the Lord Jesus Christ, we go with even greater confidence and an even greater promise to offer the lost. WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Take a moment to fill out our digital connection card here: https://www.bayleaf.org/connect We hope you enjoy this programming and please let us know if there is anything we can do to be of service to you. ONE CHURCH. TWO LOCATIONS. ONE MISSION. Bay Leaf at Falls Lake: 12200 Bayleaf Church Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27614 Bay Leaf at 540: 10921 Leesville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613 SERVICE TIMES Come join us on Sundays at Bay Leaf at Falls Lake (8:30 AM or 11:00 AM) or at Bay Leaf at 540 (10:00 AM) CONTACT www.bayleaf.org (919) 847-4477 #BayLeafLife #Worship #Inspiration

Sunday Aug 18th 7am (pst) / 10am (est) LIVE-Stream Bible Study on Sunday Mornings... Marriage is not a contract. It is a divine covenant witnessed by God Himself—permanent, exclusive, and unbreakable.Natural reason already demands indissolubility for the good of the children and the fidelity of the spouses. Divorce doesn't just break a promise—it violates the very order God built into creation.In this short we open God's Word and let Scripture settle the matter once and for all.Is this just an "old-fashioned" viewpoint… or the unchanging truth of God?  Watch video format here: https://youtube.com/live/Qwj1XU53HEc 

What is justice according to the Bible—and who gets to define it? In this episode of Take Heart, Cory Wing argues that justice does not begin with politics, social media, slogans, or cultural movements, but with the character of God Himself.Walking through Deuteronomy 32, Micah 6, Leviticus 19, Proverbs 17, Ecclesiastes 8, Romans 13, Matthew 18, and the cross of Christ, Cory shows that biblical justice is impartial, truthful, merciful, humble, and rooted in God’s holiness.Christians are called to reject partiality, protect the vulnerable, tell the truth, confront evil, pursue restoration, and trust the righteous Judge who will ultimately set all things right.

Practical, Biblical advice if you are looking for a partner.The Bible, which begins and ends with a wedding, reveals the unique importance which God Himself attaches to marriage.Support the show

