Podcasts about god himself

This week co-hosts Sarah Humphrey and Mike Nawrocki talk with author Shannon Cook about her new book, I Made the Earth. Did you know that God not only made the earth … He really enjoys it too!  “I Made the Earth” is an Earth Day book from God's perspective. Each rhyming verse tells the reader something beautiful or unique on this earth God made for us to enjoy―things like waterfalls, forests, and the coral reef. Included are reminders to take care of God's creation. The reader also learns that through creation, he or she can learn about God Himself. The book also includes end matter just for parents including ways little people can make a big impact, and fun facts about Earth Day!

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether Today we will read Psalm 46:1 & 10. “God is our refuge and strength. An ever-present help in time of trouble. “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted in the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” Today we will meditate. We will think deeply and with less words. This passage opens by focusing our thinking - God. God is our safety, God is our power. God is our help. Then in verse 10 it says “Be Still.” or “Stop fighting.” or “Stop striving.” Calm down. Who is asking it of you? Is it the songwriter? Is it a guru? No - it's God Himself. Be still and know that “I” am God. You are not God - and no one else is. Just Him. But it's not a call to empty your mind. Far from it. It's a call to stop and consider that He and He alone will be exalted among all people in all the earth. Won't that be a great day! We will take longer now to consider this. Stop what you're doing and consider God taking charge. Thoroughly setting things right. Doing all things well. You might find it helpful just to imagine Him getting bigger and bigger and filling all things and in so doing, all things getting better. We will take a little time to do this - and I will stop now and join you. You can begin imagining now.

What can a jammed garbage disposal possibly teach us about obeying the authority of the Great I AM??? Today, I share a rather embarrassing story of my antics and inept way around machines, and my gratefulness that someone GREATER THAN ME exists around machines! And with that, I begin a brand new series on the I AM statements of Jesus, given in the Gospel of John. In John 8:58, "Jesus said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.'” Beloved, Jesus IS the GREAT I AM. He is God Himself. He was there at Creation, before Abraham was. Jesus is I AM. Join me now for this introduction of the I AM Statements of Jesus. (RAR2023EP21)

In part 3 of “The Secret Power of the Gospel,” we get to the “secret power” part - the Holy Spirit! The ministry of the Holy Spirit gives us the power to have encounters with God, experience our union, renew our minds, escape temptation, and so much more!  In this episode:  * Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, wisdom, revelation, and grace * We are the temple and home of the Spirit of God * The power of God comes to us through the Holy Spirit * The Holy Spirit reveals God, Jesus, and the Gospel to us * It’s the Holy Spirit that empowered Jesus to work with the Father and perform the miracles of His ministry * The Holy Spirit gives us instantaneous help, with infinite goodness and depths of love and mercy The Spirit of God is the greatest gift that has ever been given to mankind - the gift of God Himself, with us, upon us, and within us. Trusting the Holy Spirit is the most powerful way to live. That’s why it is crucial to acknowledge the Holy Spirit and cultivate a greater relationship. If you’d like to dive deeper into working with Holy Spirit to reveal your true identity in Christ, schedule a free breakthrough call with us: https://schlyce.krtra.com/t/ahbfKYlU1PlF

UNLOCKED: Today we're talking Žižek's chapter in his book Absolute Recoil called "The Violence of the Beginning". The reading begins with the notion that there is "nothing prior to the loss" of the sense of lost origins. Žižek then sets into play the idea of the self-alienation of spirit in the realm of translation to show the original brokenness of God Himself. We also question who the real James Bond is, hystericize Eliot's Prufrock, and discuss Emmanuel Carrere's novel The Moustache, all the while wondering—if we really meant what we said.  Dig it! SUPPORT THE PODCAST: https://www.patreon.com/zizekandsoon

In our search for our purpose and identity, there's one crucial piece of the puzzle: understanding the nature of God. In his latest message, 'To Know Yourself by Knowing God', Gregory Dickow dives deep into this connection between knowing ourselves and knowing God, honing in on a unique part of God's character—His joy and playfulness. By aligning ourselves with God's joyful essence, we can find deeper happiness and strength to weather life's storms, even in the toughest of times. Start this journey of self-discovery and divine understanding today, and unlock the potential to live a life that reflects the joy and playfulness of God Himself. Sunday | May 14, 2023 | 9AM SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to the podcast: https://www.anchor.fm/gregorydickow Subscribe to the Gregory Dickow YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMzht6CpkAD9qRdCu1QSKMg?sub_confirmation=1 SUPPORT  You can tithe or donate to help us reach more lives around the world here: https://www.lifechangerschurch.com/give REQUEST PRAYER Submit a prayer request and we will agree with you: https://www.lifechangerschurch.com/prayer CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/gregorydickow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gregorydickow Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/gregorydickow --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gregorydickow/support

God the Father could simply not wait to welcome Jesus back in Heaven after Easter. So much so, that He told us about the welcome party hundreds of years before it happened! It is a foretaste of the party that awaits YOU when you enter heaven. This is the sure hope that is the foundation of our faith.  In our current uncertain times, we can rest assured that if we are in Christ, we will have quite the welcome party in Heaven. Did someone you know and love recently reach the pearly gates? That is their reality today too! We look at the richness of the symbolism of the Ascension, but only because it is the precursor to one of the greatest celebrations for the believers: the gift of the Holy Spirit, the full indwelling of God Himself in the believers, given at Pentecost. We will delve deep into Pentecost in our next episode, but this is a glimpse into glory today! ANNOUNCEMENT | We are switching to 2 episodes a week this season! Love it? Hate it? Please let us know by filling out this one-question survey. YOUR OPINION MATTERS! thank you! BECOME A GOSPELSPICE MEMBER TODAY! Have you noticed our brand new website? It offers FREE MEMBERSHIP that gives you access to ALL -- we do mean ALL -- the GospelSpice content we have created for you since our inception in 2019! FULL studies, including - our most in-depth, CENTERING ON CHRIST: THE TABERNACLE - our most popular to date, IDENTITY IN THE BATTLE - daily wisdom through PROVERBS - and more! Membership gives you access to all sorts of members-only bonus content, such as workbooks, listening guides, questions to go deeper in your GospelSpice experience, quiet time and group study, as well as Bible references and more. We are also committed to keep on adding new content, so there will always be fresh spices here to experience the fullness of life with Christ! Signup for free at gospelspice.com to become a member for FREE and enjoy all these resources. DISCOVER THE GOSPEL SPICE MINISTRIES The Gospel Spice Podcast is part of a larger range of tools given to you by Gospel Spice Ministries. In a nutshell, we exist to inspire Christ-followers to delight in God. In more details: we provide resources to empower Christian leaders across generational, social, ethnic and geographical boundaries towards more intimacy with Jesus Christ and discipleship effectiveness through a Biblical Christocentric foundation. The Gospel-Spice Ministries provide a safe environment for spiritual and community growth empowering people to know Christ more intimately, serve one another more powerfully, and reach the world for Jesus. PLAY IT FORWARD by SHARING the link with friends and family. PRAY IT FORWARD by praying for us and those you share it with! PAY IT FORWARD!! Would you consider supporting this show today to help others enjoy it for free? It comes to you completely free, but is labor-intensive to produce, and we want to keep putting it in the ears of people! Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status. Your donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170. We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. All donations above our minimal operating costs go to Christian organizations fighting human trafficking. (*ListenNotes ranking, 2023) Support us!

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether Today we will read Genesis 22:2. Here God is speaking with Abraham and He makes an unimaginable request… “Take your son, He said, your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” We don't like this verse (and many of the stories in scripture). Understandably so. They're monstrous at first glance. God is asking the impossible - and why??? But let's point something out. God did not allow Abraham to kill Isaac. Okay? Let's remember that. Something else is happening. You may want to take time to read the entire story. First, Abraham and Isaac go to a mountain - a mountain that God designates. When Isaac asks where the lamb is, Abraham tells his son that God Himself will provide the lamb. When they reach their spot, Abraham binds Isaac and lays him on the wood. Once he is in position, Abraham prepares to stab him. At that moment, he is stopped. God points Abraham to an animal caught in a thicket. It's a ram - not a lamb. Strangely God does not provide the lamb. Ultimately, immeasurable blessing come through Abraham's sacrificial and faithful act. Hmmm - Let's summarize: they ascend a hill. The son, the one and only beloved son is laid on wood to be pierced. God Himself provides the lamb, and immeasurable blessing flows from this act of faithful sacrifice. Sound familiar? Yes - it's Jesus. These stories, brutal as they are, foreign as they are, are pointing to Jesus. They are like reverse echoes that only make sense after the fact. And scripture is filled with them. What is God up to? Getting us to Jesus. “God I don't understand it all - not by a long shot. But Jesus is wonderful. You are wonderful. You are blessing and redeeming all things in Jesus. Thank You and I love You.”

The Church, as the Body of Christ, has a special role to play in this world. Equipped with heavenly armor to fight (and win) the battles ahead, called to live as ambassadors for God Himself, to live a life without spot or wrinkle, to serve as ambassadors, and created by God for an amazing plan and purpose. Today Jerry finishes the letter of Paul the apostle to the church of Ephesus, called "Ephesians." Ephesians is an extraordinary letter that Paul wrote while imprisoned in Rome, to a body of believers who—much like us today—needed to be reminded of who they were in Christ, and how to be victorious when facing life's difficulties. Grab your Bible and get ready to be encouraged, challenged and equipped as Jerry dives into the book of Ephesians. You can also join Jerry everyday (links below) as he walks us through a chapter of the New Testament, and gives us some amazing insights and applications. Take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann.  PARTNER WITH US TO GET FREE TEACHINGS LIKE THIS OUT TO MORE PEOPLE AT https://solidlives.com/give/Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

Are there Scriptural references in the Old Testament stating that the Messiah/Savior would be God Himself?, Where did Jesus go after his death on the cross?, Do we choose Hell?, and more on today's Open Line with Fr. Mitch Pacwa.

Colossians 3:16Whether it's your family, friends, job, or home, everything you have is from God. Look within—are you more enamoured with the gifts God gives you than with God Himself?

The Church, as the Body of Christ, has a special role to play in this world. Equipped with heavenly armor to fight (and win) the battles ahead, called to live as ambassadors for God Himself, to live a life without spot or wrinkle, to serve as ambassadors, and created by God for an amazing plan and purpose. Today Jerry continues the letter of Paul the apostle to the church of Ephesus, called "Ephesians." Ephesians is an extraordinary letter that Paul wrote while imprisoned in Rome, to a body of believers who—much like us today—needed to be reminded of who they were in Christ, and how to be victorious when facing life's difficulties. Grab your Bible and get ready to be encouraged, challenged and equipped as Jerry dives into the book of Ephesians. You can also join Jerry everyday (links below) as he walks us through a chapter of the New Testament, and gives us some amazing insights and applications. Take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann.  PARTNER WITH US TO GET FREE TEACHINGS LIKE THIS OUT TO MORE PEOPLE AT https://solidlives.com/give/Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

At first glance, the Gentle Parenting Movement has some very appealing methods.  But does this parenting philosophy align with the Bible? God Himself is known to be gentle. So doesn't that mean approaching raising your children in a gentle way is a good thing? Listen in as Haley and guest Alana Brown discuss the positives and the negatives of this popular movement.Connect with usFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/encouragementfromwomenhttps://www.facebook.com/EncouragementFromWomenWhoveBeenThereInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/encouragementfromwomen.podcastEncouragement From Women Who've Been There:https://www.facebook.com/EncouragementFromWomenWhoveBeenThereHaley Shoemaker: https://www.facebook.com/haley.shoemaker.33/https://www.instagram.com/haleyshoe_/Alana Brown: https://www.facebook.com/mikealana.brownResources:Bible Study- Encouraging Women of the Bible:https://www.amazon.com/Encouraging-Women-Bible-Week-Study/dp/B0BS8ZHMFFEncouragement For Little Women:https://www.amazon.com/Encouragement-Little-Women-Devotional-Girls-ebook/dp/B0BL2WVB9K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YMEK8I2E83KN&keywords=encouragement+for+little+women&qid=1667878622&sprefix=encouragement+for+little+women%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1Encouragement For Women a 30 day Devotional: https://www.amazon.com/Encouragement-Women-Thirty-Day-Devotional/dp/B0941HJB83/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1RUBNXRJYWCM4&keywords=encouragement+from+women+whove+been+there&qid=1659315011&sprefix=encouragement+from+wo%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-3Encouragement for Your Identity: https://www.amazon.com/Encouragement-Your-Identity-Thirty-Devotional/dp/B09K1TWQY2/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1RUBNXRJYWCM4&keywords=encouragement+from+women+whove+been+there&qid=1659315011&sprefix=encouragement+from+wo%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-4Encouragement for Motherhood: https://www.amazon.com/Encouragement-Motherhood-Day-Devotional-Women/dp/B09WPVXSMB/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1RUBNXRJYWCM4&keywords=encouragement+from+women+whove+been+there&qid=1659315011&sprefix=encouragement+from+wo%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-2Website: https://www.encouragementfromwomen.com

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” John 15:5The first amazing thing to recognize in this passage is the simple fact that God wants to produce good fruit in your life. He also wants to bring His grace and mercy into the world through you. The vine does not produce the fruit alone but does so through the instrumentality of the branches. So if we take this teaching at face value, God is saying that He has chosen to bring His grace and mercy into your life and into the world through you.To add greater clarity to this holy mission that we have all been given, Jesus makes a very profound statement. He says “without me you can do nothing.” When considering this line spoken by our Lord, it may be useful to reflect upon what the word “nothing” means. Saint Augustine points out that Jesus added “you can do nothing” to emphasize the fact that, by ourselves, by our own effort, we cannot even produce a “little” good fruit. For example, it would be like cutting off a twig from an apple tree and hoping that the twig will produce an apple.The fruit that God wants to produce also takes place within your soul, in the form of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. These fruits consist of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (See Galatians 5:22–23). Each one of these gifts from God will have the effect of transforming you more fully into an image of God Himself in our world. Try to take a moment to consider each one of those Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Each one is very desirable. Growing in a desire for them will help you grow in a desire for the Holy Spirit in your life.When the Gospel passage quoted above is considered in its two parts, it is also clear that if we separate ourselves from God, then it is impossible to experience any one of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Without a firm connection to our God, we will have no love, no joy, no patience, kindness, etc. None of that is possible unless our lives are firmly connected to the Vine, Who is Christ Himself. So fostering a positive desire for these good fruits, as well as a holy fear of losing them, is useful. Reflect, today, upon the beautiful and meaningful image given to us by Jesus of the vine and the branches. Think of a vine and then think of yourself firmly attached to that vine. Sit with that image prayerfully and let God speak to you. He wants to do great things in you and through you. If you will only cling to Him with all your heart, an abundance of good fruit will be produced. Jesus the Vine, You are the source of all goodness, and, without You, I can do nothing. Help me to always remember how deeply I need You in my life and help me to cling to You always. Please bring forth an abundance of good fruit in my life and, through me, into the world. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2023 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

