Podcasts about god is in control

Questions about how to balance hating evil and protecting the innocent with loving our enemy, and how we can be salt and light in the world while also resting in the fact that God is in control.   How should we balance hating evil and wanting to protect the innocent with loving our enemy? How can we be salt and light in the world but at the same time rest in the fact that God is in control—i.e., how much should we be involved in the world around us, and is self-care a sin?

Pastor Peter Howell | God Is 9.30.26

What happens when life brings us into a wilderness? A season of uncertainty, dryness, or unmet needs. In Psalm 63, David shows us that even in the wilderness, God is worth seeking, God is enough, and God is in control. When we truly see the worth of Jesus, surrender begins to make sense. When God becomes enough, we can enjoy His blessings without depending on them to make us whole.In every season, may we learn to seek God, find our satisfaction in Him, and cling to the One who will never let us go.Our socials: linktr.ee/jesusisalivecmnvConnect with Ps. Stephen Prado: stephenpradoministries.comSupport the ministry, visit jia-cmnv.com/giveBe part of the community, go to jia-cmnv.com/link-up

Why Does God Make Us Wait?: Joseph spent years waiting for God's promises to unfold. If you've ever wondered why God seems silent or delayed, this episode offers hope that waiting is never wasted when God is in control. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/701/29?v=20251111

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT) Worry is an obstruction that keeps us from seeing the bright future on the horizon. Yet it’s an obstacle that we put in our own way, for no good reason. Of all the things we worry about, how many are within our control? If we’re honest with ourselves, the answer is probably very few. Martin Luther had the right idea when he wrote in a letter to his wife, “Pray, and let God worry.” God isn’t going to worry, of course. But we still need to pray, because worry is persistent. It keeps popping up unless we bring it to God. Some people try to elevate worry to a virtue. They say things like, “I worry because I care.” But is worry actually a virtue? I don’t think so. In fact, I think worry can be a sin. I’m not saying that all worry is sin, but I am saying that it can be. And I would readily admit that worry is a sin I’ve committed. I have unnecessarily worried about things. I have fretted and been filled with anxiety. So why is it potentially a sin? Because it’s evidence of a lack of trust in God. When we worry, we’re essentially saying, “God isn’t in control. He isn’t taking care of me in this situation. I’m not trusting in the providence of God.” But if you’re a Christian and believe the Bible, then you know God is in control of all the circumstances that surround you. There are no so-called accidents in the life of a believer. Nothing that touches the life of a believer is outside God’s knowledge, care, or control. This is an important truth to remember because worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it instead empties today of its strength. The apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT). Turn your worries into prayers. The next time you’re gripped by fear and worry, turn it into a prayer like this one: “Lord, I don’t know what to do, but I trust You. You are in control, and I commit this to You right now.” Look to the Lord and let Him give you His peace. Your future is secure in Him. Don’t let worry convince you otherwise. Jesus asked, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Matthew 6:27 NLT). Worry can’t change anything. Prayer can move mountains, transform lives, produce soul-deep comfort, and reveal God’s wisdom. Choose prayer. Reflection question: What worry do you need to turn into prayer? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sermon explores the theological concept of the 'mystery of Christ' as the revelation of God's sovereign plan and His intimate union with believers, drawing primarily from Revelation 1 and Daniel 2. It addresses the struggle of Christians who feel despair or envy when observing the prosperity of those who do not follow God, using Proverbs 23:18 to affirm that a secure future and uncut-off hope are guaranteed by God's character. The message emphasizes that true hope is generated by trusting in God's revealed promises rather than present circumstances, a point illustrated through the journey of Asaph in Psalm 73. The preacher encourages the audience to find peace in the knowledge that God is in control and that their ultimate destiny is glory, thereby breaking the cycle of despair through faith in the eternal plan.

Send us Fan MailSometimes it's easier to live in fear than it is in faith. Faith requires effort. Fear comes naturally. This is why we need to remember that God truly is in control!Here we have 16 prophecies about Jesus Christ that demonstrate God knows ahead of time what is going to happen and He can control those events any way He chooses. Perhaps this will help us to see how He works in our lives as well, especially during those difficult times.

What happens when life brings us into a wilderness—a season of uncertainty, dryness, or unmet needs? In Psalm 63, David shows us that even in the wilderness, God is worth seeking, God is enough, and God is in control. When we truly see the worth of Jesus, surrender begins to make sense. When God becomes enough, we can enjoy His blessings without depending on them to make us whole. In every season, may we learn to seek God, find our satisfaction in Him, and cling to the One who will never let us go.Our socials: linktr.ee/jesusisalivecmnvConnect with Ps. Stephen Prado: stephenpradoministries.comSupport the ministry, visit jia-cmnv.com/giveBe part of the community, go to jia-cmnv.com/link-up

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT) In this week’s devotions, we’re going to be talking about the future. We’re not necessarily going to focus on specific events in the future, but rather on how Christians should approach and prepare for the future. Whether you’re hopeful or pessimistic about what lies ahead, you need to be aware that the Bible contains a wealth of wisdom on how to face the future as God intends. Proverbs 27:1 sets the tone: “Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring” (NLT). Using analytics and artificial intelligence, many experts believe that they can predict future trends, opportunities, and crises. God’s Word, on the other hand, makes it clear that the future is unpredictable. Putting our ultimate faith in human intuition or AI models is foolish. The truth is that no one knows what tomorrow will bring, let alone next week, next month, or next year. We don’t know what problems we’ll encounter or what changes will come our way. Think of the things that have happened in your life and in the world around you in just the past year. How many of them could you have anticipated a year ago? And how many of them just came out of the blue, with no warning whatsoever? When it comes to facing the future, only one strategy makes sense. And that’s to leave it in the hands of the only One who knows what the future holds. The only One who isn’t limited by time and space, who can see eternity past and eternity future as clearly as He sees this present moment. The One who created every fiber of your being. The One who laid out a path for you that will lead to your ultimate fulfillment, joy, and satisfaction. The One who knows every step of the way on that path. The One who said, “For I know the plans I have for you . . . They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT). You’ll notice that God paints in broad strokes. He doesn’t go into detail about His plans, even though we might wish He did. Many of us would prefer to have the complete map and timeline of our life so that we can set out on our own. But that’s not how God works. He wants us to depend on Him every step of the way. He assures us that His plans are good and that they give us hope for the future. But what shape those plans will take remains a glorious mystery. We may not know what blessings the Lord has in store for us, but if we trust in Him, we know that His grace will be sufficient. We have no reason to be anxious about what lies ahead. I like the words of that wonderful woman of God, Corrie ten Boom, who said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” God is in control of our future. He is able to sustain us today, tomorrow, and every day we draw breath in this world. Because God holds the future, we can face it with hope. Reflection question: What would trusting God with your future look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bible Commentary and Exposition on Psalm 24More Evidence that God is in Control.

God is in control. Do you trust Him?