Peace and Joy: Special Patreon Release with Kay Wyma   “So, as God's own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper];” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭AMP‬‬   *Transcription Below*   Questions We Discuss: Will you elaborate on this concept of a Soul30? What were your favorite stories from this adventure? How has this peace project changed the way you will live life from this point forward?   Kay Wyma is a mom, blogger, podcaster, and author of four books in which she has tackled, with candor and humor, some of the troubling societal issues that impact us all. Kay's writings have led her to appearances on TODAY, CNN, Hallmark's Home & Family, and more. Before staying at home with her kids, she held positions at the White House and Bank of America. She lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and five kids. Connect with Kay at kaywyma.com or on Instagram @kaywyma.   At The Savvy Sauce, we will only recommend resources we believe in! We also want you to be aware: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.   The Peace Project   Thank You to Our Sponsors: Chick-fil-A East Peoria and The Savvy Sauce Charities (and donate online here)   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”   Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”   Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”   Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”   John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger: (0:09 - 2:47) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   I want to say a huge thank you to today's sponsors for this episode, Chick-fil-A East Peoria, and Savvy Sauce Charities.   If this is your first time here, welcome! You may be wondering what it means to have a special Patreon release, so here's the scoop. Patreon was a platform we used to generate financial support for The Savvy Sauce, and we expressed our thanks to those paying patrons by giving them a bonus episode every month.   But in 2024, we transitioned away from Patreon when we became a non-profit called the Savvy Sauce Charities. The podcast is part of this non-profit, which exists to resource loved ones to inspire growth and intimacy with God and others. So, people used to pay to support us through Patreon, but now they can just donate directly to our non-profit.   We spend thousands of dollars each year to record and produce these episodes, and we do pray that they're beneficial and that God sees fit to use them to be transformational in your life. If that is the case, if you have ever benefited from an episode of The Savvy Sauce, would you consider showing your gratitude through your financial generosity? Any amount is greatly appreciated.   In fact, if every listener gave only $1 per month, it would completely offset our costs. We have all the details on our website, thesavvysauce.com, but feel free to also reach out to our team anytime if you want to partner together. Our email address is info@thesavvysauce.com.   And now I'm pleased to share this episode with you that used to only be available to paying patrons. Kay Wyma is my returning guest today. She is vibrant, and her curiosity sometimes leads to experiments in her life. Her most recent experiment turned into a book, and now she's going to let us in on three areas of focus that added peace and joy to her life. This process is based on Scripture and validated in science. Here's our chat.   Welcome back to The Savvy Sauce, Kay.   Kay Wyma: (2:48 - 2:52) Thank you so much for having me. You're really sweet to put up with me again.   Laura Dugger: (2:53 - 3:07) Well, it was a delight last time, and I'm excited for today as well. And I'm so fascinated by your history of different careers and roles you've had. So, will you tell us a little bit more about all that you've experienced professionally?   Kay Wyma: (3:08 - 5:44) Oh my gosh, it's so funny, Laura, because people will read the bio as they could for any of us that are in our mid-50s, and I'm sitting there going, I'm exhausted listening to that. But the deal is that they didn't happen all at the same time, but I just had a really great opportunity to do some interesting stuff. And one of them, especially in my 20s, I got to work in the George Herbert Walker Bush, so 41 White House, and I was a lead advance for the vice president.   And so, I pretty much got to travel all over the country and a lot of very interesting places in the world during that period. And it was a blast. I got to set up the trips as they would go traveling to these places with the Secret Service and White House Communications. And it just was an amazing way, an opportunity to get to see the world. And then I went on to graduate school and got an MBA and ended up somehow in an international investment banking role, which is laughable because I cannot even help my children with fifth grade math. So, I don't know who that person was that did that.   But I used to be able to do things that way. I can't anymore. And then I had kids, which was such a blessing. I'd met my husband at graduate school when we got married after I'd finished my stint in the White House and had kids right off the bat. And during that time, I really did try to piggyback. That was back in the day when women were allowed to job share, and I just couldn't do it. The more kids that came, the harder it was. And so I stayed at home with my kids, started a couple of businesses here and there, and then found myself in the world of writing. And I didn't plan on it. I kind of say I was an accidental writer, but I don't think anything is really an accident. It's not something that I was educated to do. However, I loved it.   And I look back now and look at the great education that I had gotten and honestly how much I loved writing even as a child. I just didn't know that was something that you could do because back in that day there were, and I'm not that old, but there really were careers that were careers that you sort of went to that made sense from a sensible banking father. It's like, here are your choices for a degree plan. And so, I love how just even gravitating towards what you're gifting a purpose is, which we talked about before, it's just those things are in you, and it's fun to see how they will come out and how fun that it can even come out in a way where it's your vocation. And so here I sit as a writer, crazy.   Laura Dugger: (5:44 - 6:00) Which is so great to hear the journey because you would think the math and the different skills required for international banking and then to become a successful author, that's so interesting. And this is so random and I could be wrong. Were your parents ever on Focus on the Family?   Kay Wyma: (6:01 - 6:54) Well, they could have been. I have the greatest parents. I really do. They're so kind and they're just really terrific people. And so, they became friends, like they're friends with Dr. Dobson. And so, I don't know if they were. That's another really gift they gave us. You just do it in front of you and you don't really make a big deal about anything. And I love that. Everybody puts their pants on the same way, which is one thing I loved even about working at the White House because some of the stuff can look so glamorous and go. But the truth is, we're all just people. And the Lord has put in certain people's paths, things to do that could look really amazing and spectacular. But the amazing and spectacular is around you every single day, even if it might not have something. And for my kids would be like that have a million followers or that has gone viral. But they are there. I'm very blessed, Laura, with very nice parents.   Laura Dugger: (6:55 - 7:03) Well, you've mentioned before that you battled an eating disorder growing up. Do you feel comfortable sharing a little bit more about that journey?   Kay Wyma: (7:04 - 8:39) Absolutely. So, I definitely battled that. And again, I have a wonderful family that I grew up in, a home that I grew up in. But I also grew up in an environment where performance was a big deal, which it is today, too. So many kids are struggling with that. Oh, my gosh, so terribly. And whatever you're struggling with, because it could be for me, it was performance. And the way that I learned, the way that I coped with it was through eating and not eating. And a lot of just getting rid of the food that I had eaten.   And there just came a day when I was in college that thankfully the Lord, the Lord just showed me one night that this is not a good thing. So, I actually left that semester of college to get help. And it changed my life. I was telling one of the girls yesterday, my girls, how grateful I am for that because I had never really understood or even contemplated the concept of grace. I just didn't know that was something I'd heard it, but I didn't know what it was. And I didn't know a whole lot about my worth having been declared by God and my identity having been determined by him. And I will say at 55, I know a lot more about it than I did even then at 19 or 20, but it was going through that journey, asking for help, stopping what was hurting me and reaching for truth that put me on a road to actually learn a lot of just what it means when he says it is for freedom that I have set you free.   Laura Dugger: (8:40 - 9:00) And the reason that I bring up the eating disorder is from a previous podcast. I can't remember which one, but elsewhere I'd heard you say that you stay away from the whole 30 diet, but you were intrigued one day to instead try a soul 30. So, will you share that story with us too?   Kay Wyma: (9:01 - 14:47) I will. And I do, I have to tell you, I, since, since I was 20, I've steered clear of scales and I really do steer clear of diets for me because they don't do good things in my head. And so, one thing that I learned through all of that was that you, you can't change an environment. Often you can't change the environment that you're in, but you can change the way you operate within the environment. Biggest lesson that I learned through all of that, like, please hear that. It was so life altering as I stood going, I can't change this environment, but I can change how I interact with it.   Okay. And so, the whole 30, I do find intriguing, you know, because people, if you're going to do something physically, like to make your diet better, a lot of people do that. And so, for 30 days, they, they exit a ton out of their diet. I don't know everything about it because I am a big chicken. And I think they, if, if I was going to do it, the thing that would be the killer for me is not being able to have cream in your coffee. You know, it's like, that's a deal breaker for me right there.   But the soul 30 it all started one morning. Again, I think I told you on the last one that like, even the experiment with the putting the stuff, like helping the kids with independence started with my rotten attitude. Well, this started with the rotten attitude too. And we aren't always doing experiments in our house, but I just had this bad attitude one morning as I'd come home from carpool. I had women coming over to my house. I leave a Bible study that meets on Tuesdays. And I was just going to the refrigerator to get milk out to be able to serve coffee. And there were two jugs of milk in our fridge. I pull the first one out and it's empty. And I'm like, what? And the second one, I pull it out. It's empty too. Like maybe a drop in it. And quite frankly, I could have put it back going, well, there's a drop of milk in it, but I don't know why people do that. Like in our house, it could be the same with a cereal box. Like you pull the box out, there's nothing in it. And I'm like, just throw it away. Like, please.   And so I was frustrated. I get out into my car to go to the grocery store. And as I drive back out into the street, this big black pickup truck, literally like road routes its way into my face. And I was sort of like, really? And, and I didn't have a choice, but to back down because he was not going to let me go. And so as I started to back up, I looked up and I got to see this beautiful sun like peeking through this cloudy sky. And, and it was so beautiful. I was like, what am I doing? Like why am I in a crabby mood or frustrated by this? I'm in an air-conditioned car on my way to a grocery store where there are refrigerated items and there are people, somebody actually might say hello. Okay. Cause I go in there all the time and I was sort of like; everything is not bad.   And I started to breathe. And I didn't realize in that moment that I was, I was being thankful. Like I just, it just happened. And, and in that I really was breathing. And I like felt better inside of me. I back up and let the guy go legitimately, which again, I did not realize it in the moment, but it was an act of kindness. And I felt even better. And when he drove by, I looked in his window and I was sitting there going, I have, it was a human being first of all. And I recognize that. And just for a moment, I was like, I have no idea what's going on in his day. He could be raced into the hospital. He could be late for work. He could just, you know, be a jerky person and, and life as long as a jerky person. And, and I just was, I wasn't over spiritualizing or anything, but I prayed for him. I was like, please let whatever's going on in his day be okay. Because if he's that intense, something is not great.   And I drove to the grocery store, and I physically felt so good. It was like, like I had been given a joke Cola or something like I, Or some vitamin that was just a blast of energy. And it lasted. By the time ladies got over, I was like, you're gonna believe what happened this morning. It was so weird. And I told them about it the next week they came back and one of the ladies said, can you tell me again? What that story? And I was like, what story? And the lady next to her goes, Oh, I've been doing it. And I was like, doing what? And she goes, your thing. I was like, what is my thing? And she said, Oh, the thankfulness, kindness, and compassion. And as we talked about it again, I was sitting there going, is that something because it had deeply impacted this person that was trying it even for a week.   And I really sat there going, okay, we would do a whole 30 for a physical diet. Something in these practices is impacting the soul. And I was like, what if we tried a soul 30 and for 30 days, proactively practiced thankfulness, kindness, and mercy, because that's what compassion is a part of mercy. What would happen? And so it was sort of like, let's do it. And these very sweet friends were willing to try as were my kids. And so instead of like pulling something away, which is what a fast is that goes with a whole 30, we sort of switched it to this unbelievable soul feast that came with doing these things. It was unbelievable. The joy that came into everyone's life when they started doing this stuff. I mean, it was amazing. And so as I tracked it, I really did track it because I like to know why it was sort of like, why is this happening? What's going on? What is in these things that actually can impact your life at such a deep, deep level to where joy is invited in and peace.   Laura Dugger: (14:49 - 15:00) And so, like you said, you focus on thankfulness, kindness, and mercy in this most recent book, The Peace Project, but will you define and give examples of each of those?   Kay Wyma: (15:01 - 19:08) Yes. And I think that is such a great way to start because it's like, okay, what, what is it even on the soul 30? I was like, here's what you do. Okay. Here is what thankfulness says, because I went to look like, if I'm going to ask, please do these things, here's what they are. So, thankfulness is calling out things for which to be grateful. And for our family, for my kids, I was like, please let it not be the same thing every day. Although now a year and a half out, what difference does it make? It could be the same thing every day. But for them, I was like, don't let it be the same thing. And it can be more than one thing, because the thing with thankfulness, when you start it, it's like, it may take a little effort to go, what do I have to be thankful for? Especially in a situation that's unsettling, which is kind of like when that car drove up on me, that was an unsettling moment.   I was being forced down. And there's so much going on in that conversation that isn't spoken, which I think is important to call out in these things. So even as he's barreling up on me, it makes me feel unseen. It makes me feel like there's no, even though it's not spoken, that action brings with it. What thankfulness does is it instantly, it's like a wake up, like it's a focus shift. And so, and it tends to be looking up in some way, and it gets your eyes off of whatever the situation is. And it allows for truth to come in, which is where thankfulness goes, especially in the unsettling. Cause you can say, as I didn't mean to, but I did even in that moment, I am in an air-conditioned car. It is Texas in the summer, for goodness sake, that is a gift. And it's worth calling out. And there's always something for which to be grateful. So that's what thankfulness is.   Kindness is seeing and loving others. And let me tell you something, loving yourself too, because I've learned through this. We are harder on ourselves than we are on anybody else. So seeing and loving others and yourself in deed or action, this component is so significant because you're taking it. Thankfulness is in your thoughts. So you're walking through in your thoughts and you're doing these things. And kindness is where you're going that extra step. And you're actually putting action on it so that even in your mind, because I learned a lot about neural pathways and how our minds can be transformed by this, which is sort of where we started. If your physical health can be impacted by a diet, can my thought health be impacted by doing things that are good for it? And so kindness takes it from the thought to the action. And so even in that, you know, letting that car go, that is so small. And so kindness doesn't have to be moving a mountain. It can be tiny little things.   I've watched my neighbor one morning picking up newspapers and putting them on everybody's porch. And no one was seeing her do that. I accidentally did. And she even told me that day, you know, it's the small things because it is because when that person opens the door, the neighbor opens their door, they know that someone thought of them that day. Like it gives them, whether it's spoken or not, they get a sense of worth by going, I must matter. Somebody cared enough to put my newspaper on my front porch. Tiny, tiny things, as well as big things can be an act of kindness.   And then mercy, that's the showstopper. And it is a challenge and it is beautiful. And the definition of mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. And again, including ourselves. And so as I started to peel back the layers on mercy, there's more and there's more and there's more. And another one of my favorite definitions of it was from a Jesuit priest whose name is James Keenan. And he called mercy the willingness to enter into someone else's chaos, which I actually found to be the most powerful because willingness plays a central role in this whole process because it actually is centered on our significance having been settled by the Lord.   Laura Dugger: (19:09 - 19:17) What surprising discoveries did you make as you deliberately practiced each of these attitudes? And like you said, you partnered them with action steps.   