The Church, as the Body of Christ, has a special role to play in this world. Equipped with heavenly armor to fight (and win) the battles ahead, called to live as ambassadors for God Himself, to live a life without spot or wrinkle, to serve as ambassadors, and created by God for an amazing plan and purpose. Today Jerry continues the letter of Paul the apostle to the church of Ephesus, called "Ephesians." Ephesians is an extraordinary letter that Paul wrote while imprisoned in Rome, to a body of believers who—much like us today—needed to be reminded of who they were in Christ, and how to be victorious when facing life's difficulties. Grab your Bible and get ready to be encouraged, challenged and equipped as Jerry dives into the book of Ephesians. You can also join Jerry everyday (links below) as he walks us through a chapter of the New Testament, and gives us some amazing insights and applications. Take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann.  PARTNER WITH US TO GET FREE TEACHINGS LIKE THIS OUT TO MORE PEOPLE AT https://solidlives.com/give/Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

The Church, as Zac Poonen explains, is to be the place of truth and the declaration of the Gospel. A church is not to be built upon good ideas but rather upon a revelation from God Himself through His Spirit.Learn more about the Bravehearted Voices Podcast and how you can be discipled and grow spiritually by visiting braveheartedvoices.com

IS MAN JUST A CLEVER ANIMAL? (Genesis 1:27-30) Today's message is about the supreme question that divides the secular world that believes in evolution, and those who believe in the creation of all things by God.  The Bible tells us that on the sixth day, God created the man and the beasts of the field.  Now, that means that there must be a relationship between the two.  Today, I want to look at that relationship and answer the question, Is Man Just a Clever Animal? When we stop and compare men and the animals, we can see a similarity in design, a similarity in diet, a similarity in death.  Now, we need to recognize the similarities between man and the animals, but I also want you to see the differences between men and animals.   Not only does man have a craving for Deity, and not only does man have a capability for dominion, but man also has a capacity for depravity that animals don't have. Animals cannot sin, but on the other hand, animals can't love God.  In order for men to love God, they have to have the capacity, or the capability, to sin. God gave man that ability. You ask, “How could men sin if God made everything perfect?” Well, when God made man, God made him with the capacity to choose. And God had to make him with the capacity to choose. If he didn't have the capacity to choose, he wouldn't be a man. But, most importantly, man has a conception of his destiny. He has a comprehension of the fact that he is going to die. But he knows that doesn't end it all. You cannot crawl up in the grave and pull the dirt over your face and hide from God. When God made you, God made you in His image. God breathed into your nostrils the breath of life.  You could no more cease to exist than God Himself could cease to exist.  You're going to exist somewhere—dateless, timeless, endless, measureless. Your soul is worth more than all of the stocks, the bonds, the gold, the silver, the schools, the railroads put together.  Animals are not going to live forever. When an animal dies, he's dead.  There was a time when you were not, but there never again will be a time when you shall not be. You were created in the image of God. God says something about man that He doesn't say about the animals. The Bible says that He made the animals, but He created you. He took animals and made them out of preexisting stuff, but God did a unique creation when He made you, and you are made in His image, and man has a concern for his destiny. I hope you have a concern for your destiny as well.  Click on the play button to hear a message that answers the question, Is Man Just a Clever animal? This is a live recording of The Master's Class Bible Study at LifeChange Church Wichita, KS. Amen.

The Church, as the Body of Christ, has a special role to play in this world. Equipped with heavenly armor to fight (and win) the battles ahead, called to live as ambassadors for God Himself, to live a life without spot or wrinkle, to serve as ambassadors, and created by God for an amazing plan and purpose. Today Jerry continues the letter of Paul the apostle to the church of Ephesus, called "Ephesians." Ephesians is an extraordinary letter that Paul wrote while imprisoned in Rome, to a body of believers who—much like us today—needed to be reminded of who they were in Christ, and how to be victorious when facing life's difficulties. Grab your Bible and get ready to be encouraged, challenged and equipped as Jerry dives into the book of Ephesians. You can also join Jerry everyday (links below) as he walks us through a chapter of the New Testament, and gives us some amazing insights and applications. Take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann.  PARTNER WITH US TO GET FREE TEACHINGS LIKE THIS OUT TO MORE PEOPLE AT https://solidlives.com/give/Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

There is no Love but God's. Perhaps you think that different kinds of love are possible. Perhaps you think there is a kind of love for this, a kind for that; a way of loving one, another way of loving still another. Love is one. It has no separate parts and no degrees; no kinds nor levels, no divergencies and no distinctions. It is like itself, unchanged throughout. It never alters with a person or a circumstance. It is the Heart of God, and also of His Son. Love's meaning is obscure to anyone who thinks that love can change. He does not see that changing love must be impossible. And thus he thinks that he can love at times, and hate at other times. He also thinks that love can be bestowed on one, and yet remain itself although it is withheld from others. To believe these things of love is not to understand it. If it could make such distinctions, it would have to judge between the righteous and the sinner, and perceive the Son of God in separate parts. Love cannot judge. As it is one itself, it looks on all as one. Its meaning lies in oneness. And it must elude the mind that thinks of it as partial or in part. There is no love but God's, and all of love is His. There is no other principle that rules where love is not. Love is a law without an opposite. Its wholeness is the power holding everything as one, the link between the Father and the Son which holds Them both forever as the same. No course whose purpose is to teach you to remember what you really are could fail to emphasize that there can never be a difference in what you really are and what love is. Love's meaning is your own, and shared by God Himself. For what you are is what He is. There is no love but His, and what He is, is everything there is. There is no limit placed upon Himself, and so are you unlimited as well. No law the world obeys can help you grasp love's meaning. What the world believes was made to hide love's meaning, and to keep it dark and secret. There is not one principle the world upholds but violates the truth of what love is, and what you are as well. Seek not within the world to find your Self. Love is not found in darkness and in death. Yet it is perfectly apparent to the eyes that see and ears that hear love's Voice. Today we practice making free your mind of all the laws you think you must obey; of all the limits under which you live, and all the changes that you think are part of human destiny. Today we take the largest single step this course requests in your advance towards its established goal. If you achieve the faintest glimmering of what love means today, you have advanced in distance without measure and in time beyond the count of years to your release. Let us together, then, be glad to give some time to God today, and understand there is no better use for time than this. For fifteen minutes twice today escape from every law in which you now believe. Open your mind and rest. The world that seems to hold you prisoner can be escaped by anyone who does not hold it dear. Withdraw all value you have placed upon its meager offerings and senseless gifts, and let the gift of God replace them all. Call to your Father, certain that His Voice will answer. He Himself has promised this. And He Himself will place a spark of truth within your mind wherever you give up a false belief, a dark illusion of your own reality and what love means. He will shine through your idle thoughts today, and help you understand the truth of love. In loving gentleness He will abide with you, as you allow His Voice to teach love's meaning to your clean and open mind. And He will bless the lesson with His Love. Today the legion of the future years of waiting for salvation disappears before the timelessness of what you learn. Let us give thanks today that we are spared a future like the past. Today we leave the past behind us, nevermore to be remembered. And we raise our eyes upon a different present, where a future dawns unlike the past in every attribute. The world in infancy is newly born. And we will watch it grow in health and strength, to shed its blessing upon all who come to learn to cast aside the world they thought was made in hate to be love's enemy. Now are they all made free, along with us. Now are they all our brothers in God's Love. We will remember them throughout the day, because we cannot leave a part of us outside our love if we would know our Self. At least three times an hour think of one who makes the journey with you, and who came to learn what you must learn. And as he comes to mind, give him this message from your Self: I bless you, brother, with the Love of God, which I would share with you. For I would learn the joyous lesson that there is no love but God's and yours and mine and everyone's.- Jesus Christ in A Course in Miracles, Lesson 127

The Church, as the Body of Christ, has a special role to play in this world. Equipped with heavenly armor to fight (and win) the battles ahead, called to live as ambassadors for God Himself, to live a life without spot or wrinkle, to serve as ambassadors, and created by God for an amazing plan and purpose. Today Jerry continues the letter of Paul the apostle to the church of Ephesus, called "Ephesians." Ephesians is an extraordinary letter that Paul wrote while imprisoned in Rome, to a body of believers who—much like us today—needed to be reminded of who they were in Christ, and how to be victorious when facing life's difficulties. Grab your Bible and get ready to be encouraged, challenged and equipped as Jerry dives into the book of Ephesians. You can also join Jerry everyday (links below) as he walks us through a chapter of the New Testament, and gives us some amazing insights and applications. Take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann.  PARTNER WITH US TO GET FREE TEACHINGS LIKE THIS OUT TO MORE PEOPLE AT https://solidlives.com/give/Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

The Church, as the Body of Christ, has a special role to play in this world. Equipped with heavenly armor to fight (and win) the battles ahead, called to live as ambassadors for God Himself, to live a life without spot or wrinkle, to serve as ambassadors, and created by God for an amazing plan and purpose. Today Jerry begins the letter of Paul the apostle to the church of Ephesus, called "Ephesians." Ephesians is an extraordinary letter that Paul wrote while imprisoned in Rome, to a body of believers who—much like us today—needed to be reminded of who they were in Christ, and how to be victorious when facing life's difficulties. Grab your Bible and get ready to be encouraged, challenged and equipped as Jerry dives into the book of Ephesians. You can also join Jerry everyday (links below) as he walks us through a chapter of the New Testament, and gives us some amazing insights and applications. Take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann.  PARTNER WITH US TO GET FREE TEACHINGS LIKE THIS OUT TO MORE PEOPLE AT https://solidlives.com/give/Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

Let me remember I am one with God. Today we will again give thanks for our Identity in God. Our home is safe, protection guaranteed in all we do, power and strength available to us in all our undertakings. We can fail in nothing. Everything we touch takes on a shining light that blesses and that heals. At one with God and with the universe we go our way rejoicing, with the thought that God Himself goes everywhere with us. How holy are our minds! And everything we see reflects the holiness within the mind at one with God and with itself. How easily do errors disappear, and death give place to everlasting life. Our shining footprints point the way to truth, for God is our Companion as we walk the world a little while. And those who come to follow us will recognize the way because the light we carry stays behind, yet still remains with us as we walk on. What we receive is our eternal gift to those who follow after, and to those who went before or stayed with us a while. And God, Who loves us with the equal love in which we were created, smiles on us and offers us the happiness we gave. Today we will not doubt His Love for us, nor question His protection and His care. No meaningless anxieties can come between our faith and our awareness of His Presence. We are one with Him today in recognition and remembrance. We feel Him in our hearts. Our minds contain His Thoughts; our eyes behold His loveliness in all we look upon. Today we see only the loving and the lovable. We see it in appearances of pain, and pain gives way to peace. We see it in the frantic, in the sad and the distressed, the lonely and afraid, who are restored to the tranquility and peace of mind in which they were created. And we see it in the dying and the dead as well, restoring them to life. All this we see because we saw it first within ourselves. No miracle can ever be denied to those who know that they are one with God. No thought of theirs but has the power to heal all forms of suffering in anyone, in times gone by and times as yet to come, as easily as in the ones who walk beside them now. Their thoughts are timeless, and apart from distance as apart from time. We join in this awareness as we say that we are one with God. For in these words we say as well that we are saved and healed; that we can save and heal accordingly. We have accepted, and we now would give. For we would keep the gifts our Father gave. Today we would experience ourselves at one with Him, so that the world may share our recognition of reality. In our experience the world is freed. As we deny our separation from our Father, it is healed along with us. Peace be to you today. Secure your peace by practicing awareness you are one with your Creator, as He is with you. Sometime today, whenever it seems best, devote a half an hour to the thought that you are one with God. This is our first attempt at an extended period for which we give no rules nor special words to guide your meditation. We will trust God's Voice to speak as He sees fit today, certain He will not fail. Abide with Him this half an hour. He will do the rest. Your benefit will not be less if you believe that nothing happens. You may not be ready to accept the gain today. Yet sometime, somewhere, it will come to you, nor will you fail to recognize it when it dawns with certainty upon your mind. This half an hour will be framed in gold, with every minute like a diamond set around the mirror that this exercise will offer you. And you will see Christ's face upon it, in reflection of your own. Perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow, you will see your own transfiguration in the glass this holy half an hour will hold out to you, to look upon yourself. When you are ready you will find it there, within your mind and waiting to be found. You will remember then the thought to which you gave this half an hour, thankfully aware no time was ever better spent. Perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow, you will look into this glass, and understand the sinless light you see belongs to you; the loveliness you look on is your own. Count this half hour as your gift to God, in certainty that His return will be a sense of love you cannot understand, a joy too deep for you to comprehend, a sight too holy for the body's eyes to see. And yet you can be sure someday, perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow, you will understand and comprehend and see. Add further jewels to the golden frame that holds the mirror offered you today, by hourly repeating to yourself: Let me remember I am one with God, at one with all my brothers and my Self, in everlasting holiness and peace. - Jesus Christ in A Course in Miracles, Lesson 124