Send us Fan MailWe often say that God is in control but how often do we actually apply it? We often tell people God is in control but how often do we live in that principle?This message is the first part of a series that is meant to build your faith; no tjust academically but personally and experientially.We are all familiar with Daniel in the lions' den but let's take a fresh look at the circumstances and then find application for ourselves. Hopefully, you will be able to say for your own threatening situation that "God is in control."

In a world where it's easy to get caught up in negativity and fear, 1 Peter 3 offers a powerful reminder of how to live a life that shines the light of Jesus. This episode of The Bible Explained podcast explores the concept of blessing those who hurt us: Christians are called to bless those who mistreat us, just like Jesus did on the cross. But what does it mean to bless someone? Does this mean we have to be doormats? The importance of trusting that God sees our suffering and will bless us for it. Peter encourages Christians to be patient and kind, even when faced with difficult people and to remember that God is in control. By living a life that reflects Jesus' teachings, we can be a light in a dark world and show others the hope and joy that comes from following Him. Join Jenn as she explores the practical ways to apply the principles of 1 Peter 3 in your daily life, and discover how it can transform your relationships with others and your faith. The book of Esther comes to a close in this episode, and it's a thrilling conclusion. But what's just as fascinating is the way this story has shaped the Jewish holiday of Purim, which is still celebrated today. The aftermath of Haman's defeat and the establishment of Purim as a national holiday. The significance of the word "Purim" and how it relates to the casting of lots that sealed the fate of the Jewish people. The traditions surrounding Purim. Reflections on the impact of Mordecai's influence on the Persian kingdom. The ripple effect of Mordecai and Esther's actions, which may have influenced future generations, including (possibly) the life of Nehemiah. If you want to learn more about the book of Esther and the fascinating story of Purim, tune in to this episode. Jenn shares insights and observations that will deepen your understanding of this important biblical book. Join us as we explore the themes of bravery, cunning, and the power of faith in the face of adversity. Don’t just check out one… Take a look at them all! YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnh-aqfg8rw Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Website - https://www.p40ministries.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p40ministries Contact - jenn@p40ministries.com Books - https://www.amazon.com/Jenn-Kokal/e/B095JCRNHY/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk Merch - https://www.p40ministries.com/shop YouVersion - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/38267-out-of-the-mire-trusting-god-in-the-middle Check out LifeAudio for other faith-based podcasts on parenting, studying Scripture, and more:www.lifeaudio.com Need help memorizing Scripture? Check out Verse in the Chorus: https://www.youtube.com/@VerseintheChrous Become a member to gain access to The Bible Explained on Fridays: https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Pastor Matt Sturdevant and the pastoral staff of Hope Church continue their two-week series through the Book of Esther, using the Three C Podcast to go deeper than Sunday morning allowed. The big idea of the series is this: certainty is not knowing what will happen next — it is knowing who you can trust when you don't know what's coming. The team unpacks three anchoring truths: God is in control even when we are not, God is working even when we cannot see it, and God has a purpose even when we do not understand it. They also offer a crucial warning — the message of Esther is not that trusting God guarantees the outcome we want. The answer to an uncertain world is not a principle; it's a person — Jesus Christ. The podcast then goes several layers deeper into the historical and Biblical context of the story. Pastor Matt draws a fascinating line connecting Haman the Agagite back to Agag, the Amalekite king whom King Saul failed to destroy in 1 Sam. 15, and traces Mordecai's lineage back to the house of Kish in the tribe of Benjamin — the same lineage as Saul himself. This means the conflict between Mordecai and Haman is, in many ways, a generational rematch of Saul versus Agag. Even further, Haman's plot to annihilate every Jew across all 127 provinces is not merely a political threat — it is an assault on God's covenant promise to Abraham in Gen. 12 and Gen. 22, and ultimately an attempt to destroy the messianic line before the Messiah could come. The team then moves into application, wrestling with the tension between trusting God and falling into passivity. Using a framework of opportunity, obedience, and outcome, they make clear that God provides the opportunities and governs the outcomes, while human responsibility lives in the middle — faithful obedience. They walk through a sweeping list of things we can influence but cannot control: other people's decisions, our children's faith, our health, our reputations, and the growth of the church. The takeaway is both humbling and freeing — we are responsible for our response and our faithfulness, and we can trust God with everything else.

BELIEVE THAT GOD IS IN CONTROLSo whatever you're facing this week, remember Joshua 1:5:“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”Take that promise with you.Believe God.Trust His presence.And remember:God is in control.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that the tribulation is still future, and the signs pointing toward it are all around us. But for the Christian, these events aren't cause for fear, they're a reminder that God is in control and His Word is coming true.

Pastor Matt Sturdevant opens a two-week series called Finding Certainty in an Uncertain World by asking a simple but piercing question: what are you uncertain about right now? Whether it's your job, your marriage, your health, your kids, or the economy, Pastor Matt establishes that uncertainty isn't an unusual season of life — it's simply part of life in a broken world. Beneath that uncertainty, he identifies another struggle: our deep desire to be in control. Yet as he points out, there are things we can influence that we simply cannot control, and one of life's most unsettling discoveries is just how little control we actually have. To wrestle with this, Pastor Matt takes the congregation into the Book of Esther — a real account of a young Jewish orphan who found herself living in a world of uncertainty about 2500 years ago. One of the most striking features of Esther is that God's name is never mentioned once in the entire book, yet His fingerprints are everywhere. From this, Pastor Matt draws three certainties: God is in control even when we are not, God is working even when we cannot see it, and God has a purpose even when we do not understand it. As Proverbs 19:21 reminds us, "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." The sermon builds toward its most important point: the answer to an uncertain world is not a principle — it's a person. Our deepest problem isn't uncertainty; it's sin. But Romans 5:8 declares, "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The cross proves God's love, and the resurrection proves Jesus can save. Because of this, Pastor Matt redefines certainty not as knowing what will happen next, but as knowing who you can trust when you don't — and that trust is grounded in Jesus Christ.

September 13, 2026Pastor Chris WrightThe Road to RedemptionExodus 1-2In this opening message of our new series through the book of Exodus, we look at Exodus 1–2 to discover how God's ancient rescue of Israel serves as the primary blueprint for our own redemption through Jesus. Even during severe opposition, oppression, and uncertainty, God remains in complete control, continually keeping His promises and protecting His people. The Exodus story is our story – it's a story of redemption.God is a promise keeper!God will bless your faithfulness in His time and in His way. God is in control & God is faithful.Thank you for listening!For more info on Redemption City Church check out our website.If you'd like to connect with us further, please fill out a Connection Card and one of our staff will get in touch with you.Follow us on on social media: Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

We don't have to let our circumstances determine our happiness. When we learn to trust that Jesus is enough, we can celebrate life. We know that God is in control, and working even through the hard things. This brings a settled confidence instead of constant worry. Joy isn't found in having a perfect life, but in knowing the perfect One.

