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In this message, Pastor Gary speaks about the Spirit of God's communication with believers and offers a panoramic view of the Book of Ephesians. He shares on the concept of being sealed with the Holy Spirit, the significance of mercy and grace. From the resurrection of Christ, our operating orders must be from heaven's point of view. God has given us power in Jesus' name through His Holy Spirit to exercise God's will on earth. In this talk, we look at the workmanship of God, the dispensing of gifts and callings, and the act of resigning as chairman of the board of your life.TakeawaysThe importance of understanding the communication of the Spirit of GodThe significance of exercising God's will on earthChapters00:00 The Spirit of God's Communication05:10 The Book of Ephesians: A Panoramic View10:38 The Resurrection of Christ18:45 Exercising Heaven's Will on Earth25:31 The Dispensing of Gifts and Callings45:00 Resigning as Chairman of the BoardRecorded live at Hope Church in Springfield, MO.#ephesians #God'sWill #communication #letGod #gifts #perspective

In the 1870s, Charles Taze Russell began leading Bible classes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a small group that came to be known as Bible Students. In 1879, he began publishing a Bible journal later known asThe Watch Tower.Then, in 1884, he incorporated what became the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Through Russells publishing work, the movement spread beyond Pennsylvania and eventually laid the foundation for what later became Jehovahs Witnesses under Joseph Rutherford. Russell rejected several historic Christian doctrines, including eternal conscious punishment in hell and, most seriously, the doctrine of the Trinity. After Russell died in 1916, Rutherford became president of the Watch Tower Society in 1917. Under his leadership, the movement became more centralized and aggressive in its evangelism, and in 1931 the name Jehovahs Witnesses was adopted. The Watch Tower Society is not merely another Christian denomination. It is a cult that rejects essential doctrines of the Christian faith, including the Trinity and the full deity of Jesus Christ. To be clear, misunderstanding Revelation 7 or using poor hermeneutical principles does not automatically mean someone will develop a cult or reject the core tenets of the Christian faith as Russell, Rutherford, and the Jehovahs Witnesses have done. Many faithful Christians have differed over the meaning of the 144,000. But the Watch Tower Society shows us why careful interpretation matters. When Scripture is mishandled repeatedly and forced into a system, the results can be spiritually dangerous. Revelation 7 is one of the passages central to their teaching. Jehovahs Witnesses teach that the 144,000 in Revelation 7 and 14 are a literal number of anointed Christians who will be resurrected to heavenly life to reign with Christ as kings and priests. They also teach that the great multitude in Revelation 7:912 is a separate group with an earthly hopethose who survive Armageddon and live on a restored earth. I mention this because Revelation 7 shows us why context matters. When this chapter is separated from the question at the end of Revelation 6, it can be made to say things John is not saying. John is not trying to create two separate classes of Gods people. He is answering the question,Who can stand?So as we come to this passage, we need to pay careful attention to what John hears and sees, allowing Scripture itself to serve as our primary commentary before we look to any system to determine the meaning of the text. The People of the Lamb are Sealed by God (vv. 1-8) At the end of Revelation 6, with the opening of the sixth seal and the first description of the Day of the Lord, we are left with one of the books most haunting questions:for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?(Rev. 6:17). The kings of the earth cannot stand. The powerful cannot stand. The wealthy cannot stand. The strong cannot stand. Neither slave nor free can stand, as all hide among the rocks and mountains, begging creation to conceal them from the face of Him who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. So who can stand? Revelation 7 gives the answer. Before the seventh seal is opened, John is shown another vision, but do not think of this vision as occurring strictly after the sixth seal and before the opening of the seventh. Instead, if the seals were acts in a theatrical production, what happens in Revelation 7 shows us what is happening behind the curtain sometime during the sixth seal and before the seventh. Throughout Revelation, the visions often pause, circle back, or open a new window to help us understand more clearly what God is doing. In this case, Revelation 7 functions as an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals, answering the question raised at the end of chapter 6. John then sees four angels who arestanding at the four corners of the earth,each holdingback the four winds of the earth(v. 1). We are told they do this so that no wind blows on the earth, sea, or any tree. What John sees is not four angels manipulating the weather. Likewise, the four corners of the earth is not a description of the earths shape or design. As you are aware, the number four often points to the created order in Scripture. What you may not be aware of is that the four winds frequently symbolize judgment. Because Revelation is a picture book rather than a puzzle book, the image John sees is one of restraint. The message conveyed is that judgment is being held back. Listen, every day before the final Day is a day of mercy, a day of restraint, and a day for the Lamb to gather His people. What is being shown and communicated to us in these verses is that we are living in a time of divine restraint as we move closer to the Day of the Lord. The world is not free from judgment, but the final winds of judgment have not yet been unleashed. What judgment is being held back? The judgment described in the sixth seal. As to why it is being held back, we do not have to wait long for an answer, because in the very next verse we are told that a fifth angel, ascending from the rising of the sun, declares with a loud voice:Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads(v. 3). Do you now see why context is so important? The angels declaration answers the question,Who can stand?Those who can stand are those who belong to God. Before judgment is unleashed, God marks His people as His own. The earth, sea, and trees are not harmed until the servants of God are sealed. This does not mean Gods people will avoid all suffering, for we have already seen in the fifth seal the souls under the altar crying out in a loud voice,O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long...(Rev. 6:10). What it does mean is that the coming judgment will not sweep Gods people away under His wrath, for He knows who belongs to Him. The four winds of Gods judgment do not descend upon the earth in blind rage. When God executes justice, His wrath is holy, measured, and righteous. He does not fly off the handle. Before the wrath of the Lamb is poured out, the people of the Lamb are sealed by the God who embraces them as His children. This distinction is not new in Scripture. In Exodus 12, God distinguished His people from Egypt by the blood of the lamb. A stronger parallel appears in Ezekiel 9, where God marked those who grieved over Jerusalems sin before judgment fell on the nation. In both cases, God identified those who belonged to Him before judgment fell on the wicked. This is what is happening in Revelation 7. The seal on the foreheads of Gods servants is not a literal, physical mark. It signifies that they belong to the living God. This language appears throughout the New Testament. Paul wrote in Ephesians 1 that those who believe in Christ aresealed with the promised Holy Spirit(Eph. 1:13). This sealing is possible because of the blood Jesus shed on the cross as the Lamb of God, and it is received by faith (Eph. 2:19). The seal is Gods mark of ownership, assurance, and future inheritance. It is not first a statement about the strength of our faith in Him, but about the certainty of Gods possession. He promises never to let His redeemed go (John 10:2730). Those who belong to the Lamb are not hidden from God, forgotten by God, or abandoned in the day of trouble. They belong to God. This all seems clear enough, but the passage can become confusing when it says that those who are sealed are also numbered. Verse 4 says,And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel(v. 4). Here, we must not only pay careful attention to the context of Revelation 7 but also do what Revelation has already taught us to do: pay attention to what John hears and what John sees. What John hears isthe number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel(v. 4). Many have understood this as a literal number of ethnic Israelites, primarily because John goes on to name the tribes in a specific order. Some believe the 144,000 are a specific group of ethnic Jewish Christians who come to faith in Jesus during a future seven-year tribulation and serve as evangelists after the rapture. I understand why many read it that way, but there are some problems with that interpretation. First, Revelation 7 functions as an interludea symbolic pause within the visionrather than a chronological sequence following the great Day of the Lord described in 6:1217. Second, Revelation often follows a pattern in which what John sees clarifies what he first hears. So before we assume the 144,000 is a literal headcount, we need to pay attention to how numbers and images function in this book. Listen, the number twelve is associated with the people of Godthe twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The number one thousand signifies immensity, fullness, and completeness. This is why the psalmist describes Gods ownership by saying,For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills(Ps. 50:10). It is not that God only owns the cattle on one thousand hills and not hill number one thousand and one. The point is fullness. Everything belongs to Him. Likewise, when Moses speaks of Gods covenant faithfulness, he says,Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations... (Deut. 7:9). So, what do you get when you take the twelve tribes of Israel, multiply them by the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and then multiply that by the fullness of the covenant-keeping faithfulness of God (12x12x1000)? You get144,000. In other words, this is not about limiting the people of God. It is about showing us that every one of Gods people is known by God, sealed by God, and secure in God through the blood of the Lamb. This is also why the tribes John lists begin with Judah. Reuben was the firstborn, but Judah is listed first because the Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered. The people of God are numbered, sealed, and secure because they belong to the Lamb who came from Judah. Even the list itself urges us to read carefully. John is not simply giving us a standard tribal roll call; he is showing us the complete people of God through the imagery of Israels tribes. The People of the Lamb are Gathered by God (vv. 9-12) Now, if you miss what I am about to say next, you will miss the point of Revelation. John hears the number of the sealed people of God described as 144,000 from the tribes of Israel, but when he looks, he seesa great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages(v. 9). John hears of 144,000 sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel, but when he looks, he sees a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language. What John sees is not a different people from the 144,000; it is the reality of Gods promise to Adam and Eve, to Noah, to Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob, to David, and to Mary. What John sees is the promise of God to every generation of His people coming into full bloom. The Lamb who was slain has purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, just as Revelation 5 declared. This should not surprise us, because the salvation of the nations was never Gods contingency plan. It was His purpose from the beginning. When God called Abraham, He promised thatall the families of the earthwould be blessed through him (Gen. 12:13). That blessing comes through Abrahams Seed, who is Christ (Gal. 3:2629). So Revelation 7 does not show us Israels replacement but the fulfillment of Gods promise through Israels Messiah, gathering Jews and Gentiles into one redeemed people before the throne. This is also where Revelation 5 helps us understand Revelation 7. In Revelation 5, the elders sing that the Lamb purchased people for God by His bloodfrom every tribe and language and people and nationand made thema kingdom and priests to our God(Rev. 5:910). In Revelation 7, John sees that kingdom of priests standingbefore the throne and the Lamb. What was promised in Genesis is now seen in glory:a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages(Rev. 7:9). So when John sees the nations gathered before the Lamb, he sees Israels hope fulfilled and expanded through Israels Messiah. The Lamb has gathered a people from the nations, and now they stand where no one in Revelation 6 could: before the throne and before the Lamb. Conclusion I want to leave you with the three As of Revelation 7, and here is why: eschatology does little good in the Christian life unless it affects your ethics. We are called to live each day in light of the Day that is coming. So, here are the three As: Assurance If you believe in Jesus Christ, confess Him as Lord, and desire to follow and obey Him, then you are sealed by God. Here is what the Bible says:if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved(Rom. 10:910). If this is true of you, then you are sealed by God, and if you are sealed by God, then 1 John 3:1 is for you:Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!(1 John 3:1, BSB). If you belong to the Lamb, then you are known by God, sealed by God, and secure in God. Allegiance If you call yourself a Christian, does your life show that you belong to the Lamb? If you are a Christian, your identity is now in and with the Lamb of God. To belong to Jesus means that you are not an acquaintance of Jesus, but an apprentice of Jesus. Jesus said to all who would seek to follow Him:If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple(Luke 14:2627). The seal is not merely about future security; it is about present identity. If you belong to the Lamb, your loyalty cannot ultimately belong to Babylon, comfort, approval, politics, money, or self-preservation. Action We have been saved and sealed, and now we are sent to join the mission of the Lamb as He gathers peoplefrom every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages(Rev. 7:9). The question is: Are we living on mission with the Lamb? We were purchased by the blood of the Lamb not to be passive about the nations, our neighbors, or the lost. Jesus did not suggest that we engage His mission; He commanded us to do so:Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age(Matt. 28:1920). Today is a day of mercy. Today is a day of restraint. Today is a day for the Lamb to gather His people. Today is the day of salvation! We are living in a time of divine restraint as we move closer to the Day of the Lord. So live in the confidence of your salvation, make sure your allegiance to the Lamb is clear, and commit your heart to action by dedicating your life to His mission.

God's goal was never simply to bring Israel out of Egypt—it was to bring them into His presence.In Exodus 30, God gives instructions for the altar of incense, the bronze basin, and the holy anointing oil. While these may seem like details about ancient worship, they reveal a powerful picture of what life with God looks like today.In this message from our series Follow: The Story of the Exodus, Pastor Tommy Orlando explores three essential marks of a life lived in God's presence:• A people who draw near to God• A people who are continually cleansed• A people who are set apart for GodThe altar reminds us to pursue communion with God. The basin reminds us of our ongoing need for repentance and cleansing. The anointing oil reminds us that we belong to God and have been marked by His Spirit.If Exodus 26 was about access to God's presence, Exodus 30 is about abiding in God's presence.

