Podcasts about god now

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 5:24

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:16-17). The letter to the Ephesians is steeped in prayer. Paul begins with prayer, ends by calling the church to join him in prayer, and here in the middle, prays. As we discovered yesterday, Paul is on his knees in this prayer. It's a posture of humility, recognizing that God is both the giver of every good gift, and the most consequential actor and authority in any of our lives. Today we begin to discover what Paul is praying for. All these big themes have been coursing through the letter about God's grace in Christ that creates the world, saves us, and reconciles us as a disparate humanity into a single, diverse, yet unified church. Now Paul prays quite simply that we will have the faith to believe it's true. That we will have the power, not to do great things for God, but simply to hold space in our hearts for Christ to dwell there. Paul is on to something. This is indeed the very hardest of things to do. It is easy to do great deeds for God. Go on a mission trip, fund a building campaign, make a big and vocal stand on principle, start an organization, or make pilgrimage to a big Christian site, rally, conference, or retreat. The extreme things are all pretty easy to do—we just go flat out, push ourselves to the end, and voila, there we are. What is much harder to do is to simply believe. Our inner beings are often not strong enough to hold space for this Christ and this faith. Our innermost being is most often filled with anxiety for the future, our children, our health, our work, the church, our country, and the state of the world. Fear, cynicism, mistrust, jealousy, fears, ambivalence, regret, and despondency are far more often what lines the walls of our inner being than the strength of the Spirit and faith in Christ. So many of the things we hear or watch seem to suggest that this world and our lives are quite beyond hope or salvation. How then can we rest in any assurance that all these good words Paul has preached thus far can be true? Left to ourselves, we can't. Faith is a gift of God. Paul knows this and so he cuts his proofs and proclamations short to get down on his knees and pray that the God who has begun this good work in Christ will see it through to completion in us. He prays that our inner being might be strengthened by God himself through the power of the Spirit, that our hearts might be made ready to house a true faith in Christ. Even more: to house Christ himself. Today as we read these words of Ephesians 3—we join that prayer. May God indeed dispel the shadows of fear and mistrust within us, strengthening us instead to be people of faith in whom Christ makes his home. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

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Restoration of Prayer

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Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 7:05

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. (Ephesians 3:12-13) Today we come back to earth from the cosmic scope of the heavenly realms. We are to understand that God's power is both displayed and is sovereign over the heavenly realms. That is enough. The rest of the story is here—in the manifold wisdom of God's grace displayed in the church by the mystery of the cross. The church that God has made is not a flat uniformity where everyone is crushed into sameness, no—it is a manifold wisdom we see here: a unity in and of diversity. This is the “peace” that has been made through Christ in the Church. No one is flattened, everyone is reconciled. Given all this—the fact of God's Sovereign rule over everything, including the heavenly realms, the fact of the cross of Christ that breaks down dividing walls and reconciles a disparate and diverse humanity into a single, colourful church, and given the fact that in Christ there is now peace between God and humanity and the possibility of peace between people as well—given all this, we can pray. That's a lot of great and grand things to rattle off only to tell us that we can pray. Was it really worth all the fuss? That's a lot of planning and heavy lifting on God's part over thousands of years. Is the point of it all just to get a conversation going? Maybe it is that way. In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, there was nothing—all was empty and formless. Then God spoke. And when God spoke—all of creation burst forth into life and colour, substance and form, noise and light. When God spoke: creation responded. A conversation began. The word of the King had its effect and did not return to him empty. At least, not until Adam and Eve broke the conversation. Since that day—humanity has not always or even often responded to the words that God speaks. Creation likewise has become tongue-tied and no longer responds with the vitality and goodness that it once did. But God was not content to leave the conversation broken nor the relationship forsaken. God spoke his clearest word in the conversation through Jesus—in human form. He took all our ill responses, barbs, criticisms, jeers, and violence on himself and put them to death. In his new life, a fresh start begins. In our own experience we know that the simple everyday stuff of relationships and conversations can be the very hardest things to navigate. We respond with hurtful words and actions, or ingest hurtful words and actions from others. We puzzle about how to respond. Mistrust, bitterness, cynicism, distance, and even violence form. These are precisely the sorts of sins and breakings of shalom that Jesus took on himself and put to death so that forgiveness and reconciliation might result. Paul, likewise as a minister of this good news of Jesus, takes these sins and sufferings on himself—putting them to death in the death of Christ he bears so that forgiveness, grace, and the good news of Christ might be seen and heard through him. As recipients of this grace, we are called to the same. This is our glory: to enter the conversation with God in freedom and confidence because of Jesus, receiving the power of his death and life that reconciles us to him and others. When we give or receive hurts or barbs in our relationships and conversations with others, we put them to death in his death so that we might speak a word of confession or forgiveness in his name. Slowly, the conversation begins afresh. Humanity and creation begin to respond to the Creator in freedom and confidence, and to one another again too. Prayer is that foundational to our reality. How will you respond today? God has spoken to you. Will you respond? Will you come before him in freedom and confidence today? As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Enlisted by Grace