The Whole World in His Hands | Thriving in Babylon Daniel 7 and 8 take us from the story of Daniel's life into visions of beasts, kingdoms, rulers, and events that would unfold long after Daniel was gone. Why did God show him all of this? Not simply so we could make charts about the future. Prophecy shows us that the God who was faithful in the past will be faithful in the future. In The Whole World in His Hands, we look at the four beasts of Daniel 7, the ram and goat of Daniel 8, the rise and fall of world empires, and the future Daniel was allowed to see. But all of those details ultimately lead us somewhere bigger: the Ancient of Days is still on His throne, and the Son of Man will receive a kingdom that will never be destroyed. When the future feels uncertain, our hope isn't found in figuring everything out. It's found in knowing the One who already holds it. Key Insights: Prophecy should produce security, not obsession. Don't build your hope on something that won't last. God's faithfulness in the past gives us confidence for the future. God's control over history changes how we face ordinary uncertainty. The destination of Daniel's prophecy is Jesus. Scripture Focus: Daniel 7:1-8:25 Speaker: Matt Petty Series: Thriving in Babylon Location: Burnt Hickory Baptist Church Connect with us: ° Watch this sermon on YouTube ° Follow us on Facebook ° Follow us on Instagram ° Visit our [website](https://www.burnthickory.com/)

Following Jesus is the greatest adventure we will ever take, but every adventure begins with a first step. Through the journey of the Magi, we discover that following Jesus requires responding to God's invitation, making faith-filled decisions, counting the cost, persevering through obstacles, and trusting that God is in control. You may not know everything about the journey, but you can trust the One who is leading you.

Ps. Patricia Mills - 30/08/2026

Passage: Revelation 1Revelation opens by putting the exalted Christ at the center—not timelines, charts, or speculation. John receives a vision that unveils who Jesus is in glory, assures persecuted believers that God is in control, and points toward His visible return. This message calls us to faithful living now, because Christ reigns, He is coming, and we will give an account.Key Takeaways:Revelation uses apocalyptic imagery to encourage persecuted Christians to remain faithful—God wins, and good winsThe subject of this revelation is the exalted Christ; He takes center stage from the first verseJesus freed us from our sins with a purpose: to make us a priesthood who serve God dailyHis greatness isn't in His appearance, but in His ability to redeem you from your sinsThe study of the end times is a fruitless pursuit if it doesn't lead us to winning souls for ChristIf eschatology causes you to build a bunker rather than build relationships, you've got a problemStay out of the weeds—beware of anyone who claims to know when Christ is coming backChrist is who He said He was; He reigns supreme over all the earthNo one has any time to waste—not because we have a definitive timeline, but because He could return at any second and deserves our greatest devotion

The more we divide our attention, the more scattered our thoughts become — and yet the pressure to multitask, to keep every plate spinning at once, can feel inescapable in a life this full and this fast. Multitasking can feel productive on the surface, and others may even admire how much we seem to be managing. But concentration weakens, stress compounds, and the peace God intends for us quietly disappears under the weight of too many simultaneous demands. Psalm 46:10 offers a redirection that cuts through all of it: be still, and know that I am God. This is not a command to accomplish more by resting first. The purpose of being still is not improved productivity. It is knowing God more. He is directing our attention away from our own performance and back to His character — reminding us that He is in ultimate control over the nations, the earth, and every detail of our lives. When we carry the pressure of feeling like everything depends on our own effort, multitasking becomes a survival mechanism rather than a strategy. But when we genuinely know that God is in control, we no longer have to carry the weight of controlling everything ourselves. We can give our full attention to whatever is directly in front of us, trust Him with the outcome, and experience the freedom that focused, unhurried presence actually provides. Breaking the multitasking habit is gradual and practical, but it begins in the same place Psalm 46 points us — stillness before the God who is already holding what we keep trying to manage on our own. Bible Verse "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."— Psalm 46:10, NIV Ponder Today Multitasking scatters the mind and steals the peace God wants you to enjoy. The feeling of accomplishment that comes from doing many things at once is largely an illusion. Concentration weakens, stress increases, and real productivity decreases when attention is divided. The command to be still is about knowing God, not accomplishing more. God is not redirecting our attention so we can return to the to-do list refreshed. He is directing our attention to Himself, because knowing Him is the point. Multitasking often comes from the belief that everything depends on us. When we release that pressure and genuinely trust God to be in control, the compulsive need to manage everything simultaneously begins to loosen its grip. Being still expands perspective. Multitasking narrows our view until we can only see the immediate demands in front of us. Stillness opens us to the larger story God is writing and restores the awareness that our life is part of something far bigger than today's task list. Focusing on one thing at a time is a form of trust in God. When we give our full attention to what is directly in front of us and trust God with the outcome, we are not being less responsible. We are living from a place of genuine faith that He holds what we cannot. A Prayer for You Today Dear God, my life often feels rushed and stressful, and I admit I try to handle too much at once. Multitasking sometimes makes me feel productive, but I can see now that it just scatters my thoughts and steals the peace You want me to enjoy. Please help me break the habit of multitasking and learn to focus on one thing at a time. Teach me to slow down and be still before You. Help me release the pressure of trying to control everything and remember that You are God and I am not. When I am busy and distracted, draw my attention back to Your presence. Show me how to focus on what truly matters and give me the courage to let go of what does not. As I learn to be still, help me grow closer to You each day. Thank You, God. Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer helped you release the pressure of doing everything at once and rest in the God who holds it all, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to help you slow down, focus well, and know God more every day. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What should believers do when the foundations of society seem to be crumbling? In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef points to Psalm 11 and the prophet Isaiah for encouragement in seasons of anxiety, uncertainty, and change. Judah faced such a moment when King Uzziah died after more than five decades on the throne. The nation suddenly found itself asking, “What happens now?” Isaiah may have wondered the same thing. But in that very season of upheaval, God gave him a transforming vision: “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne.” The message could not have been clearer. Earthly rulers change, nations shift, and circumstances become uncertain—but the true King never leaves His throne. That same Truth speaks powerfully to believers today. Our hope is not ultimately anchored in political stability, cultural strength, or human leadership. It rests in the changeless promises and sovereign rule of Almighty God. And we know even more than Isaiah did. Jesus Christ—the King who was mocked, crucified, and buried—rose victoriously from the grave and reigns today. Whatever uncertainty surrounds you, lift your eyes above the turmoil. Your King is alive, His throne is secure, and He can be trusted with whatever comes next. Let us pray. Lord Jesus, help me to trust You, resting in Your love and promises even when this world and my circumstances look bleak. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

As a follower of Christ, you can be confident that God is in control of your life and family.

Detour ahead!As you drive down the highway, you'll encounter many road signs. But one of the most annoying is the detour. When our plans of traveling to our destination are hindered, we grow frustrated by the delay and inconvenience. But detours don't only happen on the highway. The parenting journey also has them. Perhaps you love football, but your son doesn't. Maybe he likes to read, but you'd rather wrestle with him.Whatever the detour to your original plans and expectations, take comfort in knowing that God is in control. That detour that you find so annoying and frustrating may be the very thing God uses to accomplish his will in the future. Above all, trust God's guidance even when you cannot see where life's road is taking you or your son.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#bible #biblia #Jesus #JesusChrist #provider Christ is our healer and provider. In this episode, we discuss our brokenness and the importance of maintaining faith that God is in control and will supply our needs.