Kay Wyma: (19:18 - 21:54) Yeah, so I think for everybody, we just did a book club just finished last week, even here. And one of the gals said that she has been struggling terribly with anxiety and worry that stemmed a lot. They moved to Florida before the pandemic. And so, she was living in a new place, basically holed up in her house for a year and a half. And those things of worry and anxiety and fear had crept in and had become, you know, on repeat in her mind. And so just because she had signed up for the book club, came with a friend and she didn't really buy any of it because it doesn't matter whether you buy it or not because these things are not for me. Like that's the number one thing. They aren't mine. These really are woven within the greatest commandment. You know, love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind is thankfulness. Your eyes are not on yourself. And love others as you love yourself. And he's not talking about a narcissistic love. He's like genuine caring for others and yourself. There's so much power in that, which includes kindness and mercy.   And so, she simply started doing the thankfulness. She was like, I don't know what the others are, but I know I can track being thankful. I can find a way to be thankful. And she came back after the first week and couldn't believe what it had done to her. Just in practicing thankfulness, which we know through science that there are benefits that occur in your brain just by doing that simple act. And it's clearly proven. You can just Google even the amount of thankfulness journals because it's so good for us. And if you write it down and look at it and see, you're using all these senses. And when you add the kindness and the mercy to it, it's so deeply impactful.   And so, I think the thing that probably surprised me the most is how consistent the piece is and how your neural pathways actually can change. You can actually have your superhighway and your thought process, because we have those ruts in our brain that are highly traveled paths that our thoughts go to. And they tend actually to be along the lines of anxiety or fear or worry, because that's been a part of your life since you were a little kid. And to be able to somehow transition those highest traveled pathways to something that involves kindness and mercy and thankfulness is so significant because your instant reaction is going to a place of peace instead of a place of anxiety. It's like where science meets scripture.   Laura Dugger: (21:54 - 27:25) It's so beautiful. And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Did you know you can go to college tuition-free just by being a team member at Chick-fil-A East Peoria? Yes, you heard that right. Free college education. All Chick-fil-A East Peoria team members in good standing are immediately eligible for a free college education through Point University. Point University is a fully accredited private Christian college located in West Point, Georgia. This online self-paced program includes 13 associates degrees, 17 bachelor's degrees, and two master's programs, including an MBA. 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Were there any other passages that especially seemed to come to life during this project?   Kay Wyma: (27:26 - 29:11) Oh, yes, and they continue to, Laura, as is always the case with scripture. You know, it really is like, wow. But I love the take your thoughts captive and make them obedient to me, which can sound like it's something that I do, you know, that I'm going to have to make my thoughts obedient to him, but it's really the Lord's power that does that. And it's like these things, you know, I think we talked before about, he isn't doing something to us by saying do these things, it's for us. And it's because when you do these things, naturally it is going to set you free. And so, I love that.   I love in Isaiah where it says, “He will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast in him.” And so when you feel that unsettledness, in that unsettledness, we can go to the places of worry or fear or anxiety, but what if in the unsettledness you can go to the one who says, I see you, who says you are known, who says you are a masterpiece, who says you belong because I chose you, who says, “I see you, you are mine.” And then go to those beautiful verses, even in Isaiah where he says, “you'll go through the water and they will not rise up over you and you will go through the fire, yet you will not be burned.” That's the truth because the one who says it is the one who protects us through all those things. And in the willingness aspect of this, it goes to this place where you're trusting what you can't see. And that is the one who has said these things over us to the point where I'm acting on it in places that can feel very scary. And leaning into his safety actually proves his safety over and over and over and over. And I think that's why the piece comes in.   Laura Dugger: (29:12 - 29:17) Kay, you're such a great storyteller. So, do you have any favorite stories from this adventure?   Kay Wyma: (29:18 - 33:55) There's a couple. So, it's like these practices rehumanize what so much around us has been dehumanizing because people aren't objects. People really matter. We like to compartmentalize everybody based on so many things, our race, our religion, the color of our hair, our vocation. I mean, you name it. And so, it kind of dehumanizes in that. And now we have this cancel culture, which is so weird. Like you could cancel a human being. And so, the rehumanizing comes in all of these practices. And it's so powerful.   So, we were even on our way to the grocery store. There was a person that needed to get over a couple of lanes. And so, I'm with one of my daughters and I was like, let's let that person over. And so, as we did, she crossed over in front of us and made it all the way over three more lanes to go right. I mean, she really was in the wrong place. And my daughter looks at me and said, I'm so glad we did that. And I was like, why? And she said, because if someone had done that for me, it would have made me feel like I was seen and that I had worth. And so, I've never, like that sticks in my head constantly. To be seen and to have worth is what we all need. And the tiniest little things can do that for us.   And so at that grocery store where we were going, a lady honked at me in the parking lot. Like I was walking and she just like blared on her horn, scared the living daylights out of me. And I was like, oh my gosh. But again, in that moment, I was like, wait a second. I can either have that, I'm either gonna fire up and be mad or I'm gonna be like, oh, I really am not seen. Either way, I'm going in a bad path or I can choose willingly to go, no. She's probably stressed out because she's not used to driving or maybe I scared her. She didn't see me. I don't know. And just reacts that way. And so, in that moment, I'm like letting it go, seeing her as a human being going in the grocery store.   And so, I go in, do my shopping. It's super packed in there. I go to the deli line, get my number, stand and wait and stand and wait. And as I'm waiting, who shows up next to me but the lady that honked at me, which if I hadn't let it go in the parking lot, I would have been like, oh, there's that lady in my head. But I wasn't. I was like, oh my gosh, there she is. And the guy calls my number and I feel her next to me and hear her sigh like, oh my gosh. And I look at her and she had forgotten to get her number. And the line was so long. And I was sitting there going, you know what? I've got margin in my day. And I took my number and handed it to her so happily. And she did what we all do. She refused it because kindness is risky. You may be rejected, okay? But again, if you're going into it willingly in the willingness that's based on your settled significance, that kind of rejection doesn't hurt because you're not rejected by the one who has called you by name. Not to over-spiritualize it.   But in that moment, I'm like, okay, no worries. But the deli guy is watching the whole thing. And so, I go to hand him the number and he looks at me and he serves her. And it was, I just can't even tell you how beautiful it was because she accepted it from him. I left because I was like, I don't want her feeling weird. I'm out of here and came back later. And it was so tiny and so beautiful. And it was like the greatest things of humanity were right there at the deli line in the grocery store. And I could tell you others, like even at the checkout, not on this occasion, but another one. Like what the checkers did to give grace to a woman who was so mean to them. And for them, like these two people to look at each other and go, man, she must be having a hard day and err on that. I mean, people are amazing. And it's like, dare we walk alongside each other? Dare we reach for the good? Dare we like just sink into the beauty of all that comes with things like your significance being eternally determined so that we can actually live in the freedom that surrounds you. All these opportunities that are around you every single day to be able to see the people and to treat the people next to you like human beings. It's really freeing and it's so beautiful. And it's a path paved with shalom peace. And it's amazing.   Laura Dugger: (33:56 - 34:22) Okay, that story is so touching. And I think it's because it's so apparent that that was the Holy Spirit and Jesus in you being Jesus to someone else. Because in scripture, we do see that it's God's kindness that leads us to repentance. And I just wonder what the other side of the story is. Your act of willing obedience and kindness. I wonder how that impacted her in a positive way.   Kay Wyma: (34:23 - 35:31) I don't know, but Laura, the coolest part is that I don't need to know. Like this is, again, through these things, that whole part exits. Like it doesn't matter at all. It's like that so much of the unseen is none of, I'll sit there and go, I can't believe he gave me something in that. Because the thing about any of these, when you give them out, it doesn't work like the world's economy where giving is actually a depletion. In God's economy, when you give, you're actually being filled. And so, it's like with a full tank, you walk away going, why did you allow me to be a part of that? Like, why would you have let me do that? Because I can't believe what you gave me through all of that. It's so amazing. Gosh, it just increases your capacity to trust exponentially. And so you have these little things like thankfulness that primes the pump. It's like, well, I'm going to get it going. And then the kindness. And then to be able to go to these places of mercy that involve very, very deep concepts like compassion, like forgiveness, like grace, like letting go of bitterness. These are aspects of God. They are not from us. It's like an invitation to experience God.   Laura Dugger: (35:31 - 35:38) What are some other ways that this peace project has changed the way that you live your life from this point forward?   Kay Wyma: (35:39 - 37:30) You know, almost with a spirit of expectancy and wonder and being able to see so many things that you haven't seen before. It's like it goes from black and white to technicolor. When I was in college, I actually had the opportunity to travel into West Berlin. This was a long time ago before the wall came down because there was the wall between East Berlin and West Berlin. But in order to get to West Berlin, you had to travel through East Germany. And it was so strange because literally on the train and everyone says this that did that back in those days, it was like you would go from colors to black and white. Like it was gray. They're literally the landscaped was gray. And then you would go from that gray into West Berlin that was like all colors and crazy and vibrant.   And that's what I feel like this does. It takes the gray and it makes it, the colors just come out spectacularly. And I think it is because you're choosing to not just believe, but you're acting on the belief which changes something which because you can't do that on your own strength. And so you're getting to experience this very mysterious aspect of God where he says, come to me, I will give you peace. I will give you joy. And I'm going to add that during this period, we probably lived through some of the hardest stuff that we have ever lived through in our life, just with very old past hurt that came and revisited in an extreme way. And it's amazing to me how full our days were on some of the hardest days we've ever experienced simply because these practices allowed us to look beyond and to live in peace and joy that paved even the hardest path.   Laura Dugger: (37:31 - 37:52) Well, I think that points to our good God, even in his timing that he invited you into this and you were willing to step in. And like you've said, it wasn't just something he did to you, but he offered this for you. And even through a hard time, that was such a gift.   Kay Wyma: (37:53 - 39:32) Yeah, which I could never have known that we would even be living that hard time when we started doing this. And it was definitely something that was given to us because I wasn't looking for it. Again, like I said, I had a rotten attitude when all this started and yet he met me there. Somebody said to me, how brilliant that you did this. Like, you know, you did thankfulness, then kindness, then mercy. And I was like, I did not do this. Like, I didn't make this up. This is what literally happened that morning. And for whatever reason, our curiosity was piqued and it was piqued enough to go, hey, you want to try? And what would happen?   And this, the book is the story of us trying and it really is a 30-day experiment where I go through the 30 days of like us doing it as a group and even include the group with these alongside call outs to where even the ladies that were doing it with us. And it was ladies just because it's a ladies Bible study. It doesn't mean that it's a woman thing or a guy, you know, not a guy thing. The consistency of, I can't believe how this has set me free. I didn't know I was entering into these places like this. I can't believe how healthy my mind is. You know, and again, people, if you have any issues with depression or that are deep that you need to get help, get help, please. You know, there is help out there. There are people that are gifted to be able to walk alongside us through very, very challenging situations which we were getting help along the way too. These practices will invite peace into your day on any day. I mean, just try it. Of course, I would love for people to get the book, but more than anything, just try it. I mean, these things are for you as much as they are for me.   Laura Dugger: (39:33 - 39:39) And if someone is willing to give it a try, what suggestions do you have for them?   Kay Wyma: (39:39 - 41:53) Yeah, it's so funny because I think when we hear like, oh, I have to do something for 30 days. I don't know about you, but I'm like, I can't add one more thing to my plate. And then I'm like 30 days. So, the first thing is just do it. Like just try it. And this is not something that you are going to have to give up anything or that it's going to be some burden or that you're gonna be trudging through just a hard journey. It will instantly be a gift to you. That's it. I still struggle with my rotten attitude going, no, it's really stubbornness that I'll go, oh, I'm not doing it. And then I'll think, what is wrong with you? You really know how great this is.   When the Lord was asked, what would you say is the greatest commandment? He instantly said, love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love others as yourself for these sum up all the law and the prophets. That's a pretty big deal. And so why? Because it's so good for you because it gets our eyes off ourselves because it puts into action our effort to believe that what he says is true. The belief, I love you. I see you. I know you. You're safe. I'm provided for you. It's so powerful. I know that to be true.   One of the gals that was in our book club has an eight-year-old daughter that hilariously picked this book up because her mother was reading it. And she called it Kay's Peace Project. She does not know me. She was going into a soccer camp, you know, and it's hot. A little girl that's her friend was being mean to her every day. And so by the last day she was getting out of the car. And that week, you know, she didn't want to get out because she didn't want to deal with this friend of hers that was being mean to her. As she was getting out on Friday, she turned to her mom as she got out of the car and she said, you know, I picked up Kay's Peace Project last night. She had landed on a day about mercy. And she said, I read about mysterious mercy. And she said, it made me realize that something may be going on in her friend's life that she doesn't know. And so, she said, I've decided that that's probably why she's being mean to me. And so, I really want to be nice to her today because I don't know what it is that's going on in her life. Eight years old.   Laura Dugger: (41:54 - 42:07) Wow. And that is so powerful. How it has the power to work in all of us. And so, if somebody wants to grab their own copy of The Peace Project or if they want to find you online, Kay, where would you direct them?   Kay Wyma: (42:08 - 42:49) Well, to KayWyma.com or I do love Instagram, but I'm just telling you, it's set your expectations low, people. Because it is, anything I've got is for whoever would like to participate in it or alongside because I do love living life together. And I would love for anybody to join along in that on those platforms or even through the books. And it's just such a privilege. And I just can't thank you enough for having me on and for your listeners even giving me a few moments to even hear whatever is the Lord has put on my heart today. And please share what's on your hearts with the people that are next to you, too. It's worth it.   Laura Dugger: (42:50 - 43:04) Well, it's been a joy to host you. And you probably remember from last time, we are called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, Kay, what is your savvy sauce?   Kay Wyma: (43:05 - 43:57) Okay. So, for this project is settled significance. And it is the idea to live in your settled significance. You don't have to get significance from anything around you even though the world would tell you that we need to like in whatever capacity is is like ask the question, where am I thinking I have to do this in order to be okay? Because that's this if then equation of the world. If you do this, then blah, blah, blah, blah. Settled significant operates off God's economy that says, because then, because I have declared you righteous, you are seen, you are known, you are whole, you are loved, you are enough, you belong. And to be able to live in those things, we fight for that right now. We really do. And we try to call out those things that are telling us otherwise.   Laura Dugger: (43:58 - 44:15) Well, Kay, thank you for fighting the good fight of faith and for sharing these practical ways to live out these biblical themes that really have eternal value of thankfulness and kindness and mercy. It has been a joy to host you as my guest.   Kay Wyma: (44:15 - 44:23) Oh, my gosh. You're so nice to host me. Thank you so much. And thank you for what you do. You're a huge encouragement to people every day. So, thank you.   Laura Dugger: (44:23 - 47:39) Thanks, Kay. One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.   Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.   First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