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Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 6:15

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things (Ephesians 3:7-9). This passage undermines a common misunderstanding of grace in the Christian church. In fact, it reveals, that we have shrunk grace down to something that we can manage. But it does not belong to us. It belongs to God. So we must allow him to define what grace is, what it means, and what it does. For many Christians, we understand grace simply and only as something that we receive from God. It is limited to the forgiveness of sins and the “get out of jail free” card that permits us to escape this world into heaven someday. Its like grandmother's fine china: as a precious possession, it remains locked up in the china cabinet for display and safe keeping. But rarely does it take up a place at the dinner table where life happens. God's grace is much more than that. It enlists us. Paul was made a servant because of “the gift of God's grace.” The gift obligates and equips. Grace in this verse does not relate to Paul's salvation, but to his ministry. Through grace he became a servant of the gospel. Grace connects us to Christ and to each other, but it also enlists and empowers us in the ministry of Christ. Grace always brings responsibility. Paul alluded to this earlier, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (2:8a,10). In our text, we are told how it worked in Paul's life. Paul viewed himself as a steward of the grace given him. His ministry to the Gentiles was unique, but all Christians are to be stewards of grace. All who have received grace should extend it to others. This becomes the main theme in chapter 4, where Paul writes, “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it” (4:7). Peter puts it rather bluntly, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10). To receive grace is to be taken into its service. Grace connects, enlists, and empowers. It will not allow us to be passive, for it is God's power at work in us. Do we think ourselves not good enough or worthy enough to serve in this way? Paul anticipates the objection. “Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given me…” Paul says. He perhaps felt he should have been rejected because he persecuted the church, but God chose him anyway—a choice not based on his ability, but on God's grace. Anything he accomplished was a result of the power of God at work in him. What is the stewarding service that God's grace enlists you in today? The answer is the same as the answer to the question of what you will do or did do today. Nothing in this world moves or works without God's gracious gifts, provisions, and salvations animating it—these being “the boundless riches of Christ.” The breath we breathe is the breath of God. The skills, know-how, curiosities, and passion we deploy in our work, home, volunteering, and schooling are gifts of God. The world in which we live is his creation. In other words: everything you do is already knee deep in the world of God's grace. The only question is how will your life today reveal a God-attentive stewardship of all that grace? How will the grace you've received serve his glory? The fine china is already on the table: God put it there—use it! As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

