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When the morning darkness weighs heavy and your soul feels distant from joy, Psalm 42 offers a sacred strategy: remember. In this episode, we dive into what it means to stir up your soul with truth when your heart feels downcast. From spiritual amnesia to determined hope, you'll discover how recalling God's past faithfulness can ignite light in your present darkness—and anchor you in unshakeable peace. What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why spiritual discouragement often greets us in the morning—and how to face it How to follow the psalmist’s example of confronting feelings with truth The power of remembering God's past faithfulness in dark moments Practical ways to stir your soul toward praise and hope Why praising God in advance shifts your mindset and renews your strength

Psalm 42 1As a deer pants for flowing streams,    so pants my soul for you, O God.2 My soul thirsts for God,    for the living God.When shall I come and appear before God?3 My tears have been my food    day and night,while they say to me all the day long,    “Where is your God?”4 These things I remember,    as I pour out my soul:how I would go with the throng    and lead them in procession to the house of Godwith glad shouts and songs of praise,    a multitude keeping festival. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,    and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,    my salvation 6 and my God. My soul is cast down within me;    therefore I remember youfrom the land of Jordan and of Hermon,    from Mount Mizar.7 Deep calls to deep    at the roar of your waterfalls;all your breakers and your waves    have gone over me.8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,    and at night his song is with me,    a prayer to the God of my life.9 I say to God, my rock:    “Why have you forgotten me?Why do I go mourning    because of the oppression of the enemy?”10 As with a deadly wound in my bones,    my adversaries taunt me,while they say to me all the day long,    “Where is your God?” 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,    and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,    my salvation and my God.

14Therefore theLord himself will give you a sign.Behold, thevirgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his nameImmanuel. Isaiah 7:14 The Birth of Jesus Christ 18Now the birth ofJesus Christ[a]took place in this way.When his mother Mary had been betrothed[b]to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with childfrom the Holy Spirit.19And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwillingto put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.20But as he considered these things, behold,an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.21She will bear a son, andyou shall call his name Jesus,for he will save his people from their sins.22All this took placeto fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and they shall call his nameImmanuel (which means, Godwith us).24When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,25but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. Andhe called his name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25

PreludeWelcome & News of the ChurchCall to WorshipOpening Hymn - (#525) "Now Thank We All Our God"Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Presentation and PrayersPraise SongsConfession, Assurance, and Gloria PatriChoral AnthemSermon - "Stewards of God's Grace" (I Peter 4:1–11) - by Rev. Jason GrifficeHymn of Response - (#458) "Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated"Receiving of Our Tithes and OfferingsOffertory - "Another Time & Another Place" by Gary Driskell - PCC Praise BandDoxologyPrayers of the PeopleClosing Hymn - (#459) "All For Jesus"BenedictionPostludeNow Thank We All Our GodNow thank we all our GodWith hearts and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who, from our mothers' arms, Hath blessed us on our wayWith countless gifts of love, And still is ours today. O may this bounteous GodThrough all our life be near us, With ever joyful heartsAnd blessed peace to cheer usAnd keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all illsIn this world and the next. All praise and thanks to GodThe Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reignsWith them in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be ever more. Amen. Take My Life and Let It Be ConsecratedTake my life and let it beConsecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my hands and let the moveAt the impulse of Thy love, At the impulse of Thy love. Take my feet and let them beSwift and beautiful for Thee; Take my voice and let me singAlways, only, for my King, Always, only for my King. Take my lips and let them beFilled with messages for Thee; Take my silver and my gold, Not a mite would I withhold, Not a mite would I withhold. Take my love, my God, I pourAt Thy feet its treasure store; Take myself and I will beEver, only, all for Thee, Ever, only, all for Thee. All For JesusAll for Jesus, all for Jesus! All my being's ransomed powers: All my thoughts and words and doings, All my days and all my hours: All for Jesus! all for Jesus! All my days and all my hours; All for Jesus! all for Jesus! All my days and all my hours; Let my hands perform His bidding, Let my feet run in His ways; Let my eyes see Jesus only, Let my lips speak forth His praise: All for Jesus! all for Jesus! Let my lips speak forth His praise; All for Jesus! all for Jesus! Let my lips speak forth His praise. Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus, I've lost sight of all beside, So enrapt my spirit's vision, Looking at the Crucified: All for Jesus! all for Jesus! Looking at the Crucified; All for Jesus! all for Jesus! Looking at the Crucified. O what wonder! how amazing! Jesus, glorious King of kings, Deigns to call me his beloved, Lets me rest beneath His wings: All for Jesus! all for Jesus! Lets me rest beneath His wings; All for Jesus! all for Jesus! Lets me rest beneath His wings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PreludeWelcome & News of the ChurchCall to WorshipOpening Hymn - (#381) "All People That on Earth Do Dwell"Praise SongsConfession, Assurance, and Gloria PatriChoral AnthemSermon - "Enter God's Gates" (Psalm 100) - by Rev. Jason GrifficeHymn of Response - (#525) "Now Thank We All Our God" (verses 1 & 2)OffertoryDoxologyPastoral PrayerClosing Hymn - (#349) "O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing"BenedictionPostludeAll People That on Earth Do DwellAll people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice; Him serve with mirth, His praise forth tell, Come ye before Him and rejoice. Know that the Lord is God indeed: Without our aid He did us make; We are His folk, He doth us feed, And for His sheep He doth us take. O enter then His gates with praise, Approach with joy His courts unto; Praise, laud, and bless His name always, For it is seemly so to do. For why? the Lord our God is good, His mercy is forever sure; His truth at all times firmly stood, And shall from age to age endure. Amen. Now Thank We All Our GodNow thank we all our GodWith hearts and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who, from our mothers' arms, Hath blessed us on our wayWith countless gifts of love, And still is ours today. O may this bounteous GodThrough all our life be near us, With ever joyful heartsAnd blessed peace to cheer usAnd keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all illsIn this world and the next. O For A Thousand Tongues to SingO for a thousand tongues to singMy great Redeemer's praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace!My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the earth abroadThe honors of Thy name. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease, 'Tis music in the sinner's ears, 'Tis life and health and peace. He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me. Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb, Your loosened tongues employ; Ye blind, behold your Savior come; And leap, ye lame, for joy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reading 1 Acts 2:14, 22-33 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,raised his voice, and proclaimed:"You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem.Let this be known to you, and listen to my words.You who are Israelites, hear these words.Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by Godwith mighty deeds, wonders, and signs,which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God,you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death,because it was impossible for him to be held by it.For David says of him:I saw the Lord ever before me,with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted;my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.You have made known to me the paths of life;you will fill me with joy in your presence."My brothers, one can confidently say to youabout the patriarch David that he died and was buried,and his tomb is in our midst to this day.But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to himthat he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,that neither was he abandoned to the netherworldnor did his flesh see corruption.God raised this Jesus;of this we are all witnesses.Exalted at the right hand of God,he received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Fatherand poured him forth, as you see and hear."Reading 2 1 Pt 1:17-21 Beloved:If you invoke as Father him who judges impartiallyaccording to each one's works,conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning,realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct,handed on by your ancestors,not with perishable things like silver or goldbut with the precious blood of Christas of a spotless unblemished lamb.He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you,who through him believe in Godwho raised him from the dead and gave him glory,so that your faith and hope are in God.Gospel Lk 24:13-35 That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus' disciples were goingto a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?"They stopped, looking downcast.One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,"Are you the only visitor to Jerusalemwho does not know of the thingsthat have taken place there in these days?"And he replied to them, "What sort of things?"They said to him, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,who was a prophet mighty in deed and wordbefore God and all the people,how our chief priests and rulers both handed him overto a sentence of death and crucified him.But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;and besides all this,it is now the third day since this took place.Some women from our group, however, have astounded us:they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body;they came back and reportedthat they had indeed seen a vision of angelswho announced that he was alive.Then some of those with us went to the tomband found things just as the women had described,but him they did not see."And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are!How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these thingsand enter into his glory?"Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,he interpreted to them what referred to himin all the Scriptures.As they approached the village to which they were going,he gave the impression that he was going on farther.But they urged him, "Stay with us,for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over."So he went in to stay with them.And it happened that, while he was with them at table,he took bread, said the blessing,broke it, and gave it to them.With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,but he vanished from their sight.Then they said to each other,"Were not our hearts burning within uswhile he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?"So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalemwhere they found gathered togetherthe eleven and those with them who were saying,"The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!"Then the two recounted what had taken place on the wayand how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