In all of history, no one has ever projected the authority that Jesus had. People were either drawn to Him, or they wanted to kill Him.  In this message from Hebrews 1, Pastor Lutzer describes how Jesus uniquely reveals who God is as God Himself. For anyone confronting the real Jesus, there still is no middle ground.  This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://offerrtw.com or call us at 1-800-215-5001. Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives. Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.   SUPPORT: Tax Deductible Support: https://www.moodymedia.org/donate/ Become an Endurance Partner: https://endurancepartners.org/   SUBSCRIBE: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoodyChurchMedia Daily Devotional and Weekly Digest: https://www.moodymedia.org/newsletters/subscription/

Have you ever felt distant from God and wondered why? Or questioned whether your faith and your finances are actually connected? Malachi 3 speaks directly to both of those questions, and the answers are more personal than you might expect. God opens this passage with one of the most important statements in all of Scripture: I am the Lord, I do not change. That truth, known as God's immutability, means He has never evolved, never adapted, and never had a moment of surprise. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If you feel far from God right now, this passage makes something clear: He has not moved. But we do move. Israel had returned to the land God promised, enjoying His blessings, but they had not returned to God Himself. They were going through the motions of worship without genuine devotion. God's response was a direct and gracious invitation: return to Me, and I will return to you. When Israel asked how they were supposed to return, God pointed to something specific: their giving. He accused them of robbing Him in tithes and offerings. Not because He needed their money, but because their withholding revealed a deeper problem: a lack of trust. The tithe, one tenth of what we receive, is the biblical standard and the first portion that belongs to God. An offering is anything given beyond that. Israel had fallen short in both. God then does something remarkable. He gives His people permission to test Him. In an area where testing God is normally forbidden, He issues a direct challenge: bring the full tithe, and watch what I do. He promises to open the windows of heaven and pour out blessing until it overflows. That phrase connects directly to Genesis 7 and the flood. The last time God opened those windows, the earth was covered. Now He is saying: I have more than you can handle. Trust Me and see. This is not a prosperity gospel message. God is not promising wealth in exchange for a tithe. He is promising faithfulness. He promises to rebuke the devourer, to protect what you have, and to make His blessing visible in your life in ways you cannot manufacture on your own. Tithing is both a thermometer and a thermostat for your faith. It shows you where you are, and it shapes where you are going. Topics covered include: what the Bible says about feeling distant from God, the meaning of God's immutability, how to return to God, what tithing and offerings mean in the Bible, whether tithing applies under grace, what the windows of heaven mean in Malachi 3, how faith and finances are connected, and what it looks like to trust God with your money. If you have been drifting, this message is an invitation to come back. God has not moved. His mercies are new every morning. Return to Him, and He will return to you.

What is justice according to the Bible—and who gets to define it? In this episode of Take Heart, Cory Wing argues that justice does not begin with politics, social media, slogans, or cultural movements, but with the character of God Himself.Walking through Deuteronomy 32, Micah 6, Leviticus 19, Proverbs 17, Ecclesiastes 8, Romans 13, Matthew 18, and the cross of Christ, Cory shows that biblical justice is impartial, truthful, merciful, humble, and rooted in God's holiness.Christians are called to reject partiality, protect the vulnerable, tell the truth, confront evil, pursue restoration, and trust the righteous Judge who will ultimately set all things right.Watch all of our videos and subscribe to our channel for the latest content >HereHere

Guided Question Do I truly know Jesus and experience His presence in my life, or am I simply trying to live by Christian rules without experiencing the new birth He came to give? Summary This episode explores Matthew 1:18–25 and the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. Dr. Robert Lewis emphasizes that Jesus' birth is unique not simply because a baby was born, but because God Himself entered humanity. Matthew presents Jesus as both the Son of David, with a legitimate claim to the throne, and the divine Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit. The story begins with Mary and Joseph, whose response to God's extraordinary plan demonstrates remarkable submission. Mary does not understand how God's promise will be fulfilled, yet she responds, “Be it done to me according to thy word.” Joseph likewise obeys God despite the personal shame and potential consequences of taking Mary as his wife. Their lives demonstrate that God's greatest works are often entrusted to people who are humble and willing to submit to His truth. Dr. Lewis then emphasizes the importance of believing the virgin birth as a literal work of the Holy Spirit. He argues that Christianity cannot be separated from biblical revelation: religion without revelation leaves people with nothing more than subjective beliefs and human imagination. The sermon then turns to the name Emmanuel—“God with us.” Jesus did not merely come to point people toward God or give them a better moral code. He came to make a relationship with God possible. He is not merely a teacher of truth; He is the truth, and He calls people not simply to follow His teachings but to receive Him. Finally, Dr. Lewis explains that the birth of Jesus points toward an even greater miracle: the new birth. Jesus was born so that people could be spiritually reborn. Christianity is therefore not merely about keeping rules, attending church, or proving ourselves worthy before God. It is about receiving Christ, being forgiven of sin, and experiencing His presence within us. The message closes with a personal invitation to respond to Christ. Just as Mary and Joseph submitted themselves to God's Word without fully understanding what He was doing, listeners are challenged to surrender themselves to Christ, receive Him, and experience the new life He came to give. Outline 1. The Uniqueness of Jesus' Birth Matthew introduces Jesus' birth as an extraordinary beginning. Jesus is both the Son of David and the divine Son of God. His conception by the Holy Spirit makes His birth unlike any other. 2. Mary and Joseph: Submission to God Mary faces an impossible and potentially shameful situation. She responds with trust and submission to God's Word. Joseph obeys despite the personal cost and public consequences. Their humility makes them examples of responsive faith. 3. The Virgin Birth and Biblical Revelation Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. The virgin birth is presented as a foundational truth of Christianity. Faith must be grounded in God's revelation rather than personal preference or imagination. 4. Jesus Came to Save from Sin Israel expected the Messiah to deliver them from Roman oppression. Jesus came to address the deeper problem: humanity's bondage to sin. True deliverance begins when we stop focusing on everyone else's problems and allow Christ to deal with our own sin. 5. Emmanuel: God With Us Isaiah's prophecy points forward to Jesus. Jesus is the greater fulfillment of “Emmanuel.” He does not merely point the way to God—He makes relationship with God possible. 6. The Greater Miracle: The New Birth Jesus' birth prepares the way for our spiritual rebirth. Christianity is more than morality, religious activity, or following rules. We must receive Christ and experience His indwelling presence. Jesus was born so that we might be born again. Key Takeaways God works through humble people who are willing to submit to His Word. Faith does not require us to understand everything before we obey. Jesus came to deliver us from sin, not merely from difficult circumstances. Jesus is Emmanuel—God with us. Christianity is about a relationship with Christ, not merely religious rules or moral behavior. The miracle of Jesus' birth points to the greater miracle of the new birth. Receiving Christ means surrendering ourselves to Him and trusting His promise to transform our lives. Scripture References Matthew 1:18–25 — Jesus is conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to Mary. Luke 1:26–38 — Mary receives God's announcement and submits to His Word. Isaiah 7:10–16 — The sign of Emmanuel points to a greater future fulfillment. Philippians 2:5–8 — Christ humbles Himself and takes on human form. Hebrews 1:1–3 — God speaks fully through His Son. John 3:1–8 — Jesus teaches the necessity of being born again. Matthew 1:21 — Jesus comes to save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:23 — Jesus is Emmanuel, “God with us.” Recorded 12.19.82

There is no greater heartbreak for a Christian parent than watching a beloved child drift away from the faith. Yet in today’s world, navigating doubt and rebellion in our kids is increasingly common — and even the most dedicated parents may find themselves walking the painful road of the prodigal. In this powerful and hope-filled episode, Catherine concludes her two-part “Best Of” series on Gen Z with Laurie Christine , originally aired on Redeeming the Chaos. Together, they tackle the hard questions: How do you parent a child who’s struggling in their faith? How do you protect your relationship and retain influence when your child is questioning, doubting, or rejecting core beliefs? What actions can help draw a wandering heart back — and what parental mistakes might actually push them further away? Seven Big Reasons Gen Z Is Leaving the FaithCatherine briefly recaps the top reasons young people cite for leaving Christianity, referencing Barna Research: Struggling with the existence of evil and suffering Perceiving Christians as hypocrites Belief that science contradicts the Bible Dismissing Christianity as a “fairy tale” Disillusionment over injustices in Christian history Apathy or perceived irrelevance of church Negative experiences with Christians or church Guidance for Parents Navigating a Prodigal Child's JourneyWith raw honesty and wisdom, Catherine draws from her own family’s story and years of hosting Christian Parent Crazy World. She and Laurie Christine outline practical steps — and critical mindset shifts — for parents of teens and adult children who are wrestling with faith: Prayer is your first line of defense. Catherine emphasizes the unique spiritual authority parents have in prayer over their children, describing the importance of persistent, faith-filled intercession. Know your stage of parenting. Are you a caregiver, cop, coach, or counselor? Catherine details how your approach must shift as your child grows, especially in the late teen and adult years. Lead with unconditional love. Affirm your love no matter your child’s beliefs or choices. Laurie Christine highlights the importance of commending kids when they open up about doubt or disagreement, not reacting with panic or punishment. Set and communicate healthy boundaries. While extending grace, be clear about the behavioral standards for living in your home — but avoid enabling harmful choices. Don’t give endless sermons. Teens know what you believe. What they need now is to see the love of Christ in action and to encounter God for themselves. Reject the urge to convince, convict, coerce, or control. Catherine unpacks how these tactics either step into God’s role or mirror the enemy’s strategies. Instead, keep your focus on love, wise counsel, and prayer. Humble yourself and own your mistakes. Apologize when you’ve erred. Humility builds bridges and trust. Releasing Guilt and Entrusting Your Child to GodEvery parent will wonder “What did I do wrong?” Catherine compassionately reassures listeners that even a perfect parent—God Himself—had two children in the Garden who chose rebellion. She delineates what is a parent’s responsibility, what belongs to the child, and what only God can do. Parents must let go of crushing guilt and trust God’s relentless pursuit of prodigals. Practical ResourcesCatherine references a bundle of free resources for parents of prodigals, including scripture prayer lists and episode archives, available at her website. Powerful RemindersAbove all, Catherine reminds parents that God’s love is unconditional — “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Christian parents must model this same radical love, never shunning, always hoping, and continually interceding for their children. Guest Bio:Laurie Christine is host of Redeeming the Chaos and a mother of four boys. Her passion is equipping moms to raise courageous sons rooted in Christ. This honest and practical episode is a lifeline for any parent feeling the heartbreak of doubt, struggle, or estrangement. Whether your child is beginning to question, entrenched in rebellion, or seemingly far from God, you’ll find encouragement, wisdom, and hope for the journey. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