Register for Luminosity: ⁠⁠Register⁠⁠Sign Up for Prayer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Orbis Prayer Ministry Network – Receive prayer for healing, prophecy, inner healing and deliverance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give - Orbis Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠In this thought-provoking episode of God Is Not a Theory, Ken Fish and Joel Taylor explore one of the most misunderstood tensions in modern Christianity: the relationship between grace, obedience, the Old Testament, and what it truly means to live as the people of God. The conversation begins by addressing a common fear among Christians—that taking the Old Testament seriously somehow places believers “back under the law.” Ken carefully unpacks why this mindset misunderstands both the Old and New Covenants. Drawing from Scripture, church history, and practical examples, he demonstrates that God's nature has never changed and that the Old Testament remains foundational for understanding the New Testament. Together, they discuss:Why “all Scripture is God-breathed” originally referred to the Old TestamentThe danger of functionally ignoring the Old TestamentGod as Father throughout both covenantsThe meaning of holiness, honor, and representing the family name of GodThe concept of Tamim—walking upright before GodHow grace is not merely forgiveness, but divine empowermentWhy faith was never meant to remain passiveThe modern crisis of lawlessness and loss of honorAnd what the New Testament actually requires of believers living as God's peopleKen also gives a powerful walkthrough of 2 Peter 1, showing how Christians are called to actively grow in virtue, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love—not to earn salvation, but because they already belong to the household of God. This episode is both theological and deeply practical, offering a corrective to hyper-grace thinking while presenting a beautiful vision of living faithfully as sons and daughters who honor their Father.

This week, Eric, Kirsten and Rex talk about the beginning of the sermon on the plain. Topics include:Blessings that don't look like blessingsThe mercy of GodThe importance of communityEric's birthdayFeaturing as a special guest the spider that crawled on Rex's arm. 

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. Summary This conversation emphasizes the critical need for believers to move beyond relying on the voices and interpretations of others and into a personal, living revelation of God. In a time filled with many competing voices, true spiritual direction comes only by hearing the voice of the Lord individually. The Word of God is not meant to be intellectually processed alone but spiritually received, digested, and lived. As believers grow, they must learn to discern between human interpretation and divine revelation, walking in the Spirit with clarity, simplicity, and direct relationship with the Father. Show Notes Many voices are present today, but not all are from GodThe necessity of personally hearing and recognizing the Lord's voiceWarning against following positions, authority, or personalities instead of GodThe importance of personal revelation over borrowed understandingSpiritual confirmation comes through alignment with what God has already spoken withinSimplicity in relationship with God—avoiding confusion and complicationThe Word must be “eaten” (received and internalized), not just readDifference between intellectual knowledge and spiritual impartationThe danger of relying on human interpretation instead of the SpiritRevelation is foundational to a true walk with GodTransitioning from secondhand revelation to firsthand relationshipLiving in the Spirit vs. standing on unstable, human reasoningMoving from occasional “glimpses” of the Spirit into continual habitationBecoming sons who live, see, and speak from the Spirit realm Quotes “Who are we going to listen to? The Lord is speaking to us—My sheep hear My voice.”“Unless you have a personal revelation, how can you follow that?”“The minute it becomes complicated, drop it like a hot rock.”“We're not supposed to just read the Word—we're supposed to eat it.”“There's been too much human evaluation and not enough impartation of the living Word.”“Is it a word from God, or is it man's interpretation of a word?”“I was basing my walk with God on someone else's revelation—not mine.”“If it isn't of the Spirit, you're on sandy ground.”“My words are Spirit and they are life.”“We're not meant to get glimpses—we're meant to live in that realm.” Scriptural References John 10 (27)“My sheep hear My voice… and they follow Me.”John 7 (16–18)Teaching comes from God, not self-gloryMatthew 16 (16–17)Revelation given by the Father (Peter's confession)Matthew 16 (18)Foundation built on revelationJohn 6 (63)“My words are Spirit and life”Isaiah 30 (21)“This is the way, walk in it”John 5 (19)Jesus only does what He sees the Father doingJohn 8 (28)Jesus speaks what the Father teaches HimHebrews 5 (14)Mature believers discern through practiceJames 1 (22)Be doers of the Word, not hearers only Takeaway True spiritual life is not built on what others say about God but on personally hearing, receiving, and living His Word through direct revelation. As believers learn to discern His voice and walk in the Spirit, they move from confusion and dependence on others into clarity, maturity, and a real, living relationship with the Father.

Send us Fan MailEvery parent knows the pre-Christmas closet clean out — toss the old stuff, make room for the new. It feels generous. But what if that same instinct is quietly shaping the way we give to God? In this episode of Midweek Motivation, we take an honest look at what our sacrifices actually reveal about our hearts — and why God isn't after what we were planning to get rid of anyway.Discover:The two very different heart postures behind the classic closet clean outWhat Abel and Cain's offerings in Genesis 4 reveal about sacrifice and the heartWhy the widow's two coins in Mark 12 is the ultimate "toy chest vs. closet" momentThe difference between giving from your closet versus unlocking your safeA practical, personal audit of what God might actually be asking you to give — time, money, gifts, relationships, control, and moreWhy some of the hardest sacrifices live inside wounds — and what to do with thatIt's easy to give what we're ready to let go of. It costs us nothing — and deep down, we know it. But real sacrifice? That's what's locked in the safe. The thing you're protecting with everything you have because it matters. Your time, your plans, your relationships, your reputation, your need for control. God's not asking for your clutter. He's asking for your best. And the invitation today is to pause, pray, and ask Him honestly — what's He calling you to unlock?Key Takeaways:God sees the heart behind the gift — not just the gift itselfFirst and best is the standard Abel modeled, and it still applies todayGiving from abundance is easy; giving from sacrifice is what honors GodThe "safe" represents whatever you're holding onto most tightly — that might be exactly what God is asking forThis applies to more than money: time, gifts, relationships, rest, plans, reputation, and rights all countSurrender isn't loss — it's an invitation for God to do more than you could imagineQuestion for you to think about:What's in your safe right now — and what would it look like to unlock it and offer it to God?If this episode challenged you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and subscribe so you never miss a new episode. Drop a comment below: What's one area where God is calling you to give your best instead of your leftovers?LINKS & RESOURCES:SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/giveSTAY CONNECTED:Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx#MidweekMotivation #ChristianPodcast #Sacrifice #Generosity #FaithInAction #WestsideCommunitychurch #GivingToGod #ChristianLiving #BiblicalGenerosity #Genesis4 #OpenHanded #SpiritualGrowth #Stewardship #JesusFollower #Surrender

If God doesn't need it, why does giving matter?This message calls us to move beyond ritual and rediscover worship as a humble, heartfelt response to God's goodness. Tracing the theme of giving from Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek through the sanctuary service to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, it reveals that offerings are not mere financial transactions, but acts of allegiance—expressions of trust in God as Provider and King.Through the life of King David, the sermon highlights the sacredness of God's presence and the importance of reverence in worship. It underscores that unconfessed sin can hinder our service and reminds us that sincerity alone is not enough—true worship must align with God's will.At its core, this message presents giving as an essential element of worship, alongside prayer, music, and Scripture. It challenges believers—and especially leaders—to prioritize genuine devotion over religious performance, making every offering a sincere recognition of God's grace.You'll discover:Why giving is a central element of worshipHow unconfessed sin affects our service to GodThe four biblical elements of worship: prayer, music, Scripture, and offeringsThe difference between true reverence and empty religious performanceHow to practice meaningful giving—even in a cashless societyMessage presented during the GC & Division Treasurers Leadership Summit, in Orlando, FL, on January 10, 2026.

Register for Luminosity: ⁠Register⁠Sign Up for Prayer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Orbis Prayer Ministry Network – Receive prayer for healing, prophecy, inner healing and deliverance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give - Orbis Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠In this practical and insightful episode of God Is Not a Theory, Ken Fish is joined by Joel Taylor and Katie Taylor for an honest conversation about how churches can best prepare for ministry trips, conferences, and Holy Spirit-focused events. Drawing from decades of international ministry experience, Ken shares wisdom from hundreds of ministry trips across churches, conferences, and nations. The discussion explores not only how to prepare spiritually and practically before a ministry event, but also how to navigate spiritual warfare during the trip and—most importantly—how to sustain long-term fruit afterward. Topics include:The importance of prayer and fasting before ministry eventsHow unbelief can quietly hinder breakthroughCommon forms of spiritual warfare during conferencesWhy flexibility and servant-heartedness matter on ministry teamsHow conflict and offense can derail powerful moves of GodThe dangers of platform culture and performance mentalityWhy churches must implement what they receive instead of waiting for the next eventAnd how lasting kingdom culture is built through consistency, not hypeKen also shares candid stories from ministry travel, lessons learned from past failures, and his heart for raising up churches and leaders who can continue the work long after the guest speaker leaves. At its core, this episode is a reminder that ministry trips are not about creating spiritual spectators—but about equipping the Church to carry the work of the Kingdom forward themselves.

You don't have to carry what God never asked you to hold.So often, we carry more than we realize: responsibilities, expectations, decisions, and the quiet weight of anxiety that builds over time.In this episode, Angie begins the Cast Your Cares study by slowing down in 1 Peter 5:7. This conversation invites us to see that releasing our anxiety isn't passive; it's an intentional act of trust. What you'll hear in this week's episodeWhy we often carry more than we were meant to holdWhat it really means to “cast” your anxiety on GodThe difference between quietly holding burdens and actively releasing themA powerful illustration of what it looks like to carry too much on your ownHow humility and trust help protect us from becoming overwhelmed ResourcesStep By Step Starter KitA simple, guided resource to help you open Scripture with confidence and study one verse at a time alongside the podcast.Download it for free here: https://steadyon.myflodesk.com/stepbystepVerse of the Week“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Connect with Angie & Steady Onhttps://www.livesteadyon.comTheme Music: Glimmer by Andy Ellison

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. Summary This conversation reveals that God's ultimate purpose in sending Jesus was to restore humanity into relationship with Himself through a new covenant established by His blood. Through Christ's perfect sacrifice, believers now have direct access to the Father. The heart of God is not centered on religion or denomination, but on a people who willingly choose to worship Him from their hearts. True worship is not confined to moments but is expressed through a daily relationship of love, humility, obedience, and surrender. As believers come into His presence, transformation and cleansing take place, enabling them to become the very people God has always desired—those who live in continual relationship and worship before Him. Show Notes Why the Father sent Jesus: to restore relationship through graceThe necessity of a perfect sacrifice to regain access to GodThe new covenant established through the blood of Jesus ChristGod's desire has always been a people who worship HimDeliverance from Egypt as a picture of being brought out to worshipWorship is not about denomination but about relationshipGod is seeking willing hearts, not forced obedienceThe difference between obedience (angels) and chosen worship (sons)True worship is expressed through everyday relationship with GodHumility and servanthood as key aspects of worshipLoving God begins with understanding who He created you to beAccess to God's presence is already available through ChristTransformation and cleansing happen in His presenceChoosing faith to step into worship now, not waiting for perfection“Taking the elevator” — entering His presence rather than striving Quotes “God's not looking for anybody in a denomination. He's looking for them to be His worshipers.”“All God wanted really was us.”“He's not just looking for people that obey Him… He's looking for somebody that out of their own hearts… they'll serve Him and worship Him.”“The worship He's looking for is our everyday relationship with Him.”“You already have the access into the Father's presence by the blood of Jesus Christ.”“In His presence, that's where you change, and that's where cleansing comes from.”“You can take the stairs, or you can get in the elevator.” Scriptural References John 3 (16)God's love demonstrated through giving His Son for eternal life.Hebrews 10 (19)Believers have bold access into God's presence through Christ.Exodus 19 (4)God delivers His people in order to bring them to Himself.John 14 (6)Jesus is the only way to the Father.Malachi 3 (2-3)God purifies His people to become righteous worshipers.Revelation 4 (8)A picture of continual worship before God's throne.Matthew 16 (24)Following Christ requires surrender and commitment. Takeaway God's desire has always been simple yet profound: a people who willingly choose Him. Through Jesus, access to the Father is already open—not something to earn, but something to step into by faith. True transformation doesn't come from striving to become clean; it comes from entering His presence and worshiping Him now. The call is not to religion, but to relationship—to live every day as a worshiper who loves, serves, and walks with Him.