Revelation is not simply a book about future events. It is a message from God meant to shape our lives right now. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef points to the blessing promised in Revelation 1:3 for those who read, hear, and take its words to heart. Through this extraordinary vision, Scripture reveals Jesus Christ as the suffering Savior who died and rose again—and the victorious King who will return in power and righteous judgment. The Messiah who came first in humility will come again in glory. Today, Christ graciously invites sinners to receive eternal life, but Revelation reminds us that history is moving toward a decisive conclusion. His return will bring judgment, vindication, and the fulfillment of every promise God has made. The apostle John received this vision while exiled on Patmos for his faithfulness to Christ. What looked like isolation and defeat became the setting for one of Scripture's greatest revelations of God's sovereignty. John was reminded—and so are we—that history is not spinning out of control. God reigns over the past, present, and future, and every event ultimately serves His purposes. So don't approach Revelation with curiosity alone. Let its warnings awaken you, let its promises strengthen you, and let its vision of the returning Christ lift your eyes above present trials. The darkness will not last forever. Jesus Christ is coming again, and His glory will overcome it all. Join me in prayer. Lord, thank You for the wondrous picture of the glory that is coming that You have provided in Revelation. May I take Your Word seriously as both an admonishment and an encouragement to live for You today. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

DJ Manna shares four powerful Psalms that remind us of God's goodness, kindness, strength, and sovereignty. From celebrating God's blessings in Psalm 126:3 to resting in His power in Psalm 115:3, this episode closes the summer series with encouragement and worship—pointing us to the God who is faithful forever. What You'll Learn:

When your adult child is going through heartbreak, it can be difficult to know what to do. You want to protect them, take away their pain, and somehow make everything better—but you can't walk through the heartbreak for them. Whether they are grieving a breakup, betrayal, disappointment, or another painful relationship experience, Christian parents can learn to support their adult children while trusting God to carry them through the storm. Isaiah 43:2 reminds us that God doesn't promise a life without painful seasons, but He does promise His presence in the middle of them: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” As a parent, that means you don't have to fix your adult child's heartbreak. You can listen, offer a steady and loving presence, pray for them, and give their pain and future to God, trusting Him to bring healing, wisdom, and hope in His timing. Highlights How to support an adult child through heartbreak without trying to fix everything Why parents must learn to trust God with their grown children's pain How Isaiah 43:2 offers hope in seasons of grief and emotional pain Practical ways to be present for an adult child who is hurting Why listening can be more helpful than offering advice or pity How to cast your own anxiety about your child's pain on God Finding faith, hope, and love while waiting for healing and redemption Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Giving Your Adult Child’s Heartbreak to God By: Lia Girard Bible Reading: When you pass through the waters,I will be with you;and when you pass through the rivers,they will not sweep over you.When you walk through the fire,you will not be burned;the flames will not set you ablaze. – Isaiah 43:2, NIV As Christians, we know that Jesus doesn’t promise a trouble-free life here on earth. Which naturally means we can expect that there will be days or seasons of pain, heartache, confusion, or grief. However, just knowing that we’re human (and that hurt will find us eventually) doesn’t prevent the sadness and anger heartbreak causes—whenever and however it shows up. We can try to gird ourselves with gratitude, faith, and hope. Relying on this inclination can help us weather storms. But we can’t make the storms simply not come. Being a parent of two adult children, I deeply understand the desire to wish every hard thing away from your children’s lives. It starts early, before their very first injury, and continues through your entire parenting journey. And although you know that surviving struggles will help your children build compassion, wisdom, and strength, this can get dicey when it comes to someone mistreating them or breaking their heart. Because you’ve raised your child to be an adult, you know they’re “out there” in this world, taking chances, loving deeply, and making their own choices. Yet you still want to be there for them, whenever they may need you. But the role has shifted fully now, from daily provider to encourager as they chart their own path. You know it’s right to raise adults, and not “baby” your grown children, but it’s also a strange and somewhat tender passage. It means letting go of having a say-so and just being available for them as they seek direction from the ultimate parent, God. In Isaiah 43:2, God is reassuring the Israelites that he is carrying them through their exile, no matter how hard it seems. And he is assuring all of us today that no matter what your adult child is walking through, God promises to step right into the murky water with them. Later in Isaiah 43:18-19, God says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Some biblical scholars say that God is clearly stating here that when a situation is dire and feels unbearable, he will never abandon you and is working on something new for you. This is good news when your own heart is aching because someone has broken your adult child’s heart. It means you can be sure that God is in control of your child’s recovery. Remember, it’s a promise. And for your own heart, while you’re believing in God to carry your child through grief, you can lean into 1 Peter 5:7, and “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” When someone hurts your grown child’s heart, leaving them holding a heavy load of bewilderment or loneliness, let them know you love them and are right here for anything they want or need. Keep checking in and listening. It’s likely they’ve been through enough maturing to not want or need you to preach to them, offer them pity, or even cry with them—though I know you want to. Because God is with them, you can be the same present, interested, loving parent you’ve always been, and have faith in better days ahead. You may have been through to the other side of heartbreak yourself and seen the kind of redemption your child hasn’t. Yet. It’s certain they will encounter their own unique ups, downs, and renewals. So be patient. Be kind. And remember that the final verse of the famous 1 Corinthians 13 “love chapter” that tells us true love is patient and kind, also encourages us: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Remind your child that God loves them, and so do you. And that you believe God’s promise: that He will carry them through. Intersecting Faith & Life: When you want to “fix” your adult child’s relationship heartbreak, consider instead offering your loving presence in ways like these: Invite them to lunch, dinner, or dessert somewhere they’ve been wanting to try Find and suggest a nature hike to enjoy together Have them over to watch a show or sports game you both enjoy If they’re far away, send them something soothing, like socks, slippers, or a delivery dinner Interact with them the same way you always have—with love, joy, and interest in them Ask: Do you want to talk? And respect their wishes. Further Reading:Psalm 147:3 Psalm 55:22 Psalm 23 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today Pastor Jeff shares how we can have joy because God is in control, never makes mistakes, and faithfully cares for us every day. Acts 2:28  You have made known to me the paths of life;  you will fill me with joy in your presence.

In this episode, Ryan and Alex explore the ancient traditions of the pre-Flood world and the mysteries surrounding an esoteric lineage said to stretch back to Atlantis. From the preservation and transmission of secret knowledge across civilizations to stories of those who came from a world before our own, they trace the threads connecting ancient wisdom, forgotten history, and humanity's enduring relationship with angelic entities.

Today Pastor Jeff shares how we can have joy even in difficult times because God is in control, He sees everything, and He is always with us. Psalm 20:5  "Let us shout for joy at your victory and lift the banner in the name of our God. May the LORD fulfill all your requests."