To support the ministry and get access to exclusive content, go to: http://patreon.com/logicalbiblestudy Matthew 1: 18-24 - 'How Jesus Christ came to be born.' Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs: - 497 (in 'Mary's Virginity') - The gospel accounts understand the virginal conception of Jesus as a divine work that surpasses all human understanding and possibility: “That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit,” said the angel to Joseph about Mary his fiancée. The Church sees here the fulfillment of the divine promise given through the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son.” - 333 (in 'Christ with all his angels') - They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, strengthen him in his agony in the garden, when he could have been saved by them from the hands of his enemies as Israel had been (abbreviated) - 437 (in 'Christ') - God called Joseph to “take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit,” so that Jesus, “who is called Christ,” should be born of Joseph's spouse into the messianic lineage of David (abbreviated) - 486 (in 'Who was Conceived by the Holy Spirit') - The Father's only Son, conceived as man in the womb of the Virgin Mary, is “Christ,” that is to say, anointed by the Holy Spirit, from the beginning of his human existence, though the manifestation of this fact takes place only progressively: to the shepherds, to the magi, to John the Baptist, to the disciples (abbreviated) - 430 (in 'Jesus') - Jesus means in Hebrew: “God saves" (abbreviated) - 452 (in 'The Only Son of God') - The name Jesus means “God saves.” The child born of the Virgin Mary is called Jesus, “for he will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21): “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). - 1507 (in 'Heal the Sick') - The risen Lord renews this mission (“In my name . . . they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” and confirms it through the signs that the Church performs by invoking his name. These signs demonstrate in a special way that Jesus is truly “God who saves.” - 1846 (in 'Mercy and Sin') - The Gospel is the revelation in Jesus Christ of God's mercy to sinners. The angel announced to Joseph: “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (abbreviated) - 2666 (in 'Prayer to Jesus') - But the one name that contains everything is the one that the Son of God received in his incarnation: Jesus. The divine name may not be spoken by human lips, but by assuming our humanity. The Word of God hands it over to us and we can invoke it: “Jesus,” “YHWH saves" (abbreviated) - 2812 (in 'Hallowed be Thy Name') - Finally, in Jesus the name of the Holy God is revealed and given to us, in the flesh, as Savior, revealed by what he is, by his word, and by his sacrifice (abbreviated) - 744 (in 'The Spirit & the Church in the Last Days') - In the fullness of time the Holy Spirit completes in Mary all the preparations for Christ's coming among the People of God. By the action of the Holy Spirit in her, the Father gives the world Emmanuel, “Godwith-us” (Mt 1:23). Got a Bible question? Send an email to logicalbiblestudy@gmail.com, and it will be answered in an upcoming episode! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daily-gospel-exegesis/message