There are few questions more difficult, or more easily misunderstood, than the question of why God made us male and female. Our age has given us no shortage of answers. Some tell us that sex is merely a biological accident. Others tell us that it is simply a private identity to be constructed according to our feelings. But perhaps the real trouble is that we have forgotten to ask the question beneath the question. Why did God make us this way? To ask it honestly is not to begin with condemnation, but with wonder. If God is the author of creation, then the difference between man and woman cannot be an arbitrary detail. It must somehow belong to the meaning of creation itself, to the strange and beautiful truth that we were not made for ourselves alone, but for communion, gift, and love. This is why, on October 1st, I want to invite all of you my, dear parishioners, to “The Well” with Christopher West here at St. Mary's Parish. It offers something increasingly rare: a place where difficult questions are not treated as threats, and where Christian teaching is not reduced to a list of prohibitions. Instead, we are invited to see the human person anew. The Christian claim is far more astonishing than “there are rules about sex.” The claim is that the body itself speaks. Male and female are not merely two categories imposed upon an otherwise meaningless existence. They reveal something about the Creator's intention: that love is not fundamentally about taking, possessing, or gratifying the self. Love means making a gift of oneself. And here the mystery becomes still greater. For if we want to understand why God made us male and female, we must eventually come to the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the place where Christianity's vision of the human person ceases to be an abstract philosophy and becomes flesh before our eyes. Christ does not merely tell us that He loves us. He gives Himself to us. His Body is given; His Blood is poured out. The deepest pattern written into creation is revealed at the altar: love gives itself away. We might say that the Eucharist is the answer to the riddle written into the human body. We were made for communion because God Himself is communion. We were made to receive love and to become a gift because Christ shows us that the fullness of life is found not in grasping oneself, but in giving oneself away. The Eucharist reveals the destiny for which the human person was created: not isolation, but union; not consumption, but communion; not self-invention, but self-gift. This is why The Well matters. It is not merely an evening for people who already have all the answers. It is especially for those who have questions—for parents trying to understand the world their children inhabit, for young people trying to make sense of their own bodies and desires, and for anyone who senses that beneath the arguments about sexuality lies a much deeper question about what it means to be human. Christ does not meet our confusion with contempt. He meets it with truth and truth, when seen in Him, is beautiful. So come to The Well. Come not merely to learn what the Church says about male and female, but to discover why the Church believes the human body is good, why our differences have meaning, why love demands a gift of self, and why all of these mysteries finally lead us toward the Eucharist. On the cover of the bulletin, scan the QR code, for more information on this powerful event. I want to see you and your family there at “The Well.” --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

What is justice according to the Bible—and who gets to define it? In this episode of Take Heart, Cory Wing argues that justice does not begin with politics, social media, slogans, or cultural movements, but with the character of God Himself.Walking through Deuteronomy 32, Micah 6, Leviticus 19, Proverbs 17, Ecclesiastes 8, Romans 13, Matthew 18, and the cross of Christ, Cory shows that biblical justice is impartial, truthful, merciful, humble, and rooted in God’s holiness.Christians are called to reject partiality, protect the vulnerable, tell the truth, confront evil, pursue restoration, and trust the righteous Judge who will ultimately set all things right.

August 30, 2026Pastor Matt KendrickHeavenRevelation 21:1-5Deep down, many of us carry an undeniable homesickness and a longing for something this broken world cannot satisfy. In this passage, we see that our deepest longings are met not by escaping to a distant void, but in the promise of a renewed creation where God Himself dwells with us and wipes away every tear. Discover how the future hope of Jesus making all things new brings lasting peace, endurance, and purpose to our lives today.Thank you for listening!For more info on Redemption City Church check out our website.If you'd like to connect with us further, please fill out a Connection Card and one of our staff will get in touch with you.Follow us on on social media: Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

Practical, Biblical advice if you are looking for a partner.The Bible, which begins and ends with a wedding, reveals the unique importance which God Himself attaches to marriage.Support the show

Building God's Way According to Ezra & Nehemiah, Pt. 3God Has a PriorityEzra 3:1-13 | King's Chapel Live StreamAs God's people return to Jerusalem in Ezra 3, they have a lot to rebuild. But before they rebuild the temple, they build an altar.Why?Because God's priority is His worship and His glory.In this message from *Building God's Way According to Ezra & Nehemiah*, we see how Ezra 3 points us to a greater reality: worship isn't something we fit into our lives after everything else is taken care of. God Himself is our priority.The altar points us to the sacrifice God provided through Jesus. The temple points us to God's desire to dwell with His people, ultimately fulfilled through Christ and the Holy Spirit. And the joyful shouts and weeping of God's people remind us that our worship exists in the tension of the "now and not yet," as we look forward to the day when God will dwell with His people forever.If we're going to build our lives, our church, and our community God's way, we have to begin with what matters most: **God's glory and our worship of Him.**Connect with King's Chapel in Longwood, FL - ▶️ www.kingschapelfl.com▶️ https://www.facebook.com/KingsChapelfl▶️ https://www.instagram.com/kingschapelfl/For the GLORY of our Great GodFor the GOOD of our NeighborEzra 3 sermon, Ezra 3, Building God's Way, God has a priority, worship comes first, worship sermon, God's glory, Ezra and Nehemiah sermon series, Christian worship, Jesus sacrifice, Holy Spirit temple, God's presence, King's Chapel Longwood

As believers, we desire a vibrant spiritual life but can find ourselves feeling dry or disconnected. Pastor Wayne shares timeless wisdom about returning to God as your true source. You'll discover the difference between inherited faith and personal conviction, and why both are important for a healthy walk with God.You'll learn about the different kinds of wells we can draw from and the importance of digging wells for future generations. And you'll also discover why it's important to recognize when you've drifted so that you can take practical steps toward restoration rather than allowing your wells to become polluted through neglect.Scriptures ReferencedGenesis 26:18a; Psalm 51, 63:1, 78:5-7a; Isaiah 12:3-5; Jeremiah 13:11b-13Key InsightsTrue spiritual life comes from God, the fountain of living water.Spiritual heritage must be passed down, not ignored or lost.Beware of polluted wells and spiritual stagnation.Personal responsibility is crucial for spiritual renewal.Key Sections00:00:00 - Welcome and AnnouncementsWelcome. Upcoming baby dedications and Baptism Sunday.00:02:09 - IntroductionGod has a personal word for everyone, regardless of where they are in their faith journey.00:09:30 - Drawing Water With JoyThe foundational verse, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation,” reveals the essential “bucket” for receiving spiritual refreshment.00:21:26 - Ancient WellsAncient wells carry the historical and doctrinal riches that previous generations have dug for us. It's important to honor and draw from these established spiritual sources.00:36:31 - Family WellsFamily wells represent the faith traditions and resources available within your family and church community, lovingly stewarded and personalized for your current context.00:41:39 - Personal WellsPersonal wells are the ones we dig as we take responsibility for our faith and learn to dig through personal experience, discipline, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.00:46:38 - Polluted WellsWithout care, our wells can become polluted and these wells carry tremendous risk. We must be careful to avoid contamination through outside influence or neglect. Once contaminated, we need to avoid the wells that no longer bring life.00:49:07 - The Source of Living WatersThe true source of all spiritual life is God Himself. He is the fountain of living waters and that staying connected to Him is essential for ongoing renewal.https://springhouse.captivate.fm/episode/wells-of-salvationSubscribe & Follow the PodcastDownload our appOur WebsiteOnline Tithes & OfferingsJoin our LivestreamGathering TimesSundays, 9:00 AMSundays, 11:00 AMWednesdays, 6:00 PMContact InfoSpringhouse Church14119 Old Nashville HighwaySmyrna TN 37167615-459-3421CCLI License 2070006

Life is never a straight line. If we are honest, our journey of faith often feels more like a series of unexpected detours than a clear, direct path. We face relationship challenges, financial pressures, health crises, and cultural shifts that can leave us feeling disoriented and uncertain. We plan for one route, only to find ourselves on a completely different road. In these moments, it can be tempting to grow rigid, frustrated, or fearful, wondering if we have lost our way.But God's Word offers us a different posture. In the midst of every detour, God Himself reaches for our hand. The prophet Isaiah reminds us of this promise: "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you" (Isaiah 41:13). This promise is not for a life free of twists and turns, but for a journey where we are never alone. God does not want us to be paralyzed by the detours, but to learn how to dance with them, moving with a spiritual flexibility that is rooted in His unwavering presence and strength.