Moses' Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day In this sermon, we explore the trials faced by Moses as described in Numbers 20. The narrative draws a parallel between Moses' challenges and the children's book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, emphasizing how cumulative adversities can lead to significant trials. The Context of Moses' Bad Day Moses, nearing the end of his journey with the Israelites, faces a series of overwhelming challenges: Miriam's Death: Miriam, Moses' sister and confidant, had recently passed away, adding personal grief to his burdens. The Israelites' Complaints: The people he led were discontented, questioning why Moses brought them to a barren land with no water. Proximity to the Promised Land: The Israelites were near the Promised Land, but the stress of the final stretch was palpable, leading to heightened tensions. The Key Scripture: Numbers 20:1-12 Numbers 20 details the specific events of this day. The Israelites, frustrated by the lack of water, confront Moses and Aaron with complaints. In response, God instructs Moses to speak to a rock to bring forth water. However, Moses, overwhelmed by anger, strikes the rock instead, disobeying God's command. Lessons on Anger and Obedience Anger Management: Moses' story underscores the danger of letting anger dictate actions. His anger led him to strike the rock, an act of disobedience that cost him entry into the Promised Land. Trust in God: The sermon emphasizes the need to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem out of control. Moses' failure was rooted in his inability to trust God fully in that moment. The Power of the Tongue: Referencing James 3:2, 5-6, the sermon highlights how the tongue can ignite great conflict. Moses' words, calling the Israelites "rebels," fanned the flames of his anger. Consequences of Disobedience: Despite God's grace in providing water, Moses faced consequences for his actions. This serves as a reminder that while God is gracious, obedience is crucial. Practical Applications Turn to God in Prayer: In moments of anger, seek God's guidance and strength to maintain control. Stay Quiet: Often, holding one's tongue can prevent the escalation of conflict and preserve relationships. Rely on God's Sovereignty: Trust that God is in control, even when life feels chaotic. Conclusion Moses' story in Numbers 20 serves as a powerful lesson on the importance of obedience, trust, and managing our emotions. As believers, we are encouraged to rely on God's grace and wisdom to navigate our own "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days." By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of anger and embrace the peace that comes from faith and obedience. For those seeking to deepen their relationship with Christ, the sermon concludes with an invitation to embrace Jesus as the "living water," offering hope and eternal life.

Maybe it's time we start responding with humor to the lunacy on display in our world. God is in control and He is not rattled by any of it. Let's trade in that spirit of heaviness today for some joy and praise!TakeawaysExchanging heaviness for joyEngaging with humor and eternal perspectiveSupport Lady Up America: https://ko-fi.com/ladyupamericaLearn more about Lady Up America and Diane Canada: https://ladyupamerica.com

Why do you still feel exhausted—even when you finally have time to slow down? In Deuteronomy 5:12–15, God's command to observe the Sabbath reveals that true rest is about more than taking a day off. We struggle to rest because we're waiting for a finish line that doesn't exist, allowing fear to keep us working, and holding tightly to things God is asking us to release. If you're experiencing burnout, struggling to unplug, or constantly feeling like you haven't done enough, this message will help you uncover what may really be keeping you exhausted. Discover the biblical meaning of Sabbath, why rest is an act of trust, and how resting in God can restore what busyness has depleted. You don't have to finish everything, prove your worth, or hold your entire life together. You can open your hands and rest because God is good, God is in control, and Jesus has already declared, "It is finished." Everyone helping someone take steps to follow Christ. This is the vision of Journey Church, led by Pastor James Hilton, with multiple locations throughout Central Florida.  https://journeyconnect.org Website: https://journeyconnect.org Facebook: http://facebook.com/journeyconnect Instagram: https://instagram.com/journeyconnect/ To support Journey Church's mission and help us transform lives both locally and globally, visit: https://journeyconnect.org/giving If you're in the Daytona Beach area and want to learn more about our upcoming launch, go to https://journeyconnect.org/daytona 

Pastor Patrick Carmichael & occasional guest speakers deliver God's Word at Christ Bible Church's weekly Sunday services. Mission Hills, California.

The Narrow Junior High Ministry

We have 3 quite dramatic, but also quite diverse readings today.  First the confrontation of Elijah with Ahab.  It is clear God is in control and directing the course of events in the wayward northern kingdom, but there are still a few worthy left, at least 100, which Obadiah had hidden in a cave.  God's punishment on Ahab's kingdom for its godlessness is a terrible drought.In Jeremiah we read that he and the remnant of the people are still in Egypt, where the people had been determined to go, also being determined to continue worshipping idols, especially “the queen of heaven”.  Most of them perish in their godlessness, but again there is a remnant, “a few in number,” who, says the LORD through Jeremiah, “shall return from the land of Egypt” [ch.44 v.28]  Paul's letter to the Corinthians has parallels to this, he makes some extraordinary but wonderful statements about the privileged position true believers have before God, but many in Corinth, at this stage, failed to appreciate this.  “You are God's field, God's building” [3 v.9], he tells them.  “The wisdom of the this world is folly with God” [v.19] We saw this with Ahab and with those who insisted in going down to Egypt. “Do you not know.”  Paul asks them, “that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?  If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him.  For God's Temple is holy and you are that temple.” [v.16,17]  The awesome reality in our lives is to genuinely sense the presence of God with us – IN us – as a spiritual temple in which God dwells. It is evident that Elijah and Jeremiah sensed this. Tomorrow, we will read of how Elijah tried to escape from this realization.Over the years there has been times of spiritually unhealthy discussion as to whether we possess the Holy Spirit today.   We do not, it is the other way round, the Spirit of God possesses true believers,  as Paul told the men of Athens, “he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being.'” [Acts 17 v.27,28] “Do you not know” this?

Ordained minister, Dr. Dennis Hall, examines the rise in socialism in the United States. He focuses on the number of political candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and points out that there are now over 250 DSA members in local, state, and national offices. Dr. Hall enumerates the things that the DSA promotes and how they are the antithesis of Christian principles. Because of the sovereignty of God believers can take comfort in the fact that God is still in control. The rejection of the sovereignty of God and his existence going back to ancient times is explored. Dr. Hall   analyzes some of the key arguments that atheists use to refute the existence of God. Can be heard on all podcast search engines and viewed on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/pP3_u7auYxI.                     