428. Jesus' Compassionate Perseverance (Luke 13:31-35) Herod is after Jesus – yet Jesus marches on in love and perseverance, determined to fulfill God's call on His life. What can we learn from this as we walk in Jesus' footsteps? Join Julie Jenkins for a study of Luke 13:31-35.   ***   Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders' podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and it is my honor to walk with you as we open scripture and ask God what He wants us to know today. If you are new to Women World Leaders, I'm glad you have joined us! Women World Leaders is God's ministry, and the mission He has given us is to help others walk in their God-given purpose as we all lead for Christ. We have many offerings for you, including our monthly leadership connect on Zoom, seminars to help shore up your leadership skills, a prayer team who would love to meet and pray with you, opportunities to write and grow, our quarterly Voice of Truth magazine, and of course this podcast! We offer three very different podcasts each week under this one banner. On Monday, Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose – a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith each week; this is meant to inspire you and empower you in your God-given walk. On Fridays, we have the joy of Celebrating God's Grace with one of several beautiful leaders who offers us a burst of enthusiasm to jump into the weekend with. And on Wednesdays, today, we take time to walk through scripture together, seeking God's wisdom and direction for life. We are currenly walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John chronologically, and today we are studying from the book of Luke, chapter 13, verses 31-35. Before we begin, let's pray… Dear Father God, we are in awe that you are with each person listening to this message! Thank you for meeting us each where we are. We know you have a word for us today, and I ask that our hearts be receptive to hearing your voice. Father, even as I prepare for the honor of reading and expounding on your Word, I ask you to be with me. Guide my thoughts and let all I say be pleasing to your ears and be exactly what you would have each listener know from your heart. We thank you and give you all the praise and glory as we begin. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. If you have been following along with us from week to week, you know we are picking up as Jesus continues visiting towns and villages, teaching and preaching to the people. As He does, He is getting closer and closer to His crucifixion, and his teaching is getting more and more direct and intense. As we continue today, we see the Pharisees launching out at Jesus yet again, but this time they take a bit of a different tactic. Let's begin by reading from Luke 13:31 in the New Living Translation. 31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” The Herod they were referring to was Herod Antipas. Now Luke had recorded earlier that Herod feared that Jesus was actually John the Baptist, whom he had murdered, returned from the dead. So it certainly wasn't a stretch that the Pharisees would be “warning” Jesus that Herod was after Him. However, looks can be deceiving, and we should be careful NOT to be under the impression that the Pharisees actually cared about Jesus' well-being. WHY then, were the Pharisees warning Jesus? It seems they were trying to frighten Jesus into returning to Judea, where they could watch and trap Him. But our Jesus is not to be frightened, and He will never succumb to trickery. Jesus was FULLY obedient to God, KNOWING that God had THE perfect plan and His every direction is always trustworthy. How freeing would it be if we, too, fully trusted God to guide and direct every step we take? If we trusted God…we wouldn't have to stress about our finances, because we would know that God had everything in His control. If we FULLY trusted God… we could live in joy knowing that our children's futures are secure in His hands; we wouldn't have to get angry and shout about causes in the streets or on Facebook – because we could live by the teaching that God WILL work all things together for the good of those who love Him. If we fully trusted God, we could have civil conversations with others, seeking to learn and come to a full-fledged understanding, and even love, for each other. If we FULLY trusted God, we could go where He calls us and do what He calls us to do despite any apparent lurking danger or division. Jesus – under a REAL threat of attack on His life, chose to fully trust God…verse 32… 32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! Jesus was NOT going to be stopped from what He was called to do. Despite the very real threat on His life, He was going to press on down the path, doing exactly what GOD had given Him to do. Two takeaways I want us to understand from this reading. First – Nothing will stop Jesus from doing anything and everything for you! By this time, many had heard of Jesus, and had even heard Him teach in person. But, undoubtedly, there were some who hadn't yet encountered Jesus. There were some people who still had divine appointments with their Messiah written by God on their calendars. And although they didn't yet realize how their lives were about to change, JESUS knew the name of EVERY single individual God had already prepared a meet-and-greet with. Jesus loved each of them IMMEASURABLY and NOTHING was going to stop Him from coming face-to-face with them. Friend, Jesus loves YOU that much – and NOTHING will stop Him from orchestrating EVERYTHING to give YOU the chance to encounter Him and learn from Him.   The second takeaway is that as we walk with Jesus, we, too can PRESS ON where and how we have been called, KNOWING that He will empower us to reach our destination.   So whether you are walking and serving Him in ministry, as a parent, taking care of a child or loved one, or if you are walking staunchly away from abuse, neglect, sin, or wrong thinking, you can trust that God will guide you to the next right step. After Jesus shows us His strength and perseverance to do God's will, we see His tenderness and compassion for His people ooze from His words. … verse 34 continues… 34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Can't you just hear the pain and love in Jesus' words as He speaks on behalf of God Himself? These were God's chosen people whom He longed to have a loving relationship with – and yet they turned away from Him. I think every parent has had a glimpse of this pain at some point. Days when you think, I've given it all, and yet I feel alone at this moment – unappreciated and unloved. If you are there right now, I'm sorry. Please know that Jesus understands. And you are never alone. Jesus then warns His listeners…  35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'[a]” The house of Israel was left desolate, because far too many did not believe that their Messiah had come and was standing before them. Yet our God is a God of many chances – the key word in this verse is “until.” Jesus says… I tell you, you will not see me again UNTIL you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. We see Jerusalem under attack even today – because MANY have not come to believe in Jesus as the Son of God. But there WILL be a time when God again will take them under His wing. Our world is in turmoil. Christians are persecuted and many of them thrive and gain some sick energy as they yell against each other, thinking if my voice is loudest, then surely others will see me as right. Perhaps it is time to lower our voices and simply stand strong in our deeds and actions. Perhaps, instead of screaming about the atrocity of abortion, we should spend our time and money working with young, pregnant women who need the support of a Christian family. Perhaps instead of fighting to build a bigger and higher wall to protect our country, we should recognize the one person we may be called to help as we press on in love. We don't have to make a stink to make something happen – because we have an amazing God who PROMISES to make the right thing happen – and He is in control. I'm not suggesting we be complacent and let the world make decisions for us. Instead, I am suggesting that we, like Jesus, no longer walk in fear – but we simply keep walking where we are called and doing what we are called to do – keeping love and compassion at the forefront. Let's pray… Dear Most Holy God…you sent your Son to save us, yet the world came against Him. Sometimes, we feel like the world is coming against us, too. Father, the fire burns in us to fight – but you have called us instead to persevere in love. Help us to remember that YOU are in control and you have called us to be a light for You. Father, I ask you to speak to each person listening right now – the task you have called each of us to is unique, and we can each only respond by listening to and trusting you fully and completely. Give each one listening the wisdom, strength, and perseverance to take her next right step in love and compassion. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

HeavenGood morning, church! Let's begin today's sermon with a humorous story that I think you'll enjoy. A young boy was drawing a picture in Sunday school, and his teacher asked him, "What are you drawing?" The boy replied, "I'm drawing a picture of heaven!" The teacher, curious, asked, "Well, what does heaven look like?" The boy confidently responded, "I don't know, but I'll find out when I get there!"While the story brings a smile to our faces, it also reminds us of the hope and anticipation we have for heaven. Our powerful verse for today is Revelation 21:4, which says, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."Heaven is a place of unimaginable beauty, peace, and joy, where we will dwell in the presence of God for all eternity. Today, I want to share with you three aspects of heaven and how they should impact our lives here on earth.First, heaven is a place of perfect fellowship. In heaven, we will be reunited with loved ones who have gone before us, and we will also enjoy perfect fellowship with God Himself. 1 Corinthians 13:12 tells us, "Now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." The promise of perfect fellowship in heaven should motivate us to deepen our relationships with God and others while we are on earth.Second, heaven is a place of worship and service. Our primary purpose in heaven will be to worship and serve God with all our hearts. Revelation 7:15 says, "They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence." Our anticipation of heaven's worship and service should inspire us to wholeheartedly worship and serve God in our daily lives.Lastly, heaven is a place of unimaginable beauty and joy. Heaven is described as a place where "the streets are made of gold" (Revelation 21:21) and where we will experience unending joy in the presence of our Creator. The anticipation of heaven should fill us with hope and give us strength to persevere through life's challenges, knowing that a glorious future awaits us.Now, I want to extend an invitation to each of you. If you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to do so today. The promise of heaven and eternal life is available to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ.Let us pray together: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the promise of heaven and the eternal joy that awaits us in Your presence. We ask that You would fill our hearts with hope and anticipation for our heavenly home. For those who have not yet received Jesus as their Lord and Savior, I pray that they would make that life-changing decision today. In Jesus' name, Amen.If you have made the decision to follow Jesus today, please don't leave without speaking with one of our pastors or leaders. They would love to guide you through this important step in your spiritual journey and help you grow in your newfound relationship with Christ.Remember, heaven is our eternal home, filled with perfect fellowship, worship, and unimaginable beauty. As Revelation 21:4 reminds us, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." God bless you all, and may you live with hope and anticipation for the day we enter our heavenly home.

From the Series “The Apostles' Creed.” Returning to the first line of the Creed, God, our Father, is the Creator of Heaven and earth. As sons and daughters, we cannot escape the imprint of our Genesis. So what does it mean as unique individuals to be created in God's image? There are many of us because there is much of Him. How do we begin to rule and reign as He commanded in a world that needs so much? How did God Himself begin His own rule and reign over creation? Let's learn to emulate the Father whose image we bear.

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION “The Christian Gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. It undermines both swaggering and sniveling. I cannot feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone. I do not think more of myself or less of myself. Instead, I think of myself less.”~Tim Keller“Our efforts after Christian growth seem only a succession of failures, and, instead of rising into the beauty of holiness, our life is a daily heart-break and humiliation.”~Henry Drummond“Jesus Christ became Incarnate for one purpose, to make a way back to God that man might stand before Him as He was created to do, the friend and lover of God Himself.”~Oswald Chambers“Christ is building His kingdom with earth's broken things. Men want only the strong, the successful, the victorious, the unbroken, in building their kingdoms; but God is the God of the unsuccessful, of those who have failed. Heaven is filling with earth's broken lives, and there is no bruised reed that Christ cannot take and restore to glorious blessedness and beauty. He can take the life crushed by pain or sorrow and make it into a harp whose music shall be all praise. He can lift earth's saddest failure up to heaven's glory.”~J.R. Miller“You will run out of sin before He runs out of mercy.”~Pastor Charlie Dates“If God called us to a task, He will then qualify us for the job.”~Jack Hyles“Have you been holding back from a risky, costly course to which you know in your heart God has called you? Hold back no longer. Your God is faithful to you, and adequate for you. You will never need more than He can supply, and what He supplies, both materially and spiritually, will always be enough for the present.”~J. I. PackerSERMON PASSAGELuke 22:24-32, John 21:15-24 (ESV)Luke 22 24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. 28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”John 2115 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” 20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” 24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

April 30: Saint Pius V, Pope 1504–1572 Optional Memorial; Liturgical Color: White Patron Saint of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith One Shepherd, one flock, one Lord, one Church Saint Pius V is buried in the Sistine Chapel, but not “that” Sistine Chapel. His body lies in a glass coffin in the stunning, baroque Sistine Chapel of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. He is not far from other luminaries: the master artist Gianlorenzo Bernini is buried unassumingly in the floor nearby, and Saint Jerome's remains can be found in a porphyry tomb under the main altar. Saint Pius V was not born a pope, of course. He was from a poor but noble family in Northern Italy and baptized Antonio Ghislieri. He entered the Dominican Order as a teenager and quickly rose to positions of authority and responsibility due to his intelligence, discipline, unassailable purity of life, and defense of the Church. He was elected Pope in 1566. The Council of Trent had just concluded. The Counter-Reformation was so new it did not even have a name. The Muslim Turks were invading Europe from the East. Protestants occupied chunks of Northern Europe and were cracking the unity of the Church in France. In a truncated papacy of six years and four months, Saint Pius V rose to all of these challenges and more, leaving an enduring legacy disproportionate to his brief reign. Our saint marshalled the coalition of Catholic princes and monarchs who defeated the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. A loss would have opened the front door of Europe for Muslims to walk right in and make it their home. In 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I of England for heresy and schism, called her a pretender to the throne, and forbade Catholics to obey her. This led the Queen to seek the blood of English Catholics for treason. As momentous as these events were, and they each cast long and dark historical shadows, it was specifically as a churchman that Saint Pius V did his best work. He personally lived the reforms he expected of the Church as a whole, and he implemented those reforms first in the city of Rome itself, among his own ecclesial court and among his own people. A fire place sitting in front of a fireplaceThe Council of Trent met intermittently between 1545–1563. It was arguably the most successful Council in the history of the Church. Trent introduced numerous reforms that have long since been accepted as normative Church practice: a bishop must live in his diocese, priestly formation must occur in a seminary, the Mass must be said using a uniform language and ritual, a catechism must be published and its teachings learned by all, and religious and priests cannot easily skip from one diocese to another. The Council also clarified technical, and not so technical, questions of Catholic theology in the face of Protestant challenges. The Council's documents were not put on a shelf to gather dust. Trent's immense treasure house of doctrinal, liturgical, and disciplinary reforms were implemented, fully and forcefully, over many succeeding decades. This was due to the perseverance and vision of many Counter-Reformation bishops, priests, nuns, and scholars, beginning with Pope Saint Pius V himself. Pope Saint Pius V is viewed historically as a true icon of orthodoxy (correct doctrine) and also of orthopraxy (correct practice). It is an unfortunate truism of modernity that religious faith, submission to religious truth, or trust in a prior intellectual inheritance (as opposed to personal discovery of “truth”) are limiting forces which stunt personal growth, shield the believer from reality, or block more daring inquiry. A more honest perspective disproves these snide conclusions. Doubt, refusal, or negation are not necessarily open-minded pathways to discovery. It is acceptance, affirmation, and faith that open the mind to the widest horizons. It is “Yes,” not “No,” that leads to more complex and demanding relationships, including with God Himself. The orthodox believer makes no a priori decision to shut his eyes to the fullness of reality, in contrast to the atheist. The believer is open, truly open, to diverse arguments and to diverse experiences. Defenders of orthodoxy, like Saint Pius V, have far more complex understandings of human anthropology and religion than commonly acknowledged. Conservatives are more intuitive anthropologists than liberals. They know how fragile truth can be when under pressure, and they take their job to protect it with utmost seriousness. Saint Pius V was the Pope, or Father, of a universal family. He protected the family's unity with all his considerable skills and virtues, and left a highly united, disciplined Church as his legacy. Saint Pius V, your dedication to the truth showed itself in your pristine holiness, unity of life, and defense of doctrine. From your home in heaven, assist all theologians and leaders of the Church to be as concerned as you were for the unity of God's family on earth.

In this episode, we consider the readings for the fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A in the Lectionary cycle: Acts 7:55-60;  Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14.We discuss Jesus' words about preparing a place for His disciples and His unity with the Father, Peter's explanation that we are living stones made into a dwelling place for God, David's song about God Himself being our refuge and shelter, and the martyrdom of Stephen, who is received into the presence of Jesus.Notes:--Dwell App--Prayers of the People for 4th Sunday of Easter--Metrical Collect for Easter 5The Bible Project--Bible Project's video overview of Acts--Bible Project's video overview of 1 Peter1:39 Collect2:31 John 14:1-1426:35  1 Peter 2:2-1038:59 Psalm 31:1-5, 15-1646:35  Acts 7:55-60 Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires, with a quick Google.

Charles Darwin and some of his friends saw a certain beauty and order in evolution, believing that random processes can bring about living systems. That anyone survived what a poet has described as ‘nature, red in tooth and claw,' is a miracle for naturalists. Others believe miracles, if you can call them that, happen because some impersonal cosmic force allows them.   There's not much comfort in that though.    Remember the account of ancient people who longed to see a miracle from their God? The Egyptians developed a complex system of gods that operated on a whim, but when the God of Moses showed up, they very clearly understood the true source of miracles. And that was the point of the 10 plagues: to show them that the Creator God was infinitely powerful and capable of producing miracles.    We've been given a reasonable source that tells us where miracles come from: The Bible. Deuteronomy 29:2–3 says, “Moses summoned all the Israelites and said to them, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the Lord did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials and to all his land. With your own eyes, you saw those great trials, those signs, and great wonders.'”   Here we see clearly that the source of any and all miracles is God Himself, not a force in the universe. Not a spirit guide. Miracles are from God alone, and He wants you to experience miracles in your life. He wants you to live an abundant life, not one of defeat and misery and oppression. His limitless power was seen by the ancients and today, people on every continent see that miracle-working power. There's a beautiful description of this in Isaiah 43:13, which says, “Yes, and from ancient days I am He. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” And this is the truth we can expect from the One who really does want to help you, and help you today.    Let's pray.    Father God, You have put within each of us the knowledge that tells us You are the source, all miracle-working power. And this is part of the good news of Jesus that we get to tell others about. Thank You for the miracle of Jesus. Thank You for all of Your miracles. In Jesus' name, amen.