Send us Fan MailJesus never intended faith to feel crushing.In this message from Luke 6:1–5, we confront one of the biggest tensions people still wrestle with today: religion that controls people versus Jesus who restores people. The Pharisees had turned God's gift of rest into a burden, and many people today still feel exhausted trying to “measure up” spiritually.But Jesus didn't come to pile more pressure on your shoulders—He came to carry what's crushing you.This sermon explores how legalism pushes people away from God, why mercy matters more than empty religion, and how true rest is only found in Christ. Whether you've felt judged by church culture, worn out by performance-based Christianity, or spiritually exhausted trying to be “good enough,” this message is a reminder that Jesus invites broken and weary people into freedom, grace, and rest.In this message, we discuss:Why rules should never matter more than peopleHow compassion reflects the true heart of GodThe danger of religion without graceWhy Jesus is more than part of your life—He is your lifeHow to let go of guilt, shame, pressure, and spiritual exhaustionJesus didn't come to create heavier burdens. He came to rescue people and lead them into true rest.Support the show

We've exposed the bad performance.We've confronted the remix culture.Now it's time to see Jesus clearly.In Week 3 of Back to the Original, Pastor Joe Moss challenges listeners to move beyond church culture, surface-level belief, and admiration of Jesus… into real discipleship and transformation.Because there's a difference between:knowing about Jesusand becoming like Him.This message breaks down:how Jesus livedhow Jesus lovedhow Jesus ledand how Jesus finishedYou'll also confront the dangerous reality that many people have learned how to “do church” without truly following ChristKey Scriptures:Hebrews 1:3John 14:6Luke 9:23

What does it truly mean to be a church member? In this powerful continuation of the church membership series, Pastor Nana Boadum explores the biblical responsibility believers have to pray for their pastors and church leaders.Drawing from First Timothy 3 and Ephesians 4, this message unpacks why pastors are gifts from God, the spiritual weight leaders carry, the reality of the enemy's traps, and the importance of being planted in a healthy local church.This sermon is both a call to intercession and a reminder that every believer has a role in the work of ministry. Expect encouragement, conviction, practical wisdom, and moments of heartfelt corporate prayer as we seek to grow into maturity and Christlikeness together.Topics covered include:Why pastors are gifts from GodThe purpose of spiritual leadershipThe danger of spiritual driftingThe “snare of the devil” against leadersPraying for protection, discernment, and enduranceStaying faithful in the work of ministry“Do not grow weary in well doing”“Deliver us from evil”Be encouraged, challenged, and strengthened in your walk with Christ.

This episode offers honest, practical insights for men navigating difficult moments, emphasizing that God's presence is strongest in our weakness. If you're feeling overwhelmed or unseen, this is a powerful reminder that you're not alone and that there is purpose within your struggle.Key TopicsThe reality of feeling unseen and misunderstood in tough timesGod's promise that His strength is made perfect in weaknessBiblical examples of deep struggle leading to divine purpose (David, Job, Peter)The importance of honesty with God about your feelingsPractical challenge: writing one honest sentence to God this weekEncouragement that God's proximity is closest when we feel most inadequateHow managing appearances can hide our true struggles even from GodThe significance of tears and honesty as pathways to healingTimestamps00:00 - The common moment of sitting in your car, feeling unseen00:29 - Your struggle is not abandonment; it's an invitation to go deeper00:59 - God's strength is perfected in weakness; biblical examples01:34 - How struggles build depth, empathy, and a meaningful story02:10 - The episode overview: what God wants you to know in hard times02:35 - Struggling with feelings of loneliness and God's promise02:54 - The truth that God sees the hidden parts of you03:25 - Men managing appearances and hiding vulnerability03:31 - God is already in the mess; your tears are recorded04:01 - The importance of honesty with God for healing05:31 - Practical challenge: write one honest sentence to God06:32 - Encouragement to share your honest feelings to #FaithInTheMess #RealTalk #StayConnected #GodSeesYou #JourneyToHealing

Tonight on Typical Skeptic, I'm joined by Peter for a deep discussion on his framework of reality and how it connects several major mysteries into one unified model.We get into Mandela Effects, quantum mechanics, the delayed-choice quantum eraser, manifestation, Christ's aphorisms, the nature of God, and what many call the “soul trap.” Peter lays out how these are not separate topics, but different expressions of the same underlying structure.In his framework, quantum mechanics is not limited to the microscopic world. It is showing us how reality itself works. The delayed-choice quantum eraser points to the idea that the past is not fixed in the way we normally assume, and Mandela Effects may be the large-scale evidence of that same process operating in ordinary life: reality retrofitting a coherent shared history when different experienced versions can no longer remain separate.We also discuss manifestation in a much more direct way than the usual law of attraction model. In Peter's view, reality does not respond to surface belief, affirmations, rituals, or positive thinking. It responds to the total signal of a person's frame: what they truly assume, expect, embody, and act from. If that signal is rooted in lack, reality mirrors lack. If it is aligned with wholeness, reality reflects that.This leads into Christ's aphorisms, which Peter argues are not just moral teachings or religious sayings, but direct descriptions of how reality operates. Statements like “according to your faith,” “the kingdom is within,” and “seek first the kingdom” become technical descriptions of manifestation, causality, and alignment with God.The discussion then moves into the nature of God. Peter's framework argues that God is not a needy, punishing, external being, but wholeness itself. Physical reality is the appearance of separation inside that wholeness, which is why this realm can function as a soul trap. The trap is not merely external control. It is identification with lack, fear, separation, victimhood, and external authority.We also talk about what exit really means. From this view, the way out is not fear, rebellion, ritual protection, or trying to fight the trap. The exit is returning to wholeness so completely that the trap has nothing left to bind to.Topics include:Mandela EffectsQuantum mechanicsDelayed-choice quantum eraserManifestationChrist's aphorismsThe nature of GodThe soul trapLoosh and separationWhat gnosticism gets wrongHow we got hereHow to exitAnd how all of these topics are connected and offshoots of one another.This is one of the most direct conversations we've had on how science, scripture, metaphysics, manifestation, and soul trap theory may all be pointing toward the same reality structure. PayPal: paypal.me/typicalskepticmedia

Welcome to the pod my new friend Mark Holloway! Mark is a husband, father, grandfather, bestselling author of the Freedom Diaries, What They Never Told You, Cry the Wounded Land, and 11 Days. In this episode we talk about:How we overcomplicate talking to God AND hearing from GodThe danger of not asking questions and leaning into our curiosities about God The power of going into secular industries + environments with the power of the Lord I pray this blesses you friend!

In this powerful in-studio episode of Kingdom Crossroads, host T.S. Wright sits down with Stephanie Haley to explore her deeply personal testimony and her active role in the Joppa House of Prayer in Northwest Arkansas.Stephanie shares her journey from growing up in a fundamentalist church environment to developing a genuine, intimate relationship with God. Though she always sensed God's presence, her understanding of salvation and surrender unfolded over time—culminating in a transformative commitment to Christ during her youth.Her story includes seasons of challenge, including family tension over her faith, major life transitions, and ultimately being led by God to Arkansas—where her ministry would take root.Today, Stephanie serves in multiple leadership and ministry roles at Joppa House of Prayer, including:Board member and secretaryWorship and soaking prayer facilitatorSocial media and livestream coordinatorDeliverance and freedom prayer ministry team memberShe discusses the heart behind Joppa House—a ministry centered on worship, prayer, and listening to the Holy Spirit. From “Soaking Saturdays” to interactive prayer gatherings, the focus is on cultivating God's presence and transforming lives and communities.Stephanie also emphasizes identity in Christ, highlighting scriptures such as:God's lavish love that calls us His childrenThe truth that nothing can separate us from His presenceThe conversation concludes with a call to action: pursue authentic prayer communities locally and engage deeply with God beyond traditional church settings.Key TopicsTestimony of salvation and spiritual growthOvercoming religious tradition to find true relationship with GodThe power of mentorship and spiritual coveringWorship as a lifestyle, not just an eventThe role of prayer houses in regional transformationIdentity in Christ and spiritual intimacyMinistry HighlightJoppa House of Prayer (Northwest Arkansas)Weekly gatherings: Tuesday & Friday nightsMonthly “Soaking Saturday” worship sessionsLive streaming available via FacebookFocus: Worship, prayer, and Holy Spirit-led ministryCall to ActionConnect with a local prayer community—or start oneEngage in deeper personal worship and time with GodPartner with what God is doing in your regionCheck out this link to view Kingdom Cross Roads on TV.https://jesussaid.tv/?affiliate=tswright_gccTo get a copy of our new book "Embracing the Truth" or to have TS Wright speak at your event or conference or if you simply want spiritual or life coaching or just a consultation visit:www.tswrightspeaks.comVisit our website to learn more about The God Centered Concept. The God Centered Concept is designed to bring real discipleship and spreading the Gospel to help spark the Great Harvest, a revival in this generation.www.godcenteredconcept.comKingdom Cross Roads Podcast is a part of The God Centered Concept.

Complementary Old Testament Passage:Exodus 35:4-29 Sermon Title:Why we are called Christians Sermon Outline:The Gospel breaches ethnic lines to establish a churchThe Apostles witness the blood-bought grace of GodThe whole counsel of God is applied to a new churchThe Word of the Lord compels brotherly generosity Family Discussion Questions:What made the Christians travel to Antioch?What did they do when they got there?Why was the church in Jerusalem surprised when people from Antioch trusted in Jesus?How did Barnabas feel when he saw what happened?Who did Barnabas bring to Antioch to help the church there?What did the church do when they found out that there would soon not be much food?What is the significance of the pattern of the early churchs preaching to the Jews first and thento the Gentiles?Why is Barnabas instruction very significant when he arrives?Why was it important for the Apostles in Jerusalem to check out what happened?How do versus 19, 25, and 29 serve to fulfill Romans 8:28-29?How does verse 27 show a pattern with the Old Testament prophets such as Elisha (2 Kings 4)?What was Sauls function in this passage? How can we fulfill that in our day even though he wasthe last Apostle?

What is really happening when we pray? The Zohar reveals that tefillah is not words rising into empty air — it's a yichud, a sacred union between the Shekhinah and her Beloved, drawn upward through our lips. A Kabbalistic teaching on prayer, intimacy with the Divine, and the hidden architecture of Shacharit, Mincha, and Maariv.In this teaching, we open a passage from the Zohar where Rabbi Shimon reveals the secret life of prayer. Prayer, he tells us, is not petition — it is unification. Our words don't simply rise; they weave the upper worlds together, lifting the Shekhinah toward Zeir Anpin and drawing divine light back down into creation.We'll explore:Why the early pious ones sat in silence for an hour before they dared to speak to GodThe three daily prayers as three distinct ascents — Shacharit through the name El (Chesed), Mincha through Elohim (Gevurah), and Maariv through the Tetragrammaton (Tiferet)The secret of em tishkevun — “the mother who lies between” — and what it teaches about the feminine and masculine within prayerWhy Eliezer's silence at the well is really a teaching about Zeir Anpin waiting for the soulThe verse from Isaiah that reframes everything: before they call, I am already answeringWhy flowing prayer is the sign that heaven has already received youThe unification of Yud-Hei-Vav-Hei and Adonai — and why their gematria equals AmenThis is a teaching for anyone who senses that prayer is meant to be more than recitation. Come in slowly. Receive it the way the Zohar asks us to receive prayer itself — with preparation, with presence, with awe.Key Takeaways:Prayer is yichud, not petition — the sacred union of Shekhinah and Zeir AnpinPreparation is the prayer — the hour of silence is what makes the words landFlow is the signal — when prayer pours out of you, it has already been receivedThe three daily prayers map to three Sefirot and three divine namesForeplay of the soul — there is no real intimacy with the Divine without the warming, the arriving, the kavana

What if your relationship with God was never meant to be complicated?In Part 1, we sit down with Hosanna Wong to unpack the heart behind her book Uncomplicate It. From her powerful upbringing on the streets of San Francisco to discovering her voice through spoken word, Hosanna shares how the Gospel was always meant to be simple, real, and accessible.We dive into:How her story shaped her faith and callingWhy we've overcomplicated our relationship with GodThe difference between being busy and being calledWhat it really means to live out your faith in everyday lifeThis episode will challenge you to strip away the noise and rediscover a faith that fits your real, right-now life.Learn more about HosannaLearn more about FRLS271

What if distraction isn't just about being busy—but about being emotionally divided?In this message, we revisit the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38–42 and uncover a deeper layer that often gets missed. Martha wasn't rebuked for working—she was gently corrected for being worried and upset. Her issue wasn't activity; it was internal agitation.That hits close to home.We live in a world where emotional overload is normal—constant headlines, pressure, fear, and noise. We're physically present but mentally and emotionally somewhere else. Like Martha, we can be in the room with Jesus and still feel distant.But Jesus' response reveals the antidote: “only one thing is needed.”This episode explores:Why emotional distraction is more dangerous than busynessHow internal division affects your peace, clarity, and connection with GodThe subtle ways culture shapes what you care aboutWhy humility is the gateway to freedomHow to actually “cast your cares” instead of carrying themThe world demands your attention—but Jesus invites your affection.And what you give your affection to will shape your life.