There are passages in St. Isaac that can sound almost impossible to modern ears. His words on vigil are among them. “Do not imagine,” he tells us, “that among all the works of monastics there is any practice greater than night vigil.” We hear such words and immediately think of sleep deprivation, bodily exhaustion, long hours of psalmody, standing in darkness while the rest of the world sleeps. We wonder whether such a practice belongs to another age, another kind of human being, perhaps even another understanding of the spiritual life. But this is precisely where we can misunderstand Isaac. Vigil becomes incomprehensible when it is separated from desire. If we begin with asceticism, vigil appears severe. If we begin with love, it begins to make sense. The lover understands the night. There are moments when we do not want an evening to end because we are with someone we love. There are conversations in which we cease looking at the clock. A mother remains awake beside a sick child without calculating the sacrifice. Someone awaiting the return of the beloved listens for every sound in the night. Love changes our experience of time. And so it is with the saints. They did not remain awake because they despised sleep. They remained awake because they had discovered Someone for whom it was worth losing sleep. This is the secret of vigil. “That I May Be With You” The Fathers understood the spiritual life far less as the fulfillment of religious obligations than as the awakening of desire. Beneath fasting, silence, solitude, tears, prostrations, psalmody, and vigil lies a single movement of the heart: I want God. Not merely His gifts. Not consolation. Not religious experiences. Not even virtue considered as a possession. God Himself. This is why St. Isaac describes the mind of the one who keeps vigil as becoming light and buoyant, taking flight “as it were on wings.” The ascetic is not merely staying awake. Something within him is being released. During the day the mind is scattered among a thousand things. We speak. We answer. We plan. We remember. We anticipate. We defend ourselves. We attend to necessities. Even when these things are good, the heart becomes divided among them. Then comes the night. The voices diminish. The demands cease. The world grows quiet. And the soul discovers again the One whom it has been seeking beneath everything else. This is why vigil was so precious to the Desert Fathers and remains so in the teaching of the great modern elders. It creates a space in which the heart can become undivided. The night says: There is nowhere else I need to go. There is nothing I need to accomplish. There is no one before whom I need to justify myself. There is only God. And I am here. The Recovery of Wonder Yet there is something even deeper in Isaac's teaching. Vigil is not merely about attention. It is about wonder. Isaac tells us that the one who perseveres in vigil begins to “gaze upon” heavenly realities. His language is deliberately extravagant: the soul comes to possess “the eyes of Cherubim.” What does this mean? It means that purification changes how we see. The tragedy of fallen existence is not simply that we commit sins. It is that we gradually cease to be astonished by God. We become accustomed to everything. Accustomed to the Gospel. Accustomed to the Eucharist. Accustomed to the name of Jesus. Accustomed to the Cross. Accustomed even to the astonishing claim that the Creator of heaven and earth desires communion with us. And when wonder disappears, desire soon weakens with it. The Fathers knew that the heart must be awakened again. This is one reason vigil has such power. In the silence of the night, familiar words can suddenly become new. “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God…” We may have spoken those words ten thousand times. Yet in the stillness something can happen. Jesus. The Name becomes luminous. God is here. God sees me. God desires me. God has called me into existence that I might share His life. And suddenly prayer is no longer something we are performing. It is encounter. Wonder gives birth to desire, and desire gives birth to greater attention. Then the soul begins to understand why the saints stayed awake. The Vigil of the Lover This is why we must be careful not to turn Isaac's teaching into another spiritual program. Stay awake longer. Say more psalms. Sleep less. Accumulate hours. Isaac himself warns against precisely this distortion. A person may endure “prolonged psalmody,” weariness of the tongue, and “night-long standing,” and yet receive little fruit because the mind is elsewhere. The body is standing before God while the heart is wandering through the world. Isaac asks, with characteristic directness: Why sow so much seed if we continually prevent it from bearing fruit? Vigil without attention becomes habit. Vigil without desire becomes endurance. Vigil without love becomes religious achievement. And religious achievement can quietly feed the very ego that asceticism is meant to dismantle. The true vigil begins somewhere deeper. Stay with Me. This is the invitation hidden within the night. Christ in Gethsemane asked His disciples, “Could you not watch with me one hour?” Perhaps every vigil is, in some mysterious way, our answer to that question. Yes, Lord. I will stay. Not because I am strong. Not because I am an ascetic. Not because I want to imagine myself among the saints. I stay because You are here. Why Vigil Requires the Day This also explains something that Isaac emphasizes strongly and that can easily be overlooked. The vigil cannot be separated from the way we live during the day. If we spend the day deliberately filling the mind with noise, agitation, curiosity, argument, distraction, and endless encounters, we should not be surprised if those same things accompany us into prayer at night. Isaac therefore insists that the monk who desires the fruit of vigil must guard himself from unnecessary disturbance during the day. This is not contempt for the world. It is custody of the heart. The Fathers understood something about human consciousness that our age desperately needs to rediscover: what we give ourselves to leaves traces within us. Everything enters the heart. Images. Conversations. Arguments. News. Resentments. Fantasies. Fears. The opinions of others. The desire to be seen. The need to respond. The mind carries these things into silence. Thus vigil actually begins long before nightfall. It begins with how we guard the heart throughout the day. The School of Freedom This is one reason the disappearance of vigil from much contemporary Christian life is significant. We have not merely lost an ascetical practice. We have lost one of the great schools of desire, attention, and freedom. The modern world teaches us to flee silence. It places a device in our hand capable of filling every empty moment. It trains the eyes to seek novelty and the mind to expect constant stimulation. The Fathers move in precisely the opposite direction. Be still. Remain. Watch. Wait. Listen. Do not flee the emptiness. Because eventually you may discover that it was never empty. Someone was waiting for you there. The purpose of vigil is not to prove that we can conquer the body. It is to become free enough to recognize the presence of the Beloved. “I Sleep, but My Heart Is Awake” The goal, then, is ultimately something greater than remaining physically awake. The goal is wakefulness of heart. “I sleep, but my heart is awake,” says the Bride in the Song of Songs. There is the mystery. The deepest vigil eventually becomes a state of the soul. A person begins to live before God. The Jesus Prayer continues beneath thought. The remembrance of God becomes increasingly continuous. The heart waits for Him. Looks toward Him. Listens for Him. Desires Him. This is the angelic quality Isaac sees in vigil. The angels do not merely “stay awake.” They exist in ceaseless attention to God. Their life is beholding. And Isaac dares to say that through vigil the human person begins to participate in this same movement. The eyes of the heart open. Wonder returns. Desire intensifies. Prayer deepens. The mind grows light. And gradually the soul discovers that the ascetical life is not fundamentally a life of deprivation. It is a life of fascination. The Night Is Not Empty Perhaps this is what we most need to recover from Isaac. We will never understand the asceticism of the Fathers if we begin with what they gave up. We must begin with what they saw. They saw a Beauty before which the beauties of the world grew pale. They tasted a sweetness that made lesser consolations seem small. They discovered a Love so immense that solitude became communion, silence became fullness, fasting became hunger for God, and vigil became the refusal to leave the presence of the Beloved. This is why the teaching on vigil belongs so naturally beside the language of desire and wonder. The ascetic does not remain awake merely because a rule commands it. He has glimpsed something. And because he has glimpsed it, he wants to see more. Wonder awakens desire. Desire gathers the scattered heart. The gathered heart becomes attentive. Attention becomes prayer. And prayer becomes communion. Then something remarkable happens. What once appeared burdensome becomes precious. The night that once seemed long becomes too short. Silence that once frightened us becomes the place we long to enter. And the prayer that once seemed an obligation becomes something from which we are reluctant to depart. The saints kept vigil because they discovered that the night was not empty. The Beloved was there. And once the heart knows this, the deepest question is no longer: Why would anyone remain awake to pray? It becomes: How could love not want to remain? --- Text of chat during the group: 00:18:08 Bob Čihák, AZ: P 222, Homily 20 00:23:28 David Swiderski: The last time we discussed this and sleeping 8 hours straight and for most of time people at least in Europe slept "2" times I went back to my Grandfather's diary and it appears the wood stoves in Northern Wisconsin only lasted 4hrs and you would need to get up and feed the fire so they naturally did vigils and took advantage of the break in sleep. In Spain and Latina America they have a nap in some areas due to the heat (2 hour lunch) and are up till 1 or 2 am. It seems modern western society is a new adaptation of what was a practice for hundreds of years. 00:25:10 Ryan Ngeve: Father what is one to do if these practices and deprivations make us more agitated/irritated and downcast, especially towards  others, as they tend to do? 00:39:01 Gwen's iPhone: my cat does! 00:39:24 James Hickman: Is it safe to call vigils a means to the end, which is nearness to the Lord, such that a super practical means to find closeness with the Lord is this watching for him when there are fewer distractions (not that we are safe from distractions in the night, but that the many combating us in the day are perhaps different in kind or number than those distractions of the night)? 00:42:15 Rod Castillo: I pray my daily rosary at 2 am.  It's the only time the house is quiet enough to allow me to devote myself completely to it. 00:43:46 James Hickman: Reacted to "I pray my daily rosary at 2 am.  It's the only time the house is quiet enough to allow me to devote myself completely to it." with

Unity is far more than being Kind to one another MESSAGE SUMMARY: In this powerful exploration of Jesus' identity, we delve into the profound High Priestly Prayer found in John 17. This prayer reveals Jesus not just as a teacher or prophet, but as one who shares in the divine nature with God the Father. We're challenged to consider: Who is Jesus to us personally? The prayer showcases Jesus' unique relationship with the Father, calling Him 'Father' over 160 times in the Gospels. This intimacy extends to us as believers, inviting us into the very fellowship of the Trinity. As we contemplate this, we're reminded that our unity as Christians is rooted in our union with God Himself. The prayer also reveals Jesus' eternal existence and His role in creation, emphasizing His divinity. This understanding transforms how we view the cross - not as a tragedy, but as our salvation. Let's reflect on how this deeper knowledge of Jesus' nature can impact our daily walk with Him and our relationships with others.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I now take a deep breath and stop. So often I miss your hand and gifts in my life because I am preoccupied and anxious. Grant me the power to pause each day and each week to simply rest in your arms of love. In Jesus' name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 132). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Insensitivity. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Gentleness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): James 1:21-25; John 17 (entire chapter); John 10:30; John 10:27-33; Colossians 1:15; Colossians 1:19; 2 Peter 1:4. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Jesus says: “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division””, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

While YOU were busy meeting everyone else's need, YOU quietly stopped expecting anyone to meet yours.That is what happens to the givers. YOU are the one who shows up for people. YOU make room, YOU provide, YOU carry others — and YOU have done it so long and so faithfully that YOU have made peace with a quiet ache YOU rarely say out loud: there is something YOU have wanted, something YOU have needed, that YOU have stopped even asking God for. YOU figured it just was not going to happen for YOU. So YOU poured into everyone else and let YOUR own longing go silent.2 Kings 4 is about a person exactly like that.She was known for her generosity. She noticed a need, and she did more than notice it — she went out of her way, spent her own resources, and built something to bless someone who was doing God's work, expecting absolutely nothing in return. She was not serving to get. She was serving because that is who she was. And she had a private situation, a deep and long-carried disappointment, that she never once brought up.Here is what most people miss.While she was thinking about how to bless someone else, someone was thinking about how to bless her. Her kindness had been noticed — not just by the person she served, but by God Himself. And a question was quietly asked on her behalf: what can be done for her? What does she need? The very thing she had stopped asking for, the ache she had buried under years of serving others, was being brought up again — not by her, but on her behalf, in a room she was not even in.She was thinking about others. God was thinking about her.And what was spoken over her next addressed the exact thing she had given up on — the private longing she had carried in silence, the one she was too guarded to even hope for anymore. It was so specific, and so far beyond what she expected, that she almost could not receive it. Because when YOU have been the giver for that long, being on the receiving end of God's attention can be the hardest thing to believe.There is something in this passage about what God does with the needs YOU have stopped voicing while YOU serve everyone else — and about how He brings up the very thing YOU buried — that will completely change how YOU see YOUR own season of pouring out.What was the question asked on her behalf? What was the buried longing? And what does God do with the need YOU stopped asking Him for while YOU were busy helping everyone else?

Zephaniah is one of the shortest, most intense, and ultimately magnificent voices in the prophetic corpus. Only three chapters long, the book delivers a concentrated theology of judgment, grace, and redemption, spannning the seventh century BC to the end of history. The Prophet and His Lineage Zephaniah opens with a genealogy unlike any other prophet in Scripture. He traces his ancestry back four generations: the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah. This lineage identifies him as of royal blood, a great-great-grandson of the good king Hezekiah and thus cousin to King Josiah, in whose reign he prophesied. His name, צפניה, means "The LORD has hidden" or "Yahweh has treasured." It is a name full of prophetic irony and hope, pointing to the remnant whom God will shelter in the day of His wrath. The Historical Horizon and the Day of the LORD Zephaniah ministered in Judah during the (likely early) reign of King Josiah, when the nation was spiritually sick, hollowed out by decades of idolatry under Manasseh and Amon. His prophecy proclaims "the Day of the LORD," a cosmic intervention carrying a dual horizon: The Near: The impending devastation of Judah and Jerusalem - destruction and exile under Babylon. The Far: Ultimate, universal reckoning at the end of the age, when all wickedness is swept away. Zephaniah cuts straight to the root of Judah's sin in chapter 1:12. The LORD declares that He will search Jerusalem with lamps to expose the complacent, those settling into practical atheism who say in their hearts, "The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill." It is the sin of spiritual apathy, living as if God is silent, passive, or absent. But judgment is not God's final word. In 3:9, He promises a reversal of fortune: "For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord." The book culminates in one of the most breathtaking passages in all of scripture. The judgments are cast out, the enemy cleared away, and the true King of Israel is declared to be in Zion's midst: "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." The Hebrew word for "who will save" is yoshi'a (יֹושִׁ֑יעַ), sharing the direct root and meaning of the name Jesus (Yeshua), the One who saves His people from their sins. Here, in the shadows of the Old Covenant, we see King Jesus Himself: the warrior who rescues, the shepherd who quiets fear with His love; God Himself breaking into joyful song over His redeemed.