How do I trust Godwith my finances? | Pastor Andric Daugherty

PreludeWelcome & News of the ChurchCall to WorshipHymn of Praise - (#468) "Be Thou My Vision"Message for Children & YouthPraise SongsConfession & Assurance, led by Rev. Sharon YagerlenerGloria PatriSpecial Music - "We Sing Alleluia" by Harrah/Schrader - Micah Wright, piano; Cornel Radulescu, organSermon - "Moses Settled in Midian" (Exodus 2:11-22)Hymn of Response - (#525) "Now Thank We All Our God" (verses 1 & 2)OffertoryDoxologyPrayers of the People, led by Amy Hemseri-SabalaSending Hymn - (#337) "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" (verses 1, 2, & 3)BenedictionPostludeIf you'd like to send tithes or offerings by mail, please usePresbyterian Church of the CovenantP.O. Box 2128Costa Mesa, CA 92628Be Thou My VisionBe Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art—Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father, I Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one. Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise, Thou mine inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art. High King of heaven, my victory won, May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all. Amen. Now Thank We All Our GodNow thank we all our GodWith hearts and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who, from our mothers' arms, Hath blessed us on our wayWith countless gifts of love, And still is ours today. O may this bounteous GodThrough all our life be near us, With ever joyful heartsAnd blessed peace to cheer usAnd keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all illsIn this world and the next. Amen. Praise to the Lord, the AlmightyPraise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation! All ye who hear, Now to His temple draw near; Join me in glad adoration! Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth, Shelters thee under His wings, yes, so gently sustaineth! Has thou not seen How all thy longings have been Granted in what He ordaineth?Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee; Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee. Ponder anew What the Almighty can do, If with His love He befriend thee. Amen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Test what you've learned so far as Pastor Jeff Cranston and Jen Denton take a break from the series “33 Things that Happen at the Moment of Salvation” to give us a refreshing 18-item quiz! Jump in to test your knowledge of salvation![00:01 - 04:38] Opening SegmentListener review from SarahToday's quiz on salvationPrize for getting all questions correct[04:38 - 21:34] Doctrine of Salvation Quiz: True or FalseAfter Adam and Eve fell into sin, God immediately determined He would save sinners.God's work of salvation depends upon the 3 persons of the Trinity.Every person has been born a sinner except Jesus.Every person born, except Jesus, needs to be saved from the wrath of GodWith sufficient time and effort, we can make ourselves worthy so God would save us from his wrath.Because God is love, every sinner will be saved from his wrath.A sinner must pray the sinner's prayer to be saved.Persuading the sinner to believe the good news, is primarily the work of the preacher.A sinner must repent of their sins to be saved.Saving faith can be lost if the sinner commits grievous sins.For God to justify sinners, His just wrath against them must be satisfied.Sinners are justified when they believe.Those who believe are adopted by God and become His children.After sinners are reborn and justified, the spirit continues to work within them to make them like Christ.Becoming holy is a matter of letting go of all effort, and letting the spirit do his work within.The presence of the holy spirit producing Christ-likeness within believers means it is possible for them to become perfectly righteous in this life.The act of baptism is a guarantee of the believers' final salvation. God's work of salvation will be completed when Christ comes again and all believers receive the resurrection bodies. [21:35 - 24:33] Closing SegmentFind out more about today's quiz by Tim Challies at www.challies.com.Final wordsBible Verses Mentioned:Ephesians 1:3-14Romans 3:23Ephesians 2Matthew 25John 1:12Ephesians 42 Corinthians Join the ConversationWe love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.org.Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranstonRemember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

Call to Worship - Jude 24-2524 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.Sermon - Psalm 421 As a deer pants for flowing streams,    so pants my soul for you, O God.2 My soul thirsts for God,    for the living God.When shall I come and appear before God?3 My tears have been my food    day and night,while they say to me all the day long,    “Where is your God?”4 These things I remember,    as I pour out my soul:how I would go with the throng    and lead them in procession to the house of Godwith glad shouts and songs of praise,    a multitude keeping festival.5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,    and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,    my salvation 6 and my God.My soul is cast down within me;    therefore I remember youfrom the land of Jordan and of Hermon,    from Mount Mizar.7 Deep calls to deep    at the roar of your waterfalls;all your breakers and your waves    have gone over me.8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,    and at night his song is with me,    a prayer to the God of my life.9 I say to God, my rock:    “Why have you forgotten me?Why do I go mourning    because of the oppression of the enemy?”10 As with a deadly wound in my bones,    my adversaries taunt me,while they say to me all the day long,    “Where is your God?”11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,    and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,    my salvation and my God.

Hope in the Hopeless - Ezekiel 37:1-10Sometimes the questions of faith seem impossibleThe answer to every impossible question of faith lies in the person and power of GodTo see God do the impossible, we must do our part to make the impossible possibleActivity does not equal life or God's SpiritLife only comes through the Spirit of GodWith the Spirit of God comes a promise

Matthew 1 (ESV) 1The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,the son of David,the son of Abraham. 2Abraham was the father of Isaac, andIsaac the father of Jacob, andJacob the father of Judah and his brothers,3andJudah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,4and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon,5and Salmon the father of Boaz byRahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,6andJesse the father of David the king. AndDavid was the father of Solomon bythe wife of Uriah,7andSolomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph,8and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,and Joram the father of Uzziah,9and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,10and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos,and Amos the father of Josiah,11andJosiah the father ofJechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. 12And after the deportation to Babylon:Jechoniah was the father ofShealtiel,andShealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,13and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor,14and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud,15and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob,16and Jacob the father ofJoseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 17So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon tothe Christ fourteen generations. 18Now the birth ofJesus Christtook place in this way.When his mother Mary had been betrothedto Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with childfrom the Holy Spirit.19And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwillingto put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.20But as he considered these things, behold,an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.21She will bear a son, andyou shall call his name Jesus,for he will save his people from their sins.22All this took placeto fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and they shall call his nameImmanuel (which means, Godwith us).24When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,25but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. Andhe called his name Jesus.

In today’s episode, we look at questions 3, 4 and 5 of the Heidelberg Catechism. 3. Q. From where do you knowyour sins and misery?A. From the law of God.4. Q. What does God’s law require of us?A. Christ teaches us this in a summary in Matthew 22:Love the Lord your Godwith all your heartand with all your souland with all your mind.1This is the first and greatest commandment.And the second is like it:Love your neighbor as yourself.All the Law and the Prophets hang on thesetwo commandments.5. Q. Can you keep all this perfectly?A. No,1 I am inclined by natureto hate God and my neighbor. And for our word of the day, we consider those for whom laws of God are not valued as they should be… Resources: Heidelberg Catechism