The Names of God and Why You Need to Know This...   Pastor Todd's website: www.PastorTodd.org To give to this ministry: www.ToddCoconato.com/give    ach of the many names of God describes a different aspect of His many-faceted character. Here are some of the better-known names of God in the Bible: EL, ELOAH [el, el-oh-ah]: God "mighty, strong, prominent" (Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 139:19) – etymologically, El appears to mean “power” and “might” (Genesis 31:29). El is associated with other qualities, such as integrity (Numbers 23:19), jealousy (Deuteronomy 5:9), and compassion (Nehemiah 9:31), but the root idea of “might” remains. ELOHIM [el-oh-heem]: God “Creator, Mighty and Strong” (Genesis 17:7; Jeremiah 31:33) – the plural form of Eloah, which accommodates the doctrine of the Trinity. From the Bible's first sentence, the superlative nature of God's power is evident as God (Elohim) speaks the world into existence (Genesis 1:1). EL SHADDAI [el-shah-dahy]: “God Almighty,” “The Mighty One of Jacob” (Genesis 49:24; Psalm 132:2,5) – speaks to God's ultimate power over all. ADONAI [ˌædɒˈnaɪ; ah-daw-nahy]: “Lord” (Genesis 15:2; Judges 6:15) – used in place of YHWH, which was thought by the Jews to be too sacred to be uttered by sinful men. In the Old Testament, YHWH is more often used in God's dealings with His people, while Adonai is used more when He deals with the Gentiles. YHWH / YAHWEH / JEHOVAH [yah-way / ji-hoh-veh]: “LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:4; Daniel 9:14) – strictly speaking, the only proper name for God. Translated in English Bibles “LORD” (all capitals) to distinguish it from Adonai, “Lord.” The revelation of the name is given to Moses “I Am who I Am” (Exodus 3:14). This name specifies an immediacy, a presence. Yahweh is present, accessible, near to those who call on Him for deliverance (Psalm 107:13), forgiveness (Psalm 25:11) and guidance (Psalm 31:3). YAHWEH-JIREH [yah-way-ji-reh]: "The Lord Will Provide" (Genesis 22:14) – the name memorialized by Abraham when God provided the ram to be sacrificed in place of Isaac. YAHWEH-RAPHA [yah-way-raw-faw]: "The Lord Who Heals" (Exodus 15:26) – “I am Jehovah who heals you” both in body and soul. In body, by preserving from and curing diseases, and in soul, by pardoning iniquities. YAHWEH-NISSI [yah-way-nee-see]: "The Lord Our Banner" (Exodus 17:15), where banner is understood to be a rallying place. This name commemorates the desert victory over the Amalekites in Exodus 17. YAHWEH-M'KADDESH [yah-way-meh-kad-esh]: "The Lord Who Sanctifies, Makes Holy" (Leviticus 20:8; Ezekiel 37:28) – God makes it clear that He alone, not the law, can cleanse His people and make them holy. YAHWEH-SHALOM [yah-way-shah-lohm]: "The Lord Our Peace" (Judges 6:24) – the name given by Gideon to the altar he built after the Angel of the Lord assured him he would not die as he thought he would after seeing Him. YAHWEH-ELOHIM [yah-way-el-oh-him]: "LORD God" (Genesis 2:4; Psalm 59:5) – a combination of God's unique name YHWH and the generic word for “God” signifying that He is the Lord who is God. YAHWEH-TSIDKENU [yah-way-tzid-kay-noo]: "The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 33:16) – As with YHWH-M'Kaddesh, it is God alone who provides righteousness (from the Hebrew word tsidkenu) to man, ultimately in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, who became sin for us “that we might become the Righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). YAHWEH-ROHI [yah-way-roh-hee]: "The Lord Our Shepherd" (Psalm 23:1) – After David pondered his relationship as a shepherd to his sheep, he realized that was exactly the relationship God had with him, and so he declares, “Yahweh-Rohi is my Shepherd. I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). YAHWEH-SHAMMAH [yah-way-sham-mahw]: "The Lord Is There” (Ezekiel 48:35) – the name ascribed to Jerusalem and the Temple there, indicating that the once-departed glory of the Lord (Ezekiel 8—11) had returned (Ezekiel 44:1-4). YAHWEH-SABAOTH [yah-way-sah-bah-ohth]: "The Lord of Hosts" (Isaiah 1:24; Psalm 46:7) – Hosts means “hordes,” both of angels and of men. He is Lord of the host of heaven and of the inhabitants of the earth, of Jews and Gentiles, of rich and poor, master and slave. The name is expressive of the majesty, power, and authority of God and shows that He is able to accomplish what He determines to do. EL ELYON [el-el-yohn]: “Most High" (Deuteronomy 26:19) – derived from the Hebrew root for “go up” or “ascend,” so the implication is of that which is the very highest. El Elyon denotes exaltation and speaks of absolute right to lordship. EL ROI [el-roh-ee]: "God of Seeing" (Genesis 16:13) – the name ascribed to God by Hagar, alone and desperate in the wilderness after being driven out by Sarah (Genesis 16:1-14). When Hagar met the Angel of the Lord, she realized she had seen God Himself in a theophany. She also realized that El Roi saw her in her distress and testified that He is a God who lives and sees all. EL-OLAM [el-oh-lahm]: "Everlasting God" (Psalm 90:1-3) – God's nature is without beginning or end, free from all constraints of time, and He contains within Himself the very cause of time itself. “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:2). EL-GIBHOR [el-ghee-bohr]: “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6) – the name describing the Messiah, Christ Jesus, in this prophetic portion of Isaiah. As a powerful and mighty warrior, the Messiah, the Mighty God, will accomplish the destruction of God's enemies and rule with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15).

185 – What does it really mean to dwell in the house of the Lord?Usually we think it means sometime way off in the future after we die. But the Bible gives a lot of clues which point to the fact that we live in the house of the Lord right now, and always.That's what this episode is all about, living in the house of the Lord right now.Here are some of the key points:Psalm 23:6 says we dwell in the house of the Lord foreverForever is not just in eternity. It's right now too.What I learned about living in the house of the Lord from fixing my kitchen faucet God Himself is actually our dwelling place (Psalm 90:1; Acts 27:28)Dwelling in the house of the Lord doesn't mean you live in your church. It's the way you live your lifeThe way you live in your home is an indication of how aware you are of dwelling in God's house, being in God's presenceThe way you dwell in God's presence is really how you worship HimJesus wants us to get over a limited form of worship, constricted by a location, a building, or thinking your church is the only one that can worship God correctly. You can worship God wherever you are, because you are always in the house of the Lord. You are always in God's presence, dwelling with and in Him. This is true for everyone.The house of the Lord is where you live, right now.To see the show notes, with all the Bible quotes and links to the original Hebrew words mentioned in this week's episode, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/185.Support the show_________________________James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. He conducts Bible workshops online and in person. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Questions? Contact him here.Want James to talk or conduct a workshop on the Bible for your group? Reach out today. Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show

Susan Macias says as long as we have breath to breathe, Jesus still has a work for me to do. I love that and most likely I have fewer breaths to breathe than most of you. And it's still true. Don't you love it too? We never run out of purpose, and that purpose is to partner alongside of God Himself to do Kingdom work. Thanks for the reminder, Susan! As a mother of 7 and an empty nester, Susan knew what it meant to have a full parenting life (homeschooler, too) and then "all of a sudden" an empty house, but not an empty life. She started her podcast: "We're Not Done Yet!" She hosted me late last year about hospitality and she said it was a hit. Listen HERE.  One of Susan's passions and books is to help women walk out their identity in Christ. She's hosting a giveaway for: Putting Jesus On: My Identity Journal. Leave a comment in blog or on social media to be entered.   About Susan, in her own words: I'm a fifty-something mom of seven and grandmother of eight. I love my husband, my family, and living in Texas. But above all I love Jesus, and I adore talking about Him After homeschooling for twenty-seven years, I now answer God's new call in my life. As a Christian writer and speaker, I use honesty, transparency, truth from the Word, and a little humor. And I strive to exhort women to engage in their circumstances so that God is glorified and the Kingdom is expanded. Few things thrill me like sharing Jesus with my sisters. Oh friend, the Lord calls us to His purposes. Let's keep fighting the good fight, even when we feel we don't have much fight left. Jesus will enable us because the hurting world needs us!   Some gems from Susan: Considering the next call on your life may seem scary so take one small next step towards that direction. As long as we have breath to breathe, Jesus still has a work for me to do. Are you brave enough to be small when God's called you to be small? Putting on what and who God has called me to be makes me beautiful.       _________   When asked, “What's the greatest commandment?” Jesus replied simply: “Love God, love your neighbor.” I imagine He was thinking, “It's not rocket science” or “What's not to like?” or “It's not complicated.” He was right, it's not complicated. But people are people and we make it complicated. I need to pray daily to uncomplicate what He says is best for me and best for others. So I wrote “31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers,” and once I pray them through, I start over again. You can too. One short, simple prayer to help uncomplicate love sent to your inbox for 31 days. Don't worry. They are short. God doesn't mind short prayers. Sign up HERE  Some samples:      Sign up HERE and feel free to share link with a friend. We are all a little complicated.  Love God. Love your neighbor. It's not complicated.    

Rock Solid Families - Ep 233 - Rock Solid Families - The Heaviness of GriefMerrill and Linda Hutchinson“Everyone grieves differently, and there's no one right way to grieve. We're just here to give you permission to grieve, whether that be in anger, depression, denial, or acceptance. It's not meaning you didn't love that person, it means that you have decided to keep moving on in life,” explains co-host Linda Hutchinson. When you are dealing with a tragedy like a death or loss, there are several stages of grief that you may experience. People often talk about these stages as if they are linear, but in reality, you may bounce back and forth between them as you process your emotions. Today, co-hosts Merrill and Linda Hutchinson talk about the heaviness of grief and seven things to consider doing when helping others through the grieving process.When a tragedy occurs, people often go directly to denial, not wanting to believe that something so upsetting has taken place. They may become angry and direct that anger inwardly, outwardly, or even toward God Himself, especially in the case of an untimely death. As healing progresses and people allow themselves to feel the sadness of loss, they will naturally progress toward depression and finally, acceptance. Sometimes people can become trapped in their grief. And at that point, they may need to seek professional help. If you are helping someone through their grief, do not try to hurry them through it. Allow them the time to process at their own speed and provide a safe space where they can share their feelings.Everyone will experience grief at some point throughout their lives. However, not everyone will process their grief the exact same way. Some ways you can help guide others through their grief is to acknowledge their loss, provide practical help such as babysitting or cooking a meal, offer to pray for them, and share scriptures where appropriate.Quotes“When you finally start to experience the reality of a loss, we're not denying it, we're not bargaining out of it. Depression is actually a good sign that you are coming out of it.” (9:59-10:12 | Linda)“There's so many of our clients that believe that if I accept it, then that means I wanted it to happen.” (11:12-11:18 | Linda)“People have to solve their own problems. They have to walk through their own stuff. And so giving advice that is unsolicited, really most of the time is hurtful.” (15:05-15:15 | Merrill)“Don't assume that somebody should progress at a certain rate.” (16:49-16:53 | Merrill) “Talk less, listen more.” (20:18-20:20 | Merrill)“Everyone grieves differently, and there's no one right way to grieve. And so we're just here to give you permission to grieve, whether that be in anger, that be depression, whether that be denial, acceptance. It's not meaning you didn't love that person, it means that you have decided to keep moving on in life.” (30:39-31:01 | Linda)LinksInstagram Merrill Hutchinson | https://www.instagram.com/hutchinsonmerrill/?hl=en Instagram Rock Solid Families | https://www.instagram.com/rocksolidfamilies/?hl=en Website | https://www.rocksolidfamilies.org/ Support the show

After Moses went up to Sinai again, God gave him instructions for the building of a holy building. This would be a place where God Himself could dwell among his people and they could worship him. As we read the instructions and consider the construction details, we will learn how to come close to God in worship.

Your body is important not because of how much better or equal it is compared to another body. It is precious because it is woven by God Himself. Because you were seen from the beginning of time. 