Jesus rejoiced as Peter confessed that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. And said, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”  Faith which recognizes that Jesus is our Savior, the Son of the living God, is a gift from God Himself.  And now He went on to tell them something extraordinary – and truly reassuring.  Death doesn't have any hold on those who confess Jesus Christ.

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X2M.262 — Clé: Entry into the Whole Clé means key. It follows Cour and completes the final coordinate of CR21. Cour forms the shared ground upon which a reconciled people can live; Clé names the receiver-threshold through which approach opens toward habitation. It does not confer possession of the whole, manufacture authority, or declare that every promise has arrived. It asks how the same person can receive greater participation, capacity, and responsibility without grasping, losing identity, confusing the gift with its Giver, or becoming the imagined source of what was received. Psalm 27 supplies the beginning. David's “one thing” is not the house, throne, inheritance, or victory, but dwelling with the Lord, beholding His beauty, and seeking Him. God is already the uncreated Source, supreme Good, ultimate Portion, and final End. Clé therefore begins by ordering every created desire beneath desire for God Himself.¹ Abraham demonstrates the movement of faith. God identifies Himself as Abraham's shield and reward, then gives the genuine promise of innumerable offspring. Genesis distinguishes God, the promised good, and the human means used to pursue it. Abraham learns to receive the promise from the Giver, release control over its fulfillment, and refuse possessive mastery even over the true gift. Faith does not extinguish desire; it returns desire to trust.² Proverbs 8:30 gives Clé its governing paradox: “The master craftsman must remain the nursing child.” Mature craftsmanship must remain joined to childlike dependence and delight. The Solomonic mind cannot outrun the Davidic heart. Wisdom, architecture, wealth, and authority remain safe only while the bearer continues receiving as a child and valuing people before the structures meant to serve them.³ Ecclesiastes supplies the interior key. Hebel reveals that created life cannot be seized against time, loss, and death. Yitrôn asks what lasting surplus can finally be possessed; ḥēleq answers with the portion God gives. The response is neither despair nor rejection of the world, but reverent enjoyment of food, work, friendship, generosity, marriage, play, and the ordinary gifts already present. Yitrôn is the question; ḥēleq is the answer; fear of God is the posture; judgment is the final horizon.⁴ Clé compresses this movement: 1 → 0ᵣ → 7 → 0꜀ ⇒ 1′ The present whole passes through relinquishment; the appointed portion is received in lawful differentiation; grasping and self-origination are cleared; and the same person emerges as a more integrated whole before God. The first zero empties the hand without erasing the person. The seven differentiates the gift without dividing God. The second zero clears possessiveness. The resulting 1′ is not divine totality, but received maturity. Clé, then, is entry into the whole through the appointed portion. Christ remains the One who holds the whole, opens the scroll, and governs the seven stars. The key does not unlock everything for the self. It unlocks the self from the need to possess everything, making faithful participation in a far greater field possible.⁵ The earlier record forms the receiver; CR17 tests the constitution; CR21 governs the approach; Ecclesiastes returns the whole to God; and Clé opens the appointed portion toward habitation. Relinquish the whole. Receive the portion. Become whole before God. ⸻ Glorification | The Final Frontier Decrease time over target: Venmo / PayPal @clastronaut Cash App $clastronaut ⸻ ¹ Ps. 27:1–6; John 15:1–11. ² Gen. 15:1–6; 16:1–16; 22:1–19; Heb. 6:13–20. ³ Prov. 8:22–31; 1 Kings 3:5–14; Matt. 18:1–4. ⁴ Eccl. 1:2–3; 2:24–26; 3:1–13; 5:18–20; 12:13–14. ⁵ Rev. 1:16; 5:1–10; 2 Pet. 1:3–4.

3 John 1:1-15 | What YOU've Done for Him… Still MATTERSThe quiet things YOU did for God did not go unnoticed.YOU may think they did. YOU served when no one was watching. YOU gave when it cost YOU something. YOU opened YOUR home, YOUR time, YOUR resources to people who could do nothing for YOU in return — and then YOU moved on, never expecting anyone to remember, half-wondering if it even made a difference. And somewhere along the way, YOU started to believe that the faithful things YOU do in secret simply disappear into the air.3 John was written to someone exactly like that.It is a short letter, easy to overlook, written to a person whose whole life was marked by quiet faithfulness. He was not famous. He was not a leader with a platform. He simply took care of people who were doing God's work — strangers, travelers, servants of the Lord passing through — and he did it with a kind of love that asked for nothing back. He probably had no idea anyone had noticed.Here is what most people miss.His quiet faithfulness had been reported. The very people he served had gone and told others about his love — his kindness had traveled ahead of him and reached ears he never intended it to reach. What he thought was private had been seen. What he assumed was forgotten had been remembered and celebrated. And he was told directly that what he was doing genuinely mattered to God — that his care for God's servants was, in fact, faithfulness to God Himself.What YOU do for God's work, God receives as done for Him.But this letter does not stop there. Because it also holds up a warning — a sharp contrast, in the form of someone who did the exact opposite. Someone who loved position more than people, who refused to help, and who even pushed out those who tried to. Two people in the same short letter, remembered forever for opposite reasons — and the difference between them is a question this message will put directly to YOU.There is a specific line in this letter about what those who keep doing good actually prove about themselves — and about the reward attached to a life of quiet faithfulness — that will completely change how YOU see every unseen thing YOU have ever done for God.What was reported about him? What was the warning? And what does the good YOU do quietly actually prove about whose YOU are?Press play — because what YOU've done for Him still matters, and it did not go unnoticed. This message will show YOU why YOUR quiet faithfulness was seen, remembered, and received by God as done for Him.

Zephaniah is one of the shortest, most intense, and ultimately magnificent voices in the prophetic corpus. Only three chapters long, the book delivers a concentrated theology of judgment, grace, and redemption, spannning the seventh century BC to the end of history. The Prophet and His Lineage Zephaniah opens with a genealogy unlike any other prophet in Scripture. He traces his ancestry back four generations: the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah. This lineage identifies him as of royal blood, a great-great-grandson of the good king Hezekiah and thus cousin to King Josiah, in whose reign he prophesied. His name, צפניה, means "The LORD has hidden" or "Yahweh has treasured." It is a name full of prophetic irony and hope, pointing to the remnant whom God will shelter in the day of His wrath. The Historical Horizon and the Day of the LORD Zephaniah ministered in Judah during the (likely early) reign of King Josiah, when the nation was spiritually sick, hollowed out by decades of idolatry under Manasseh and Amon. His prophecy proclaims "the Day of the LORD," a cosmic intervention carrying a dual horizon: The Near: The impending devastation of Judah and Jerusalem - destruction and exile under Babylon. The Far: Ultimate, universal reckoning at the end of the age, when all wickedness is swept away. Zephaniah cuts straight to the root of Judah's sin in chapter 1:12. The LORD declares that He will search Jerusalem with lamps to expose the complacent, those settling into practical atheism who say in their hearts, "The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill." It is the sin of spiritual apathy, living as if God is silent, passive, or absent. But judgment is not God's final word. In 3:9, He promises a reversal of fortune: "For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord." The book culminates in one of the most breathtaking passages in all of scripture. The judgments are cast out, the enemy cleared away, and the true King of Israel is declared to be in Zion's midst: "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." The Hebrew word for "who will save" is yoshi'a (יֹושִׁ֑יעַ), sharing the direct root and meaning of the name Jesus (Yeshua), the One who saves His people from their sins. Here, in the shadows of the Old Covenant, we see King Jesus Himself: the warrior who rescues, the shepherd who quiets fear with His love; God Himself breaking into joyful song over His redeemed.

Practical, Biblical advice if you are looking for a partner.The Bible, which begins and ends with a wedding, reveals the unique importance which God Himself attaches to marriage.Support the show

Practical, Biblical advice if you are looking for a partner.The Bible, which begins and ends with a wedding, reveals the unique importance which God Himself attaches to marriage.1Support the show

Many mature Christians experience seasons when Jesus feels distant—not through dramatic sin or faith crisis, but a slow, subtle drift into spiritual dryness. Today, Stephanie explores how to recognize, understand, and rekindle true delight in God when faith feels flat.As she has with every episode in our “Awaken Delight” series, Stephanie has invented a fictional character – who might feel eerily familiar! In today's episode, we're introduced to “Claire”—a faithful, seasoned believer admired by others, with a life marked by steady commitment to Christ, church, and family. Yet, despite external faithfulness, she privately mourns the loss of intimacy and vividness in her spiritual life. Claire's story demonstrates how even longstanding believers can slide into a functional, uninspired relationship with Jesus—doing all the “right things,” but missing the joy and depth once present.Our FREE gift to you today! An exclusive, in-depth 30-day FREE recovery plan to rekindle your delight in God when you are going through seasons of flavorless faith: go to https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelightthepodcast and find the form for Episode 458. Give us your email, and you will receive the full plan in your inbox immediately!Key Symptoms of a “flavorless faith”:Bible reading and prayer become duty-bound, not joy-filled.Worship songs and sermons feel routine, not stirring.Service continues, but the heart feels unengaged and tired.Delight is more than an emotion—it's the warm, relational savoring of God Himself, not just His gifts or outcomes.Distinctions:Happiness: Circumstantial, fleetingContentment: Sufficient, sometimes passiveDelight: Active, relational enjoyment—the “flavor” and “fragrance” of life with GodDelight in God is like savoring real vanilla versus imitation—the fake might have the form, but lacks the richness and depth. When we lose delight, all becomes bland.Distance from Jesus is often gradual. Common causes include:Over-familiarity: The truths of gospel become like a painting you stop noticing.Busyness & Burnout: Life's cares crowd out time to “linger” with Jesus.Duty Replacing Delight: We obey and serve, but lose relational warmth.When delight cools, our spiritual life becomes transactional, our joy fades, and other things gain center stage in our hearts.Psalm 34:8 invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good”—not just agree intellectually, but experience Him proportionally.Delight in God requires attention; it calls for slowing down, “beholding,” and returning to the gospel as if it's fresh.It's not manufactured by willpower, but reawakened by honesty and pursuit.Prayerfully confess where delight has dimmed and ask Jesus for renewed appetite.Ultimately, delight is about communion—living in God's presence, savoring Him as the ultimate gift.Our delight fuels resilience, combats burnout, and makes our faith not merely correct, but alive and fragrant to those around us.Practical Steps to Awaken DelightSlow Down & Linger: Don't skim Scripture or prayer; bring your full heart, even your boredom and disappointment.See God as Beautiful: Move beyond doctrine; gaze at Jesus' beauty, not just His utility.Cultivate Stillness: Create time to notice God's presence and gifts; fight cultural hurriedness.Receive, Don't Achieve: Delight is a relationship to receive by the Spirit, often through the ordinary or through suffering.Honest Prayer: Admit to God when delight feels absent; let Him rekindle it.If you, like Claire, feel distant from Jesus, don't despair. He hasn't moved; beauty can be rediscovered. Ask God to awaken your delight, to move you beyond belief into joy in His presence. Let your soul savor Him again.“Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” – Psalm 51:12MORE ABOUT THE BOOK “AWAKEN DELIGHT” BY STEPHANIE ROUSSELLE"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."―Psalm 37:4What if you've lost your delight in God? Or you've never really experienced it in the first place? What if a season of suffering has snuffed out your joy, leaving you spiritually discouraged and emotionally numb?Delighting in God changes everything: how you experience your faith, relationships, and circumstances―and even how you see yourself.You can experience Psalm 37:4 as your daily reality. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle connects scriptural and theological truth to your everyday life so you can experience what delighting in God really means. It's not about checking boxes on a spiritual to-do list or mustering a constant state of positive feelings. Rather, delight is about satisfying your soul's deepest longing through a vibrant relationship with the living God.What you will (re)discover as you journey with God through Awaken Delight:Delight in God is identity-shaping, not emotion-driven. Delight in God is not fleeting emotion but resilient identity.Delight in God is altogether trust, satisfaction in God, relational intimacy with Him.Delight in God is often expressed and grown through resilient joy under suffering.Delight in God is the missing engine behind resilience. It's the antidote to burnout. It's even the foundation for sustainable ministry.God's delight in you is secure, not performance-dependent. God's delight in you frees you from striving! That's the beginning of delight.Jesus is the center of every endeavor to delight in God.You can build a delight-centered spiritual life.Awaken Delight invites you to follow Scriptural truths and spiritual practices that cultivate daily joy in God.In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselleshows how delighting in God is crucial for spiritual growth,provides spiritual habits that help you live in delight, andincludes discussion questions and Bible engagement great for book clubs or small groups.By looking to Christ as your model of divine delight, you can discover that no matter what you're experiencing―whether weariness, sorrow, hope, or happiness―you truly can "taste and see that the Lord is good." If you are longing for a revived faith filled with hope, delight, worth, and grace, Awaken Delight invites you to cultivate a worshipful, life-giving delight in God that's rooted in God's delight in you.Purchase here: https://a.co/d/0625K1AZ More details at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelightDISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn't really work, or it's not really possible here on earth.In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is.Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive.Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable.Delighting in God isn't sentimental optimism. It's deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus.It's the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart.Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4.More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JKind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God's delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you'll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie's joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie's love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JSupport us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