The Mystery of Christ

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 6:04

For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:1-6). Most Bible scholars believe that, with verse 1, Paul intended to begin his prayer which concludes the chapter. But he interrupts himself to write about the role he's been given in God's great work of redemption. Because of this role, he has become a prisoner in a Roman jail. Imprisonment is no big deal for him, it simply offers a different venue by which to carry out the mission he has been given. Paul's role of administering God's grace is his concern in these verses. He calls it “the mystery of Christ.” This mystery is what all those saints in the litany of faith from Hebrews 11 were looking forward to. It is something that used to be hidden, but which now in Christ has been revealed. This ‘mystery of Christ' has to do with these Gentiles (non-Israelites). What God has revealed is that in Christ these Gentiles are now included in God's great work of redemption. That is, the work begun in and through Israel as recorded in the Old Testament. To know what God is doing in Christ, we need to be familiar with that story. But, of course, the fact that the Gentiles were going to benefit was already known long ago. God had promised Abraham, “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). So, what new thing did Paul learn? The very same thing that all of us learn at the heart of the Christian faith: that in the cross of Christ, all things are reconciled, including Jews and Gentiles. When Paul says the word “mystery,” he very often means “the cross of Christ.” When Christ tore down the “dividing wall of hostility” through his cross—he not only took the penalty for our sin and defeated death—he also joined once disparate peoples together. In his cross, he overcame great divisions. The people of God is now composed of both Abraham's descendants and everyone else who believes. They all become “the church” together. In an age in which division perforates the church, it is important for us to hear this message of the gospel. The divisions we feel are not primarily about Jews and Gentiles (though that has recently arisen again as a point of contention)—but about politics, ethics, and national identities. But no matter ones' politics, ethics, or national identities—all those who come to Christ in faith are nevertheless made into one body. Through the gospel of the cross of Christ, we all become “heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” We are, therefore, to live unity. We are not asked to like other Christians, to be like them, or agree with them—but simply to recognize that humbling fact that we are one with them as sharers of the same Lord and the same benefits. This is indeed a great mystery. But it is the mystery of the cross, the mystery we have been given. May God's kingdom come and will be done—even in this, on earth as it is in heaven. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Who are You?

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Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 5:53

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:19-20) If you recall from last week, Paul reminded these gentiles in Ephesus of how they were once defined by all the things they were not: “Not-Jews” “Uncircumcised.” “Separate from Christ.” “Excluded from citizenship.” “Foreigners to the covenants of the promise.” “Without hope.” “Without God in the world.” Seven negative identity markers covering all the things that the Ephesians were not. How many of us define ourselves this way—by our deficiencies, by what we are not or by what we do not have? “Not skinny enough.” “Excluded from the property market of our peers.” “Not part of the group.” “Don't belong.” “Not enough money.” “Not what she has.” “Not what he can do.” “Not happy.” “Without the right job.” Many of us do this. It is much easier to see what's lacking in our lives than to see all the things we do, in fact, have. How many of us define our experience of church the same way? By what it isn't? “Not welcoming enough.” “Not my style.” “Not progressive enough.” “Not conservative enough.” “Not loving enough.” “Not serving enough.” “Not enough money.” “Not enough volunteers.” “Not the right programs.” “Not diverse enough.” “Not doing enough.” “Without all the people who used to attend.” “Without hope.” Our eyes get good at seeing the things we pay attention to. And what we human people tend to pay the most attention to are all the things that aren't there. The things that should be better, fuller, faster, more pleasing, and more aligned to our values, but aren't. As Christians, this simply is the wrong way to see the world. It is an immature way of using our capacity of attention. Paul will have none of it. In Jesus Christ, neither we nor the church are defined any longer by what we are not, but instead, by what we are. We are defined by what he has made us to be. So Paul now begins rattling off the positive identities we have received in Christ through the peace and salvation he has given. We are “fellow citizens.” “With God's people.” “Members of his household.” “Built on the foundation of those faithful ones who have gone before throughout the generations, including Jesus Christ himself.” We are to train our attention on the unseen things, yes. But not the unseen things that are missing. Our eyes are to be trained for the unseen things that are there: reality as it really is. Like a Holy Spirit stirring about, forming Christ in us. A God who has always provided and will continue to do so out of his Creation of abundance. A living Lord who beckons us to see his gifts that are abundantly more than all we could ask or imagine. If we are to live Christian lives, we need to know who and what we are, not what we aren't. And we need to know what the church is too, rather than what it isn't. The church is the place where we citizens of God's household and Kingdom gather to train our eyes to see the unseen reality of a living God at work, making us ever more fully into who we already are in Jesus Christ: giving us every good gift with which to bless this world along the way. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