To support the ministry and get access to exclusive content, go to: http://patreon.com/logicalbiblestudy Matthew 1: 18-22 - 'How Jesus Christ came to be born.' Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs: - 497 (in 'Mary's Virginity') - The gospel accounts understand the virginal conception of Jesus as a divine work that surpasses all human understanding and possibility: “That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit,” said the angel to Joseph about Mary his fiancée. The Church sees here the fulfillment of the divine promise given through the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son.” - 333 (in 'Christ with all his angels') - They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, strengthen him in his agony in the garden, when he could have been saved by them from the hands of his enemies as Israel had been (abbreviated) - 437 (in 'Christ') - God called Joseph to “take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit,” so that Jesus, “who is called Christ,” should be born of Joseph’s spouse into the messianic lineage of David (abbreviated) - 486 (in 'Who was Conceived by the Holy Spirit') - The Father’s only Son, conceived as man in the womb of the Virgin Mary, is “Christ,” that is to say, anointed by the Holy Spirit, from the beginning of his human existence, though the manifestation of this fact takes place only progressively: to the shepherds, to the magi, to John the Baptist, to the disciples (abbreviated) - 430 (in 'Jesus') - Jesus means in Hebrew: “God saves" (abbreviated) - 452 (in 'The Only Son of God') - The name Jesus means “God saves.” The child born of the Virgin Mary is called Jesus, “for he will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21): “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). - 1507 (in 'Heal the Sick') - The risen Lord renews this mission (“In my name . . . they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” and confirms it through the signs that the Church performs by invoking his name. These signs demonstrate in a special way that Jesus is truly “God who saves.” - 1846 (in 'Mercy and Sin') - The Gospel is the revelation in Jesus Christ of God’s mercy to sinners. The angel announced to Joseph: “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (abbreviated) - 2666 (in 'Prayer to Jesus') - But the one name that contains everything is the one that the Son of God received in his incarnation: Jesus. The divine name may not be spoken by human lips, but by assuming our humanity. The Word of God hands it over to us and we can invoke it: “Jesus,” “YHWH saves" (abbreviated) - 2812 (in 'Hallowed be Thy Name') - Finally, in Jesus the name of the Holy God is revealed and given to us, in the flesh, as Savior, revealed by what he is, by his word, and by his sacrifice (abbreviated) - 744 (in 'The Spirit & the Church in the Last Days') - In the fullness of time the Holy Spirit completes in Mary all the preparations for Christ’s coming among the People of God. By the action of the Holy Spirit in her, the Father gives the world Emmanuel, “Godwith-us” (Mt 1:23). Got a Bible question? Send an email to logicalbiblestudy@gmail.com, and it will be answered in an upcoming episode! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daily-gospel-exegesis/message

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:15

♦ Connect!I'd love to say hey; follow me over on Twitter. re-verse has a page as well.Want to show the show some quick love? Thank you! You can buy me a coffee here.Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!♥ This week's episode: DownwardPsalm 42ESV:As a deer pants for flowing streams,so pants my soul for you, O God.My soul thirsts for God,for the living God.When shall I come and appear before God?My tears have been my foodday and night,while they say to me all the day long,“Where is your God?”These things I remember,as I pour out my soul:how I would go with the throngand lead them in procession to the house of Godwith glad shouts and songs of praise,a multitude keeping festival.Why are you cast down, O my soul,and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,my salvation and my God.My soul is cast down within me;therefore I remember youfrom the land of Jordan and of Hermon,from Mount Mizar.Deep calls to deepat the roar of your waterfalls;all your breakers and your waveshave gone over me.By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,and at night his song is with me,a prayer to the God of my life.I say to God, my rock:“Why have you forgotten me?Why do I go mourningbecause of the oppression of the enemy?”As with a deadly wound in my bones,my adversaries taunt me,while they say to me all the day long,“Where is your God?”Why are you cast down, O my soul,and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,my salvation and my God.♠ re-versere-verse is a collection of music driven scripture readings. Episode photo by Pratik Patel on Unsplash.♣ Undertowre-verse is part of The Undertow Podcast Network. 

My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof,12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.~Proverbs 3:11-12 (ESV)Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.~Proverbs 22:6Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,2 for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.3 When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,4 he taught me and said to me,“Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.~Proverbs 4:1-4“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your Godwith all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that Icommand you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to yourchildren, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way,and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand,and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorpostsof your house and on your gates.~Deuteronomy 6:4-8Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.~Proverbs 29:17Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.~Proverbs 19:18Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.~Proverbs 13:24Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.~Proverbs 22:15Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.14 If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.~Proverbs 23:13-14The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.~Proverbs 29:15My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.~Proverbs 23:26

Keith from Coming Storm Ministry talks about how to honor Godwith our Talents. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Third Sunday of EasterLectionary: 46 Reading 1 ACTS 2:14, 22-33 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,raised his voice, and proclaimed:“You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem.Let this be known to you, and listen to my words.You who are Israelites, hear these words.Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by Godwith mighty deeds, wonders, and signs,which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God,you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death,because it was impossible for him to be held by it.For David says of him:I saw the Lord ever before me,with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted;my flesh, too, will dwell in hope,because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.You have made known to me the paths of life;you will fill me with joy in your presence. “My brothers, one can confidently say to youabout the patriarch David that he died and was buried,and his tomb is in our midst to this day.But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to himthat he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,that neither was he abandoned to the netherworldnor did his flesh see corruption.God raised this Jesus;of this we are all witnesses.Exalted at the right hand of God,he received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Fatherand poured him forth, as you see and hear.” Responsorial Psalm PS 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 R. (11a) Lord, you will show us the path of life.or:R. Alleluia.Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,you it is who hold fast my lot.R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.or:R. Alleluia.I bless the LORD who counsels me;even in the night my heart exhorts me.I set the LORD ever before me;with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.or:R. Alleluia.Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,my body, too, abides in confidence;because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.or:R. Alleluia.You will show me the path to life,abounding joy in your presence,the delights at your right hand forever.R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.or:R. Alleluia. Reading 2 1 PT 1:17-21 Beloved:If you invoke as Father him who judges impartiallyaccording to each one’s works,conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning,realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct,handed on by your ancestors,not with perishable things like silver or goldbut with the precious blood of Christas of a spotless unblemished lamb. He was known before the foundation of the worldbut revealed in the final time for you,who through him believe in Godwho raised him from the dead and gave him glory,so that your faith and hope are in God. Alleluia LK 24:32 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us;make our hearts burn while you speak to us.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel LK 24:13-35 That very day, the first day of the week,two of Jesus’ disciples were goingto a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.He asked them,“What are you discussing as you walk along?”They stopped, looking downcast.One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalemwho does not know of the thingsthat have taken place there in these days?”And he replied to them, “What sort of things?”They said to him,“The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,who was a prophet mighty in deed and wordbefore God and all the people,how our chief priests and rulers both handed him overto a sentence of death and crucified him.But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;and besides all this,it is now the third day since this took place.Some women from our group, however, have astounded us:they were at the tomb early in the morningand did not find his body;they came back and reportedthat they had indeed seen a vision of angelswho announced that he was alive.Then some of those with us went to the tomband found things just as the women had described,but him they did not see.”And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are!How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these thingsand enter into his glory?”Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,he interpreted to them what referred to himin all the Scriptures.As they approached the village to which they were going,he gave the impression that he was going on farther.But they urged him, “Stay with us,for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”So he went in to stay with them.And it happened that, while he was with them at table,he took bread, said the blessing,broke it, and gave it to them.With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,but he vanished from their sight.Then they said to each other,“Were not our hearts burning within uswhile he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalemwhere they found gathered togetherthe eleven and those with them who were saying,“The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”Then the two recountedwhat had taken place on the wayand how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