We live in a day when worship is often treated casuallybut Scripture makes it clear that God does not take worship lightly. And yet, many of us rarely stop to consider what is actually taking place in heaven right now what true worship really looks like before the throne of God. Last week, we were given a glimpse into that throne room, where everything centers on the One who sits upon the thronesurrounded by splendor, power, and unshakable sovereignty. But as Johns vision continues, our attention now shifts from the throne itself to the worship that surrounds it. After the Lord delivered Israel from the clutches of Pharaoh by parting the Red Sea, Moses and the people sang a song of praise. At the center of that song is this question: Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? (Exod. 15:11). It is here that we are reminded why we existnot for ourselves, but for God, whose holiness sets Him apart from all else. Scripture repeatedly shows us what happens when that holiness is not regarded. Nadab and Abihu approached God in worship on their own termsand they were consumed (Lev. 10:12). Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the arkand he was struck down (2 Sam. 6:67). These are not isolated incidents. They are warnings. Worship that disregards the holiness of God is not merely deficientit is dangerous. For as the Lord has said, You shall be holy, for I am holy (Lev. 11:44; cf. 1 Pet. 1:16). And it is precisely this holinessthe holiness that cannot be ignored, redefined, or approached on our termsthat fills the throne room of heaven in Revelation 4, where unceasing worship rises before the One who is holy, holy, holy. The worship we see in Revelation 4 is not casual, and it is not optionalit is the only right response to who God is. So if Revelation 4 shows us what true worship looks like in heaven, then the question we must ask is this:Why is God so worthy of that kind of worship? We Worship the LORD Because There is No One Like Him (v. 6a) Revelation 4 shows us that the experience of Gods presence is not rooted in what we feel, nor is it produced by the latest worship songit is grounded in the truth of who God has revealed Himself to be in His Word. Do you remember what I said about the sea of glass before the throne of God? The sea represents chaos and opposition to Gods purposes, and it is from the sea that the beast comes. Yet here, before the throne, the sea is stilled, reminding us that what threatens creation elsewhere is powerless in His presence. In the presence of the One on the throne is where the redeemed find shalom (peace). What John sees in Revelation 4 is not only a display of powerit is a revelation of who God is. He is the Lord Almighty who rules over all things. He is a covenant-keeping God who keeps His promises. And He is a worship-worthy God before whom all of heaven bows down. And what is heavens response? Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power He is worthynot because of what He gives, but because of who He is. There is only one other place in Revelation where the sea of glass is referenced, and it appears in Revelation 15the fourth of the seven heavenly throne-room scenes in Johns apocalypse. There, John describes the same sea of glass, but with an added detail: And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fireand also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands (v. 2). At the Red Sea, Gods presence stood between His people and their enemiesbringing light to one and judgment to the other (Exod. 14:1920). In Revelation, that same reality is intensified as the sea itself is mingled with fire (Rev. 15:2)symbolically pointing us back to Exodus 14, where God prevented Egypt from pursuing Israel (Exod. 14:2425). After allowing Pharaoh and his army to begin crossing the parted sea, He then consumed the enemies of God by bringing the waters of the Red Sea upon them (Exod. 14:2628). This connection is not incidental. The redeemed stand beside the sea with harps in their hands and sing what John calls the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb (v. 3). Just as Israel stood on the far side of the Red Sea and sang of their deliverance, so now the people of God stand victorious and sing once moreonly this time, their deliverance is final. And just as the plagues of Egypt preceded Israels redemption, so here the song is sung on the threshold of judgment, just before the seven bowls of wrath are poured outjudgments that unmistakably echo the plagues that fell upon Egypt. For now, lets focus on a single verse from the song Israel sang after crossing the Red Sea: Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? (Exod. 15:11). In Revelation 15:34, a similar song is taken up and directed to the Lamb: Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed. What began as a song of deliverance at the Red Sea becomes, in Revelation, a song of final redemption before the throneand at the center of both songs is the same unchanging truth: there is no one like Him. We Worship the LORD Because He is the Creator of All (vv. 6b-7) We are now introduced to four living creatures whose praise echoes that of the seraphim inIsaiah6, who declare of the One on the throne: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory (Isa. 6:3). Like the seraphim, these creatures have six wings, but unlike them, they are described as being full of eyes in front and behind. These eyes symbolize unceasing awarenessnothing escapes their sight as they live in continual service before their Creator. At the same time, each creature is distinct, representing a different realm of creation and reflecting the goodness of the One who made all things. There are four creatures because they represent the fullness of creation, yet each highlights a distinct category of created life. The creature like a lion represents the wild animalsstrength, majesty, and power. The creature like an ox represents domesticated animalsservice, endurance, and strength under authority. The creature with the face of a man represents humanityintelligence, reason, and the image of God. The creature like an eagle in flight represents the birds of the airswiftness and dominion in the skies. Together, these four living creatures represent the strongest, wisest, most powerful, and most majestic forms of created lifeand all of them are oriented toward the worship of their Creator. Some scholars have also noted a possible connection between these four living creatures and the way Israel was arranged in the wilderness. InNumbers2, the twelve tribes were divided into four groups and positioned around the tabernacle, with the presence of God at the center. Later Jewish tradition suggests that each group bore a distinct imagesuch as a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagleimages that closely resemble the creatures described here. If this connection is valid, it adds another layer of meaning: the living creatures would not only represent the fullness of creation, but also reflect the people of God gathered in ordered worship around His presence. In that sense, they may point to humanity as it was always meant to bea community centered on God and devoted entirely to His glory. Whether these creatures are the cherubim described elsewhere in Scripture or a distinct class of heavenly beings, the point remains clear: they represent all of created life, and they perform the very function that all of creation was designed to fulfillwhich is worship. And like the seraphim, they never cease to say: Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come! (v. 8). We Worship the LORD Because He is Perfectly Holy (v. 8) The declaration of the four living creatures is not that He is lovethough He most certainly is. Nor do they declare that He is just, though everything around the throne testifies to His perfect justice. They do not highlight any of His other attributes. Instead, they declare the one attribute that lies at the very core of all that He isHis holiness. And they declare it to the highest degree. He is not merely holy, nor even holy, holy. Noour God is: Holy, holy, holy! This is the only attribute of God raised to the third degree in all of Scripture. But what does it mean that God is holy? To be holy is to be set apart and separate from all that is sinful, impure, or morally imperfect. As it relates to God, there is nothing like Him in all of creation, and there is nothing in Him that is flawed, corrupt, or deficient. Gods holiness is the beauty of all that He is. Stephen Charnock rightly said, Holiness is the beauty of all Gods attributes. Brothers and sisters, it is Gods holiness that makes Him gloriousit is what makes His justice just, His mercy merciful, and His power pure. This is why the worship of God is both serious and dangerous. As Michael Horton argues in his bookIn the Face of God, the danger is not in drawing near to Godthe danger is in doing so on our own terms. Nadab and Abihu approached God on their own termsand they were consumed (Lev. 10:13). Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the Ark, assuming his hand was cleaner than the dirtand he was struck down (2 Sam. 6:67). Ananias and Sapphira were more concerned with their image than Gods gloryand they too fell dead (Acts 5:111). Why? Because the holiness of God cannot be approached casually, on our own terms, or treated as common. And, just in case you are tempted to think that these examples are extreme and ought not be taken too seriously, consider the way Jesus taught us to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Jesus did not say to recite this prayer (though that is okay), but to pray like this. We are to begin with something like: Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name. That first petition is not one request among manyit is the foundation of them all, just as holiness is for the character of the Lord God Almighty! Every other request modeled for us in our Lords prayer flows from it and serves it: Your kingdom come for the hallowing of your name. Your will be done for the hallowing of your name. Give us this day our daily bread for the hallowing of your name. Forgive us as we forgive others for the hallowing of your name. Lead us not into temptation for the hallowing of your name. Deliver us from evil... for the hallowing of your name. Do you see it? We exist for the renown of Gods holy name in every area and part of our lives because He is holy, holy, holy! This is exactly what we see in Revelation 4. Heaven is not centered on man but on God. He is the Creator, and we are the creature. He reigns from heaven, and we are on earth. He is eternally sufficient, and we are utterly dependent upon Him. All that we dohow we live, how we pray, how we worshipis to be shaped and motivated by one great purpose: that Gods name would be hallowed! As His Word reminds us, For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen (Rom. 11:36). Only when God becomes the center of your universe will you begin to see your life rightly. And only then will you experience the kind of joy and satisfaction you were created for. At the center of that reality is the question sung in victorious celebration by Moses and the rest of Israel: Who is like you O Lord... majestic in holiness? (Exod. 15:11) We Worship the LORD Because He Alone is Worthy (vv. 9-11) Notice the response of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders. They fall down before Him who is seated on the throne. Their posture shows us the proper response to Gods holinessnot pride, but surrender. The twenty-four elders lay down their crowns because they recognize that whatever authority, honor, or reward they possess ultimately belongs to the One on the throne. In response to the declaration that our unchanging God is Holy, holy, holy, the elders proclaim: Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Everything that exists does so because God wills it. That means your life is not random, nor did it come by chance. You were created by Him and for Himand the only right response is to lay down whatever you are holding onto and give Him the glory He deserves. Listenif you approach God on your terms, you will never experience Him as you were created to. Your way of worship will always lead you to your idols and away from the living God. But when you see Him for who He truly isholy, holy, holyyou will do what heaven does: you will bow, you will surrender, and you will worship. Heaven is not confused about who it is that sits on the throne. Heaven is not distracted by lesser glories. Heaven is not divided by that which does not last. All of heaven is fixed on one reality that outweighs everything else infinitely more: God is holy, and He is worthy of it all! One day, you will join this scene that we are given in Revelation 4. One day, you will stand before the One who sits on the throne. The only question is this: Will you bow before Him now in worship, or will you bow before Him then in judgment? If you really want to experience God, if you really want to live your life for that which will last and which matters, then be determined in your heart to do this: Turn from lesser things by giving God what heaven already declaresglory, honor, and all that you are. Why? Because there is no one like Him. Because He is the Creator. Because He is holy. And because He alone is worthy.

In this powerful episode of the Rooted & Christ Podcast, we sit down with genre-bending artist Scootie Wop (Emmanuel Lofton) to unpack a raw and unfiltered testimony of transformation.Scootie shares his journey growing up in a military family, navigating identity struggles after his parents' divorce, and getting pulled into gang culture at a young age. From there, things escalated into substance abuse, including prescription pills and Xanax, ultimately leading to a life-altering car crash that became a turning point.This conversation dives deep into:Battling addiction and the reality of dependencyThe impact of absent fatherhood and searching for identityHitting rock bottom and encountering GodThe process of true change (not just an overnight switch)Accountability, community, and serving others as keys to healingStepping out on faith to pursue music with purposeScootie also opens up about the challenges of staying consistent in faith after backsliding, and how Christian hip hop became both his outlet and calling.This is more than a testimony—it's a real look at what transformation actually takes.Tune in for a conversation that's honest, relatable, and full of hope.