PURE - Precious - Jackson Wilson

New Song Students OKC

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 57:31

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins,[a] if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”Luke 15:1-10 (ESV)JOANNA GWEN PICUTRES***“I have been in this world for sixty years, and I have never yet been conscious of anything spiritual.”We did not say what we thought, but we thought it was very likely that what he said was perfectly true; and there are a great many more people in the world who might say the same as he did. But that only proved that he was not conscious of anything spiritual; not that others were not conscious of it.Charles SpurgeonJust because someone cannot see God, doesn't mean He's not there.Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.Matthew 5:8 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.Hebrews 11:1The pure in heart are confident in God.Matthew 266 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,[a] 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”Matthew 26:6-13Mary's name now smells as sweet in all God's house as ever her ointment did; when Judas' name rots, and shall do to all posterity [future generations].John TrappThe anointing with oil is a physical picture for a spiritual reality.She probably did not know all that her action meant when she anointed her Lord for his burial. The consequences of the simplest action done for Christ may be much greater than we think.Charles Spurgeon7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table.Matthew 26:73And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabasterflask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke theflask and poured it over his head.Mark 14:3Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feetwith her hair. John 12:1PreciousPrecious (yāqār): valuable—brightness, clear, costly, rare, and/or gloriousWhat qualities determine if something is precious (valuable) to humans?UtilityScarcityQualityConditionBrand reputationHistorical significanceCollectable appeal8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” Matthew 26:8-9“Why was this not sold for the poor?”You are a little uncomfortable around “radical” disciples. (Jesus Freaks)You get tired, bored, or don't really see the point in worship. (Especially long, drawn-out, or extended worship)You are hesitant to wast time, energy, or money on God. (Let's do the bare minimum for God)Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.Luke 15:1-7 (ESV)Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”Luke 15:1-2“This man receives sinners and eats with him?” (Luke 15)The religious leaders of Jesus' day divided humanity into two classes: the unclean and the righteous. They decided to live, as much as possible, in complete separation from the unclean. Some rabbis of Jesus day took this idea so seriously that they refused to teach the unclean God's wordLeon MorrisWhat is precious to God?People3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?Psalm 8:3-4People's worshipI am an instrument of exaltationAnd I was born to lift Your name above all namesYou hear the melody of all creationBut there's a...

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#349: The Pursuit of God Is Now! - Audrey Mack

Charis Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 68:10

Listen as Guest Speaker Audrey Mack shares at the Women Arise Conference about the urgency of pursuing God NOW. In seeking God, we discover who we truly are! For more resources and information: www.charisbiblecollege.org.

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the Manifestation of your Transformation

Living Word

Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2024 66:20

The world is buzzing with this idea of Manifestation, but where does this word come from? With everything that is holy and God given, there is a worldly imitation sure to follow. In Proverbs 8 there is a massive claim that a person who loves Jesus will manifest the wisdom of God in their lives and will live a naturally supernatural life. This manifestation shows not my mind control and positive thinking, but through a transformed life that changes the way we think and the way we live. This manifestation is far more superior than what the world is spewing out, this promise from God tells us that we get to have the wisdom of God - Now that is something! Are you a believer but show no signs of a transformed life? Stay right here, things are about to change.

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Living for God Now (42 min)

Gospel Hall Audio

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 41:54

Tom Armstrong preaches on living for God “now”. Looking back, and looking forward, helps us to live for God in the present moment. Readings; Eph 2:1-8, 11-13a, Isa 42:23, 2 Cor 5:-14-16, Gal 2:19-21, 1 Tim 4:7-8. (Recorded in Ballymena, 2nd Mar 2024) The post Living for God Now (42 min) first appeared on Gospel Hall Audio.

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What kind of people ought we be?s27e69 2Pt3:11

Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2024 7:18 Transcription Available

If we really knew that Jesus was coming back with His people in heaven to His people on earth, what kind of people ought we be now? Those that choose separation from Him now are separated from Him eternally. They will be away from the presence of the Lord and His glory. Teaching point: you don't want to be one of these people.So, Live so as to be with God NOW so you can be with God THEN.Bewithme.us bewithme.us@gmail.com Apple Podcasts Spotify

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Sacred Obsession

East Brainerd Weekly

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2024

Heaven is then and now. Here and there. Real and Relevant. Focus on it today. The fact that we will live with God THEN, should affect how we live for God NOW.

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HOW TO WIN (WEEK 1) - WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BELIEVE IN JESUS?