Reading 1 ACTS 2:14, 22-33 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,raised his voice, and proclaimed:“You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem.Let this be known to you, and listen to my words.You who are Israelites, hear these words.Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by Godwith mighty deeds, wonders, and signs,which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God,you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death,because it was impossible for him to be held by it.For David says of him:I saw the Lord ever before me,with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted;my flesh, too, will dwell in hope,because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.You have made known to me the paths of life;you will fill me with joy in your presence. “My brothers, one can confidently say to youabout the patriarch David that he died and was buried,and his tomb is in our midst to this day.But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to himthat he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,that neither was he abandoned to the netherworldnor did his flesh see corruption.God raised this Jesus;of this we are all witnesses.Exalted at the right hand of God,he received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Fatherand poured him forth, as you see and hear.”Reading 2 - 1 PT 1:17-21 Beloved:If you invoke as Father him who judges impartiallyaccording to each one’s works,conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning,realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct,handed on by your ancestors,not with perishable things like silver or goldbut with the precious blood of Christas of a spotless unblemished lamb. He was known before the foundation of the worldbut revealed in the final time for you,who through him believe in Godwho raised him from the dead and gave him glory,so that your faith and hope are in God.Gospel LK 24:13-35 That very day, the first day of the week,two of Jesus’ disciples were goingto a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.He asked them,“What are you discussing as you walk along?”They stopped, looking downcast.One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalemwho does not know of the thingsthat have taken place there in these days?”And he replied to them, “What sort of things?”They said to him,“The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,who was a prophet mighty in deed and wordbefore God and all the people,how our chief priests and rulers both handed him overto a sentence of death and crucified him.But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;and besides all this,it is now the third day since this took place.Some women from our group, however, have astounded us:they were at the tomb early in the morningand did not find his body;they came back and reportedthat they had indeed seen a vision of angelswho announced that he was alive.Then some of those with us went to the tomband found things just as the women had described,but him they did not see.”And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are!How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these thingsand enter into his glory?”Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,he interpreted to them what referred to himin all the Scriptures.As they approached the village to which they were going,he gave the impression that he was going on farther.But they urged him, “Stay with us,for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”So he went in to stay with them.And it happened that, while he was with them at table,he took bread, said the blessing,broke it, and gave it to them.With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,but he vanished from their sight.Then they said to each other,“Were not our hearts burning within uswhile he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalemwhere they found gathered togetherthe eleven and those with them who were saying,“The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”Then the two recountedwhat had taken place on the wayand how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

In this episode, we have invited pastor & Biblical counselor, Dewey Harris to join us Behind the Mike.Dewey offers hope to those who are struggling with depression through a biblical perspective. Having experienced anxiety and depression throughout his childhood, and with it all culminating in his college years, Dewey understands the struggles well.Some of the references from Dewey in this podcast for help:Christian Counseling Education FoundationBiblical CounselingFindlay Evangelical Free Church-----------------------------------------------Quote from Martin Luther:“Feelings come and feelings go,And feelings are deceiving;My warrant is the Word of God--Naught else is worth believing.Though all my heart should feel condemnedFor want of some sweet token,There is One greater than my heartWhose Word cannot be broken.I'll trust in God's unchanging WordTill soul and body sever,For, though all things shall pass away,HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!”― Martin Luther-------------------------------------------------Psalm 42 reference from David:1 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.When shall I come and appear before God?3 My tears have been my food day and night,while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of Godwith glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation 6 and my God.My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember youfrom the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.7 Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls;all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.9 I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me?Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”10 As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me,while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Matthew 1: 18-24 - 'How Jesus Christ came to be born.' CCC Passages: - 497 (in 'Mary's Virginity') - The gospel accounts understand the virginal conception of Jesus as a divine work that surpasses all human understanding and possibility: “That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit,” said the angel to Joseph about Mary his fiancée. The Church sees here the fulfillment of the divine promise given through the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son.”) - 333 (in 'Christ with all his angels') - They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, strengthen him in his agony in the garden, when he could have been saved by them from the hands of his enemies as Israel had been (abbreviated) - 437 (in 'Christ') - God called Joseph to “take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit,” so that Jesus, “who is called Christ,” should be born of Joseph’s spouse into the messianic lineage of David (abbreviated) - 486 (in 'Who was Conceived by the Holy Spirit') - The Father’s only Son, conceived as man in the womb of the Virgin Mary, is “Christ,” that is to say, anointed by the Holy Spirit, from the beginning of his human existence, though the manifestation of this fact takes place only progressively: to the shepherds, to the magi, to John the Baptist, to the disciples (abbreviated) - 430 (in 'Jesus') - Jesus means in Hebrew: “God saves" (abbreviated) - 452 (in 'The Only Son of God') - The name Jesus means “God saves.” The child born of the Virgin Mary is called Jesus, “for he will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21): “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). - 1507 (in 'Heal the Sick') - The risen Lord renews this mission (“In my name . . . they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” and confirms it through the signs that the Church performs by invoking his name. These signs demonstrate in a special way that Jesus is truly “God who saves.” - 1846 (in 'Mercy and Sin') - The Gospel is the revelation in Jesus Christ of God’s mercy to sinners. The angel announced to Joseph: “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (abbreviated) - 2666 (in 'Prayer to Jesus') - But the one name that contains everything is the one that the Son of God received in his incarnation: Jesus. The divine name may not be spoken by human lips, but by assuming our humanity The Word of God hands it over to us and we can invoke it: “Jesus,” “YHWH saves" (abbreviated) - 2812 (in 'Hallowed be Thy Name') - Finally, in Jesus the name of the Holy God is revealed and given to us, in the flesh, as Savior, revealed by what he is, by his word, and by his sacrifice (abbreviated) - 744 (in 'The Spirit & the Church in the Last Days') - In the fullness of time the Holy Spirit completes in Mary all the preparations for Christ’s coming among the People of God. By the action of the Holy Spirit in her, the Father gives the world Emmanuel, “Godwith-us” (Mt 1:23). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daily-gospel-exegesis/message