Does God Still Reveal Hidden Truths to His Children?───Do you wonder if God's wisdom is actually available to you—or is it locked away for the special, the educated, the elite? The truth that many believers never grasp is this: God does not withhold His wisdom. He abounds toward His children in wisdom and prudence—pouring it out freely through His Holy Spirit. The mystery of God's will, once hidden, is now fully revealed to those who belong to Him through Jesus Christ. You have access to something the world cannot buy, cannot earn, and cannot find on its own.Pastor Roderick Webster opens Ephesians 1:8–9 (KJV) to show you what it means to walk in the wisdom God has freely given you and why understanding this transforms your faith and your daily decisions.───In This Episode:God abounds toward believers in all wisdom and prudence—not a little, but abundantlyTrue wisdom does not come from the world—it comes from the Spirit of GodThe mystery of God's will, once hidden in ages past, is now revealed to believers through His Word and SpiritWe have the mind of Christ—you have access to His perspective and His wisdomIf you lack wisdom, God invites you to ask Him freely—He gives liberally and without reproach (James 1:5)How to recognize the difference between worldly wisdom and spiritual wisdomPractical steps to access and walk in the wisdom God has already given youPassages explored: Ephesians 1:8–9 | 1 Corinthians 2:6–12, 2:16 | James 1:5 | Matthew 13:11 (all KJV)───Key Scripture:"We have the mind of Christ." — 1 Corinthians 2:16 (KJV)───Watch / Listen:https://youtu.be/ubAZPy7_d74Continue the series: Words From The Word — All Spiritual Blessings: A Devotional Journey Through Ephesians (KJV)───Share this episode with someone who needs to know God freely reveals His wisdom to those who ask Him.#WordsFromTheWord #KJV #Wisdom #HolySpirit #MindOfChrist

What does it truly mean to be not ashamed of the gospel?In this powerful introduction to the book of Romans, we step into the world of early Christians living under the Roman Empire—facing pressure, persecution, and uncertainty—yet holding firmly to a faith that transformed everything.This message unpacks the opening of Romans and lays the foundation for the entire letter, focusing on:The historical reality of life in Rome for early ChristiansPaul's identity as a servant, apostle, and ambassador for ChristThe true meaning of the gospel as good news about GodThe importance of encouragement and unity within the churchLiving with purpose, humility, and devotion like PaulWhy the gospel—not us—is the power that savesAt the heart of this lesson is Romans 1:16–17:

SummaryRobert Bolden shares insights on the transformative power of the Word, and spiritual growth through biblical teachings. This episode explores how faith, change, and spiritual warfare shape a meaningful life.Key TopicsThe transformative power of the Word of GodThe meaning of giving and its spiritual significanceThe process of spiritual growth and changeSpiritual warfare and victory through ChristTakeawaysThe Word alone has the power to transform lives.Giving should be from the heart, not for publicity.Spiritual growth is a continual process of change.Christ's victory disarms spiritual powers and authorities.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflection on Transformation02:00 Understanding the Biblical Verse on Giving03:16 Beyond Money: Giving with Heart and Spirit04:35 The Power of Community in Giving05:05 Christ in Fullness: Colossians 2:9-1006:32 Baptism and Spiritual Transformation07:35 The Process of Change and Being Christlike10:03 Consciousness and Unconscious Habits11:17 Ruled by Flesh vs Spirit12:28 Buried with Christ and Spiritual Victory14:30 Spiritual Warfare and Victory over Satan18:11 The Law of Victory and Christ's TriumphReady to become part of the community? https://lifetransformed.podia.com/message us and we will give you free access.Merchhttps://www.bonfire.com/store/lifetransformed/Schedule a serve call ⁠https://www.picktime.com/LifeTransformed⁠Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bbolden18?igsh=cnlvdjQ5eGJwZTM%3D&utm_source=qr⁠https://www.instagram.com/bbolden18?igsh=cnlvdjQ5eGJwZTM%3D&utm_source=qrYouTube⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6sszulCUrjodEyThd-rBw⁠Podcasts Join me live from Odd's Cafe here in Asheville…  message me for the exact time.  ⁠https://www.oddscafe.com/⁠Email: robertbolden@thisworldfreedom.comLinkTree https://linktr.ee/rbolden

What if the way you're praying is missing one key element?In today's episode, I share a spiritual “aha” moment that completely reframed how I understand prayer — especially when we're asking God for miracles.After reading the book The Circle Maker and wrestling with some questions, I decided to write God a letter.The answer I received changed everything.We're talking about:Why some prayers seem more powerful than othersThe importance of getting a clear “yes” from GodThe difference between begging and praying with expectationHow intentional focus may impact the miracles you're seekingI'm sharing this in real time — not as someone who has it all figured out, but as someone learning alongside you. If you've been praying for change… this episode is for you.ANNOUNCEMENT: Details about a new online support group for those navigating the pain of a loved one leaving the Church.To get on the support group list, click on ⁠shireebest.com⁠ , fill out the contact form at the bottom of the home page, with the word "Interested". Join the⁠ "Just Love Them" Facebook group⁠Email Shiree at imlivinginjoy@gmail.com

SummaryRobert Bolden shares insights on the transformative power of the Word, the importance of giving, and spiritual growth through biblical teachings. This episode explores how faith, change, and spiritual warfare shape a meaningful life.Key TopicsThe transformative power of the Word of GodThe meaning of giving and its spiritual significanceThe process of spiritual growth and changeSpiritual warfare and victory through ChristSound Bites"Give from your heart, not just money.""Don't seek publicity when you give.""Change is a sign of teachability."Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflection on Transformation02:00 Understanding the Biblical Verse on Giving03:16 Beyond Money: Giving with Heart and Spirit04:35 The Power of Community in Giving05:05 Christ in Fullness: Colossians 2:9-1006:32 Baptism and Spiritual Transformation07:35 The Process of Change and Being Christlike10:03 Consciousness and Unconscious Habits11:17 Ruled by Flesh vs Spirit12:28 Buried with Christ and Spiritual Victory14:30 Spiritual Warfare and Victory over Satan18:11 The Law of Victory and Christ's TriumphReady to become part of the community? https://lifetransformed.podia.com/message us and we will give you free access.Merchhttps://www.bonfire.com/store/lifetransformed/Schedule a serve call ⁠https://www.picktime.com/LifeTransformed⁠Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bbolden18?igsh=cnlvdjQ5eGJwZTM%3D&utm_source=qr⁠https://www.instagram.com/bbolden18?igsh=cnlvdjQ5eGJwZTM%3D&utm_source=qrYouTube⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6sszulCUrjodEyThd-rBw⁠Podcasts Join me live from Odd's Cafe here in Asheville…  message me for the exact time.  ⁠https://www.oddscafe.com/⁠Email: robertbolden@thisworldfreedom.com

This episode feels different.If you've been listening this year, you know I've been shifting the format of Unblocked. I want these conversations to feel less like interviews and more like real life. Friends around a table. Honest wrestling. Communion over conclusions. And that's exactly what this episode is.I'm joined by Reverend Mary Hahn and Jamie Bell Showmaker for a conversation about faith, spirituality, Christianity, ego, worthiness, and a question that many of us grapple with: How do we know what's actually true?We talk about:Growing up inside rigid religious frameworksQuestioning without abandoning GodThe tension between spiritual texts and inner knowingWhat it means to be “fully human and fully divine”Why worthiness can feel dangerousEgo, humility, and the stories we inherit about ourselvesWhether truth lives in a book or inside usThis is three women talking honestly about their journeys with God and sitting in the discomfort of not having neat answers.If you've ever felt like the “truth” you were taught was incongruent with the truth within, wondered where to go for answers, or wrestled with your own worthiness, this conversation is for you. I don't know where this episode will land for you. But I trust that if you're here, something in it is meant for you.If you enjoyed today's conversation, please follow, rate, and review Unblocked. It helps more people find these conversations and keeps this work going.Resources:Jessica's book, In PursuitOrder my #1 New Release book In PursuitGet your complimentary copy of The Unblocked Journal to help bring awareness to perfectionist thinking and what it's creating in your life.Join My Do The Thing Community Want more support?If this episode resonated with you and you want deeper, personalized support, you can learn more about working with me at jessicasmarro.comStay connected:Follow me on Facebook & Instagram: @jessicasmarroShare this episode and tag me with what landed for youLet's Get Unblocked!

Series: God's Promises, Our JourneyTitle: “How Does God's Promise Shape Our Faith Journey?”Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6 NIV Habakkuk 2:4 Luke 2-3Ephesians 2:8-10Romans 4:3-5; 20-22Galatians 3:6-9, 14James 2:21-23Bottom Line: When we trust God's promise, our journey is secure—He makes us right with Him and leads us step by step.INTRODUCTIONCONTEXTSERMON OUTLINECONCLUSIONNOTESOUTLINESQUESTIONS TO CONSIDER DISCUSSION QUESTIONSMAIN REFERENCES USEDMy opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same. INTRODUCTION“The Signed Contract Before the House Exists”In 2006, we started looking for a house to buy in Summerville. We'd just accepted the position to come to Grace and were excited about what we might move into. But our excitement faded as we saw what we'd care for the money we were bringing from our last house sale. So, in the end, it made more sense for us to build a new house over buying an existing one. Imagine a young couple buying a home that hasn't been built yet.There is:• No framing• No roof• No walls• Just dirt and a blueprint or renderingBut they sign a contract.They put down earnest money.They commit financially.Why would they do that?Because they trust:• The builder's reputation• The written promise• The legal agreementThey are acting today on something they cannot yet see.That's Genesis 15.Abram:• Has no son• Has no visible nation• Has no fulfillment• Only a word from GodAnd verse 6 says he signed the contract in his heart.“Abram believed the LORD…”Faith is not pretending the house is already standing.Faith is signing your life to the One who promised to build it.That sets up:• Romans 4 — persuaded God will do what He promised• Galatians 3 — we inherit the same contract by faith• James 2 — if you signed it, you start living like itCONTEXTGenesis 15 comes at a pivotal moment in Abram's journey. In Genesis 12, God called Abram out of Ur with sweeping promises of land, offspring, and blessing — but Abram still has no child. In Genesis 13, he lets Lot choose the better land and must trust God again for the promise. In Genesis 14, Abram rescues Lot, defeats powerful kings, refuses the riches of Sodom, and is blessed by Melchizedek — demonstrating growing faith and allegiance to God alone. Yet despite spiritual victory, the central promise remains unfulfilled: Abram is aging, Sarai is barren, and the land is still occupied by other nations. Genesis 15 opens in that tension — between promise and fulfillment, between faith and visible reality — and God responds not with rebuke, but with covenant.OUTLINE (with references):1. Fear Meets God's Promise (Genesis 15:1-2): Abraham's fears—reprisal and no heir—are met by God's protection and provision.2. Who God Is in the Journey (Genesis 15:1, 5): Present, protector, provider, sovereign, life-giver—all shaping trust.3. Faith Receives God's Promise (Genesis 15:6): Abraham believed, and it was credited as righteousness.SERMONReview from Genesis 12:1-3:God Is the Initiator of RedemptionGod Calls His People to Trust Him Before They Understand HimGod's Blessing Is Never Merely Personal—It Is MissionalGod Promises to Anchor His People in Uncertain Times & PlacesGod's People Respond with Obedience, Worship, and Witness1. Fear Meets God's Promise (Genesis 15:1-2): Abraham's fears—reprisal and no heir—are met by God's protection and provision.2. Who God Is in the Journey (Genesis 15:1, 5): Present, protector, provider, sovereign, life-giver—all shaping trust.The stars in the sky in Uganda. (Show Chris' pic)"On a clear night, at most 5,000 individual stars can be seen with the naked eye, as well as objects like the fuzzy outline of the Andromeda Galaxy, with its estimated 100 billion stars, 2.5 million light years away!" -Lennox, p. 113"ACCORDING TO THE WRITERS of Hebrews and the Genesis record, the link between faith and righteousness was not a New Testament invention, nor was it even a patriarchal innovation. Instead, the dynamic connection between faith and righteousness is rooted in primeval history well before the flood. The lives of three famous pre-diluvians-Abel, Enoch, and Noah— make this very clear.Of Abel we read, "By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks" (Hebrews 11:4). Faith-righteousness was exemplified in earth's first family by the second son of Adam and Eve.Of Enoch Genesis says, "Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him" (5:24). The metaphor "walked" indicates closest communion and intimacy—a righteous life. Enoch's godly walk grew out of his faith, as Hebrews makes so clear: "By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God" (11:5). According to verse 6, his God-pleasing faith believed that "God is" (literal translation of the Greek)-that the sovereign God of creation is God. He also believed that God "rewards those who seek him"-that God is positively equitable.As a result, Jude 14, 15 records that he became a preacher of righteousness, apparently for his entire life, for some three centuries! Enoch's life demonstrated a righteousness based on faith.Of Noah Genesis says, "Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God" (6:9). That Noah "walked with God" identifies him with the godly character of Enoch. But even more significant, the statement that "Noah was a righteous man" is the first occurrence of the word righteous tsadiq) in the Bible. Noah's righteousness was not derived from his being perfect or any antecedent righteousness, but because he believed God, as the writer of Hebrews explains: "By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household" (11:7). The biblical doctrine of imputed righteousness (a righteousness from God) began here in primeval history before the flood!" -Hughes, pp. 221-2223. Faith Receives God's Promise (Genesis 15:6): Abraham believed, and it was credited as righteousness.Cross-References for Genesis 15:6 - Faith credited as righteousness. #core• Romans 4:3-5, 20-22 - Faith credited as righteousness. #standing #position• Galatians 3:6-9, 14 - Faith connects us to the promise. #family #mission #nations• James 2:21-23 - Faith is active, not passive. #living #practical #behaviorsBottom Line: When we trust God's promise, our journey is secure—He makes us right with Him and leads us step by step.So How Does God's Promise Shape Our Faith Journey?He brings security, confidence and peace because of who he is and what he does as our personally present provider and protector.More application:First, when you face fear—whether fear of the future or uncertainty—remind yourself that God is both your protector and provider. Concretely, when you face a major decision, begin by praying for His presence in it.Second, trust in God's promise of righteousness—when you feel inadequate or guilty, recall that your standing is secure by faith. For example, when you fail, don't retreat—confess and continue walking with Him.Third, active faith leads to action—like Abraham, step forward in obedience. If God's promise is sure, what step of obedience is He calling you to right now?Fourth, when considering your connection to God's larger promise (like in Galatians 3), remember that your faith ties you to a bigger family of faith. Practically, live out that community—extend grace and include others in your faith journey.Finally, as James 2 emphasizes, ask yourself: How is my faith visible in action this week? Identify one tangible act of service or obedience you'll do in response to trusting Him.CONCLUSIONBottom Line: When we trust God's promise, our journey is secure—He makes us right with Him and leads us step by step.“The Shield You Carry vs. The Shield You Trust”You could return to Genesis 15:1:“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield…”In ancient warfare, a shield only works if you trust it enough to stand behind it.If a soldier:• Keeps peeking out• Keeps lowering the shield• Keeps running forward in panicThe shield cannot protect him.The issue is not whether the shield works.The issue is whether he will stand behind it.Abram's fear was real:• Eastern kings• No heir• An aging bodyGod doesn't say:“Be brave.”He says:“I am your shield.”And Abram stands behind that promise.Romans 4 says he was fully persuaded.Galatians 3 says we now stand in that same promise.James 2 says if you really trust the shield, you'll fight differently.So the question becomes:Are you standing behind the Shield?Or are you trying to carry your own?That lands the plane cleanly on:• God as protector• God as provider• Faith that rests• Faith that actsINVITATIONPeter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions: What is God saying to me right now?What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper. What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don't have to get too specific to give him praise.Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)PrayNOTES"As Von Rad has said, "But above all, his righteousness is not the result of any accomplishments, whether of sacrifice or acts of obedience.Rather, it is stated programmatically that belief alone has brought Abraham into a proper relationship to God."This understanding is revolutionary! Circa 2000 B.C., Abram was declared righteous because of his belief. This declaration was in profound accord with the primeval fathers Abel, Enoch, and Noah. Furthermore, the principle has remained operative through both primeval and patriarchal history and the entire old-covenant era and is the foundation of the new covenant." -Hughes, p. 225"It has always been the same-in primeval times and patriarchal times. under the old covenant and the new covenant: Faith brings righteousnessand salvation.So it was for Abel: "By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain" (Hebrews 11:4). Abel was saved by faith, a faith that was not alone because it produced better works than Cain.So it was for Enoch: "By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death" (Hebrews 11:5). But Enoch's faith was such that he "walked with God" (Genesis 5:22) before he was no more. His faith was a real faith a faith that worked.So it was for Noah: "By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith" (Hebrews 11:7). Noah's profound faith produced a profound obedience. And his works were monumental: "He did all that God commanded him" (Genesis 6:22; cf. 7:5, 9, 16). His was a faith that worked.So it was with Abram: "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8). "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac" (v. 17a.). Abraham was saved by faith alone-a faith that was not alone faith that works!We conclude this study with two penetrating questions. Have you rested your faith on God the Son, Jesus Christ, alone for your salvation? That is the first question. Are you trusting your works or Christ? Now if you answer, I am trusting Christ alone," then the second question is, has your faith produced works? Is your faith real enough that it has changed your life? These are salutary questions because you are saved by faith alone. But if it is true faith, it is faith that is not alone but a faith that works." -Hughes, p. 218"When someone is called 'a person of faith' it usually means that they are adherents of a particular religious tradition. It does not normally refer to the obvious yet frequently overlooked fact that everyone exercises faith every day in a myriad different ways - just think what would happen if people did not place their faith/trust in maps, traffic lights, electric appliances, or doctors, surgeons, pilots, lawyers and so on. In that important sense, everyone is a person of faith. Faith, as such, is not a religious concept." -Lennox, p. 117Below is:1. A refined opening (pastoral tone)2. A clean covenant pivot3. A governing Big Idea4. A simple sermon skeleton that keeps the focus where it belongs