Bloom Church Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2024 44:25

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT Faith is what brings meaning to life. God has a sovereign purpose in all things. That as God's children we must trust that Jesus is who He says He is, salvation is real, the Word of God is true, and that nothing can separate us from the love of God! Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 NLT FEAR IS CONQUERED BY FAITH AND FAITH IS FUELED BY TRUST One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.” 2 Kings 4:1 NLT 1. GOD CARES ABOUT YOUR SITUATION 'The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.' Psalms 34:17-18 NLT “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. 2 Kings 4:2 NLT Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things. Psalms 81:10 NLT But no, my people wouldn't listen. Israel did not want me around. Psalms 81:11 NLT 2. YOUR MINDSET MATTERS “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” 2 Kings 4:2 NLT “Nothing at all...” she replied. 2 Kings 4:2 NLT “Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied. 2 Kings 4:2 NLT 3. WE DO THE GIVING AND GOD DOES THE MULTIPLYING And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.” So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. Soon every container was full to the brim! “Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons. “There aren't any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing. When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.” 2 Kings 4:3-7 NLT 4. WHEN WE STOP GIVING GOD STOPS PROVIDING “Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons. “There aren't any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing. 2 Kings 4:6 NLT WHAT ARE THE PROVISIONS OF GOD? 1.HE GIVES US UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVENESS AND RESTORATION He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. Psalms 103:3 NLT This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 NLT 2. BY GIVING US AN INHERITANCE He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. Psalms 103:4 NLT No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT We are Gods children But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 NLT We are heirs to God Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Galatians 4:7 NLT God says we are royalty! But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. 1 Peter 2:9 NLT We are Chosen, holy, and blameless Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. Ephesians 1:4 NLT 3. BY GIVING US TRUE FULFILLMENT He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle's! Psalms 103:5 NLT He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. Luke 22:19-20 NLT

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GETTING TO KNOW VICTORY

Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 56:44

Welcome to a DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD chapter of our lives‼️ This season is called GETTING TO KNOW GOD because I believe in this seasoning GOD is calling us into the DEEP with HIM. This season I pray that it awaken your hunger & thirst for the mysteries of GOD. It's time to unlearn culture and learn TRUTH‼️ Last season we discussed growing intentional and now it's all about relationship. Welcome again to the chapter of us getting to know God for ourselves, directly from GOD

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Hiding from God s27E32 Rev6:15

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2024 7:17

Ridiculously, some people in the end times will try to HIDE FROM GOD.It cannot be done, of course. We can solve their problem in the FUTURE by not hiding from God NOW. We can LOOK GOD IN THE FACE now. He'll be HOLY. We won't be. It is kind of brutal.To look Him in the face now is to repent, believe and receive.Let's LOOK HIM in the face now, so we Won't be hiding from His face on THAT DAYbewithme.us subscribe on Youtube follow on insta.

future holy won hiding from god god now

COMFORTABILITY VS. TRUTH

god deep loving comfortability god now

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 72:48

Welcome to a DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD chapter of our lives‼️ This season is called GETTING TO KNOW GOD because I believe in this seasoning GOD is calling us into the DEEP with HIM. This season I pray that it awaken your hunger & thirst for the mysteries of GOD. It's time to unlearn culture and learn TRUTH‼️ Last season we discussed growing intentional and now it's all about relationship. Welcome again to the chapter of us getting to know God for ourselves, directly from GOD

SCHEDULE VS. GOD

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 39:36

Welcome to a DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD chapter of our lives‼️ This season is called GETTING TO KNOW GOD because I believe in this seasoning GOD is calling us into the DEEP with HIM. This season I pray that it awaken your hunger & thirst for the mysteries of GOD. It's time to unlearn culture and learn TRUTH‼️ Last season we discussed growing intentional and now it's all about relationship. Welcome again to the chapter of us getting to know God for ourselves, directly from GOD

god deep god now

GETTING TO KNOW THE VOICE OF GOD

god jesus christ deep podcasts voice of god god now

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2024 46:13

Welcome to a DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD chapter of our lives‼️ This season is called GETTING TO KNOW GOD because I believe in this seasoning GOD is calling us into the DEEP with HIM. This season I pray that it awaken your hunger & thirst for the mysteries of GOD. It's time to unlearn culture and learn TRUTH‼️ Last season we discussed growing intentional and now it's all about relationship. Welcome again to the chapter of us getting to know God for ourselves, directly from GOD