Matthew 1: 18-24 - 'How Jesus Christ came to be born.' CCC Passages: - 497 (in 'Mary's Virginity') - The gospel accounts understand the virginal conception of Jesus as a divine work that surpasses all human understanding and possibility: “That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit,” said the angel to Joseph about Mary his fiancée. The Church sees here the fulfillment of the divine promise given through the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son.”) - 333 (in 'Christ with all his angels') - They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, strengthen him in his agony in the garden, when he could have been saved by them from the hands of his enemies as Israel had been (abbreviated) - 437 (in 'Christ') - God called Joseph to “take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit,” so that Jesus, “who is called Christ,” should be born of Joseph’s spouse into the messianic lineage of David (abbreviated) - 486 (in 'Who was Conceived by the Holy Spirit') - The Father’s only Son, conceived as man in the womb of the Virgin Mary, is “Christ,” that is to say, anointed by the Holy Spirit, from the beginning of his human existence, though the manifestation of this fact takes place only progressively: to the shepherds, to the magi, to John the Baptist, to the disciples (abbreviated) - 430 (in 'Jesus') - Jesus means in Hebrew: “God saves" (abbreviated) - 452 (in 'The Only Son of God') - The name Jesus means “God saves.” The child born of the Virgin Mary is called Jesus, “for he will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21): “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). - 1507 (in 'Heal the Sick') - The risen Lord renews this mission (“In my name . . . they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” and confirms it through the signs that the Church performs by invoking his name. These signs demonstrate in a special way that Jesus is truly “God who saves.” - 1846 (in 'Mercy and Sin') - The Gospel is the revelation in Jesus Christ of God’s mercy to sinners. The angel announced to Joseph: “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (abbreviated) - 2666 (in 'Prayer to Jesus') - But the one name that contains everything is the one that the Son of God received in his incarnation: Jesus. The divine name may not be spoken by human lips, but by assuming our humanity The Word of God hands it over to us and we can invoke it: “Jesus,” “YHWH saves" (abbreviated) - 2812 (in 'Hallowed be Thy Name') - Finally, in Jesus the name of the Holy God is revealed and given to us, in the flesh, as Savior, revealed by what he is, by his word, and by his sacrifice (abbreviated) - 744 (in 'The Spirit & the Church in the Last Days') - In the fullness of time the Holy Spirit completes in Mary all the preparations for Christ’s coming among the People of God. By the action of the Holy Spirit in her, the Father gives the world Emmanuel, “Godwith-us” (Mt 1:23). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daily-gospel-exegesis/message

SERMON NOTES Ephesians 2:11-22Without the gift of Christ...I am SEPERATEDI am EXCLUDEDI am HOMELESSI am without HOPEI am without GODWith the Gift of Christ...I have INTIMACY with ChristI have PEACE with GodI am BROUGHT into the PRESENCE of GodI am BUILT UP for the building of the CHURCH. 

When I work with a client who is overcoming addiction, one of the first exercises I have them do is to create an art piece.The three ways we connect are:with Godwith ourselveswith othersCreating something artistic requires all three to be complete.We connect with God in the form of inspired ideas of what we want to createWe connect with ourselves as we take action on those inspired ideas by creating the art pieceWe connect with others as we share our creative workThe triad of connection fulfilled in an authentic way, is the recipe for the antidote to addiction…and the success that takes us beyond fulfilling our base needs.I remember being the room mom in my kids’ elementary school years. One of the most fun parts of the school day was ‘show and tell’. Remember?How cool it would be if we could all use our imagination to create something and then with the eagerness of a first grader, share it with our classmates!We all have the gift of receiving inspiration, and many other spiritual gifts. We just need to develop them. The Daily GPS process is the best way I know to perfect this skill.It takes daily seeking to be inspired on how we best serve, to know where we fit. We can all be instruments in God’s hands, if we only ask who we get to serve. Phil stated that our whole existence is reliant on knowing how we add value to help all of us become One.There is a great sea of knowledge out there, and we cannot know what is relevant to us individually unless we are open to receiving inspired ideas. Then, it’s like a breaching whale, easy to spot. (Thanks Felicia for that imagery)If we will listen, we will receive inspired ideas of how to prepare for the day. Michael, who is a handy-man said sometimes he is prompted to place tools in his van that he doesn’t think is necessary. But at some point during the day, that tool is exactly what is needed.Mary, on the call was grateful that she can receive inspired ideas throughout the day. We can constantly check in and say: “does this feel right?”Our ability to receive inspiration from the highest source requires that we be on the same frequency – like a radio station. If we are in an energy that is out of alignment with God, we may have lots of static that causes us to question what we hear. If we align ourselves with the highest truth, the messages come in loud and clearToday, I Give Myself Permission to Ask and Receive My Inspired MessagesI am enoughI am perfectI am wholeI am completeI am the greatest!I speak loud and proud, the inspired messages I receiveI trust GodI trust my source of inspirationI know, because God knows and I asked Him to tell meI excelI appreciate and enjoy success every day being guided by inspirationMy gift to the world is my show and tell from the heartClick Here for more info on living a life of gratitude.Click Here to find out how to join the Gratitude Call live every weekday morning at 7 am Mountain Time.Click Here to join the “Breakthrough with Gratitude!” Facebook Group. Check out the NEW! Daily GPS Planner. It’s a Gratitude Journal and Planner in one! There is space to write your Inspired Shortcuts, record all your thoughts and impressions from The Daily Gratitude Call and even pages to help you stay focused oSupport the show (https://wylenebenson.com)

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.When shall I come and appear before God?3 My tears have been my food day and night,while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of Godwith glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation 6 and my God.My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember youfrom the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.7 Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls;all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.9 I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me?Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”10 As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me,while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Talk to GodWith correct posture.With gut-level honesty.About everything that matters to you.Continually.And listen for a response. Support the show (https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/477307)