FUEL FOR PRAISE! The Master's Plan • Ephesians 1:3-8 • Faith Community • 4/23/23 Intro: I think people today aren't too different from people 2000 years ago. Sure, we drive cars, fly in airplanes, take antibiotics, soon to enjoy In-N-Out burgers, are glued to our cell phones, Google information from Wikipedia, and a thousand other fantastic innovations that people in Paul's day couldn't have imagined. But in some very deep ways, we are just like them. Every person who draws a breath shares with everyone else the same very deep needs whether they can articulate them or not. Let me put them into the form of three disturbing questions: [1) Do I belong?] i.e. am I wanted? Believe it or not, that's why we identify with teams, and create cliques with innies & outies, and even befriend each other on Facebook. We don't want to be left out or passed over. And we never want to be the last person on the playground to be chosen when teams divide up. Who are my people, my family? Do I belong? (Here?) We want to be wanted. [2) Do I Matter] Why am I here? What's the point? We want to be a part of something that matters. We want to be significant, to do something that is important, that lasts. We try to find it in our jobs, and in the causes we pursue (in politics or social issues), and even in our recreational pursuits—to be a great golfer, or to visit every major league baseball stadium. It's why some people will pursue significance by trying to be somebody, to be popular—or least well known—even if means shooting innocent people for 5 minutes of fame. What we don't want is to come to the end of our life and realize it really wouldn't have mattered had we never been born. We need to matter. [3) Am I secure?] Life is uncertain, and there are plenty of fears that face us—fear of rejection, of getting hurt or sick, or the granddaddy of them all—dying. Which all of us will do. Eventually. Then what? Our need for security sometimes moves us to earn lots of money, or reduce physical risks, or avoid commitments to others. But life is terribly uncertain, and you can't count on much of anything except that as long as you are alive, you're vulnerable. •We shouldn't be surprised that in our generation, these needs are inflamed. After all, think about what we have been taught: [√You are a freak accident of chance.] From earliest time, we are indoctrinated with the story that we all are a product of evolutionary processes which began accidentally, and as a result of a very long time + nearly infinite chances, the human animal developed into what we are today. There was no reason it happened, no guiding mind behind the process—we're all just freak accidents. As a result: [√There is no reason or purpose for your life.] Kind of difficult to find purpose in your life when you realize that there is no design or reason for anything. If life means nothing, your life won't mean much. Even if you dream up some sort of personal purpose, it's all taste and preference; you're here today, buried tomorrow, and eventually forgotten forever. (Who was Miss America 1937?) I don't know. Who cares? Nobody remembers. Because it doesn't matter. Nobody and nothing really matters. Esp because: [√History is going nowhere.] History is just the recap of what's happened, but there's no order or scheme to it, no purpose or plan. There's no goal, no arrival, or intended end. It is what it was. You can't read into it any greater design. Human history may die out with a sigh or end with the sun exploding, but there's no difference either way. We'll all vanish from the universe, and it won't have mattered that we ever existed anyway. (Wow. That's a pleasant thought.) •What we've been taught inflames and exacerbates these deep human needs to belong, to matter, and to experience some sense of security. We all have these needs, these deep longings. Every person. Even you & me. And God is going to address these needs in such a way that you'll praise and thank Him like never before. But first, you have to understand what he has done. WHAT HAS GOD EVER DONE FOR ME??? Glad you asked… •1:3-14 are a single sentence in the original text (in fact one of the longest in the NT!)—The ESV broke it up into 6 sentences, the NIV into 8! But Paul wrote it as one long outburst of praise, without even taking a breath for all God has done for us! It explodes with excitement and gratitude. Grammatically, it reads like a plate of spaghetti, and it's nearly impossible to cleanly separate all the parts—they run from one thought into another, as though Paul's pen couldn't keep up with his racing mind. And NB what he says: ➡What? We should speak well of God (vs. 3a): Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… •Blessed sounds like one of those religious words that don't mean much. But the word in Gk is euloghtoß—we get the word “eulogy” from it; and it means to speak well of, to honor and praise. Usually includes expressing gratitude for a person or things he has done to enrich your life. EG your boss gives you a bonus just to encourage you; your friends unexpectedly invite you out for dinner and pick up the check; someone in your Life Group sends you a note of encouragement at precisely the right moment, saying exactly what you need to hear. It all moves you to say, thank you! and you speak well of the person. How well you speak of God depends on how well you grasp all that He has given to you. You have to realize what God has done, and you have to believe it's really true. And that will fuel your praise and worship of Him. So we bless or praise or speak well of God…why? Why? There is nothing He has to give that He hasn't already given to us in Christ! (vs. 3b): …who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ➡You might be thinking, “Oh great—just what I need: a few more blessings in heaven. How about something here and now?” But this is not saying that all the good stuff that will enrich our lives is locked up in heaven and you'll have to die to get it. Rather, in the heavenly places refers to nothing more/less than the unseen realm of spiritual reality all around us. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist or doesn't affect you. Heavenly places doesn't mean “up” or “later,” but “not limited to what we see; eternal and supernatural.” So he's not referring to cars and boats and houses and new golf clubs—he's saying that the stuff that really matters, the things that are eternal and really important in life, all those things have been already given to us. NB: •with every spiritual blessing—i.e. you've got it all. See what this is saying? God hasn't scrimped with us. He has given us not a few, not some, not adequate, not many, but every, all blessings. There are some groups that teach at salvation we get some, but not all blessings that God has to offer—the better ones of power and gifting come later to the initiated and committed. But Paul contradicts that: there is no missing ingredient for you to put your life together. So you don't need to try to get something you don't now have, but rather you need to realize and use what you've already been given in Christ. It's hard to grasp—but there is no good spiritual blessing remaining that He hasn't given to you. If it is good, and good for you, He has already given it. (Gee, maybe He missed me.) Nope. Not possible. If you are in X, a believer, you are the favored recipient of every blessing He has to give. Remember in Christ refers to what accompanies a relationship with Jesus. It's a package deal! •So now do you get it? Your excitement, your praise and worship, your speaking well of God to others and to Him depends on how well you understand and believe all that He's done for you! Now, before we get specific, let me give the rest of this passage (vss. 4-14) the once-over. This is what God has done for you: 1. God has chosen you (vss. 4-8a). So you belong!. You are not a nobody. You are not an outsider. You are wanted by God. You are therefore not insignificant, but special. 2. God is including you (vss. 8b-12). So you matter! He is taking you into His confidence and including you in His plans and purposes; you are not directionless or purposeless or meaningless. 3. God will protect you (vss. 13-14). So you are secure! He guarantees your future and promises to bring you to Himself where you will be with Him forever. •It's no coincidence that when Paul bursts into praise to God for all His blessings lavished on us believers, he addresses these 3 deep, universal human needs that God Himself has met in Christ. And as we go through this, you'll notice that the Father is focused in the first, the Son in the second, and the Holy Spirit in the third—the Triune God is bent on enriching your life as a believer in Christ! Also, the first concerns our past, the second our present, and the third our future. So His blessings affect our whole existence, not just someday or forever. So let's dive in (but understand I'll only be able to scratch the surface of all that God has done for us.) •Here are three incredible blessings God has given to us: #1. GOD HAS CHOSEN US! A. Three Staggering Thoughts (1:4) even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him… 1. What? “He chose us” Sometimes we're tempted to think that God doesn't care or doesn't know about my life. He's got a million problems to deal with—floods and earthquakes and other disasters; the general deterioration of sane thoughts about what's true—male and female are different, or a baby fresh out of the womb ought not to be put to death; or the twisting of what He's like or the disbelief of what's He's done; His hands are full, and has no time for little o me. I'm just one of a blob of billions of nameless, faceless others who happen to cash in on the His somewhat generous offer of whoever believes will be saved (John 3:16). I sneaked in on the whoever. When I see God face to face, He'll ask, “Gabriel, who's this?” To which Gabriel will answer, “Oh, he's just one of those whoevers.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. He chose us. Not only that, but He chose us! •We often picture it as the reverse: we chose Him. But actually the reverse is true. When the Bible speaks of who chose whom, it always has God as its subject and man as its object. Nowhere does it say that God was passive and we sought Him out and chose Him. NO, we responded to His call through believing the Gospel, the Good News: [Acts 13:48; 1 Thess. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13-14] That brings us a lot of questions, but don't let all the questions obscure what is clear so you miss the point: God chose you. He wanted you! That fact is underscored by the next phrase: 2. When? “before the foundation of the world” or as NIV: before the creation of the world. In other words, He chose us before we had the mental faculties to understand or even say God. Even more: You weren't even alive when God chose you. So that clearly prevents any human qualities to intrude in God's choice as if God chose us because He saw in us some great potential. So why did He choose me/you? I have no idea; but again, I do know what He didn't base His choice on—on goodness/merit on our part. NB: 3. Why? “that we should be holy and blameless before Him” He chose us warts and all. [J. Sidlow Baxter: He did not choose us because we were holy, but to be holy…!”/x] We were chosen when in fact we were NOT holy; but we were chosen to become holy and blameless. So He chooses to be involved in our lives both now, and in the outcome. He didn't choose you just so that someday you'd arrive in Heaven, but to purify your life and fit you for heaven now. He's not intending to provide an entrance ticket to forever but a complete overhaul of your life right now. •This is remarkably comforting and humbling. The fact that HE did the choosing is humbling because we didn't contribute anything; but it's also comforting because it assumes He knew what He was getting—a pretty broken and imperfect group of people. So nothing really surprises Him now that we're His. He saw it all long ago, and still wanted us. It's a mind-blowing thought: God knew all about you, and chose you in eternity past before you ever existed to live with Him forever without a single defect or blemish. This is so startling that Paul uses two pictures to help us understand the truth of God's choice for us: His choice is like an adoption (vss. 5-6) and like a redemption (vss. 7-8). B. Two Profound Pictures 1. Adoption (vs. 4c-5a): In love He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ… predestine—lit. to mark out or decide beforehand a specific course of action. (Only God can do this with any certainty.) And what God decided long ago would happen to us is that we'd be chosen for His family. Paul says God's choice is a lot like adoption in civil law: According to Roman law, a man could adopt a child as his own. However, if he did so, there could be no second class citizens: an adopted child would be placed into the family with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of that family, with a new heritage and future, a new standing in the community, in effect, a whole new life! The ties to his old life would be severed, and he would assume the identity of a member of that family. •So God walked through the dormitory of human history, looking at spiritual orphans, for some reasons unknown to us, chose us to be adopted into His family, with full privileges and responsibilities as members of His household, and freed from all ties and obligations to our former lives. And because adoption illustrates God's choice, there are no unwanted or surprise-kids in His family. Adopted means chosen, wanted. He chose & wanted you. •“…but I just can't get over why He would want to adopt ME?” Look, I don't know why He'd want you either…but He does! (vss. 5b-6) …according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has blessed us in the Beloved. All I know is that His choice of you is something that pleases and delights his heart. NB: purpose might sound dispassionate and clinical, but isn't. NLT captures the idea in vs. 5: This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure./x It pleased Him to do so, and it will be to the praise of His amazing and glorious grace! •But God's choice goes further than merely adoption, because even though it clearly reveals His desire and choice, parents who adopt cannot change the fundamental nature of a child, or change his/her past, or impart their nature. So Paul uses a second profound picture to illustrate God's choice—that of: 2. Redemption: (vss. 7-8a) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished upon us… Redemption always assumes the person is in some bondage—some forced slavery from which they cannot escape. In Paul's mind, you are kind of like a slave. In NT times, the Roman empire had more slaves than citizens—6 million of them. And buying and selling them was a major business. If someone wanted to free a slave, he'd have to pay the purchase price, buying the enslaved person for himself, then grant him freedom by presenting him with a written certificate of deliverance. The payment and the process was called redemption. Don't miss the point: unless someone greater paid the price, it was hopeless for the slave. No one ever redeemed himself. [Ps. 59:7-9, 15/x] God's choice of you was like a redemption because He purchased you for Himself. He chose you when you were bankrupt/unable to pay. You were enslaved to your sins and trespasses, & sentenced to death. If God were to pay that penalty, He'd have to forfeit a life for your life. And He did. God paid that penalty; it cost Jesus His own life. His choice of you was very, very expensive. And to Him, you are that valuable. You cost that much. He was willing to pay that much for you. Don't ask me why. •And how much? You received forgiveness according the riches of His grace (7b)—i.e. not that He has just enough to cover your sins, but instead, He has more than enough. Riches means to have everything you need and so much more. As terrible and as dark and troubling as your intentional sins are, far-far greater is His grace. He has freely given to you more grace and forgiveness than you need or will ever be able to use. And all this—His forgiveness and unearned love—even though it was expensive and cost Him His Son's life—He lavished on all of us (vs. 8a). •This is not the picture of someone who gives meagerly and begrudgingly, just enough, counting the exact change to the penny; no, this is One who thinks nothing of the cost for the joy that He has in choosing you, wanting you, rescuing you, forgiving you. Remember what happens after the Super Bowl or the World Series, in the locker room, when all the players are handed bottles of expensive champagne—not to drink, but to spray around as an act of extravagant celebration?! That's the picture. That's how lavishly God has given you His grace and mercy and forgiveness. Don't ask me why. But He has. #2. GOD IS NOW INCLUDING US! How? (vss. 8b-10) …in all wisdom and insight, making known to us the mystery of His will according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth… 1. In His Confidence It's one thing to be chosen, but entirely another to be included. A while back I had a plumbing problem, and I called a plumber. As he was bent over, tending to the leak, I was observing. I'm naturally curious, so I asked Qs: “So what's that? A pipe wrench. (Silence.) Will it be hard to fix? Nope. See any problems? (Turns, stares right me and says) Yep. Obviously, I was annoying. But God isn't like that. His desire is to include us is what He's doing. Not like a father who impatiently pushes his son away and snaps, “Go play or do something. I'm working. Don't bother me. I need to get stuff done.” Instead, God patiently explains what He's doing, and how He wants us to help Him. And one of the blessings we have is that God has told us the secret of what He intends to do. He unrolls the blueprint for human history and patiently explains to us His plans. And it includes: [•The “Mystery”: Something once hidden, now revealed] mystery doesn't mean what we usually think—something hard to understand, or cloaked in secrecy until the final few pages. Instead, it's a word used to explain what people once didn't understand but now has been revealed to us: God is telling us where He's taking human history! He wants us to be in the know. He's confiding in us in ways he didn't to Abraham, or Moses, or David, or even Isaiah! NB: [•The Unseen Hand: God is at work directing history] It's not all random. History is headed somewhere. NB: God purposes (vs. 9), and predestines/predetermines (vs. 5, 11). Like pieces of a puzzle, events are falling into place and in the end, when the time is right, God will accomplish what He's been working on all along. EG: [•The Outcome: Jesus will reign supreme to His glory] (vs. 10b) to unite all things in Him… What awaits the end of human history is a King, and Kingdom, where all opposition will be subdued. Everything will be made new and made right. Jesus will no longer be an afterthought to anyone, and He will have no rivals. Nothing will dishonor Him, and all will worship and obey Him. •So God wants us to know what He's up to, and wants us to see the big picture. We who know how it will all turn out should see life differently now. We know people matter. We know God wants us to love Him. We know sharing the Good News and helping others come to know and love Jesus is what counts. Little else someday will seem very significant. Our tendency is to get so wrapped up in our daily lives and problems that we fail to see that we are the primary actors on the stage of history; God is writing the script and directing the play. Your neighbors, your family, your job, your friends, your opportunities are all part of the means to bring all things to bow willingly before Him in love. We are never to be purposeless, or directionless; we are part of the grand scheme of things. And that's not all—God includes you in a share of the end product, the Kingdom of His Son! When God gathers everything together in Christ, there are two groups of people who will be included… [2. In His Inheritance] (vss. 11-13a) In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation and believed in Him… Wait! [•Who? both believing Jews and Gentiles] vs. 11: “we (believing Jews) who were the first to hope in Christ”: they had heard about the promised Messiah, the coming Christ, the unique one in all the history of the world who would begin to set all things right; they looked—even longed for His coming. Those who accepted Jesus as the Christ will be included. vs. 13a: “you” (believing Gentiles/non-Jews); we were included when we responded to the Gospel/Good News—that Jesus died in our place for our guilt, and was raised from the dead as our Lord. If you trust what He did as enough to make you right with God, you'll receive forgiveness, and a new life in following Him! At the very moment you believe, you are included in Christ—and all the blessings become yours! [•What? a share in His wonderful Kingdom] It's an inheritance! (You say, Wait! I'm included in the will? I'm named as an heir? YEP!) What is it? It can't be spiritual resources, because God says we already have all He has to give (vs. 3). Honestly, I don't know, except that it will be beyond description! [1Cor. 2:9;1Peter 1:4/x] Whatever it is, if we were to see it right now, it'd make the highest standard of living, all the money and toys, the most adventuresome lifestyle seem like suffering with the flu, or living in the a backward 3rd world slum. Hard to imagine. But that is what is waiting for you as part of His kingdom. [Theologian Oprah Winfrey/x] When God gathers everything together in Christ, we know for certain that we will belong, we will have a place, we will obtain an inheritance. How can we be sure? Because the Holy Spirit given to us fulfills 2 roles in us: [#3: GOD WILL PROTECT US!] We know ourselves too well. We've tried and failed, but tried again and again failed, and now we try, but cynically wonder if we even should try. Why bother? We know we'll probably screw it up. If it depends on us, we're completely dependable…to be undependable. So we long for something sure and certain that will bring comfort and assurance, something greater than our own puny efforts. And God responds by giving us His Holy Spirit: [1. With a seal of ownership] (vs. 13) In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit… The seal refers to a signet ring you depress into wax, or a small cylinder you roll over wax, creating an impressed image or writing. Two purposes for the seal: to claim ownership (the Roman govt. on a document, or a letter from its sender); and to protect it from anyone unauthorized tampering with it. It was a capital offense to open an officially sealed item. Many seals had the name and image of its owner; so in this case, Jesus marks his own image and name with the Holy Spirit on our lives when we believe in Him! It's His way of showing that we are safe until we arrive at our destination. We are secure in Him until that day. I understand that no one else can tamper with my salvation, but what if God Himself has second thoughts/changes His mind about me? NB the second illustration of His protection: [2. With a down payment] (vs. 14) (the promised Holy Spirit) who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory. •guarantee is a word that's used in modern Greek for engagement ring! You give the ring to show how serious you are. But in the NT, the word referred to the down payment or first installment of the purchase price that secured the legal claim on the item. But what if He breaks the engagement or refused to take delivery? He won't. The greater the down payment, the more certain you are He's serious. To assure us of His certainty, God gives us part of Himself as the down payment. That's like giving my son/daughter as a down payment to assure that I'll take delivery for a house or car; not to do so would mean I'd forfeit my son/daughter. That's crazy! Same with God. He's giving you His Word, His most solemn promise, He's assuring you that what He started by forgiving you all your sins at great cost, and starting you on the new path of life as a member of His family, He will finish by completely redeeming your life and bringing you into His Kingdom as one of the named heirs. He will do this, because He has given you His Spirit who will never leave you. [x] What if it's all true? Paul is writing this under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial before the infamous Caesar Nero, the Hitler of the Century One. But his mind is not on his circumstances, but instead thinks back to before the foundation of the world when he was chosen, and forward to the consummation of all things when Jesus Christ will reign supreme as Lord over the universe; and he smiles and bursts into praise to God. That's perspective! •Do you really believe it? You're wanted by the Living God of the universe. He has already given you all that's eternally worth having. He draws you into His plan, and will use you to accomplish it. When all the dust settles, He promises you, assures you of your place in His Kingdom. How well you grasp and believe that will determine how well you speak of God—what will move you to worship Him and speak well of Him to others. Pray

Women were created by God, in his image, with biological distinctions that separate and distinguish them from men. God not only created humans, male and female, but He also created work for them. In the perfect garden, mankind had a job. Because God made both women and work, we must look to Scripture to determine what makes up women's work.Unfortunately, many women, especially Christian women, struggle with home management, motherhood, and figuring out what they ought to be doing. There is a lack of direction and instruction in the Christian world today for women who want to be faithful to Christ in their homes. The gospel touches and transforms our whole lives, bringing us into greater conformity with God's revealed will.Both men and women have the duty to love God with all their hearts, minds, and strength. Both have the call and ability to know God more deeply and personally through prayer, Scripture, and corporate worship. The fruit of the Spirit applies equally to both men and women, but the opportunities and expression of that fruit will be different. God made men and women different by nature and gives them different roles so that we better image the glory and complexity of God Himself.The Bible has much to say about the duties of women, with one passage giving us a comprehensive glimpse of our job description: Titus 2:3-5. God makes it clear that real kingdom work is done through families in homes. Women are not to stay home in order to keep small. Instead, God tells women to cultivate a fruitful life from their own home base because they are the cultivators of beauty and glory and the home is the best place to build beauty and glory. 