Psalm 122 A Psalm of Ascent. Izzi Ray sings "O Jerusalem"

Hidden Streams

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2023 17:07

An expansive view of the temple of God. Chad gives us plenty to think about on our journey to the city of God. The talented Izzi Ray sings "O Jerusalem". Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What's New from 1517: Freedom Lessons Album Your God is too Glorious, 2nd Edition by Chad Bird Schweitzer's Psychoanalysis of Jesus Christ: & Other Essays in Christian Psychotherapy by John Warwick Montgomery Free 2023 Advent Resources Lyrics to "O Jerusalem" See my eyes, they have been looking toward Your gates, O Jerusalem! O Jerusalem, When they said “let's journey together to Your house”, My heart was so glad, O Jerusalem! We saw it from far away and now we draw near To Your body and Your blood Soul and divinity O Jerusalem O Jerusalem Chorus: Peace be with us In the courts of heaven Peace be with us through the Lord Jesus Christ Peace is with us In the courts of heaven Peace be with us through the Lord Jesus Christ O Jerusalem O Jerusalem City of God Now our feet are rightly standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! O Jerusalem, There is peace within Your walls Security In your towers, O Jerusalem! For my sisters and brothers I will say “Peace be with you” O Jerusalem We saw it from a far off and now we draw near To Your body and blood Soul and divinity O Jerusalem O Jerusalem

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Week 3 – Be Still

Harmony Christian Church

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2023 41:40

What would it look like to slow down? We're diving into an unlikely story that holds a powerful lesson. Tune in to explore the true essence of Christmas and discover how God's presence demands our stillness. Join us for a fresh perspective. IT'S EASY TO GIVE at Harmony, text any amount to (859) 459-0316 to get started (or give online @ my.harmonychurch.cc/give ). ------------------ OPENING ILLUSTRATION: One of my favorite moments around Christmas time is the night before Christmas. Everything is still, kids are in bed, you're awaiting the next day and all the hustle and bustle and excitement. It's the best isn't it. I love slowing down and sitting in the glow of the Christmas lights in the dark of the room. I've been trying to identify why I love it. I think it's because it's the antithesis of our world. EVERYTHING about this time of year is Go go go. It's all year end, it's all travel plans, last minute shopping, games, concerts, parties, packing, wrapping and a MILLION other things. What would it look like to slow down? I know, you don't even think that's possible, do you? “Kent, how would I even do that?” I want to take you to a super unlikely story that won't feel Christmasy at all, then I want to show you something that came out of it and then I want to point you to the Christmas story… THE BIBLE The year is 701BC, there is a King named Sennacherib from the land of Assyria. The seat of his Kingdom is a little town called Nineveh. You may recognize that name, it's the city Jonah was sent to prophesy to. This is why he didn't want to go. I believe Jonah is a huge part of the reason that Assyria came and attacked Israel - the Assyrians will literally swoop down and carry off the northern part of the Kingdom, up in the Galilee area. They take off those Jewish people and they are never heard from again. Now, in 701, Sennacherib is coming after the Southern parts of the nation. He has attacked and captured 46 different walled fortressed cities of Judah, King Hezekiah's cities. Sennacherib writes on the Taylor prism of Sennacherib that he had Hezekiah caged like a bird. He was going to destroy Hezekiah - he's surrounded him with an army that has yet to be beat. Hezekiah sends out his emissaries to meet with Sennacherib's supreme commander and the commander, speaking Hebrew the commander begins to mock Hezekiah and Israel, I mean they have been cutting through the nation like a hot knife in butter. He tells the Israelites that he will give them 2,000 horse if that would help, if they think they could even find men to ride them. Hezekiah's officials ask him to stop speaking in Hebrew so the people won't hear and the commander goes to the next level and starts speaking to the people on the wall, “abandon Hezekiah and his God, come to us, we will give you life, we will protect you, we will give you what you need.” this looks like the end. The are beat. Thankfully, Hezekiah had been preparing for this moment and had built a tunnel for water to the city or they would have been in even bigger trouble, but it's only a matter of time.. What you don't know is that Hezekiah isn't like most of the Kings of Judah. Most of them were not faithful to God, most of them were not really people of character. But Hezekiah is different. Hez. really cares, he has destroyed the idols, gotten rid of them, he had called the people to repentance. He has driven people back to God. Maybe you feel this. Hezekiah has been doing everything right and it feels like everything is going wrong. Death is at his door. Hezekiah literally goes to the temple and prays, he sends some officials to Isaiah the prophet, yeah, the one who wrote the book of Isaiah. He asks Isaiah to pray and what to do/what will happen. Isaiah prays and tells Hezekiah this, listen…: 2 Kings 19:32-36 32 “Therefore this is what the Lord says concerning the king of Assyria: “‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. He will not come before it with shield or build a siege ramp against it. 33 By the way that he came he will return; he will not enter this city, declares the Lord. 34 I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant.'” 35 That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies! 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. Overnight, everything that was a disaster disappeared. Super Christmasy, right? I told you, this was not going to be your normal Christmas sermon… “Kent, what does this have to do with slowing down? I don't get it?” Let me read a passage for you that many scholars think was written as a response to this event Psalm 46:8-11 8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields[d]with fire. 10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. The author of the Psalm looks out at this incredible moment where God rescues them and the author says this, did you catch it? He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Honestly I've always preached this as, “You need to slow down and stop doing so much and realize who God is” …and that's true. It's saying “Be still and know that I am God.” But the part I've always missed is the REASON you are still be The reason is NOT because you are so busy and you need something from God The reason is because you are in the presence of the most spectacular being in the universe and His presence necessitates stillness - full attention. In one fell swoop, God knocked out every potential danger Hezekiah faced and it didn't even seem to take any effort really. Because He's God… Now, let's turn to Christmas. Do you know what Christmas is really about? Not the Christmas of trees and fat guys and wrapping paper. I mean the first Christmas? The Christmas when God came into the world? Here's the human predicament. b Every one of us was trapped by sin and dysfunction. b Every one of us has had something promise us life that could never make good on that promise. -the bottle, a relationship, success, money, power, prestige, etc. Every one of us needed rescue. This is the story of Christmas - it is the story of Rescue It is the story of God, coming into the world to rescue us all from our own sin and destructiveness, to buy us back out from the authority that we had given over to the enemy. Jesus set us free. He gave us new life. Through His death on the cross, He defeated death. At the end of Matthew Jesus says these words Matthew 28:18 “18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Jesus freed us, and He has all authority. This Christmas, you need to slow down and realize you stand in His presence, that Jesus has already rescued you. Some of you need to turn to Jesus, to give your life to Him, others of you need to recommit to Him and step back, be still and know that He is God. Because God came to rescue you…