Psalms 42-43To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.42 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.When shall I come and appear before God?3 My tears have been my food day and night,while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of Godwith glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation 6 and my God.My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember youfrom the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.7 Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls;all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.9 I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me?Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”10 As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me,while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.43 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people,from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me!2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me?Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me;let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy,and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

It seems only a short time ago that we welcomed the New Year, 1998. And now, when many of you read this column of 1998, it will be 1999.With all the anxiety in the world as we anticipate the year 2000 It seems we need to stop and listen to the wisdom and music that the little children bring into our world. The message of Christmas from the lips of little children, bring us joy all year long.1999. What thoughts come to your mind? It will be the last year and another century.Recently, I was visiting family in Nebraska and it is always a joy to listen and learn from the grandchildren. Since four-year-old Trevor is now attending Crayola College, he apparently is learning his numbers. On one occasion, his father requested that he go to his room for his timeout. Trevor stood for a few minutes at the foot of the upstairs steps and asked, “Daddy, do I have to stay there 99 years?”An unknown author has written these words:“May you have enough happiness to keep you sweet enough failure to keep you humble. Enough success to keep you eager enough friends to give you comfort, enough faith and courage in yourself, your business, and your country to banish depression. Enough wealth to meet your needs enough determination to make each day better than yesterday.”As the sun sets on the year 1998 our thoughts cross into the new year with hope and optimism. The year 1998 can be a year of reflection, a year of new appreciation of our heritage. Hope is like the door of opportunity, which is open before us this coming year.Thanks dear readers for all those Christmas epistles cards and emails. And one of the Christmas letters received was the following thoughts for the new year. And I will share these prayer thoughts with you:A Prayer for the New YearJust one thing dear Master I ask today,Now that the old year has passed away,And a promising new year through the grace of GodWith all the dreams of youth is mine.Just one thing I ask as I onward go,That I'll walk with you. Not fast nor slow.One thing I ask and nothing moreNot to linger behind nor run before.Oh, Master, this is my only plea.Take hold of my life and pilot me.Helen Kitchen Evans.More warm thoughts: I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. Author unknown.Light tomorrow with today.Elizabeth Barrett Browning.A Happy New Year to you!Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G. WernerJanuary 8th 1999Published in the Marion RecordI hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.- Trina

Psalm 42 (ESV)Why Are You Cast Down, O My Soul?To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.1 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.When shall I come and appear before God?3 My tears have been my food day and night,while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of Godwith glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation 6 and my God.My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember youfrom the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.7 Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls;all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.9 I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me?Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”10 As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me,while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