Everybody wants God's favor. But most people misunderstand what it actually looks like.In this episode of The Impossible Life Podcast, Garrett Unclebach and Nick Surface break down one of the most misunderstood ideas in Christianity — favor — and why it's not about getting everything you want, winning every time, or avoiding difficulty.Using stories from Scripture — Noah, Joseph, David, and others — they unpack a truth that flips common thinking upside down: God's favor doesn't mean life is easy. Sometimes favor looks like being a slave… building a boat while everyone mocks you… or walking through a season you didn't ask for.This episode explores:The difference between luck and favorWhy you can't manipulate God — but you can align with HimHow favor comes from wanting what God wantsWhat it means to have a heart oriented toward GodThe difference between favor with God and favor with peopleWhy character, faithfulness, and integrity create influence over timeHow true favor grows when you let go of control and step into God's flowGarrett and Nick explain that favor is not God bending to your plan — it's God stooping down to help you fulfill His plan for your life.When your heart aligns with God's purpose, the board starts to tilt. Doors open. Opportunities appear. Not because life becomes easier — but because you're finally moving in the direction you were designed for.Favor isn't about getting your way.It's about getting on God's way — and discovering that it's better.Join a group of likeminded Impossible Life listeners in our FREE Skool community by clicking here.Get the Purpose Playbook by clicking hereGet the FREE Basic Discipline Training 30 Day Program by clicking hereJoin us in Mindset Mastery by clicking hereIf you're a man that wants real accountability and training to be a leader, click here.Level up your nutrition with IDLife by clicking hereGET IN TOUCHSocial Media - @theimpossiblelifeEmail - info@theimpossible.life