Once you know who you are, all you see is Beauty. All you see is Love, even in the ugliest places, you find the Light, and you magnify the Light. In the Bible, Jesus' mother,  Mary said,“My soul magnifies the Lord,and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,for God has looked with favor on the lowliness of the Almighty's servant.Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;for the Mighty One has done great things for me,and holy is God's name."*Keep that Name burning in your heart, today.As long as you stay aware of It, even just the feeling of It, or the silence of It, you won't meet with anything that's not of It. I Love you,Niknikki@curlynikki.comJoin our Mantra Chanting Challenge!*Mary's Magnificat – Luke 1:46-55God's plans for your life far exceed the circumstances of your day. -@WorshipBlog via IG "Give yourselves up and let the I at the center of your being be the all-power and the only power. and look out at everything in life and everybody in life and say, "Thou couldest have no power over me unless it came from the Father within me."-Joel Goldsmith, The Government of Eden"Don't be afraid of anythingNo one can do anything against you!"-Maharajji "As soon as one places the Supreme Personality of Godhead within one's heart, everything becomes easy and successful."-@srila.prabhupada.quotes (SB 4.8.22p)"My Father alone exists.Nothing else, nobody else."-Yogi Ramsuratkumar "I am God's Son, complete and healed and whole, shining in the reflection of His Love. in me is His creation sanctified and guaranteed eternal life. In me is love perfected, fear impossible, and joy established without opposite. I am the holy home of God Himself. I am the Heaven where His Love resides. I am His holy Sinlessness Itself, for in my purity abides His Own."-A reading from A Course in Miracles, workbook 14Support the show

I am as God created me. We will repeat today's idea from time to time. For this one thought would be enough to save you and the world, if you believed that it is true. Its truth would mean that you have made no changes in yourself that have reality, nor changed the universe so that what God created was replaced by fear and evil, misery and death. If you remain as God created you fear has no meaning, evil is not real, and misery and death do not exist. Today's idea is therefore all you need to let complete correction heal your mind, and give you perfect vision that will heal all the mistakes that any mind has made at any time or place. It is enough to heal the past and make the future free. It is enough to let the present be accepted as it is. It is enough to let time be the means for all the world to learn escape from time, and every change that time appears to bring in passing by. If you remain as God created you, appearances cannot replace the truth, health cannot turn to sickness, nor can death be substitute for life, or fear for love. All this has not occurred, if you remain as God created you. You need no thought but just this one, to let redemption come to light the world and free it from the past. In this one thought is all the past undone; the present saved to quietly extend into a timeless future. If you are as God created you, then there has been no separation of your mind from His, no split between your mind and other minds, and only unity within your own. The healing power of today's idea is limitless. It is the birthplace of all miracles, the great restorer of the truth to the awareness of the world. Practice today's idea with gratitude. This is the truth that comes to set you free. This is the truth that God has promised you. This is the Word in which all sorrow ends. For your five-minute practice periods, begin with this quotation from the text: I am as God created me. His Son can suffer nothing. And I am His Son. Then, with this statement firmly in your mind, try to discover in your mind the Self Who is the holy Son of God Himself. Seek Him within you who is Christ in you, the Son of God and brother to the world; the Savior Who has been forever saved, with power to save whoever touches Him, however lightly, asking for the Word that tells him he is brother unto Him. You are as God created you. Today honor your Self. Let graven images you made to be the Son of God instead of what he is be worshipped not today. Deep in your mind the holy Christ in you is waiting your acknowledgment as you. And you are lost and do not know yourself while He is unacknowledged and unknown. Seek Him today, and find Him. He will be your Savior from all idols you have made. For when you find Him, you will understand how worthless are your idols, and how false the images which you believed were you. Today we make a great advance to truth by letting idols go, and opening our hands and hearts and minds to God today. We will remember Him throughout the day with thankful hearts and loving thoughts for all who meet with us today. For it is thus that we remember Him. And we will say, that we may be reminded of His Son, our holy Self, the Christ in each of us: I am as God created me. Let us declare this truth as often as we can. This is the Word of God that sets you free. This is the key that opens up the gate of Heaven, and that lets you enter in the peace of God and His eternity. -Jesus Christ in A Course in Miracles, Lesson 110

One of my favorite promises in the Bible is found in Revelation 21—a promise of what is to come. At the end of the age, when we see Jesus face to face—imagine—when we're with Him forever! Here's the promise:  He will wipe every tear from our eyes. How many tears have you cried? Tears of frustration, or grief, loneliness, anger, disappointment, neglect? Even tears of yearning? In some miraculous way, God Himself will wipe away these tears. I treasure this thought…all of my broken places fully healed. We are promised there will be no more crying, or pain or death, or mourning. And this is a promise for you today! Receive this hope—this hope of great compassion. This is Wendy Palau. radio.hopewithgod.com

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether Today we will read Proverbs 15:24. “To the discerning the path of life leads upward, so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.” The Old Testament doesn't say a lot about the afterlife. And it would be impossible to know exactly what the writer of this proverb intended. No matter. This was written for our benefit and to instruct. There is a path that leads “upward”. This path is opposite and opposed to the path that leads “downward” to Sheol - the shadowy abode of the dead. And what separates these two paths? Discernment. It's the discerning who take the path upward. Does this surprise you? You might think sinless perfection, or righteousness, or religious observances are what lead you to God. Apparently not. It's this magical word “Discernment.” If we looked at the whole of Proverbs, discernment, wisdom, knowledge…these seem to be synonymous. And they have one source - God Himself - and specifically - fear of the Lord. No, you cannot earn God's favor in yourself. But You can receive God's favor by appealing to God Himself. This is discernment. God, this discernment, the ability to see things for what they are, to recognize that which is true, comes from You - and how badly we need it. I appeal to You for it. Give me Your wisdom, Your understanding so that I can experience You and live this day successfully. 

"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." Ephesians 4:26There is one particular time of day that can be the most trying, the most exhausting, and the most frustrating for young parents: the bedtime shuffle. This week I discuss the calling to fulfill our obligation of charity through a gentleness and peaceful disposition at bedtime so that our children can rest their hearts and their bodies in the security of our love, which will serve to lead them to the most secure love - God Himself. If this episode blessed you, I would be so honored if you shared it with a friend, rated it, or left us a review! I always love to connect :suzanne @latteandlaundry.com

MOVIE DISCUSSION: Melanie joins Melvin in discussing one of her all time favorite flicks, and the two also get into what makes The Prince of Egypt far more palatable than most Bible or Christian-marketed media.  Topics:(PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 42-minutes discussing a list of movies Christian's say are commonly known by other Christians such as Nacho Libre, The Book of Eli, and many others, and why we think they may be popular in the Christian community (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)What familiarity do Melanie and Melvin have with the Book of Exodus?John 1:1 makes it clear by stating that God's word is God Himself, as Christ also is God and therefore also God's word. So, when we create adaptions, we add degrees and opportunities for loss in translation when God's word is already authentic and reliable. This is a deeply important reality necessary for engaging in Biblical or Christian-marketed media: it is degrees away from God's literal word.Moses' character, strangely, is sort of depicted as a combination between Jacob and Moses. Other historical figures such as Aaron and Miriam, Moses' brother and sister are also depicted differently from Scripture.Getting into what's likely most memorable for people: the music!Melanie riffs on the closing song "When You Believe" and how it's full of platitudes.The Prince of Egypt stands apart from other Biblical or Christian-marketed materials, and the two discuss why that may be.The Prince of Egypt is already a mature PG family flick, but Melvin feels it would have been benefitted by being a little nastier.Recommendations:The Case for Christ (2017) (Movie)Beetlejuice (1988) (Movie)Support the showSupport on Patreon for Unique Perks! Early access to uncut episodes Vote on a movie/show we review Social Links: Twitter Website Facebook Group

A clear reality that echoes throughout the New Testament is that God sends those He saves. Jesus commanded His disciples to go and tell others about Him. (Matt. 28:18-20) The story of Jesus and a Samaritan woman in John 4 also provides reminders of this idea.  Upon the Samaritan woman's hearing that God Himself was... The post Weekly Leader Training for Preschool & Kids: Unit 20, Session 2—Jesus Told a Woman about Living Water appeared first on The Gospel Project.

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether Today we will read a passage from Ezekiels vision of God. This is Ezekiel 1:26-28. “The shape of a throne with the appearance of sapphire stone was above the expanse. There was a form with the appearance of a human on the throne high above. From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire enclosing it all around. From what seemed to be His waist down, I also saw what looked like fire. There was a brilliant light all around Him. The appearance of the brilliant light all around was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the form of the Lord's glory. When I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.” What does God look like? And what does that even mean? Our eyes only take in the thinnest frequency band of energy and interpret that as color. But we know that there is “light” or “energy” far far beyond what we can see. And then our knowledge of energy comes to an end. So does God “look” like anything? He is Spirit. Paul says He is invisible.  And yet here, and in numerous other passages, we get glimpses of God. Rather, we get a glimpse of how He is willing to present Himself in a moment. And it is truly other-worldly. You may want to read the entire chapter to get the context of strange and magnificent creatures that attend to God. But always the most brilliance and gleam is reserved for God Himself.  Notice the difficulty in the wording: “a form with the appearance of a human” - “this was the appearance of the form of the Lord's glory.” Ezekiel is struggling to describe what he sees. This is the best he can do. Perhaps we can take away 2 things: first, God is beyond our wildest imagine. And second, God comes to us ultimately as human. Are you willing to receive this as it is? Again, you don't have to understand. Faith doesn't understand. Faith believes. And like Ezekiel, we too fall facedown when confronted with God. God, I do not pretend to have You figured out. But I delight in the beauty of Your glory. I wonder at Your love for humanity - Your love for me.

Today we're kicking off a five-part series on sharing the gospel. And this will run the gamut from what the gospel is, to how to do it and what that means, and how to put that into practice. And so as we begin, we really need to understand what is the gospel, and more importantly, who is Jesus Christ.   Sometimes the best place to start is at the beginning. That might sound funny, but what we're talking about is no joke. Kerusso exists to tell people about the Good News of Jesus Christ, but somehow in our information-jacked world, culture has moved further away from understanding who the most famous person in history really is.    Millions of books and articles have been written about a carpenter who lived in the Middle East 2000 years ago, and Jesus has been identified as anything from a desert mystic to God Himself.   Historically, He was born into a Jewish family in Judea at the time the Roman Empire controlled the area. Born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, Jesus was 30 before He gained a reputation as a great teacher. But He was much more than that. The Bible tells us that He was sent into the world by God the Father, to stand in our place and take the penalty for our sin.   According to Genesis, man defied God's template for living and because He is holy, God requires that someone is accountable for sin. Had Jesus not entered the world, we'd be left without a way to reconcile with God. Long story short, Jesus Christ is much more than just a wise teacher. He's also the Son of God.   The Bible also tells us Jesus is one with the Father. Remember, when Moses encountered God in the burning bush, he asked God how to identify Him to the people. And God replied, “I am who I am.”   And that was in the Old Testament. In John 8:58, in the New Testament, Jesus tells the people, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” Jesus Christ is a divine being. And John 1:29 says, “The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.'” This description of Him is not embraced by most people around the world. The Bible tells us that man's heart is wicked. It isn't like billions are rushing to churches so that they can have their sins forgiven. The human mind and heart don't want to focus on the messier side of the gospel. We're imperfect. We sin. And our sin is an offense to God. Who wants to hear that? We don't want to be told that we're not good. We want to be told we're good and worthy of God's love.   And the Good News, the gospel in the person of Jesus Christ, is that we have the pathway to be like Him. Romans Chapter Eight tells us that it is God's desire that we become like Jesus, and that's a goal worth reaching for.    Let's pray.   Father, thank You for providing us with your word, that tells us exactly who Jesus is and what His life means to us. You could have abandoned us to sin, but You didn't. The praise and the glory belong to You alone. In Jesus' name, amen.