As background to the teaching Paul had to do to counter the false doctrine of angel worship, we can look to the Scriptures, especially the Pentateuch, to make sure we understand the nature and role of angels. There are different categories of sometimes seen and sometimes unseen created beings who carry out assignments from God, and some references to "the angel of the Lord" are actually a manifestation of God Himself. Ultimately, whether they are good or evil angels, they are not to be worshiped: we are to be followers of Christ. Colossians 1:16 VF-2267 Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-338-3030 24x7 to leave a message for Pastor Scott. You may make reservations to attend a live service, leave a prayer request or make a commitment. Pastor Scott appreciates messages and reads them often during live broadcasts. Follow @Pastor_Scott on Twitter and visit her official Facebook page @Pastor.M.Scott. Download Pastor Scott's "Understand the Bible" app for iPhone, iPad and iPod at the Apple App Store and for Android devices in the Google Store. Pastor Scott can also be seen 24x7 on Roku and Amazon Fire on the "Understand the Bible?" channel. ©2026 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved

In 1 Samuel 4:1–22, Israel goes into battle against the Philistines and suffers a devastating defeat. Instead of asking what has gone wrong in their relationship with God, they bring the Ark of the Covenant into battle, believing that having the symbol of God's presence with them will guarantee victory. But God cannot be reduced to a formula, ritual, or good-luck charm. Pastor David Maestas explores what happens when we want God's blessing without obedience, God's protection without surrender, and God's presence without a genuine relationship with Him. Why did God allow Israel to lose the Ark of the Covenant? Why wasn't simply having the Ark with them enough? Can Christians fall into the same trap today by trusting religious practices, church attendance, prayer routines, or outward appearances more than God Himself?

Send us Fan MailThis Podcast is a part of season 23 of a project to complete an in-depth, study of the entire Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Episode Notes:Today we come to one of the dramatic, breathtaking moments, a moment that speaks directly to our spiritual lives today.As in everyday life, our spiritual life also has ups and downs. There are valleys, seasons of struggle, dryness, confusion, and waiting, and there are mountaintops, moments when God feels near, when prayer feels alive, when worship feels powerful, when obedience feels joyful. But here's the danger: When we are on top spiritually, we often forget a very important spiritual principle, and in 2 Chronicles 7, God Himself spells out that principle. This chapter opens with one of the greatest mountaintop experiences in all of Scripture. Solomon has just finished praying. The people are gathered. The Temple stands complete. And then, suddenly, the glory of God descends.But it is after this mountaintop moment, not before it, that God speaks, and what He says is not about fire, or cloud, or glory. It is about the principle that can sustain a believer when the mountaintop fades a little. It is about how to seek God when life is ordinary, how to return to God when life goes wrong, and how to walk with God when the fire is gone and the cloud has lifted.In other words: God uses a mountaintop moment to teach a valley principle, and that principle is one of the most important in all of Scripture. A principle that has shaped revivals, restored families, restored nations, healed hearts, and renewed believers for centuries.Let's turn now to 2 Chronicles 7, and let's see if we can discern what that principle is….Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R McCandless...Follow and support me on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Practical, Biblical advice if you are looking for a partner.The Bible, which begins and ends with a wedding, reveals the unique importance which God Himself attaches to marriage.Support the show

What if the very thing you thought you outgrew — jealousy, comparison, that nagging sense you're always coming up short — was actually pointing to something deeper: a trust issue with God Himself?

In this episode of the Other Six Podcast, we unpack the biblical definition of a disciple, explore the significance of the Trinity in the Great Commission, and talk practically about what it looks like to live sent in our everyday lives. We'll also connect the four rhythms we've explored throughout the series—gathering in worship, growing in the Word, giving to the mission, and going into the world—and see how each one fuels the others. And finally, we'll look at how God Himself models a “sent” posture throughout Scripture and encourages those who may wonder, “Who am I supposed to reach if everyone I know already knows Jesus?” The rhythm doesn't end when the series does. We are sent.

We are now ready to consider the Eighth Commandment in our Ten Commandments Series. Through the first seven, we have seen that honoring God from our hearts and with our actions is our foundation. The Sabbath was created to remind us of this sacred responsibility. We are then taught to honor our parents as the basis for all of our human interactions. Next were the clear commands to not murder or commit adultery. We found that Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, seriously elevated the responsibilities of these specific commands. As we begin to examine the next Commandment, “You shall not steal,” it will become very evident very quickly that these four words are not some simple form of general guidance. On the contrary, they truly teach us the fundamentals of civility and respect. As usual, Jesus will take this lesson and elevate it even further for his followers. It’s more than you might think The command “You shall not steal” covers far more than taking physical items. In Scripture, stealing includes kidnapping, dishonest business practices, withholding wages, exploiting someone's livelihood, and even negligence that causes another person's loss. God required full restitution—often with added compensation—and a guilt offering, showing that stealing is both a violation against people and against God Himself. Not a minor offense In this episode we explore how these Old Testament principles reveal God's deep concern for fairness, honesty and community stability. Stealing is never treated as a minor offense. Whether it involves cheating in trade, manipulating weights and measures, hiding found property, or damaging someone's livelihood, God's law consistently protects individuals and families. Restitution was designed to restore what was lost and to impress upon the offender the seriousness of violating God's standards. In the New Testament, Jesus expands the commandment by showing that theft begins in the heart. Wrong actions grow from wrong motives, and true obedience requires inward transformation. Modern examples—such as friendly fraud, self‑checkout manipulation, and digital piracy—remind us that integrity must guide even the smallest decisions. Ultimately, Christians are called to move from selfishness to responsibility, and from taking to giving, reflecting God's character in everyday life. Key Takeaways Stealing in Scripture includes fraud, exploitation, negligence and kidnapping. Old Testament restitution required full repayment plus added compensation. Jesus teaches that theft begins in the heart and violates love for God and neighbor. Modern forms of theft still matter spiritually. Christians are called to integrity, responsibility and generosity rather than self‑interest.  

In the final week of our The Good Life series, Pastor Alex Gowler addresses one of life's hardest questions: What good can God bring from the bad that happens in our lives? Drawing from key passages in 1 Peter, this message explores how God uses life's greatest trials to refine our faith, deepen our hope, and draw us into closer relationship with Jesus. While God does not cause our suffering, He is in the business of bringing beauty from ashes—if we are willing to trust Him through the process. Whether you are navigating a season of hardship or seeking to encourage a friend, discover how setting apart Christ as Lord transforms our trials into a powerful witness of Christian hope and spiritual endurance.Key Takeaways:• Demonstrate True Hope: Learn how suffering shifts our motivation from following Jesus for what He gives us to loving Him for who He is.• Trust God's Unseen Purpose: Discover why we can trust God's greater plan even when we can't see the immediate purpose behind our pain.• Sever Attachments to the World: See how difficult seasons purify our desires, freeing us from temporary distractions and aligning us with eternity.• Deepen Intimacy with Christ: Understand how sharing in trials allows us to experience closer fellowship with Jesus, the Son of Suffering.• Stand Firm and Be Restored: Cling to the promise of 1 Peter 5:10—that after you have suffered a little while, God Himself will restore, strengthen, and establish you.

Practical, Biblical advice if you are looking for a partner.The Bible, which begins and ends with a wedding, reveals the unique importance which God Himself attaches to marriage.Support the show

What gives a Christian courage when circumstances are frightening, costly, or painful? It begins with how we see God. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains that courageous faith rests on the character of God. He is sovereign, holy, loving, faithful, all-knowing, all-powerful, and always present. Because God cannot be wrong or defeated, those who fully trust Him can face an uncertain world with confidence and peace. Our view of God determines whether we walk by faith or by sight. Jesus promised that believers would experience trouble in this world, yet Scripture is filled with men and women who endured persecution, suffering, rejection, and even death because they believed God's eternal promises were worth more than temporary comfort. Hebrews 11 remembers saints who refused to abandon their faith even when obedience carried an enormous cost. They did not receive everything God had promised during their earthly lives, yet they persevered because they were looking toward something better—an eternal inheritance secured by God Himself. Following Jesus will cost us something. But courageous faith knows that knowing Christ is infinitely more valuable than anything we could lose. Trust the God who never fails, and follow Him with confidence, whatever the cost. Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times when I have put my desires before Your will and purpose for me. Help me to follow wherever You lead, no matter the cost. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “[Moses] regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward” (Hebrews 11:26).  Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon They Were Just like Us, The Warring Faith: LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.