Series: God's Promises, Our JourneyTitle: "What are the key ingredients to the life God calls us to live?"Scripture: Genesis 14:1-24 NIVHebrews 7Bottom line: When we rest in what God said, we walk in his key ingredients of righteousness, peace & blessing that we might be a blessing to the nations as he created us to be.God reveals himself as our rescuing King and eternal Priest and calls us to wholehearted allegiance.INTRODUCTIONCONTEXTSERMON OUTLINECONCLUSIONNOTESOUTLINESQUESTIONS TO CONSIDER DISCUSSION QUESTIONSMAIN REFERENCES USEDMy opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same. INTRODUCTIONFree the Hostages"ON JUNE 27, 1976, armed operatives for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) surprised the twelve crew members of an Air France jetliner and its ninety-one passengers, hijacking it to a destination unknown.The plane was tracked heading for Central Africa, where indeed it did land under the congenial auspices of then Ugandan President Idi Amin. And there it remained apparently secure at Entebbe Airport, where the hijackers spent the next seven days preparing for their next move. The hijackers were by all estimations in the driver's seat.However, 2,500 miles away in Tel Aviv three Israeli C-130 Hercules transports were secretly boarded by a deadly force of Israeli commandos who within hours attacked Entebbe under cover of darkness. In less than sixty minutes the commandos rushed the old terminal, gunned down the hijackers, and rescued 110 of the 113 hostages. A few days later, July 4, Israel's Premier Yitzhak Rabin triumphantly declared the mission "will become a legend"—which it surely has.' Israel's resolve and stealth in liberating her people is admired by her friends and begrudged by her enemies.Actually, Israel's resolve is nothing new because the same quality can be traced all the way back to the very beginning of the Hebrew nation in the prowess of their father Abraham. The kidnappers in his day (the Middle Bronze Age) were an international coalition of four eastern kings headed by King Chedorlaomer who attacked the Transjordan, defeating the city states of Sodom and her neighbors, carrying off a large number of hostages That included Abram's nephew Lot." -Hughes, p. 213CONTEXTWe've gone from Promises of blessings to failure to rest in those promises to returning to the original promise keeper through repentance and faith.Abram went down to Egypt but returned to between "House of Bread" and "Ruin". It is here he and Lot part ways. He watches Lot choose what he thinks is best for him and yet outside of God's promised land. No doubt he knows this. He just doesn't believe it or realize it.Genesis 13 contrasts Abram's faith-shaped restraint with Lot's sight-driven ambition—and places both under the canopy of God's covenant faithfulness.In Genesis 14 we see the first recorded battle in scripture. We meet Melchizedek, and we see Abram draw encouragement from Melchizedek and rest in what God has said.There's a powerful lesson for us here.SERMONReview from Genesis 12:1-3:God Is the Initiator of RedemptionGod Calls His People to Trust Him Before They Understand HimGod's Blessing Is Never Merely Personal—It Is MissionalGod Promises to Anchor His People in Uncertain Times & PlacesGod's People Respond with Obedience, Worship, and WitnessBottom line: When we rest in what God said, we walk in his key ingredients of righteousness, peace & blessing that we might be a blessing to the nations as he created us to be.Outline (help from Outline Bible):I. THE COURAGE OF ABRAM (14:1-16)A. The villains (14:1-11)The rebellion (14:1-4): Five Canaanite city-states rebel against Kedorlaomer of Elam.The retaliation (14:5-11): Kedorlaomer and his allies defeat the armies of the five city-states, plunder their cities, and carry many people away as slaves. B. The victim (14:12): Lot, now living in Sodom, is taken away as a slave.C. The victory (14:13-16)Abram's army (14:13-14): Upon learning of Lot's capture, Abram and his 318 trained servants ride out to rescue Lot.Abram's attack (14:15): Abram divides his men and initiates a surprise attack at night.Abram's achievements (14:16): Kedorlaomer is defeated, and Lot is rescued. II. THE COMMUNION OF ABRAM (14:17-24)A. The godly and priestly king of Salem (14:17-20): As he is returning from battle to his home in Hebron, Abram meets Melchize-dek, who blesses him. Abram offers him a tenth of all the goods he has recovered from Kedorlaomer.B. The godless and perverted king of Sodom (14:21-24): In stark contrast, Abram refuses to have any fellowship with Bera, king of wicked Sodom.My notes on Gen 14:This sermon is sort of a part 2 to last week. Abram rescues Lot and co.--people, possessions and all. And he's met by two kings upon his return: Melchizedek and the King of Sodom. (Name?) Sodom's king can only see that his losses are back and he can get back at least some of them, thanks to Abram, who rightly deserves the spoils of war. He is consumed by what he can see. So he asks for some of it back, though he deserves none of it. Melchizedek, however, is a mystery. He is there for Abram at a moment when he's tempted to also get seduced by what he can see. But he finds in Mel a kindred spirit of sorts. Actually, he finds a type of Christ. This type of Christ behaves very much like Christ. He blesses Abram in the name of El Elyon and praises El Elyon for what he did. He honors the greater even as he blesses the lessor. He also blesses Abram and his men with bread and wine. Could this be a whisper to a future Last Supper?Lot, fresh off his rescue, could easily be taking all of this in. He's no doubt glad to be alive. He is thinking of all his losses. He believes that Abram will restore his fortunes. He's focused on what he lost...what he could see and some of it he can still see. We know this because he follows the king of Sodom back to the city. He doesn't rest in what God has said. He's now further from that than he's ever been. Abram, inspired by another person who knows El Elyon, rests in the promises of God and eludes the temptation to dwell on what he can see. He tithes 10% of it to Mel, tells Sodom to give his allies their portion for helping, and surrenders the rest back to Sodom, with the possible invitation for any of the rescued people to join him in his growing clan. It appears none take him up on it.We're back to the contrast between Abram and Lot; a promise of God and a pile of possessions. Abram chooses well, helped by a mysterious king of righteousness, king of peace and priest of a different priesthood. This mysterious priest shows up right when Abram needs him. He leads with generous gifts followed by blessings to Abram and adoration to El Elyon. This is where we are as well. But we don't have a type of Christ showing up to help us right when we need him. We have Christ himself. And he showed up on a Roman cross and shows up for us every day at the right hand of the Father interceding for us in our need. So the next time you're tempted, like I have been for over a week, to feel sorry for yourself, remember that it only would have been worse if he'd not been praying for you.Chat GPT notes:Abram rescues Lot. (Temp salvation)Abram meets a Priest-King. (Melchizedek appears)Abram worships through giving. (Recognizes divine favor and responds)Abram refuses King of Sodom. (Allegiance clarified)Jesus is the better Melchizedek:Ultimate rescueEternal priesthoodCalls for total allegianceClosing illustrationHow many of you heard/saw last week's message? I've never gotten so much positive feedback on a message in my life. It's just like God to take someone battling the temptation to have his own pity party to do something like that. God is faithful.What's sad is that there were people online and on-site who heard the message last week and yet didn't get a thing out of it. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. How can that be? Life-changine for one--Apathetic sigh for the other. Who's that on?Abram and Lot were a part of the same war and rescue. But one of them turned away from what God said and went back to the wicked city that was defeated just days before. Like a dog returning to his vomit.The other turned towards the God of promise: El Elyon. The God Most High. No, not high on a joint--high on his holy hill; holy throne; in his holy temple.What about you?CONCLUSIONBottom line: When we rest in what God said, we walk in his key ingredients of righteousness, peace & blessing that we might be a blessing to the nations as he created us to be."Abram rescued Lot from four kings.Jesus rescues us from sin and death.Abram met a priest who blessed him.We have a Priest who intercedes forever.Abram gave a tenth.We give our whole lives.Abram refused Sodom's reward.We refuse a kingdom that is passing away.Because our King is also our Priest." -ChatGPTINVITATIONPeter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions: What is God saying to me right now?What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper. What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don't have to get too specific to give him praise.Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)PrayNOTESThis is an important theological distinction—especially as you preach through Genesis and encounter figures like Melchizedek in Genesis 14.Let me define the categories carefully and then contrast them.1️⃣ What Is aType of Christ?A type (Greek: typos) is a historical person, event, or institution intentionally designed by God to foreshadow Christ.It is:Real historySymbolically patternedForward-pointingIncomplete without ChristThe type is not Jesus Himself.It is a divinely embedded preview.Key Characteristics of a TypeHistorical realityEscalation or fulfillment in ChristOften clarified by later ScriptureAnalogical, not identicalBiblical ExamplesAdamPaul explicitly calls Adam a “type” of Christ (Romans 5:14).Adam = representative head → Christ = greater representative head.MelchizedekHebrews 7 presents Melchizedek as a type:King of righteousnessKing of peacePriest of God Most HighWithout recorded genealogyBut Hebrews never says Melchizedek was Christ — he was “made like” the Son of God (Heb 7:3).JosephRejected brother → exalted savior → forgives those who wronged him.A clear Christ-pattern.Definition:A type of Christ is a God-ordained historical shadow that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.2️⃣ What Is aPre-Incarnate Christ (Christophany)?A Christophany is an actual appearance of the Son of God before the incarnation.It is:A real manifestationPersonal and divineNot symbolicThe second Person of the Trinity appearing visiblyThis is not foreshadowing — this is presence.Classic Christophany TextsAngel of the LORDIn several passages:Speaks as GodReceives worshipForgives sinIdentifies Himself as YahwehExamples:Genesis 16 (Hagar)Genesis 22 (Abraham and Isaac)Exodus 3 (burning bush)Judges 13 (Manoah)Many evangelical theologians conclude this is the pre-incarnate Son.The “Commander of the Lord's Army” (Joshua 5)Accepts worship. Identifies ground as holy.Definition:A Christophany is a real, pre-incarnate appearance of the eternal Son of God.3️⃣ The Core DifferencesType of ChristChristophanySymbolic foreshadowingActual divine appearanceHuman or eventDivine manifestationPoints forward to ChristIs ChristIncompleteFully divine presenceAnalogical resemblanceOntological identity4️⃣ The Melchizedek Question (Critical for Your Genesis 14 Preaching)Some argue Melchizedek was a Christophany.But Hebrews 7 does not say he was the Son of God — it says:“He is made like the Son of God.”That language supports typology, not incarnation.Hebrews is arguing:Jesus is not in the order of Aaron.He is in the order of Melchizedek.Melchizedek prefigures Christ's eternal priesthood.If Melchizedek were literally Christ, the argument collapses.You can't be “in the order of” yourself.So for Genesis 14:Melchizedek is best understood as a type.The Angel of the LORD passages are stronger candidates for Christophany.OUTLINESSECTION OUTLINE SEVEN (HEBREWS 7) The author identifies and equates the priesthood of Jesus with that of Melchizedek. I. A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE (7:1-3) A. The person of Melchizedek (7:1 a, 2b-3)Who he was (7:2b): His name means "king of justice," and he was also the "king of peace."What he did (7:1a): He was both priest and king over the city of Salem.Where he came from (7:3): There is no record of either his birth or his death. B. The preeminence of Melchizedek (7:1b-2a)B. The preeminence of Melchizedek (7:1 b-2a)The battle (7:2a): Following the defeat of his enemies, Abraham met Melchizedek and paid tithes to him.The blessing (7:1 b): Melchizedek blessed Abraham.II. A THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE (7:4-28): The author lists the various characteristics of Jesus, who, according to the Father's decree, is to be a priest after the order of Melchizedek (see Ps. 110:4). Thus, his priesthood would be: A. Royal (as was that of Melchizedek) (see 7:1) B. Superior (7:4-10)To whom? (7:5-7): To Levi, founder of the levitical priesthood.Why? (7:4, 8-10)a. Abraham was the ancestor of Levi (7:9). b. The yet unborn Levi thus tithed to Melchizedek while still in the loins of Abraham (7:4, 8, 10). C. Independent (7:11-15)Independent of the law (7:11-12).Independent of the tribe of Levi (7: 13-15): Christ came from the tribe of Judah. D. Everlasting (7:16-17) E. Guaranteed (7:20-22): The Father himself took an oath concerning this. F. Continuous (7:23) G. Permanent (7:24) H. Holy (7:26) I. All-sufficient (7:18-19, 25, 27) J. Flawless (7:28)QUESTIONS TO CONSIDERWhat do I want them to know? Why do I want them to know it?What do I want them to do?Why do I want them to do it?How do they do this?DISCUSSION QUESTIONSDiscovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/Read the passage together.Retell the story in your own words.Discovery the storyWhat does this story tell me about God?What does this story tell me about people?If this is really true, what should I do?What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)Who am I going to tell about this?Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcastAlternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:Who is God?What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)What do I do? (In light of who I am)How do I do it?Final Questions (Write this down)What is God saying to you right now? What are you going to do about it?YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION Here's the revised YouTube description, with the preacher and links cleanly integrated and placed where viewers expect them:Series: God's Promises, Our JourneyMessage Title: What Are the Key Ingredients to the Life God Calls Us to Live?Scripture: Genesis 14:1–24 (NIV); Hebrews 7Preacher: Darien GabrielWhat does it look like to live the life God calls us to live—especially when we're surrounded by temptation, fear, and competing allegiances?In Genesis 14, Abram steps into the first recorded battle in Scripture to rescue his nephew Lot. But the real battle isn't fought with swords—it's fought in the heart. Upon returning victorious, Abram is met by two kings and faced with two radically different offers. One tempts him with visible reward and fleeting gain. The other blesses him in the name of El Elyon—God Most High.This mysterious priest-king, Melchizedek, brings bread and wine, speaks blessing, and points Abram back to the promises of God. Hebrews 7 later reveals that Melchizedek is not just a historical figure—but a powerful signpost pointing forward to Jesus Christ, our eternal King and Priest.In this message, we explore:Why resting in what God has said is essential to faithful livingHow righteousness, peace, and blessing flow from wholehearted allegiance to GodThe contrast between living by sight (Lot) and living by faith (Abram)Why Jesus is the better Melchizedek—our ultimate rescuer and eternal intercessorBottom Line:When we rest in what God has said, we walk in His key ingredients—righteousness, peace, and blessing—so that we might be a blessing to the nations, just as He created us to be.If you're feeling torn between what you can see and what God has promised, this message invites you to lift your eyes—and your allegiance—to the King who is also our Priest.

In this episode, Carrie sits down with Nathan Clarkson, an actor, author, and podcast host, to talk about how scrupulosity, guilt, and contamination fears shaped his faith and how grace slowly rewrote that story.Episode Highlights:Nathan's early experience with OCD and how it shaped his faithHow contamination OCD and scrupulosity often intertwineWhy OCD creates a distorted, harsh view of GodThe difference between OCD guilt and true convictionWhat it means to accept God's forgiveness—even when it doesn't feel trueHow healing can grow in small, almost unnoticed steps when you walk with God and safe peopleNathan's book I'm the Worsthttps://www.amazon.com/Im-Worst-Freedom-Admitting-Faults/dp/0825449871Connect with Nathan: Instagram: @nathanjclarksonExplore the Empowered Mind: Christian ICBT for OCD: https://carriebock.com/training/ Carrie's services and courses: carriebock.com/services/ carriebock.com/resources/Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/christianfaithandocd/and like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/christianfaithandocd for the latest updates and sneak peeks.

Today's passage is one of the "See For Yourself" passages Chapter 2 of Start Strong: A New Believer's Guide to Christianity. Why do you still feel guilty even after you've apologized and tried to move on? In this episode, Krisan Marotta walks through Romans 1:18–32 to show that guilt is more than a feeling to shake off—it's the real and serious result of rebelling against a holy God. Paul's words expose a pattern of rebellion, death, and wrath that explains why life unravels without God, and why real guilt can only be answered by real forgiveness in Christ. In this week's episode, we explore:Why confusion about sin and guilt is so widespread—even among ChristiansHow Romans 1:18–32 fits into Paul's larger argument about justification by faithWhat it means that God's wrath “is revealed” now, not just on a future Judgment DayHow creation itself leaves us “without excuse” before GodThe repeated pattern Paul traces: rebellion, death, and God “giving them over”Why idolatry begins with what we see, captures our hearts, and then reshapes our bodies and behaviorHow “respectable” sins like gossip, pride, and arrogance reveal the same underlying exchange of truth for a lieWhy God's wrath is not a temper tantrum, but a just decision to hand us over to what we insist on havingHow this bleak diagnosis prepares us to understand and cherish the hope held out in the gospelAfter listening, you'll see guilt in a new light, not as something to ignore or manage, but as a truthful indicator that you need more than a fresh start. You'll come away with a clearer grasp of what Romans 1 teaches about sin, spiritual death, and God's wrath, and you'll be better prepared to understand why the good news of Jesus is not just helpful advice, but the only way out of the prison of sin and death. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer's PodcastStart Strong: A New Believer's Guide to Christianity is available now wherever books are sold.Support the show

We talk about love all the time—but what if most of our confusion, exhaustion, and disappointment comes from starting in the wrong place?In Part 1 of the Love, Actually series, Pastor Talaat McNeely opens 1 John 4:7–12 to reset our understanding of love from the ground up. This message isn't about relationship tips, emotional hype, or trying harder. It's about identifying the true source of love—and what happens when we try to live and love disconnected from it.You'll discover why love was never meant to begin with people, chemistry, compatibility, or effort—and why Scripture insists that love starts with God. Pastor Talaat breaks down how misplaced expectations drain relationships, why good intentions aren't the same as biblical love, and how God defines love through action, sacrifice, and initiative.This episode also challenges a common trap: pouring love from an empty place. Using a powerful unplugged-keyboard illustration, Pastor Talaat shows why burnout, resentment, and emotional fatigue are often signs of disconnection—not failure.In this episode, you'll learn:Why love has a source before it has a standardHow love becomes distorted when it's disconnected from GodThe difference between intention-based love and action-based loveWhy love must be received before it can be reflectedHow reconnection—not guilt—is the pathway to loving well againWhether you're married, single, leading, serving, or simply tired, this message invites you to stop striving and start reconnecting. Love doesn't start with effort. Love doesn't start with relationships. Love starts with God.Key Scripture: 1 John 4:7–12 (NLT)If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who may be feeling worn down or disconnected—and subscribe to The Purpose City Church Podcast for more life-giving messages that help you live with clarity, faith, and purpose.

So many of us grew up believing that God is disappointed in us, angry with us, or waiting to punish us for our mistakes. In this episode, Keana gently unpacks where those beliefs come from — childhood conditioning, religious trauma, guilt, and misinterpreted scripture — and replaces them with the truth of God's character: restorative, compassionate, and deeply loving.Through biblical examples, emotional insight, and trauma‑informed spiritual guidance, this episode helps you release fear‑based theology and step into a relationship with God rooted in safety, intimacy, and grace.

In this episode, we explore the foundational truths about God's goodness, our creation in His image, and what it truly means to live as His beloved children. Walk away with a renewed perspective on identity, grace, and the nature of God's covenant with humanity.Key topics:The significance of Genesis 1:26 and being created in the image of GodThe covenant of a good father rooted in God's nature of kindness and loveHow God's declaration "very good" affirms our worth, regardless of mistakesThe myth of becoming like God and understanding our perfect identity in HimThe contrast between law of stone versus the bread of lifeThe role of shame and the power of God's consistent goodnessThe prophetic promise of Jesus crushing evil and restoring all thingsPractical ways to live confidently in our identity and walk in graceRemember, your true identity is secure in God's goodness—live confidently from that truth!