*****I wrote this about nine months after we lost Grace, when I was miscarrying a baby once again. It's pretty cool to see how God has redeemed our story now -- four healthy living babies later!***** "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him... My heart rejoices in the Lord." - 1 Samuel 1:27 & 2:1 First TrimesterFrom day one, I was blessed with the perfect pregnancy. I got an enormous thrill watching as the lines on those pregnancy tests to which I’d become so addicted got darker and darker each day. I often carried around the latest one in my purse so I could look at it whenever I wanted to smile. Of course, after we got to see an ultrasound of our baby and watch its heartbeat on the monitor for the first time at just six weeks into the pregnancy, I pretty much had a constant smile on my face from then on.I never got any morning sickness, or tiredness, or mood swings, or problems. For the first 12 weeks, I honestly prayed to get nausea, just to have some sign that I was really pregnant! Because of the lack of physical symptoms, we were certain we were having a boy, and picked out a boy name and bedding!Even without symptoms, though, I felt an incredible bond with this baby. I would take long walks outside and pray for it while holding my hand on my belly. At nine weeks, I rented a Doppler, and would listen to the baby’s heartbeat every couple of days, just to reassure me that it was healthy. And I would cry every single time, praising God. That heartbeat was the best sound I had ever heard. I’m sure it can only be topped by the sound of one’s own healthy, living newborn’s cry— a sound I’d gladly give my right arm to hear.Second TrimesterMy belly grew quicker than most—it was pretty obvious even to strangers that I was pregnant at three months. On Mother’s Day I walked into the Sunday school at my church where I volunteered, and one of the four-year-olds came up to me and put her hand on my belly and asked, "Are you having a baby?" I was SHOCKED! I thought it must be some sixth sense kids have, but later that week, a cashier at Whole Foods asked me if I was pregnant too (the same woman later asked me in my third trimester if I was having twins, so clearly she thought I was extra-large the entire time). 15 weeks! We took belly pictures every Sunday. I lived up every little thing about being pregnant! Besides my rapidly expanding abdomen, my first physical sign of pregnancy was a rambunctious flutter of kicks at only 16 weeks. They felt like little q-tips poking me from the inside—it was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I fell completely in love with this little one so utterly dependent on me.I researched everything about how to have a healthy pregnancy and went all-in. Instead of buying pretty maternity clothes, we put our funds into making a more healthy life for our growing baby—we had come so far that we were determined to do this right. I ate 100% organic food, free-range meat, wild-caught seafood. I quit coffee cold-turkey as soon as I found out I was pregnant, and didn’t have even one caffeinated coffee my entire pregnancy. (And if you know me, you know that is a MAJOR sacrifice.) I used only natural cleaners, detergents, and even beauty products. Any possible risk of chemical contact was cut out— I never pumped gas in the car (VOCs), we threw away any plastic we could, and switched from a vinyl shower curtain to a cloth one. We planned for baby’s life outside the womb to be clean too —organic cloth diapers, organic crib mattress, and organic bassinet. We wanted our baby to start out life with a clean slate.A ScareOne Saturday morning, at only 17 weeks, I was surprised to wake up to a rock-hard belly. Poking it, I realized it was doing this at regular intervals every few minutes: hard, soft, hard, soft. Freaked out, I did what any mother would do—went online and searched my symptoms. And of course, I saw only the worst stories, and suddenly feared I was having pre-term labor. We called my doctor for instructions. She informed us that we were probably going to lose the baby (!!!), and that I would have to wait it out. She told us not go to the ER because there would be nothing they could do to save a baby at such an early stage!Horrible thoughts went through my mind—what if I can’t ever carry a baby to term? What if this is the only time I get to experience the joy of pregnancy? What if something is wrong with me? How on earth will I go on without this baby? I turned pale, became dizzy, and began to shake uncontrollably.Jeff knew that such a mental state wasn’t good for me, so we sped to the ER—despite the doctor’s advice. Upon hearing about the emergency, my mom dropped everything and drove all the way from her house to the hospital, and while we were waiting, she put her hand on my belly and felt the baby give a firm kick! God was reassuring us that the baby was healthy in there, although probably a little annoyed at the contracting uterus tightening around her.Three hours of worry later, we found that nothing at all was wrong! What I’d been having were “practice” (Braxton Hicks) contractions, which are totally normal. Just for reassurance, we were offered an ultrasound, and it was then that we were surprised to learn our little baby was a beautifully healthy girl.I praised God with every part of my being, and didn’t stop. I’ve never been happier in my entire life as I was when I was pregnant with Grace. Life was PERFECT.When we first saw her, she was kicking and punching in there, and then she leaned back, put her hands behind her head and crossed her legs like she was relaxing in a hammock. Not only did we get to see that she was healthy (10 fingers, 10 toes, everything in place and working) but we got to see her big personality. :)Who Grace WasGrace developed a distinctive personality from early on. We had felt led to pray – since before conception – that she would become a leader, and would bring God praise.And from the way Grace acted in the womb, it seemed that she was already headed towards becoming that leader-type personality! Her kicks were strong, right from the beginning. When she moved, it was decisive, never sluggish. Sometimes she’d push so hard that I could distinctly make out a hand (right at my hip bone), or foot (in my side) and butt (way up near my ribs). She’d just hold it there, sometimes for a whole 30 seconds, as if she was testing the strength of her muscles. The last three months, she would kick so forcefully while I was working, that I would be forced to relax my abs and lean back in my desk chair to give her some room to play. It seemed like she was already bossing me around. We prepared ourselves for a headstrong child! She was so beautiful, even on ultrasound. What a tiny, feminine nose and face. What a perfect beating heart. And she loved music. Every day, I played her worship songs, and her body moved miraculously to the rhythm. She loved songs loud, with strong beats, and with powerful crescendos! She would have a dance party and I would sing along! She really liked “Agnus Dei” by Darlene Zschech, “Hosanna” by Hillsong United, and “Your Name” by Phillips, Craig and Dean, all which, interestingly, sung praise directly to God. Her life was full of praise, cheer, excitement!Her name, Grace Evangeline, was a direct reference to what God had laid on our hearts about her purpose. The word “grace” itself means to give something to someone without the intent to receive anything in return. Jesus himself offered all of humanity the ultimate gift of grace – he sacrificed his own life for our sins – so that we could live eternally with Him. The gratefulness we felt to God, and for Him blessing us with this precious daughter, led us to name her “Grace.” She was to reflect Him, and His forgiving, unending love! And she was to spread that exciting story of grace, thus the name “Evangeline,” which means “bearer of good news.”We didn’t know at the time how soon she would live up to her name, or how her purpose would be fulfilled without ever having cried life’s first cry.Third TrimesterJust think, for nine months of pregnancy, every minute you’re alive is about the baby. Eating, breathing, sleeping, living – it was all for Grace. The idea of doing something solely for myself had become some distant memory. Budget? It was overhauled to include baby furniture, baby clothes, and extra food. To-do list? It was cleared for things like “buy breast pump, paint nursery, register at the hospital.” Spare time? It was filled with birthing classes, doctors visits, researching cloth diapers and vaccinations and baby sleep theories.In August, we moved into a bigger rental townhouse just for Grace. And I gave up my beloved VW Beetle and bought a bigger SUV, with room for a car seat, just for Grace.And it was heavenly. I loved having someone physically around all the time to communicate with. Working from home, I never felt lonely – Grace was always with me! Food I ate or movements I made or noises around me all got responses from Grace. I felt like she was giving me her opinion on things. I took videos of my belly as she shimmied and kicked and hiccuped in there. We were already the best of friends – I couldn’t wait to be her best friend throughout her childhood, as my mom was with me.In late pregnancy, everything happened as it should: my hip bones softened as they were supposed to, I passed my glucose test with flying colors, I never got any stretch marks, I slept a solid nine hours of sleep every night, I took outside walks daily, and Grace’s heart would beat clear and strong every time we Dopplered it. Grace’s size always measured ahead—our little overachiever! I loved being huge and pregnant, it was something I’d waited my whole life to experience. While some people hate being told they look big when pregnant, I was thrilled to hear it! Her pink nursery. In my ninth month, I would vacuum in here every day! Me & GodWith every passing day, I had this increasing peace. Nothing could bother me (except maybe that one pregnancy side effect of being hot all the time), not even the debates about the upcoming elections, which would have made non-pregnant me get a little argumentative. Part of it, I’m sure, was the nicely balanced hormone levels. But mostly, it was that I had been blessed with everything I could possibly want. I was living my dream life. I remembered the desperation I had felt just one year before, and realized that God had finally delivered me. I was living out his grand plan for me: I was the mother of Grace Evangeline Young.The whole pregnancy, God had walked alongside me. I’d felt his undeniable presence and purpose every second of my day. From the beginning to the very end of my pregnancy, He had guided me to read through the Old Testament, to learn about His character. As I read, I had cheered on Moses, Joshua, Elijah, and David, and learned more about God than I had in my entire lifetime. I wondered why I had never before realized how exciting the first half of the Bible was! God was working amazing miracles back then, and I marveled at how He was creating a current-day miracle inside me!Weirdly, by the end of October, I had made it to the book of Job, the gut-wrenching story in which God allows Satan to kill all of Job’s children and steal his worldly possessions in one fell swoop. I felt so uneasy about reading that book during pregnancy, and I tried to speed-read through multiple chapters a day, hoping to finish it without dwelling too much on its sadness. I wanted to be reading Psalms by the time Grace was born, praising and rejoicing! But as God would have it, I only made it to the chapter right before God begins to speak to Job, the day before November 3.   Just two weeks before Grace was born As I reached the finish line of the pregnancy, we readied the house for Grace’s arrival. We had our three baby showers, had the nursery painted, furniture ordered, and hospital bags packed. When I visited the doctors, I learned that Grace was head-down, ready to go at any time! I was giddy when Jeff installed the baby’s carseat in the car and set up the bassinet in our room – it was all real now; this was really happening!I was so blissfully unaware. Next up, Part 3: Her earthly end, and heavenly homecoming.