The Lord Bless You and Keep You Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Friday was my birthday, and a great friend of mine sent me this blessing, and I wanted to share it with all of you. There is so much variety in what we find in Scripture. We find stories, parables, wisdom, promises, blessings, and guidance about how God calls us to live. This verse is a blessing. It is a beautiful blessing that I pray over each one of you listening to this episode. When I looked up the meaning of this blessing in the Enduring Word Commentary, it mentions that we often think of blessings as happiness, wealth, or comfort. We think if God is blessing our life, then life will be easy and comfortable. If our life is difficult, we think God is not blessing it. However, this is not the case. God does not promise us an easy life with no complications. He promises that He will be with us in those complications and difficulties. Blessings come from God, and only He knows exactly what blessings we need. We can ask Him for all the things that we think we need, but only He knows the plan of what we actually need. God's plan is for our highest and greatest good. Our plan only considers what we think would be good. But as we know from listening to our children's plans, we may not even be able to imagine the good God has in store for us. We only see our limited abilities; God knows our potential and our true abilities. We might settle for less than God wants to give us. The first line of this verse says, “The Lord bless you and keep you.” I really liked what the Enduring Word Commentary had to say about the “keep you” part. It was something I hadn't really thought of before. It said, “To be kept by the LORD is blessing indeed. Some are kept by their own sin and desire, some are kept by idolatry and greed, and others are kept by their own bitterness and anger. But to be kept by the LORD ensures life, peace, and success.” I love this! I looked up online what it means to be kept. It said, “To be kept generally means to be preserved, guarded, or maintained, often in a context of protection or care.” So, when the quote above says some are kept by their own sin, desires, idolatry, greed, bitterness, or anger, it means those are the things they rely on for protection. I think we have all been there. We have relied on unforgiveness or bitterness to protect us from getting hurt again. We put up walls so that no one can ever hurt us again. We have also been fooled into believing that greed and idolatry can protect. Instead of being kept by God and relying on Him to protect us, we put more and more money away for retirement. We try to rely on our own strength and our own means to protect ourselves. We look to our own sin and our own desires to protect us and help us live the life we want, instead of counting on the Lord to keep us and give us the amazing life we don't deserve but that He wants to give us. The next part of that verse says, “the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.” Imagine the Lord's face shining upon you. How amazing would that be? Again, the Enduring Word Commentary states this, “To have the glorious, pleased face of God shining upon a man is the greatest gift he could have. To know that as God looks upon you, He is well pleased – not because of who you are, or what you have done, but because you are in Jesus Christ – there is no greater source of peace and power in life.” I think many of us have a hard time believing that God is pleased with us. Especially if we think of all the ways we feel we have let Him down. We know our sins, we know our history. We know how unfaithful to the Lord we have been. However, God doesn't love us just when we are faithful. He loves us always, even when we are not. I love where it says that God is not pleased with you because of who you are or what you have done, but because you are in Jesus Christ. Can you believe that God is pleased with you? He is. He may not like every single thing you do, but He is not constantly disappointed with you, as we imagine. We often get disappointed in others because they do things we don't expect. God knows us; He knows the world we live in, and He knows the human condition. There isn't anything that we do that surprises Him. Therefore, we are not constantly letting Him down. He is pleased with our efforts. The last line says, “The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” In the Enduring Word Commentary, they quote David Wenham, a British Bible Scholar. Wenham said, “To lift up one's eyes or face means to pay attention, and to look favorably towards. “When God smiles on his people, they can be sure that he will be gracious to them; that is, he will deliver them from all their troubles. He will answer their prayers and save them from their enemies.” How amazing is that? We can rest assured that God will answer our prayers and save us from our enemies. Hopefully we all knew that God does this, but if we didn't, now we do. If we already knew this, then this verse is further proof to keep in our arsenal, so when the enemy starts in with all his lies, we have this verse to remember. We can remind ourselves that God smiles upon us, delivers us from our troubles, and answers our prayers. The verse ends with peace. Peace is something we could all use. This is probably what people ask me to pray for most. Even if I am praying for healing, I am praying for the Peace of Christ to come over the people so they don't worry. This world is so anxious. Everyone is so full of fear and anxiety. Peace seems to be something that we all struggle to find. Peace is possible, even in difficult situations. I have had peace in situations where people told me I shouldn't have peace. My son was in rehab, and yet I had peace because I knew in my heart that God was taking care of everything. My kids have struggled with a lot over the years, yet I have been able to be full of peace in very chaotic situations because I know that God is in control. I know that no matter what things look like, nothing is impossible for God. It could look like the end is near, and yet if God wants to change it, He can. God has done so many incredible miracles in my life and in my family's life. I don't have to blindly trust that God works miracles, as I have been blessed to witness so many. I bet if you look back at your life, you will see plenty of ways God has been working. You may not consider them miracles, but He has been touching your life and answering your prayers. I guarantee it. That is a great exercise to do regularly. Sit down and look back over your life. Look at all the various times you have called upon God and look at the ways He has come through. If you look for God in your life, I promise you won't come up empty-handed. Ask God to highlight the miracles in your life and He will. Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode. Lord, we thank you for all the miracles you have done in our lives. We thank you for all the times you have shown up in unexpected ways. We thank you for blessing us and keeping us. You are amazing, and we are truly blessed. Lord, help us to truly believe that you are looking down upon us and that you are pleased with us. We love you so much, and we ask this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name. Amen! Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I am away camping this week. I plan to keep posting, but if I miss a day, don't worry; all is good. I just didn't have wifi that day. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day! Today's Word from the Lord was received in February 2026 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Come, my children. Come and feel my tender love. Come and know that I will never reject you. I am always welcoming.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

God's word brings light into our lives, gives us direction and points us to Jesus showing us where our hope and strength are found. Today's story demonstrates this truth. Join us!   Chapter 12 is about some of the persecution Peter experienced and we will look at Peter's writings in 1 Peter in conjunction with this story in Acts chapter 12 for additional insights.   THEN + NOW Persecution - Acts 12:1-4; 1 Peter 4:12-13 Herod Agrippa the First, encouraged by approval after arresting believers and putting the Apostle James to death, decides to arrest and imprison Peter. He has Peter under guard by four squads of four soldiers each. He is planning a public trial of Peter after the Passover.     1 Peter 4:12-13 - Peter tells us not to be surprised at persecution and to instead rejoice that we can participate in the sufferings of Christ.    There is a cost to following Jesus. The enemy desires to stifle our witness and to destroy the plans and purposes of God.   Prayer - Acts 12:5; 1 Peter 3:12 (Psalm 34:15) While Peter is imprisoned the believers are praying for him.   1 Peter 3:12 Peter quotes Psalm 34:15 sharing that prayer is answered by God.    We are called to be faithful in prayer.   Peace  - Acts 12:6; 1 Peter 3:14, 1 Peter 5:7 The night before his trial we see Peter peacefully sleeping while under heavy guard.   1 Peter 3:14 Peter tells us not to fear threats because God is in control.   1 Peter 5::7 Peter tells us to cast all our anxiety on Jesus because He cares for us.   Provision - Acts 12:7; 1 Peter 3:21b-22 An angel appears in the jail and the chains fall off of Peter.    1 Peter 3:21b-22 Peter tells us that Christ who is at God's right hand, has everything in submission to Him.     God is in charge and even when an evil ruler seeks to destroy God's people, God knows and it is His plans that will succeed.   Praise -  Acts 12:8-11; 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 5:10-11 Peter gets dressed and follows the angel out of the prison. Peter thinks he is seeing a vision. He and the angel walk past the guards, out the gate and the angel leaves him. Then he realizes that it was all real and that the Lord rescued him from Herod's clutches! We learn that our response to God's deliverance is to be one of praise.   1 Peter 1:3 Peter tells us to praise the Lord for our new birth in the resurrected Christ. This gift is our motivation to praise Him.   1 Peter 5:10-11 tells us we are to praise God for His provision.    We are to praise Him in all circumstances.   Prepared - Acts 12:12—19; 1 Peter 3:15 Peter goes to the house where the believers are praying for him. He tells them how the Lord brought him out of the prison and then he leaves for another place.    The next morning there is chaos at the prison as they try to figure out what happened to Peter. Herod holds a thorough search, cross-examines the guards and orders them executed.    But what can we trust Peter shared with these guards as he was imprisoned? What do we know about Peter's heart for sharing the Gospel message of Christ's love for all including the soldiers holding him prisoner. Peter was prepared to answer all their questions and to give them the Good News of Christ.   1 Peter 3:15 Peter tells us to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have.    These guards died not through their own fault but simply because they were connected to Peter.    How did what Peter would have taught them about Jesus affect their last moments here on this earth?   How did what Peter would have shared about Jesus affect where they spend eternity?   Am I prepared with answers about who Jesus is?    Am I prepared to be used by God to affect where those I meet spend eternity?   In this life we will have persecution. How will we respond?  -With prayer, knowing God hears and answers.  -With peace, because God cares for us.  -With the assurance of His provision because He is in control of all. -With praise, because He is our Deliverer. -And we will be prepared to be used by God to share the Gospel message even to our persecutors.   This week's READING ASSIGNMENT: Acts chapter 12-13.    Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.   Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now   Or watch from our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/videos   Join us Sundays live or on demand from our website  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Do you constantly imagine the worst? Maybe you google every symptom, worry when someone doesn't answer their phone, or feel like something bad is about to happen even when everything is going well. In this episode, we're talking about why our minds can become so focused on worst-case scenarios, how trauma can teach us to expect danger, and what Scripture says about breaking free from a life dominated by fear.