You Are Alive to God - Now, Live Like It! Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2023 40:00

Believers have been baptized, buried, and resurrected from death to newness of life in Christ Jesus. We are appointed to know, believe, and appropriate the reality of our union in Christ Jesus. We are alive to God - Now live like it-

You Are Alive to God - Now, Live Like It! Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2023 40:00

Believers have been baptized, buried, and resurrected from death to newness of life in Christ Jesus. We are appointed to know, believe, and appropriate the reality of our union in Christ Jesus. We are alive to God - Now live like it-

You Are Alive to God - Now, Live Like It! Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2023 40:03

Believers have been baptized, buried, and resurrected from death to newness of life in Christ Jesus. We are appointed to know, believe, and appropriate the reality of our union in Christ Jesus. We are alive to God – Now live like it!

You Are Alive to God - Now, Live Like It!

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2023 46:00

Believers have been baptized, buried, and resurrected from death to newness of life in Christ Jesus. We are appointed to know, believe, and appropriate the reality of our union in Christ Jesus. We are alive to God - Now live like it-

You Are Alive to God - Now, Live Like It!

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2023 46:00

Believers have been baptized, buried, and resurrected from death to newness of life in Christ Jesus. We are appointed to know, believe, and appropriate the reality of our union in Christ Jesus. We are alive to God - Now live like it-

You Are Alive to God - Now, Live Like It!

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2023 46:38

Believers have been baptized, buried, and resurrected from death to newness of life in Christ Jesus. We are appointed to know, believe, and appropriate the reality of our union in Christ Jesus. We are alive to God – Now live like it!