Episode Notes:Key Takeaways:Jesus is 100% God and 100% human—two complete natures in one personJesus had to be fully God to bear the weight of our sin and fully human to represent us before GodThe incarnation isn't a problem to solve—it's a mystery to worshipScripture References:John 1:1, 14 - "The Word was God... and the Word became flesh"Colossians 2:9 - "In him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily"Hebrews 2:17 - Jesus "had to be made like his brothers in every respect"Philippians 2:6-8 - Jesus took on the form of a servantKey Concepts:The Hypostatic Union: The theological term for Jesus' two natures united in one personWhy Fully God? Only God can bear infinite sin and offer infinite salvationWhy Fully Human? Only a human can represent humanity and be our substituteJesus as Mediator: He bridges the gap between holy God and sinful humanityThis Week's Question to Consider: Do you worship Jesus as fully God? Do you trust him as fully human? Both truths matter for your salvation.Challenge: Thank Jesus this week for being the perfect mediator—fully God to save you, fully human to represent you.Next Week: Why did Jesus have to die? Couldn't God just forgive us?

In Step 8: Messiah, we explore the long-awaited arrival of Jesus, born in humility and destined to bring salvation to humanity. We learn about his ministry, teachings, and miracles, before his eventual rejection by the religious leadership. We discuss the significance of Jesus' death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of humanity, and how it opened the way for righteousness and eternal life.Suggested Readings:Matthew 4:18-24John 3:1-21Matthew 27:29-50Episode Highlights:The historical context of Jesus' arrival after 400 years of silenceJesus' humble beginnings and early signs of divine wisdomThe gathering of disciples and teachings about the Kingdom of GodThe famous conversation with Nicodemus about spiritual rebirthJesus' identity as both Messiah and Son of GodThe significance of the crucifixion as a substitutionary sacrificeSupport the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://bibli...

Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;for he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,born of the house of his servant David.Through his prophets he promised of oldthat he would save us from our enemies,from the hands of all who hate us.He promised to show mercy to our fathersand to remember his holy covenant.This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:to set us free from the hand of our enemies,free to worship him without fear,holy and righteous in his sightall the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,to give his people knowledge of salvationby the forgiveness of their sins.In the tender compassion of our Godthe dawn from on high shall break upon us,to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Tuesday morning, the 23rd of December, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today.We start off in the Book of Isaiah 9:6:“For unto us a Child is born,Unto us a Son is given;And the government will be upon His shoulder.And His name will be calledWonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”Then we go straight to the Gospel of Matthew 1:21:“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”Yes, we are talking about the Prince of Peace, we are talking about the Darling of Heaven. As we approach Christmas Day, the Lord has laid this beautiful song on my heart that I want to read to you. It was written by Mark Lowry, a Gospel singer from America. I am sure you have heard it but I want you to listen very carefully to the words that he has written, because they always bring me to tears every time. This is how it starts:Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?This child that you've delivered will soon deliver youMary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?When you kissed your little baby you've kissed the face of GodThe blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live againThe lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the LambMary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?Did you know that your baby boy is Heaven's perfect Lamb?This sleeping child you're holding is the great 'I Am'Maybe you have listened to this and your heart is touched, and you say, “But Angus, I am really struggling sometimes to believe that that baby is God made flesh, Immanuel.” Well, I want to pray for you.Father,I pray for my dear friend. Maybe she is lonely, maybe he is missing his wife, maybe they are in hospital and they are struggling to believe. Please increase their faith today and let them know about the Babe who was born in Bethlehem, who is soon coming again to take us to be with Him, in glory forever, Amen.Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day,Goodbye.

Authorities say the suspect connected to the Brown and MIT shootings has been found—what we know now and what questions remain. Meanwhile, does Vivek Ramaswamy know what it means to be an American? And finally, Trump signs an executive order reclassifying marijuana. All this and more on the LOOPcast!Timestamps:00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast02:10 Brown and MIT Shooter Found11:03 What is an American?43:31 Good News52:12 The Weed58:40 Twilight Zone1:09:55 Closing PrayerEMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org SUPPORT LOOPCAST: www.loopcast.orgSubscribe to the LOOP today!https://catholicvote.org/getloop   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-loopcast/id1643967065 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08jykZi86H7jKNFLbSesjk?si=ztBTHenFR-6VuegOlklE_w&nd=1&dlsi=bddf79da68c34744 FOLLOW LOOPCast: https://x.com/the_LOOPcast  https://www.instagram.com/the_loopcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@the_loopcast https://www.facebook.com/LOOPcastPodcast Tom: https://x.com/TPogasic Erika: https://x.com/ErikaAhern2  Josh: https://x.com/joshuamercer Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty savior,born of the house of his servant David.Through his holy prophets he promised of oldthat he would save us from our enemies,from the hands of all who hate us.He promised to show mercy to our fathersand to remember his holy covenant forever.This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:to set us free from the hands of our enemies,free to worship him without fear,holy and righteous in his sightall the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,to give his people knowledge of salvationby the forgiveness of their sins.In the tender compassion of our Godthe dawn from on high shall break upon us,to shine on those who dwell in darkness and theshadow of death,and to guide our feet into the way of peace.Luke 1:68-79All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

You're not exhausted because you're failing.You're exhausted because you've been living by a gospel God never wrote.In this episode, Allyson pulls back the curtain on The Pressure Gospel — the silent belief system that convinces high-capacity leaders that exhaustion = obedience, productivity = worthiness, and burnout = holiness.You'll learn:how pressure gets spiritualizedthe hidden rules that run your life without permissionthe signs you're obeying expectations instead of Godthe difference between pressure-driven identity and Spirit-led claritywhat God actually designed through Sabbath, seasons, and sacred restthe four shifts Obedient Rebels make to break free and breathe againIf today's episode stirs something inside you — if you feel God nudging you toward a new way of living — you're not imagining it. This is your invitation into Presence, peace, and alignment.Explore The Obedient Rebel Leadership Intensive:TheObedientRebel.com/leadershipDownload the free Obedient Rebel Way reset:TheObedientRebel.com/way__Key Takeaways:00:00 — Pressure Becomes Your Normal03:12 — Burnout From Self-Made Rules07:45 — Overloaded Nervous System11:30 — The Pressure Gospel Trap15:02 — Duty Replaces Desire18:40 — Peace as Confirmation__Additional Resources:Learn more about Allyson's work:Website: https://allysonchavez.com/Reach out to me on social media:

In this message, Pastor Josh Brown teaches the power of remembering what God has done. Before Israel ever fought a single battle in the Promised Land, God commanded them to build a memorial. Not a weapon. Not a wall. A reminder.From Deuteronomy 6 to Joshua 3–4, we see that God takes remembrance seriously because gratitude grows wherever remembrance is planted.Israel was always tempted to forget God's faithfulness—and so are we. But when we stack stones (moments, memories, and testimonies), we anchor our gratitude and strengthen our faith for what's ahead.Topics in today's message include:Why God told Israel, “Be careful not to forget.”Crossing the Jordan at flood stageThe meaning of the twelve memorial stonesGod's Presence, Precepts, Provision, Power, and PositioningHow to “stack stones” in your own lifeWhy regret cannot define your futureHow nostalgia can become an idolDeveloping your personal story with GodThe testimony that shapes generationsKey Line:“Gratitude grows wherever remembrance is planted.”Let this message call you back to remembering the faithfulness of God—and let it move you into the future with confidence and gratitude.#OverflowChurch #PastorJoshBrown #PracticeOfGratitude #StackingStones #Joshua4 #Deuteronomy6 #Remember #Testimony #ChristianSermon #GratitudeSupport the show

Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a textPsalm 110 doesn't mention a manger, shepherds, or angels. Yet it gives us one of the clearest pictures of who the baby in Bethlehem really is: the eternal King and Priest who will rule over all and bring His people back to God. In this Christmas episode, we trace how Psalm 110 reveals the identity and mission of the Messiah and how the New Testament writers apply this ancient psalm directly to Jesus. In this week's episode, we explore:Why it matters that Psalm 110 is “a Psalm of David” and how Jesus Himself uses that authorship to reveal the Messiah's greatness What it means for the Messiah to sit at God's right hand and how that image explains the authority and scope of His reignHow the promise that enemies will become a “footstool” points to a final, decisive victory over all evil and opposition to GodThe surprising declaration that the Messiah is “a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” and why that matters more than the Levitical priesthoodHow Matthew 22, Acts 2, and 1 Corinthians 15 each reach back to Psalm 110 to identify Jesus as David's Lord, God's chosen King, and our eternal Priest What Psalm 110 adds to our understanding of Christmas: not just the birth of a child, but the arrival of the One who will rule, judge, and reconcile foreverAfter listening, you'll come away with a clearer, richer vision of who Jesus is at Christmas, not only the promised son of David, but the greater Lord whom David himself calls “my Lord.” You'll see how Psalm 110 anchors the Christmas story in God's larger purpose: a reigning King, a forever Priest, and a sure promise that history is moving toward the day when every enemy is subdued and God's people stand secure in His kingdom.Series: Christmas Start Strong: A New Believer's Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.  

Click here to send Ryan a text message!Episode #375Ryan and his wife Bruna interview top international Music Producer, Elivelton Horst. They discuss how faith, authenticity, and purpose transform not just music, but work, calling, and daily living. Whether you're a musician, stay-at-home parent, or a working professional, these lessons will inspire you to live for God's glory every day.Discover how authenticity, identity, and spiritual foundation are key to a lasting impact in music, ministry and life. Connect with Elivelton Horst: YouTube, InstagramMore from this episode: the importance of having a personal relationship with Godthe differences between the music industry in Brazil and the United Statesvaluable advice for anyone seeking to use their talents for God's glory (not only musicians and worship leaders)Elivelton produced Bruna's most recent CD (check it out here: Vou Avançar full CD with Lyrics and Backing Tracks with Lyrics full CD).Watch this episode on YouTubePORTUGUESE:Ryan e sua esposa Bruna entrevistam o renomado produtor musical internacional Elivelton Horst. Eles discutem como fé, autenticidade e propósito transformam não apenas a música, mas também o trabalho, a vocação e a vida diária.Seja você músico, pai ou mãe que fica em casa cuidando dos filhos ou um profissional atuante, essas lições o inspirarão a viver para a glória de Deus todos os dias.Descubra como autenticidade, identidade e alicerce espiritual são essenciais para um impacto duradouro na música, no ministério e na vida.Conecte-se com Elivelton Horst:  YouTube, InstagramMais deste episódio:a importância de ter um relacionamento pessoal com Deusas diferenças entre a indústria musical no Brasil e nos Estados Unidosconselhos valiosos para qualquer pessoa que busque usar seus talentos para a glória de Deus (não apenas músicos e líderes de louvor)Elivelton produziu o CD mais recente de Bruna (confira aqui: Vou Avançar CD Completo com Letra e Playback com Letra CD Completo).Assista este episódio no YouTubeSupport the show

Six years ago, Joel Settecase published a provocative article titled “30 Questions to Ask Atheists, Agnostics & Skeptics.” Now, for the first time, someone has answered them—publicly. In this episode of The Think Institute Thursday, Joel reads and responds to a detailed blog post by atheist writer Dalbert from Daily Kos, who attempted to take on all 30 questions point-by-point.Using a presuppositional apologetics approach, Joel doesn't just refute Dalbert's responses—he exposes the underlying assumptions and demonstrates how only the Christian worldview can account for reason, truth, and morality. This episode is a masterclass in how to lovingly and logically engage with unbelief.What you'll learn:How atheists answer worldview challenges—and where their logic breaks downWhy morality, logic, and truth can't exist without GodThe key difference between presuppositional and evidential apologeticsHow to use questions to lead unbelievers toward gospel truthReferenced articles:The Original 30 QuestionsDalbert's Response on Daily KosSupport the mission:Join the Hammer & Anvil Society — thethink.institute/societyPartner with The Think Institute — thethink.institute/partnerSubscribe for more weekly content on worldview, theology, and apologetics.

In a world fascinated by the paranormal, TV shows, and “psychic investigators,” many believe psychics can help law enforcement find missing persons or solve crimes. But what's really happening in the unseen realm?In this compelling and heartfelt discussion, former psychic medium Jenn Nizza and Pastor Samuel Farag dig deep into the spiritual deception behind psychic investigations. They explore:Why some psychics seem to give accurate information — and where it truly comes fromHow demons use partial truths to lead people away from GodThe tragic story of Sylvia Browne and Amanda Berry's motherWhy turning to psychics during times of grief only opens the door to destructionWhat the Bible teaches about spiritual warfare and trusting God in uncertaintyWhether you've ever considered seeing a psychic, or you simply want to understand the truth about the spiritual world, this episode offers biblical clarity, compassion, and truth.FOLLOW JENN NIZZA:- Follow Jenn on Instagram- Follow Jenn on TikTok- Follow Jenn on YouTube- Get Jenn's books