Crisis to Christ | Thriving in Babylon When Daniel faced a crisis he could not solve on his own, he knew where to turn. In Daniel 2, we see Daniel respond with wise composure, radical courage, godly community, heartfelt prayer, and praise. Then, through Nebuchadnezzar's dream, God reveals that every earthly kingdom will eventually fall, but the Kingdom of Jesus will stand forever. This message from Thriving in Babylon challenges us to stop depending solely on our own wisdom and remember a truth that changes how we face every crisis: there is a God in heaven who can. Key Insights: Respond to crisis instead of reacting to it. Daniel models wise composure and courage when panic would have been the easier response. Make prayer your first response. Daniel immediately gathers his community and seeks God when human wisdom reaches its limit. Don't try to walk through crisis alone. Godly community matters, especially when life becomes difficult and the answers aren't obvious. Recognize the limits of earthly wisdom. Knowledge, education, and human ability have value, but they cannot replace the wisdom that comes from God. Live with confidence in the Kingdom that lasts. Daniel's interpretation points beyond temporary earthly kingdoms to Jesus and His Kingdom that will reign forever. Scripture Focus: Daniel 2:1-45 Speaker: Matt Petty Series: Thriving in Babylon Location: [Burnt Hickory Baptist Church](https://maps.app.goo.gl/hazkR3omjk9xvxZc7) Connect with us: ° Watch this sermon on YouTube ° Follow us on [Facebook](www.facebook.com/bhbchome) ° Follow us on [Instagram](www.instagram.com/burnthickorybaptist) ° Visit our website