Audio Transcript: This media has been made available by Mosaic BostonChurch. If you'd like to check out more resources, learn about Mosaic Boston,or donate to this ministry, please visit mosaicboston.com. Good morning. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Tyler. I am the teens or youth and hospitality director here at Mosaic Boston. And whenever I get the chance to be up here, it is truly my honor and privilege to be able to deliver God's word to all of us today. So this week we're kind of in between series, and so the pastors gave me the opportunity to preach something that is on my heart and it's a message about hope. I'm calling it, Praying for Hope. We're going to be spending most of our time in the text in Ephesians. And my wife and I recently had just gone through Ephesians, and so this is something I've been thinking about, been meditating on. But even before then, this idea that we're going to see and expound upon in this text is something that God has been working in my own heart, challenging me, growing me in, and I think it's something that will benefit the church as a whole. So we're going to see what does God mean? What does God call us to pray for? But what does it mean to pray for hope in our lives and in the church in general? So before we get started, will you pray with me over the preaching of God's word? Heavenly Father, Lord, you are good. We are so thankful that we get to be here today to hear your word, to learn from you, to know you more. So Lord, we ask that in this time that you speak to us through your word, that you use me to proclaim the truth of your word for all of us. And you challenge us, you soften our hearts to see the reality of who you are and how you are working in our lives. So Lord, we thank you. We praise you. In Jesus' name. Amen. Alrighty, we will be in Ephesians 1:15-23. So if you have your Bibles, you can turn there. If not, you could follow along on the screens behind me, but I'll read the whole thing and then we'll get started. So Ephesians 1:15 says this, "For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power towards us who believe, according to the working of His great might, that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at the right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." This is the reading of God's holy, inherent, authoritative, infallible word. May He write these eternal truths upon our hearts. We're going to be spending our time in kind of three points today. The three points are actually one sentence and the third point of that sentence has three subpoints. So just to throw some chaos and difficulty into things. But the one sentence that I want you guys to take away from this is the church should pray for wisdom and revelation of God. And the reason why the church should do that is to have hope, to recognize riches, and to perceive power. So that's what we're going to be spending our time in today. And so if you're like, "Wow, Tyler normally goes a long time with three points, and now He has three and three subpoints," I want to encourage you points one and two are on one page. So we'll get through those real quick. We'll spend most of the time on point number three. But point number one, the church, this is verse 15. Verse 15 says, "For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints..." Who is Paul addressing here? He is addressing the church. Well, he's clarifying how he knows it's the church that he's speaking to. It's the people that have faith in the Lord Jesus and love for all the saints. This is the very basics, the very fundamental definition of the church. It's those, it's the people who have faith in the Lord Jesus and love towards all the saints. Now, a couple clarifying things. I love that it says, Lord Jesus, because I think oftentimes in my mind I focus on savior Jesus, which is good. Jesus is savior. I have faith in Jesus as my savior. Which is what we talked about last week with Easter, and we talk about every week at Mosaic, that Jesus came and died to save us from our sins and raised to life three days later to prove that He had the power to do it, to save us from our sins. We have faith in that. But He's not just savior, He's also Lord. Lord is ruler. He is Lord. He has power. He has authority over our lives today and we trust in Him as our king. We have faith in Him as our Lord and Savior. That's a Christian. And naturally, when you do that, you love the saints. So let's clarify saints. If you're like me, I grew up in a Catholic Church, and so a saint is someone who did some really incredible work and then died, and so you get to be a saint. But that's not what the word means. The word just means holy or set apart. Paul is talking about Christians. He's talking about the church. And so when we have faith in Jesus, naturally, we should love each other, we should care for each other. And so Paul is just being very clear at the start, he is addressing the church. He is talking to the church. And so everything that we're going to talk about now, he is addressing to Christians. And so if you're here today, and you're not a Christian and you're like, "Well, why am I here?" Praise God that you're here. We're very thankful that you're here. We want you to be able to see a glimpse into what we talk about when we talk about church. We're not talking about a meeting on Sundays. We're not talking about a place that we go to do the thing we're supposed to do and get on. We're talking about a faith and love of Jesus Christ and a love for each other. And what I would just ask you, humbly, in this time, if you are able to just pray and ask God, "If this is true, if you are real, if you are here, open my eyes to see you." Ask God that, "If this is true and what we are speaking about is true," ask Him to reveal himself to you. Because what we are going to see in this text is that God works powerfully in His church to help, to give hope, and to save His people. Forgot to mention real quick, we have a motto, love Jesus simple, right? That's what this text is all about. That's why we have that motto, love Jesus simple. We love God, we love His people, and we love those who do not yet recognize that they're His people. We love the church. We have love for the saints. We love God and Jesus. Specifically Jesus, not just God in general, but we love Jesus Himself. So we have faith in Jesus. We love the saints. Simple, that's all we need. That's the foundation. That's the point. That's the root of all of that. We do. End of point one, nice job, nice and easy. Point number two, the church should pray. And this is verses 16 and the beginning of 17. It says this, "I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory..." And we're going to pause there and leave you on a little bit of a cliffhanger. But Paul starts saying, "I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers..." First thing, we cannot separate thanksgiving and prayer. When we pray, thanksgiving needs to be a part of it. Whatever you are thankful for in this life, whenever something happens or you receive something or whatever, you're just reminded of something that you're thankful for, praise God for that thing. Literally, go to Him in prayer and praise Him. Thank Him for it. We cannot separate thanksgiving and prayer. But specifically what Paul is thankful for is for the church, is for other believers, brothers and sisters in Christ. Christians, we are called to be thankful for each other, so thank you. I mean that very sincerely. You don't know how much this church has been an encouragement to me, been an encouragement to the staff, been an encouragement to the pastors, to each other, been able to support and help each other throughout the many years that this church has been here. Thank you. I praise God and thank Him for you and your faithfulness to Him. And I mean that sincerely. Now, when we look at each other, do we sincerely feel that way? Let's feel that way. Let's be thankful for each other that God has blessed us with the ability to have these relationships with each other. The next thing I want to point out is that Paul is very specific in who he is praying to and why he is praying to Him. This is the beginning of verse 17, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory...." So he's specific. Paul's not just talking to air. He's not just throwing out prayers to someone in general. He is praying to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. He's specific. And then he throws it in and follows up with the Father of glory. Is this just some fancy phrasing that really religious people like to do so they sound nice when they pray in the letters read out loud to the church? No. What Paul is doing here is he's clarifying why He's praying and trusts this God that he's praying to. He's not just any God. He's not just any person. He's the Father of glory. I was reading a commentary on this text and it was written by a guy named Francis Foulkes, who he didn't write many commentaries, but he did on Ephesians. But most of his works were about prayer. Most of the things he wrote was like how to pray. Why do we pray? What does it look like to pray? Things like that. And I thought that he would be a very helpful person to study in these texts. And this is what he says about Paul's address of God. He says, "He is the Father to whom all glory belongs; for all the power and majesty revealed in creation, providence and redemption are His, and He the source. Such a thought of who God is gives to prayer a sense of awe and strengthens the faith in those who pray." Christians, we should strengthen our faith when we pray. It actually matters how we address God when we pray. It doesn't mean that we have to say, "The Father of glory," that's not the point. For me personally, when I prayed, I said, "Heavenly Father," that's what I usually say. You don't have to say that either. But I say that, because I'm reminding myself, yeah, I'm praying to God who is in heaven. He is above all things. He rules. He reigns. That's who He is. But He's not just in heaven. He's a father. He's relational. He knows us. He cares for us. We can have relationship with Him. And so I start, when I pray that way because I'm reminding myself, I'm speaking to the God who has a relationship with me, and He has power to do things. He has power to hear me. I trust He will hear me. I trust that He can act on what I'm asking of Him. I trust and grow in my awe and faith of Him. And so this isn't to say that's how we all need to pray, but what we all need to do is go to God in awe and reverence. Go to Him and prepare our hearts when we pray to say, yeah, I am speaking to the one true all powerful God. That matters. That makes a difference. And so when we are in times of questioning, times of doubt, times of weakness still go to God in strength, not our own strength, but we can go to Him saying, "God, I know I'm weak, but you're strong. God, I'm weak, but I'm reminding myself of who you are. I'm reminding myself of how you've been faithful to me." And so that regardless of our season in life, we can pray in strength, because it's God's strength, not our own that we pray in. And then from this point on in our text, Paul is going to launch into specifics that he prays over the church. So he's writing this letter to remind them and encourage them. He is praying for them and he's going to tell them specifically what He's praying about. And as we continue through these texts, we're going to see what are those specific things, and we're going to stop and we're going to pray for those things for this church. Why? Because Paul thought it was important to pray over the church in Ephesus. And if God thought it was important enough to canonize in scripture, I think it's something good that we should pray for ourselves as well. Plus, I know that it is something good for us to pray for ourselves as well. But real quick before we continue with that, I want to point something out, and this is something that I learned only a couple years ago and was never explicitly taught to me. And I was like, "Wow, why was this never explicitly taught? This is really important." When anyone, myself or a pastor or someone else is up here preaching and praying, or if you're in a small group and one person is praying and you're just there listening, we're all praying. And what I mean by that is it's not a time to just sit and listen and think, "Okay, do I like what he's saying?" Or, "That sounds good or nice? I like that wording." That's not the point. But it's the time of Christians to be led by one person to pray to God together about the same things. That's why the word amen matters. If you don't know the word, amen means truly. You're saying that you agree with everything that was said and you're praying it. So we've all done this, I'm guilty of this as well, but if you've ever been in a prayer group and someone's praying and it's late and you're tired and your mind starts drifting and you don't really hear anything that they're saying, and then the end comes and everyone's like, "Amen," you're like, "Amen. Amen." You just lied and you're guilty of lying. So what I'm saying is that as we talk about these things, I'm asking that we as a church pray together for God to bless His church with these things. It's not about me standing up here praying these things. It's about us as the body of Christ praying together in unity and seeking God for His help. So with that, that's the end of point two, on to point three. Wow, we're flying through this. Point three, the church should pray for wisdom and revelation of God. This is verses 17 through the end. I'm just going to read the first part of it for us. But "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened." We'll stop there for now. So Paul's first request to God in prayer for the church is for us, for that church, but applicable to us as well, to have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. Everything else that we're going to talk about, all of the rest of the requests of Paul are summarized in this point. He gets more specific as to why it matters as he goes along, but this is the heart of it. What Paul really wants for the church is to have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the knowledge of God. So what does that mean? What is the spirit of wisdom in the knowledge of God? Well, wisdom is knowledge applied, right? Wisdom is about how we act based on information that we have. So you can classify it as a spirit to know God's will. The ability to know what God wants for us, for His people, for His church, for us to do. And then what is the spirit of a revelation in the knowledge of him? This is a spirit to know God, to see God. Well, Paul, you're writing to Christians, don't they already know God? Why are you asking for a spirit of revelation in the knowledge of him? Because we all can know God deeper, better, and more personal. Again, Francis Foulkes in His commentary on this section says this, "Such wisdom and revelation, moreover, come, not simply as such higher intelligence is given from God, but by the knowledge of Him, the personal knowledge of God Himself, which in the Bible always connotes the experience of life in union and fellowship with Him. Paul put the prayer for wisdom first, because to him the gospel was so wonderful that it was impossible for people to see the glory of it unless they were taught by God, and also because he knew that the knowledge of God was life itself." So when put that way, does it make sense to pray for a spirit, to pray for more revelation of God so that we can have greater unity with Him in this life, that we can have greater fellowship with Him in life? Yes, of course, it does. Well, how does that happen? How do we receive the spirit of wisdom and the spirit of revelation and the knowledge of him? It's the next verse that says, "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened that you may know," right? It's not that God is suddenly going to be someone more of Himself than He was so you could recognize it. He's always there. He's always there. We need to recognize Him there. We need to see how He is working. See who He is. We need to have the eyes of our hearts enlightened. What does that phrase mean, eyes of our hearts? Our hearts don't have eyes, that just doesn't make sense. Well, the only way you think of your heart is as a beating organ, you're probably the first person in all of history. Because every single culture talks about the heart, not just as a beating organ, but also as more than that, as part of who you are about emotions and desires. But what Paul is saying with the eyes of your heart, it's saying, "Let all of who you are, the truest part of you, your soul, everything that you are, have that open, your eyes open to see who God is, to see who He is, and how He is working His will and His revelation in your life." And we need to have our eyes opened, because we can't do it ourselves, right? We all know this experientially that we can see things and not actually understand what they are, or we can hear things and not understand what you're supposed to take away from it. During first service, it came to me that there's a really good example of this in art for me. I can look at art, I could see there's painting and brushes and whatever, and I just don't get it. It's art. Cool, that's nice. But I understand that there is beauty in it and that some people do get it. And so I need to have the eyes of my heart enlightened. There's a painting or a picture in our office space that Raquel, God bless, who God has used powerfully in this church and has blessed her, but Raquel loves this painting and I look at it, I'm like, "I don't get it." It makes me angry that I don't... Anyway, but she gets it. So I just need to have the eyes of my heart enlightened to the truth of the beauty of that painting. But anyway, I bring that up to say we all know what it means to see something and not get it. And what Paul is praying for the church is that we're not that way with God, that we can see Him and we can get Him, and we can see the fullness of Him and grow in our relationship with Him. And we need God to do that for us. We see this idea also in Isaiah 6:9-10, it says, "'Keep on hearing but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive. Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." It's a very difficult text, but what it's saying is that God is the one who has the power to open people's eyes. And so if we need our eyes open to the reality of God, let's go to Him. Let's ask him. Let's ask Him to reveal Himself to us. And if you're here today and you're not a Christian, this is what I urge you, ask God, open your eyes. Ask God to reveal himself to you, to show you to reveal His love, His grace, His mercy, and His power through the work of Christ for you. And he ends this part by saying, "that you may know..." And then he continues with what He's praying for. We need the eyes of our hearts opened and enlightened, not so that we could have an idea about what God is like, so that we can know Him, that we can know the hope that He gives us, that we can know what the inheritance is, that we can have confidence in Him. It's not a wishy-washy thing, but we could have confidence in Him. That's what God wants for us, and we need Him to open our eyes to it. So as the first thing that Paul is praying for the church, let's now spend some time praying for us, this body, this church here to receive wisdom, a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of God. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, Lord, we need you. We need more of you, and we need to see you. Open the eyes of our hearts to wherever we are blind to you and who you are and the way you are working in our lives. Give us eyes to see you. Lord, wherever we are blind, wherever we are stubborn, where wherever we are hardhearted, soften us and open our eyes to know you more. Grow our relationship with you. Lord, we know you desire the deepest relationship with us. Give us hearts that desire the deepest relationship with you to know you personally, to love you personally. Bless this body of believers, your church here with the deepest growth in relationship and love for you. Thank you. In Jesus' name, amen. So now He's going to get into three subpoints for why we should have a spirit of wisdom and revelation of God. So the church should pray for wisdom and revelation of God, subpoint number one, to have hope. To have hope. And each of the subpoints is going to get a little bit more specific, but they're all relating back to this idea of hope. And they're going to be ways that Paul shows that we as the body, we as Christians, can have hope. So this is in verse 18 where it says, "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you..." Have you ever thought about hope that way, as you're calling? Christians, you are called to have hope. We are not called to despair. We are not called to anxiety. We are called to hope. And not just any kind of hope, a living hope. Pastor Shane referenced this in his prayer as he started the service. But 1 Peter 1:3 says this, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Christians, we are called to have hope because we have a living hope. Christ did not stay dead. This is what we celebrated last week at Easter, that Christ raised from the dead. He is alive. We have a living hope, and it is practical to us in day-to-day life. It's not just a hope that we can have one day in the future. It's a hope we can have now. And I want to pause here for a second and recognize that life's not always easy. It's not always easy to have hope. I recognize that there are many brothers and sisters in this church who have gone through struggles and difficulty and are in the middle of that even right now. I know people in this body that have suffered from illness, have been diagnosed with cancer or disease. I know people in this church that have suffered from mental illness or anxiety or eating disorders. I know people in this church who have this desire for God to answer their prayers, and they've been waiting and waiting for an answer. I know people who have lost their jobs and are wondering when they're going to be able to pay the bills. I know people who are looking for housing, and like, "Don't know where I'm going to live, but I'm going to do something, I guess. I don't know." I know people who are suffering and I know many of you are. And what I am saying is God is calling us to have hope, even in that. It's not a call to suck it up and get tough. That's not what I'm saying. It's a call to recognize that we are weak and that in those moments we need help, and that God is the one who can provide it. And that God is the one who can give us hope, even when we don't see the reasons for hope. Because we are called to it through the life of Christ. We can look at Christ. We could look at what He willingly suffered for us. We could look at the way He lived for us, died for us, rose for us, and say, "You know what? Regardless of my circumstances, I could look to Christ and have hope." And as I mentioned, we're going to see in the further points of Paul's prayer, more specifically, more powerfully the thrust of why we can have hope. But Paul starts generally, we are called to it. We are called to have hope. So with that, let's pray for this church to have hope. Heavenly Father, Lord, we need you. We live in a fallen, broken world where we see the effects of sin, and where we see the pain and suffering and bitterness that comes from our own sin and from the sin in the world around us, and just from the brokenness of creation apart from Christ. Give us eyes to see the hope in those situations that only you provide. Give us eyes to see that you are with us. You love us, you are there. You have endured and suffered for us. And you are our reason for hope. Our hope is not in the solving of all the problems. Our hope is in you alone. Give us hope. We thank you. We praise you. In Jesus' name. Subpoint number two, why the church should pray for wisdom and revelation of God is to recognize riches. This is the rest of verse 18. I'll just read the first part to remind us, "having the eyes of your heart enlightened," to what? "To what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints..." This made me pause and think, what is the inheritance that he is talking about here? The inheritance that Christians have is the kingdom of God. Yes, we can see it fully in eternity in heaven with eternal life with God in His presence, in His kingdom forever. That is the inheritance that Paul is talking about here. And he clarifies what he means, actually, earlier, he had already talked about, it in verses 11 through 14 of this chapter. He says this, "In him," in Christ, "we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the council of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. In him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit who was the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it to the praise and glory of God." We are not in heaven right now. We have not acquired possession of the kingdom of God, of this inheritance that we are given yet. But in verse 11, he says that we have obtained it. How have we obtained it if we haven't taken possession of it? Yes, we have the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of it. But how have we obtained it? Three small words at the end of verse 18 of our text, "in the saints." In the saints, right? There's this idea with the kingdom of God, it's a idea that we talk about as an already and not yet. And the day that Jesus was raised from the dead, He already conquered sin and death. He did it, definitively, done. He already ushered in the kingdom of God here on earth. Done. But we don't see the fullness of it yet. We're waiting. We're looking forward to that day. But as we wait, what do we look for the hope and to recognize what that inheritance is? We look to each other. We look to His church, His people, the saints. Because when we look at the way the body of Christ, the church, is supposed to interact with each other, the way they love each other, support each other, pray for each other, build each other up, use their gifts for each other's good for the upbuilding of the church, we just get a little taste, get a little glimpse of what the kingdom of heaven is like. And I want to be clear. The word glimpse is my word. That's not what Paul uses. What does Paul say? Paul says, "What are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." What Paul is saying, "Don't downplay the power that the body of believers have to be able to reveal the love of God, the kingdom of God to each other." I said glimpse because I recognize the ultimate, infinite glory of the kingdom of God in heaven whenever we get there. But Paul is saying, "The church here now is still rich and glorious. It's still able to fully reveal the kingdom of God to those who are in it and who see it." So Christians, does this describe us? Are we the riches of His glorious inheritance to each other? The way I think about it is what do we want most or long for most when we get to heaven? The right Sunday school answer, which is true and good, is that we desire the presence of God. That that's what we want when we get to heaven, is just to be in the presence of God. Good, praise God. We need that. Do we bring the presence of God with us where we go? Do we bring the characteristics, the love, the nature, who He is to each other when we interact with each other? Or are we more of our own sinful self than Christ? But if we're honest with ourselves, maybe it's a little bit more specific than just the presence of God. Maybe it's the peace of God that we're longing for in heaven. Now, there's so much uncertainty in the world around us, so much going on that we don't have peace. We're not settled here. We just can't wait for the day that we have peace in heaven. Well, if that's the case, are we bringing peace wherever we go? And when you need peace and you're struggling to see that, do you look to the other believers, the brothers and sisters in the church, who you see, you've been walking with, you know are faithful, and say, "You know what? I need peace. I don't have it. Can you help me? Can you encourage me? Can you strengthen me?" Can we be the church for each other? Maybe it's hope. Maybe you're like, "There's so much that I have going on that's suffering, that's hard, it's difficult. I can't even imagine how to have hope for the next season. And in heaven one day we won't have to worry about any of that, so I'm belonging for that." Well, do we bring hope to each other? If what you need is hope, do you have the ability to share hope with other people? And if not, do you have the humility to ask for help? Do you have the humility to go to members of your community group, to go to brothers and sisters in Christ, and say, "I'm struggling. I need hope. Can you help me?" And are we willing to help when that happens? What Paul is saying is that we need to have the eyes of our hearts open to see how great it is to be the church. It is a blessing. It is an honor, and that we can reveal all of who God is through the church. And we need to be that for each other. So with that, let's pray that we could have the eyes of our hearts opened to see the riches of God's inheritance here and now through His church, and that we can be that for each other. Heavenly Father, we need you. This is what this all comes down to, Lord, is that we need you. Open the eyes of our hearts to see how you are working in our brothers and sisters here in this church. Strengthen us, convict us on how we are called to live to exemplify the fullness of the inheritance of your kingdom in heaven while we are here on earth. Let us to live joyfully and fully in that reality that we are in your kingdom even now. Give us that hope. Give us that boldness to live that way, to be your church here and now. Open our eyes to see that, to rejoice in the riches, the fullness of it, to not look at it as something light and not view it as merely a glimpse. And then just hope for that day when we get to be with you, even though we do. Help us to see the blessing, the richness of the blessing that is your church, even here at Mosaic. We thank you. We praise you. In Jesus' name. And the last subpoint that we have is that the church should pray for wisdom and revelation of God to perceive power. This is verses 19 through the rest of the chapter. I'll read just verse 19 first. It says, verse 18, "having the eyes of your heart enlightened," why? Verse 19, "to what is the immeasurable greatness of His power towards us who believe according to the working of His great might..." I love this verse. I love this verse. Paul is using as much human language as possible in this text to try and give us a sense of God's power, even though he knows no human words can ever describe the power of God. But he uses these phrases, immeasurable greatness, power, working great might in this verse to try and stoke in us an understanding of how great the power of God is. The word for immeasurable is huperballo, which is where we get the word hyperbolic from. And what it's saying is use all the hyperbolic language you want. Think as lofty and as high as you could think of anyone, any type of power, and it's not even accurate enough to describe God's power. That's not how, it's not even close to how great He is. It's immeasurable His power. But it's His greatness as well. And the word for greatness is exceeding a standard of excellence. So God is a standard of excellence, so much greater than we could ever imagine. That is who He is. That is His nature, His character. He is more excellent than we could ever measure or imagine. Then he uses the word power to describe God's working. And this word is what I characterize as gym strength, or you could think of it as potential energy. For those of you who are smarter than me and like science, it's potential energy. It's that God has the power, the ability to do, He has the ability to get things done. That's gym strength through me, right? You're not physically doing the thing, but you're preparing to be able to do whatever you need to do. You're lifting weights so that way you're prepared to do something with it whenever you need to. I'm not trying to dis gym strength. I need more gym strength myself. Pray for me for that. It's a good thing, but it's about being prepared to do something. Church, do we recognize the immeasurable excellence of God's ability to work to who? It says, "towards us who believe." God wants to work for His church, He wants to use His power to benefit Christians, to use His church to usher in the kingdom here. So when we look at the immeasurable, ultimate excellence of God's power, do we ask Him for help in times of need and recognize that He has the power to do it and that He wants to do it? And that that's the reason why He is using this power is for the benefit of those who believe in Him. But He doesn't just want to do it, He does it, that's the word working. This is kinetic energy. This is, it's happening. It's active. I call this manual labor strength. The strongest people I've ever known in my life never went to the gym. My friend Ty Harris, praise God for him. Love him. You look at him, you wouldn't think He's strong. He loves musicals. He loves singing and dancing. Great guy. I love him. He had to help someone move and lifted a pool table by himself. Now, for those of you who don't know, pool tables are solid stone. They weigh almost a ton. No, not quite a... They weigh a lot. I'm not using ton literally. They weigh a lot. It usually takes four or five people to install them. And if you have to move them up or downstairs, you usually you need to use machinery. He's just like, "Okay, go lift it up, and help people move." He has working strength. Never once in the gym, working strength. My friend Rich, his father, also Rich, Stovakin, had all of the brute ruggedness of German and Russian heritage combined. So think of the toughest German and the toughest Russian, put them together, that's him. He's like 6'7. And Rich and I would work out in his basement in high school, and we were like there curling our 20 pounds, feeling good about ourselves. And then he comes in, and is like, "what are you guys doing?" "Oh, we're lifting. Well, how much can you do?" And He's like, "I don't work out, but I'll do whatever I need to." And he starts curling a 100 pounds just for reps, just like, "I'm good." What he did for a living, he lifted bales of paper and just moved it and did it. And He was faithful in his job and he just worked for his job. God has working power. He doesn't just sit and say, "I have the ability to, I could do it if you want me to. We'll see if I do." No, He works. He does. He uses His power to help His church, His people bring His kingdom here. And the last one in the sentence is great might. The word for great is just focusing on the intensity, the magnitude of the might, of God's might. But the word for might is focusing on the ability to execute something. So God doesn't just have power to work, and then He keeps working and working and working. If you've done home projects yourself, you probably know what this is like. It takes a lot longer than you thought. And you just feel like I'm just working and working and it's never going to end. No, God executes. He completes. He does what He sets out to do. He finishes it. He finishes the work He promises to do it. He has promised to save His people. He has given us that assurance. He has promised to protect His church. He has given us that assurance. So we can trust that He will do and complete what He says. And Paul says, "You know what? Maybe you still don't understand the power of God." So He goes on to try and even more hyperbolically, explain the power of God. And we're just going to fly through verses 20 through 23. I'm just going to read the snippets of it real quick. But the next thing he says is that... Well, sorry, this is the most important thing in verse 20, "that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at the right hand in the heavenly places..." When we look at Easter, when we look at the power that God used to raise Christ from the dead, that's the power He uses for His church. When we're talking about working power, when we're talking about Him completing and His ability, He shows us that He does it. He doesn't just tell you He's going to do it and hope that... He proves it through the resurrection of Christ. And now He's going to point out all the power of Christ to again stoke in us a desire and understanding of the ultimate supreme power of God, because Christ is seated at the right hand of the throne in heaven. The right hand is the hand of power. Whoever sits at the right hand of the king has all the power, all the authority of the king himself. So what it's saying is that Jesus Christ has the full power, full authority of our heavenly Father. Is that not enough power? Well, it's far above all rule and authority and power and dominion. I think we, like I do often, clump these together and just run through them and it's like it's a bunch of things that are powerful. God's more powerful than that. But Paul is calling out specific things here, and he clarifies what He means by them in Ephesians 6:12. He says, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers, over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." So rule and authority are specific positions that are being addressed, there are rules of people who rule and have authority, but then power and dominion is the force, is the power behind them. But Paul's saying, "We're not talking about flesh and blood here. We're not talking about physical earthly kings and rulers and authorities. What we can summarize all of this by is the kingdom of Satan," is what Paul is addressing here. Whether it's those who are working for the kingdom of Satan and the force behind them, whether it's demons or Satan himself. The sin and brokenness we see in this world, you compile all of that power together, and it's nothing compared to Jesus Christ. I think we often fall into thinking Satan is just the equal opposite of Christ, and that is so far from the truth. He is nothing compared to Christ. Jesus Himself alone is even more powerful than all of the kingdom of Satan could throw at Him, so much so, He's so far above and beyond that. In terms of power looking at it, He can barely even see the power of Satan, because He has none in comparison to Christ. Not only that, that not enough power for us, Jesus has the name that is above every name. The name of Satan has no power. He's not Lord Voldemort, or he who shall not be named. No, his name has no power. The name of Christ does have power. We see that in the New Testament, that the name of Christ has power to cast out demons. It has real, tangible power for those who believe. This is all in the context of those who believe. Don't want to say like you could just throw out Jesus' name and everything's going to go your way. That's not what it's about. It's about for those who believe and for the will of God. We see in the New Testament that the disciples see these people running around casting demons out in the name of Christ. And they go to Jesus and they're like, "Should we tell them to stop?" And He's like, "No, no, they're fine." Why? Well, because apparently, even though they weren't known, they had some sort of faith or trust or relationship with Christ. But then there's a time when we see people who don't have a relationship with Christ try and cast out demons in the name of Christ, and the demon says, "I do not know you," and attacks them. So study the book of Acts. It's a fun one. There's a lot that happens. But the point of all this is being is the name is not just the name you throw out and it's just like, "Okay, whatever I want is going to happen." It's that it has power for the church. It's powerful for God's people to work the will of God. To help, to protect, to bring hope, to perceive power, to understand our role in the church. The name of Christ has power unlike any other name. All things are under His feet, not just the kingdom of Satan, but everything you could think of in all of creation. Compile all the power, all the greatness, all the honor of anything in all of creation that you can think of, and it's barely even a footstool for him. Culturally, at the time when this was written, if they heard the word feet, the initial response would've been, "That's disgusting. Feet are gross." It's very similar to today. Not much has changed. I think of when my wife and I were dating, and if my feet went anywhere near, she would slap me, and jump and run away. And it's like, my feet are gross. I get it. Feet are gross. But back then, they were walking in sandals, barefoot. The dust of the road, the filth and grime that are on the streets that they're walking are just covering their feet. And that's why washing of feet was such a big deal when someone like Jesus did it for others. But what it's saying is if there was a less honorable part of Christ, which there's not, all of Christ is fully honorable, fully glorious, fully beautiful, all of the greatness of the things of this world, they barely are even able to get to His feet. They're barely even worthy of that. That's how great is the honor and power of Christ. And He's not just powerful sitting there on His throne. He is head over all things. He leads. He guides. He is in control. He is sovereign. He is working and leading and guiding His people. We can trust in His power because it's not just there and doing whatever He wants, but He is leading, guiding us in His will. And then verse 22 and 23, 23 is my actual favorite verse of this text. It says, "And He put all things under His feet and gave Him," Christ, "as head over all things to the church, the church is His body, the church, which is the fullness of Him who fills all in all." Church, do we recognize that we are called to be the fullness of Christ. Like I said, not just a glimpse. We are called to be the fullness of Him, to bring all of His power, all of His working, all of His love, His characteristics to the world. Why? Because it's not about us. He is the one who fills. We are dependent on Him. Again, going back, bringing it full circle. We are dependent on the relationship we have with Him, our love and trust for Him, to trust Him, to fill us, to open our eyes to what we need to see, to help us see where we are weak and need to be strengthened, to let Him fill us, so that the way we live can fully exemplify Him to all who see Him. Are we the fullness of God to each other? Are we the fullness of God to those who see us? We need to have the eyes of our hearts opened to see our need for His power, but also to see how His power can help us be the church today. So we'll close with prayer for that. We'll close with prayer, for us to have the eyes of our hearts open to the power of God, that fulfills us and enables us to be His church. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, you are powerful. You are mighty. You are working. And you desire to do good for your church. Open the eyes of our hearts to see the greatness of the ways you are working in our lives. Lord, individually where we need to see you, open our eyes to see how you are working in our lives. Lord, corporately, with this body, your church, here, open our eyes to see how you are working powerfully for your kingdom here and now. Lord, open our eyes to see that we are called to exemplify fully you to those who see us. Fill us with your power. Fill us with your strength, not for ourselves, not for our own good, but so that we can truly be your church. We can be your people. We can bring your kingdom here and now. And that those who see it turn to you and love you. Fill us with your spirit. Fill us with your hope. Fill us with your power. We praise you, and thank you. In Jesus' name, amen.