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260808dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:4-6 It’s All Under Control Did you know that your soul’s salvation is not a “chancy” thing? Being born when and where you were is not “lucky” or “unlucky.” Our parents may have said that we were an “accident” or a “surprise,” but to God, we were neither. God so determined your birth. God is in control. His will WILL be done. From eternity, God our Father chose us to be his children through faith in Jesus Christ, his Son. This has real comfort for us. Perhaps our money doesn’t go as far as it once did. Around us, we see society drowning in its own immorality. There are troubles everywhere. All this sorrow tells us that this world will never be heaven, but we can rejoice in spite of it all. God still has total control, and we know that nothing can separate us from his love in Christ Jesus. We are forgiven. There’s nothing “chancy” about our salvation. It’s all under the control of our loving, gracious, forgiving, and patient Father in heaven. Prayer: I rejoice, heavenly Father, that you chose me to be a member of your eternal family through faith in Jesus my Savior. Preserve my faith through the power of your Word and accomplish for me everything that your loving will has determined. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Since God is sovereign, what difference do your prayers make? The truth is, the only reason Christians can pray confidently is because God is in control. W. Robert Godfrey explains today. Give today to receive Heroes of the Christian Faith, a new hardcover book featuring teaching from R.C. Sproul. You'll also get the companion digital study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the Heroes of the Christian Faith ebook and digital study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   W. Robert Godfrey is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow and chairman of Ligonier Ministries. He is president emeritus and professor emeritus of church history at Westminster Seminary California. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Life is full of mountains and valleys. One day we’re standing on the mountaintop, taking in the view and thanking God for how good life feels. The next, we’re walking through a valley we never saw coming, wondering how we got here and how we’ll ever make it through. That’s life. No one gets a permanent address on the mountaintop, and no one stays in the valley forever. We all experience seasons of joy and seasons of sorrow, seasons of abundance and seasons of struggle. There are moments when we feel strong, confident, and full of faith, and there are moments when we’re tired, discouraged, and simply trying to take the next step. The mountains and the valleys are both part of the journey. Does this mean we hate the valleys and only live for the mountaintops? If so, we’re wasting much of our lives. It’s like the person who chooses misery all week long and only lives for the weekend. Or the person who is continually chasing greener grass, only to get there and find it’s always greener somewhere else. They’re waiting for life to begin when life has been happening all along. Sometimes I wonder if we’re guilty of doing the same thing spiritually. We endure the valleys and merely survive them while we wait for God to get us back to the mountain. We decide the mountaintop is where God is blessing us and the valley is where he’s forgotten us. We assume one is good and one is bad. But what if we’re wrong? What if God never intended for us to love one and despise the other? What if he designed both? God is in control of all things, so why does he allow these low valleys in life? Why doesn’t he take us to the mountaintop experiences and let us stay there? Why not total bliss all the time? Why can’t everything just be good and stay good? My husband and I have often joked over the years of raising three kids that when the rare moment comes along when all three are doing great at the same time—with no problems—we hold our breath. Experience has taught us it doesn’t last long. It’s our mountaintop. It’s bliss. It’s rare. We know we’re here, but we also know we probably don’t get to stay here. Before long, back down into the valley we’ll go with at least one of them. Have you ever noticed that’s the way life seems to work? We just can’t keep things at their very best for very long. The job is good, then the job is hard. The marriage is happy, then the marriage is struggling. Our bodies are healthy, then suddenly they aren’t. The bank account is full, then an unexpected expense arrives. We finally catch our breath, and then life takes it away again. The mountains are beautiful, but they’re temporary. The valleys are difficult, but they’re temporary too. And that’s not a flaw in God’s design. It’s part of it. If mountaintops became permanent, we would begin to worship the view instead of the God who brought us there. If valleys never came, we would never learn surrender and trust. The mountain gives us perspective, but the valley gives us depth. God has never promised us a life of uninterrupted mountaintops. What he has promised is something far better—His uninterrupted presence. He’s God on the mountain, and he’s God in the valley. He isn’t waiting for you at the top. He’s walking with you wherever you are. And perhaps that’s the invitation—not to spend our lives trying to escape the valleys or cling to the mountains, but to learn to look for God in both. 1 Kings 20:28, “The LORD says, ‘Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD.” If you just pluck this one scripture out, it won’t make sense. So, let’s study the context and see what God is telling us. Israel are God’s people who seek him and trust him. They have enemies constantly trying to defeat them. One of those enemies is the kingdom of Aram who’s King is Ben-Hadad. The Arameans greatly outnumbered the Israelites, yet the Israelites had just defeated them in battle. As the Aramenas were trying to understand their battle and how they could have lost to an army so beneath them, they came to the conclusion it was because of the Israelites’ God. Verse 23, they said “Their gods are gods of the mountains. That is why they were too strong for us. But if we fight them in the valleys, surely we will be stronger than them.” With that in mind, the Arameans planned their next attack on God’s people in a valley. A valley, a low spot, where the Israelites’ mountaintop God would have no reign and no power. They didn’t doubt God’s existence, they doubted his authority over both the mountain and the valley. BUT THEY WERE WRONG! Our LORD isn’t just a mountaintop God. He’s not limited by good experiences and positive outcomes. He’s not just in the highs – he’s in the lows. His jurisdiction is not limited by location or circumstance. And this is why the LORD said in verse 28, “Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD.” Essentially God is saying, “You’ve seen me work on the mountain, NOW WATCH ME WORK IN THE LOW VALLEYS TOO!” This is a lesson not only for the enemy, but for God’s people. “Stop thinking I will only give you victory up here, I can work in the lows too!” This was more than God winning a battle, this was God revealing himself. What? You think God has boundaries? You think there’s somewhere he doesn’t rule? Somewhere out of his reach? Somewhere his power isn’t effective? Something too hard or too big and beyond his dominion? You think there’s a place God can’t give victory. GIRL, JUST WATCH HIM. Today, we often live exactly as the Aramean’s who thought God was only the God of the mountain. We believe: God is with me when my marriage is good! God is with me when my body is healthy! God is with me when the money is there! God is with me when all the kids are doing well! God is with me when my prayers are answered! Yes, he’s with me … I can see him … look at all this goodness in my life! I’m on the mountaintop! But life doesn’t stay there, and soon we’re in a low valley and we begin asking: Where is God? Why isn’t he helping me? Has he left me? Did I do something wrong? Is he punishing me with this deep dark valley of hardship and struggle? And really what we’re wondering is if God stayed on the mountain and he’s not with us in the valley. But I want to give you one memorable fact that will stay with you forever. NOTHING GROWS ON THE MOUNTAINTOP. Have you ever climbed a really tall mountain – I’m talking a legit mountain. Have you noticed the higher you go, the thinner the air gets. And as you continue the climb, it just becomes rocky. No trees. No fruit. No grass. No flowers. The view is remarkable and it feels great to stand on top of the mountain, but NOTHING GROWS UP THERE. That, my friends, is life. You don’t grow in your moutaintop moments. When everything is so perfectly good, you’re not growing. And that’s why God doesn’t leave you up there. He lovingly brings you back down to the valley because in the valley is where YOU GROW! Trees grow in the valley. Fruit is produced in the valley. Flowers are in abundance in the valley. It’s the low places where we grow. I find it interesting that God could have simply prevented the second battle altogether. Instead, He allowed Israel to go right back into another fight. Why? Because there was something about Himself He wanted revealed that could only be revealed in the valley. God isn’t better on the mountain. He’s simply different there. The mountain may reveal His majesty, but the valley reveals His faithfulness. What God is showing us is regardless of the place we are in life, regardless of the highs and lows, he is the LORD over every place. Just as the mountain doesn’t make him God, neither do the valleys of life diminish him. He is just as present, just as powerful, and just as soverign in the lowest and hardest of valleys in your life as he is on the highest and most victorious mountain. I have a beautiful friend currently battling a relentless and ugly cancer. This cancer has dragged her through one heck of a dark valley. But here in this valley, she has discovered God’s presence unlike ever before. She has learned He is her only hope. She has learned peace that doesn’t make sense. She has learned full surrender and unwavering faith. That’s what valleys do to us, and I have to believe that’s one of the reasons God allows them. He reveals Himself in such personal and powerful ways. Perhaps her mountaintop moments will come and she will stand whole, healthy, and healed with a long, beautiful life ahead of her. Oh, how I pray she experiences that. But here’s what I know—she won’t grow up there. She’s growing down here. And maybe that’s why God doesn’t allow us to permanently live on the mountaintops. We would enjoy him there, but we wouldn’t NEED him there. We would celebrate him there, but we wouldn’t CLING to him there. It is in the valley where we discover he really is enough. It’s in the valley where we learn he wasn’t kidding when he said he would never leave us or forsake us. It’s in the valley where we find his strength made perfect in our weakness. It’s in the valley where we discover his peace isn’t dependent on our circumstances and his goodness isn’t diminished by our suffering. Mountaintops are where we often celebrate God. Valleys are where we come to know him. So perhaps we’ve had it wrong all along. Perhaps the goal isn’t to spend our lives desperately trying to escape the valleys and cling to the mountains. Perhaps the goal is to stop asking, “How do I get out of here?” long enough to ask, “Lord, what are You revealing here?” Because He’s still the LORD here. The valley has never been outside of his jurisdiction. It has never been beyond his reach. It has never been beneath his attention. And just as He told the Arameans thousands of years ago, I believe he is still saying to his people today, “You think you’ve seen me work before? Just watch me work here too.” So, if you find yourself standing on a mountaintop today, breathe it in. Thank him for the view. Celebrate the joy. Receive it as a gift. And if you find yourself in a valley today, don’t despise it. Don’t assume you’ve been abandoned there. Don’t waste this season merely trying to survive it. Look for him there. Because he isn’t just waiting for you on the next mountaintop. He’s already standing beside you in the valley. He is the LORD of both. Don’t spend your life trying to escape the valleys or trying to cling to the mountains, but learn to look for God in both. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

Take heart: God is in control. Today, Timothy Witmer joins us to explain how God's sovereignty brings peace to our anxiety, courage amid temptation, and perseverance in prayer. Listen to this discussion on his book, God Is God and I'm Not. Get Timothy Witmer's book with your donation—God Is God and I'm Not: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the ebook with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   Timothy Witmer is pastor emeritus of Crossroads Community Church in Upper Darby, PA. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts