Podcasts about good teachers

18Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do toinherit eternal life?" 19 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Megood? No one is good but One, that is, God. 2Lukenow tells us what we call the story of the “Rich Young Ruler” in verses 18-30.This incident takes place as Jesus is traveling with His disciples to Jerusalem.What is interesting to me is that this exact story is repeated in almost the samedetails in the first three Gospels. We find it first in Matthew 19:16-30. Nextin Mark 10:17-31 and then lastly here in Luke 18:18-30.  Mark'sGospel begins this story by telling us: “Now as He was going out on theroad, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher,what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"  (Mark 10:17). Notice that this man came “running”,he “knelt”, he “asked” the most important question a person could ask.  Therich young ruler may be the only man in the Gospels who came to the feet ofJesus and went away in worse condition than when he came. And yet he had somuch in his favor! He was moral and religious, earnest and sincere, andprobably would have qualified for membership in the average church. Yet herefused to follow Jesus Christ and instead went his own way in great sorrow. Whatwas wrong with him? In a word: dishonesty. In spite of the fact that came theright way, “he came running”, he knew his need was urgent. That he camewith the right attitude of humility, “he knelt”. That he came to theright Person, he came to Jesus, the Teacher of teachers. And that he asked theright question, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” and he receivedthe right answer, he still made the wrong decision.  Why?Because he was not honest with God or with himself. Therefore, he would not dowhat he was commanded to do. He was a superficial young man who said one thingbut did another. We will consider the areas in which he was dishonest.  Firstwould be his view of Christ (vv. 18-19). Notice that he called Jesus, “Goodteacher”. I always wondered why Jesus responded by asking him, “Why doyou call me good?” The rabbis in the days of Jesus were called "Teacher”,(Master), but it was most unusual for a rabbi to be called "Good."The Jews reserved the word good for God alone (Psalms 25:8; 34:8; 86:5; 106:1).This explains why our Lord asked the young man what he meant, for if he reallybelieved that Jesus was "good," then he had to confess that Jesus wasGod.  Byasking this question, our Lord was not denying His deity but affirming it. Hewas testing the young man to see if he really understood what he had just said.His subsequent behavior proved that the young ruler did not believe that JesusChrist was God. If he really thought he was in the presence of Almighty God,why did he argue politely about the Law, brag about his character, and thenrefuse to obey the Word? Surely he knew that God sees the heart and knows allthings! Today,the real question that should settle all the questions about Jesus andsalvation is, “Do you really believe that Jesus is indeed God in the flesh?” Thatis what the entire Gospel of John is about (John 20:30-31)! We might say thesewords in our heads and with our lips, but there if there is no change in ourlives and in our hearts, we really are being dishonest with ourselves and withGod. Today,is a good day to ask what do you really believe about Jesus in your heart! Godbless!

In this episode, Dr. Perrin gives a foretaste from his forthcoming book with Carrie Eben, The Good Teacher, as he advocates for singing as a powerful and now neglected pedagogical tool. Drawing from traditional sources like Plato and Augustine, Scripture, and personal anecdotes, he explores how music—especially in the form of singing and chanting—can shape the soul, foster joy, and make learning permanent. Perrin traces the etymological and cultural significance of music (from the Greek muse and mousikē), noting how integral it once was to early education and soul formation. He challenges modern classical educators to break free from their limited educational upbringing and rediscover this method of teaching, particularly in the lower grades. Through vivid examples—such as his daughter's ability to recall scripture, history, and Latin years later through song—Perrin demonstrates how singing enables children to internalize and retain knowledge in a joyful and embodied way. He urges educators to sing far more often than feels natural to the adult mind, to make use of existing resources, and to partner with others in creating musical material. The episode concludes with a compelling invitation: to teach in a way that aligns with the nature of children and the harmonious order of the cosmos—by singing what is true, good, and beautiful.

In this episode, Dr. Christopher Perrin draws upon his forthcoming book with Carrie Eben, The Good Teacher and invites listeners to reconsider the meaning of virtue. It once stood at the heart of education but now often eludes clear definitions. Considering personal experience and the broader tradition of liberal education, Perrin explores how the modern educational landscape has drifted from its roots, leaving many unable to articulate what virtue—or even education—truly is. He explains the classical understanding of virtue as human excellence, rooted in the Latin virtus and Greek aretē, and discusses the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and courage.Perrin then turns to the forgotten tradition of the liberal arts, challenging even well-educated listeners to name and understand them. From this foundation, he builds toward a vision of education as the cultivation of virtue—not only moral and civic but also intellectual and even physical and spiritual. He provides a taxonomy of intellectual or academic virtues—including wonder, zeal, humility, attentiveness, courage, and discipline—and discusses how these can and must be cultivated in students and educators alike. Throughout, Perrin emphasizes that true education forms not just the mind, but the whole person, and that the rediscovery of this vision requires a recovery of vocabulary, tradition, and purpose.

A survey of 1,000 Kiwi 13-year-olds shows students actually prefer a somewhat strict teacher. Dr Kane Meissel from the University of Auckland's School of Learning tells us more.

Check Out Infinity Learn: https://tinyurl.com/rswb25Guest Suggestion Form: https://forms.gle/bnaeY3FpoFU9ZjA47Disclaimer: This video is intended solely for educational purposes and opinions shared by the guest are his personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the video. Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices.Order 'Build, Don't Talk' (in English) here: https://amzn.eu/d/eCfijRuOrder 'Build Don't Talk' (in Hindi) here: https://amzn.eu/d/4wZISO0Follow Our Whatsapp Channel: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaokF5x0bIdi3Qn9ef2JSubscribe To Our Other YouTube Channels:-https://www.youtube.com/@rajshamaniclipshttps://www.youtube.com/@RajShamani.Shorts

In Mark 10:17-22 a wealthy young man asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”Jesus replied: “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do … Continue reading Holding on to unkeepable things

Great teaching isn't about mastering techniques—it's about embodying principles. In this episode, Dr. Christopher Perrin explores how classical education prioritizes the formation of virtue in both teachers and students through time-tested pedagogical wisdom and Christian tradition. Using the analogy of carpentry, he explains how principles provide the foundation for effective teaching, allowing educators to apply techniques with wisdom. He also introduces The Good Teacher, a book co-authored with Dr. Carrie Eben, which outlines 10 key pedagogical principles that transform the classroom. Tune in for an inspiring and practical conversation on the art of teaching.

Understand the qualities of a good teacher.

Chelsea Briggs is an experienced English educator with over a decade of teaching in Broward County. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University, she began her career as a paraprofessional at Horizon Elementary and has taught at Stoneman Douglas High School since 2017. Currently teaching 11th and 12th-grade English, Chelsea is known for inspiring students and fostering a love for literature and critical thinking. Her engaging teaching style and strong student connections reflect her dedication to shaping the next generation of thinkers.In this episode, Mrs. Briggs shares her incredible journey into teaching, revealing how past mentors inspired her to influence young lives. From encouraging students to pursue their genuine passions through innovative clubs like LED Dance and Acro Hoop to offering earnest advice on parenting teenagers, Chelsea emphasizes the critical role educators play as mentors and facilitators in their students' lives.Whether you're a parent, teacher, or advocate for education, this heartwarming and eye-opening conversation highlights the importance of supporting independence in young adults and fostering a community that champions students to explore their interests and thrive.TakeawaysTake the time to listen to your childEmpower students through passion projectsGambling is a big problem in the schools todayTimestamps00:00 Teaching Aspirations Inspired by Teachers03:30 From Bartender to Educator's Journey08:01 Kindergarten Para Experience Benefits Teacher12:04 Indifference to Personal Responsibility16:00 Overcoming Dyslexia: A Teacher's Journey16:55 Empowering Students Through Advocacy21:10 Prioritizing Student Enrichment23:31 Support at Graduation27:41 Youth Dreams and Reality Checks32:22 Balancing Kids' Phone Access34:52 Balancing Freedom and Safety for Teens37:57 Healthy Fear in Parenting41:45 Breaking Free from Self-Imposed Limits44:29 Motivation Through Mentorship46:39 Impactful Parenting Perspectives Podcast

Abe Lopez returns to AWM after almost four years. When last here, he was a candidate for the position of mayor of Oviedo, a race that ended with him in second place. Abe returned to the classroom, a Title 1 School classroom, and became well known for his creative, effective teaching methods and approach. He has since risen to lead the Florida Debate Initiative...teaching other teachers to train students in the art of debating and in the knowledge found in the study of civics.

In this episode, I delve into the age-old debate: does one need to be an exceptional musician to teach music effectively? Join me as I share personal anecdotes, discuss the impact of teaching at different stages of a student's development, and explore the importance of exposing students to musical excellence. From my experiences with students to reflections on my own teaching methods, this episode is packed with insights for musicians, teachers, and anyone interested in the art of teaching. Show Notes/Time Stamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Outtake 02:15 - Main Question: Must You Be a Good Player to Teach? 05:45 - Personal Reflections & Experiences 10:30 - The Importance of Methodical Teaching 15:00 - Exposure to Excellence 20:10 - The Role of a Teacher 25:20 - The Myth of the Perfect Teacher 30:00 - Real-Life Teaching Moments 35:45 - Conclusion Music Education Trombone Teaching Music Performance Teacher-Student Relationship Musical Excellence Tags: Music Education Trombone Teaching Performance Excellence Musical Development Teaching Techniques

Message for 01/5/2025 "God's Good Will" by Justin McTeer. *All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted* Mark 10:17-18 - As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. Genesis 3:6 NIV - When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Isaiah 5:20 - What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. Romans 12:1-2 - And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Matthew 11:28-30 - Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” chrëstos Teleios PRAYERS PERSPECTIVE Romans 12:2 - Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. PURPOSE 1 Samuel 30:8 - And David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this band of raiders? Will I overtake them?” And He said to him, “Pursue, for you will certainly overtake them, and you will certainly rescue everyone.” Ephesians 3:20 - Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Romans 12:1 - And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him Latreuein

A talk by Giuseppe Prisco.

As a Jesus Follower, Is Your Faith So Solid that, Unlike the “rich ruler”, You Would “follow Jesus” in a Financial Storm? MESSAGE SUMMARY: If a financial and economic calamity were to occur in America or in your family, would you still be content with Jesus; or would your faith be tested? In a personal financial problem, would you cling to your “wealth” like the rich young ruler, in Jesus' Parable, from Luke 18:18, 22-24: “And a ruler asked him {Jesus}, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' . . . When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.' But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, ‘How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!'”? It is not beyond the realm of possibility that we could face a situation in which our economy goes off the cliff; prices inflate; and life's necessitates become scarce. When you compare yourself to the remainder of the world, you are wealthy like the young ruler – we are all earthly rich in this country. Therefore, can you, unlike the “rich ruler”, “follow Jesus” in a time of financial calamity as well as in good economic times?     TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I have spent much of my life running from pain and loss, medicating my pain, and quickly moving on to the next project — the new urgent demand. I ask for the grace to embrace all of life — the joys and the sorrows, the deaths, and the births, the old and the new. In Jesus' name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 110). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will entrust to Him my future. I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.  From 2 Timothy 1:12 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 18:21-27; James 5:1-6; Mathew 6:24-25; Psalms 37a:1-10. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Turkeys and Eagles – Part 6: We Don't Need to Be Wimpy Christians” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Gospel Reading: Luke 18:18-27At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

If you missed this episode, from February of 2024, with leading meditation expert Sharon Salzberg you simply MUST LISTEN! We discus the impact of meditation on personal and societal levels. Sharon shares her journey and the evolution of her meditation practice, emphasizing the importance of letting go of fixed mindsets and embracing different approaches. We explore the role of loving-kindness in meditation and how it can help cultivate self-compassion and balance. Sharon also discusses the connection between meditation and social change, highlighting the need for patience and community support. We address the overwhelm of starting a meditation practice and offer practical advice for coping with uncertainty and finding structure in daily practice.  Three reasons to listen to the whole episode: 1. Learn to let go of fixed mindsets and embrace different approaches to meditation. 2. Begin to cultivate self-compassion and balance through the practice of loving-kindness. 3. Start a meditation practice with a commitment to consistency and evaluate the impact on daily life. Timestamps: (00:04:55) Introduction and Gratitude (00:05:41) Impact of Sharon's Work (00:08:09) Sharon's Journey and Insight Meditation Society (00:11:20) Evolution of Sharon's Meditation Practice (00:13:19) Changing Practice and the Role of Loving Kindness (00:18:19) Meditation's Impact Beyond Internal Experience (00:21:58 Meditation in Challenging Circumstances (00:24:23) Cultivating Patience in a Fast-Paced Society (00:31:47) Teaching Meditation and Qualities of a Good Teacher (00:36:40) Pausing Between Stimulus and Response (00:42:38) Starting a Meditation Practice and Overcoming Overwhelm (00:55:37) Advice for Coping with Overwhelm and Uncertainty (00:57:11) Choosing to Take Action (00:59:13) Honoring Teachers and Paving the Way (01:00:39) Feeling Radically Loved Connect with Sharon Salzberg: Website: https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/  Books: https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/books  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonsalzberg/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharonSalzberg  Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharonsalzberg  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SharonSalzbergVideo  Enjoy the Podcast? Love to give us 5 stars? If you do, we'd love a review from you. Don't forget to follow and message us on these platforms! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosieacosta/ Twitter: https::twitter.com/rosieacosta Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radicallylovedrosie TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsrosieacosta Website: https://www.radicallyloved.com/ Get You Are Radically Loved the book: https://www.radicallyloved.com/book Try Headspace for 30 days free! use code: ROSIE30 www.headspace.com Sign up for 'The Mindful Love Hub' on Substack: https://radicallyloved.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web&r=2t314w  Create a daily meditation ritual in just seven days! Download BUILD YOUR DAILY MEDITATION RITUAL and other freebies at https://www.radicallyloved.com/free-stuff! Connect with Tessa Tovar: Website: https://tessatovar.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tessamarietovar/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHMYm-7kNZfulgaiCi2w8Cw Outside the Studio Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outside-the-studio-with-tessa-tovar/id1483077110 Book of Poetry for Savasana: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Moon-Book-Poetry-Savasana/dp/1731243588

Why I choose Torah - Operating Instructions are IncludedWebsite: http://www.battle4freedom.com/Network: https://www.mojo50.comStreaming: https://www.rumble.com/Battle4FreedomRole of Scripture!Woke Wisdom from Jimmy Carter.What is Torah?Why Torah?https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%206%3A4-9&version=TLVDeuteronomy 6:4-9Shema Israel, ADONAI Eloheinu, ADONAI EchadHear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words, which I am commanding you today, are to be on your heart. You are to teach them diligently to your children, and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up. Bind them as a sign on your hand, they are to be as frontlets between your eyes, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2010%3A17-27&version=TLVMark 10:17-27Tree of Life Version17 As Yeshua was setting out on His way, a man ran up to Him, fell on his knees before Him, and asked, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"18 "Why do you call Me good?" Yeshua said to him. "No one is good except One—that is God. 19 You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,' do not cheat, ‘honor your father and mother.'"20 The man responded, "Teacher, all these I have kept since my youth!"21 Looking at him, Yeshua loved him and said, "One thing you lack. Go, sell as much as you have, and give to the poor; and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." 22 But at this statement, the man became sad and went away grieving, for he had much property.23 Then looking around, Yeshua says to His disciples, "How hard it will be for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 The disciples were amazed at His words. But Yeshua answers again and says to them, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."26 The disciples were even more astonished, saying among themselves, "Then who can be saved?"27 Looking at them, Yeshua said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God!"Credit to:https://www.pexels.com/@ann-h-45017/Ann H

Matthew 7:28-8:1

Matthew 7:28-8:1

Understanding Jesus through the Gospel of John: A Deep Dive into Chapter 7 This week, Nicole reveals an important aspect of Jesus through the lens of the Gospel of John. Chapter 7 serves as a pivotal moment in Jesus's ministry, showcasing both His authority and the varied reactions He provokes from those around Him. The Context and Backstory of John 7 John 7 opens with a clear indication of the tension surrounding Jesus. The narrative begins with the mention that people are trying to kill Him, highlighting the serious conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities of the time. This sets the stage for understanding the gravity of Jesus's actions and teachings. Nicole points out that Jesus is not merely a beloved teacher; rather, He is a revolutionary figure whose teachings challenge established norms and interpretations of the law. Jesus's Authority and Teaching As Jesus navigates the festival in Judea, He encounters a mix of opinions about His identity. Some view Him as a good man, while others accuse Him of deceiving the people or even being demon-possessed. This spectrum of reactions illustrates the polarizing effect Jesus has on society. Nicole highlights that Jesus's teachings are not aimed at abolishing the law but rather at reforming the understanding of it. He confronts the religious leaders' interpretations, particularly regarding the Sabbath, and emphasizes the spirit of the law over rigid adherence to rules. One of the key moments in this chapter is when Jesus challenges the logic of the religious leaders by pointing out their own inconsistencies. For instance, He asks them if they would circumcise a child on the Sabbath, illustrating that they themselves make exceptions to the law for the sake of tradition. This not only showcases Jesus's deep understanding of the law but also His authority to interpret it correctly. The Invitation to All Despite the opposition and conflict, Jesus extends a powerful invitation to everyone present. In a loud voice, He calls out to those who are thirsty, promising that anyone who believes in Him will have streams of living water flowing from within them. This metaphor signifies the transformative power of faith in Jesus, suggesting that believers will not only find refreshment for their souls but will also become sources of life and blessing to others. Nicole emphasizes that this promise is universal, extending to all who seek Him, regardless of their previous judgments or misunderstandings about Him. It encapsulates the essence of Jesus's mission: to offer hope, healing, and a relationship with God. THIS WEEK'S BIBLE STUDY RESOURCES: Sign up for Nicole's newsletter and get regular encouragement straight to your inbox: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/ Help! My Bible is Alive! Nicole's Newest Book: Not What I Signed Up For  When you go to NicoleUnice.com/notwhatisignedupfor you'll get the intro, first chapter and a free prayer guide!  Find all of Nicole's books and resources on Amazon or Barnes & Noble Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Mark 10:17-3117 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24  And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Sermon Questions: 1. In what area of your life are you pondering the question 'am I good?'2. What do you look to assess whether or not you're good?3. What might Jesus be asking you to let go of and depend on him for?4. How have you already received '100 fold' from Jesus in your life?5. Are you good?

Matthew 7:28-8:1

Jesus has been and continues to be very pointed in what he is trying to teach. He is trying to prepare his disciples for his pending death and resurrection. Everyone seems to have their own idea of what the kingdom of God is supposed to look like. Jesus says it is very hard to enter the kingdom of God. He told them it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. Most of us know what it is like to put a piece of thread through the eye of a needle. The disciples were greatly astounded and said to one another then how do we get in, how can we be saved? Jesus basically said that they can't that only God can and will do this. For God, all things are possible. The Gospel lesson began with a man running up to Jesus and kneeling before him and asking, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, why do you call me good? No one is good, but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.'  The man then said, Teacher I have kept all of these since I was a child. Jesus looked at him with love and said. You lack one thing, go and sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, then come and follow me. The man was shocked by this response and went away very sad, for he had many possessions. Human beings in the time of the Bible, had been continually getting off track of what God's kingdom was meant to be. The man's possessions were standing in the way of focusing on following Jesus. Jesus was on earth to once again define the kingdom of God. Yes God had given the ten commandments, but they were meant as guidelines. As I have said before, the commandments were not given for people to have power and control over people. This man was rich in possessions and Jesus was telling him that they were obstacles for him in following Jesus. Above all, Jesus was working on creating a new community. Anytime the word new comes into play, it does mean change. Something that is old will need to be let go of in order for new to occur. In systems, such as the church, it normally means that something in the system needs to change in order for newness or growth to happen. This will create uncomfortableness because it is not how we have always done it. The first step is allowing ourselves to be open in honestly looking at things, in other words making an assessment. This is what the transition team did last year. They then made recommendations to the congregation council of things that need to be reorganized or addressed. This will mean change. Some things will remain the same, other things will stop or look different. Room needs to be made for growth to happen. As soon as we say something needs to be a certain way, God often has a way of saying, we'll see. What happens is we allow our fears and uncomfortableness take over and this is when it is difficult to see what God wants. Eventually there will be a new pastor here. I pray that you will be ready to listen and support their leadership. Remember if you catch yourself saying, “We've never done it that way before”, it probably needs to change. I know some of our leadership does think this way. God's kingdom, this new community that Jesus is trying to describe is one that is not about power and control, but mutuality. Last week and again in today's Gospel lesson we hear that we are to empower the vulnerable. It is what is best for the community of faith, not for individuals. I want to tell you about how I see this new community being modeled here at Faith. Our Micro Food Pantry is a very important ministry. We had been filling the food boxes twice a day for some time, maybe even close to its inception. A crisis that has been building for a while become evident. We didn't have money to sustain it the way it had been running. Thus, an assessment was done of the food and its cost. A group met and examined the assessment and 1) it was determined that there was still a real need for it in our community, 2) In order to keep it up and running, changes needed to be made. For a week or two we had stopped buying food until we could have this meeting and develop a plan for right now, in order to keep filling the boxes. It was decided that the boxes would be filled once a day instead of twice. Before we met again, people were brainstorming and developing plans to fund this ministry. We met again and we are working on different avenues of funding. In the next couple of months, you will be presented with different ways that you can help support this ministry. I do want to thank you all of you for already supporting this ministry, because in some way everyone here has supported this ministry. It is this kind of work that models the new community that Jesus is talking about. One other sign of this new community that Jesus is talking about is when Raymond joined our Worship and Music committee meeting and presented the idea of Visitors Sunday. The committee listened to this excitement to invite others to worship with us and introduce them to our family. Raymond had ideas for worship that the committee heard, and we are working at implementing them. This is building this new community that Jesus is talking about. Every community of faith needs new life as this is when people want to join and be part of it. This new community that Jesus is talking about is seen here at Faith. The building of this new community will continue to take stepping back and being willing to be honest with what is working and what is not working. This is called assessment. From here it will take openness to new ideas and letting go of some things. Without this openness, this new community that Jesus is asking you to build will not grow. What we have heard today in our Gospel lesson is that we are called to let go of those things that we are holding on to too tightly. Those are things that are holding us back from following Jesus. Jesus wants our attention now! Sometime in the near future, there will be more changes here. Eventually I will move on, and you will have a new pastor. Jesus challenges you and I to stay focused on him and keep our eyes and ears open. Be ready to let go of things in order to follow him. The good news in all of this letting go and struggling with it, is that Jesus loves us through all of it. We are not alone. Jesus walks beside us. Let us pray, Gracious God, we struggle with change. We struggle with being honest about what is working and what is not working. May your Spirit help us to have open hearts and minds. We desire to do your work and grow your community. Help us to identify and let go of those things that are getting in the way of doing your will. Thank you for your grace as we strive to do your will. We humbly acknowledge that this is your kingdom and not ours. In Jesus, name, Amen.          

A man asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Lars Olson explains how there's one word that unlocks this man's heart behind asking this question and why Jesus responds the way He does: and that word is “do.”Like this man, many Christians want a role to play in earning their salvation. They want instructions on how to be a good person. As you'll hear Lars teach, instead of preaching the Gospel, pastors can end up softening the Law. But that's not what Jesus does: He unleashes the full force of the Law until it crushes you. Then He delivers the greatest promise: mercy. CONFIRMATION Luther House of Study is excited to present a comprehensive online confirmation curriculum. The curriculum includes interactive digital lessons and supplemental teacher guides featuring custom videos, quizzes, drag and drop tasks, discussion questions, scripture passages, and prayers about the Apostles' Creed, the 10 Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Sacraments. Visit lutherhouseofstudy.org/confirmation to dive into the curriculum and share it with your church or your pastor. SING TO THE LORD To understand the importance of hymnody in the Lutheran church, Lars Olson and Mason Van Essen sit down with Zachary Brockhoff to discuss the lectionary's hymns, their meaning and history, and how the music preaches the Gospel. 

Send us a textTaking a class this weekend, Blissful learns about the key skills of a good teacher.  This was especially important when she needed to face down an irrational fear of falling out of her kayak and being upside down in the water. Here are some of those skills:Positive Learning Environment. Encourage Risk Taking.  Provide Feedback and GuidancePromote a Growth Mindset Just wanting to get better and do something out of our comfort zone isn't enough. Sometimes we need guide who possessed strong leadership and teaching skills. Blissful will give her first TEDx talk this October in Manchester, New Hampshire! The subject is "Stepping into the Unknown." Get tickets here. Use coupon code "WILD" for a discount!MUSIC: Introduccion y Allegro by Carlos Guastavino as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano. Support the show

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them (Mark 10: 13 – 16). We do tend to complicate things, don't we? I saw a photo recently of some “do-it-yourself” plumbing where a guy had tried to connect a water pipe to his toilet cistern. What should have been a fairly straightforward job turned out like a long, plastic snake with twists and curves in every direction. The caption underneath read, “I only had bends in my truck”. Like many, I tend to subscribe to the notion that the simplest solution to a situation is probably the best one. In a way, I think Jesus is saying the same thing here. Knowing the Father, receiving the Kingdom of God – well, even a child can do it!After Jesus had uttered these words, an affluent young man approached him with a question: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10: 17). The ensuing conversation saw Jesus quickly put his discerning finger on the pulse of the man's real need: to let go of his dependence on possessions and self-righteousness. You don't need religious pride or riches to enter the Kingdom of God, it's much simpler than that. After the man left, “disheartened”, Jesus' disciples probably had a ton of questions, but Jesus took the initiative: “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” in v 23, and then “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!It is interesting to note that this is the first time Jesus has called his disciples, “children”. Is he deliberately calling them children to make a point? I think he is, with a touch of irony. In other words, Don't be like that rich guy, don't think you can earn your way into God's kingdom by works, religious deeds, wealth or human importance. It really is much simpler than that. Enter the Kingdom the same way a child enters any relationship: trust, a personal connection. Humility. Unspoken faith in one who offers a loving and safe relationship. We enter the kingdom by coming to Jesus, knowing that He loves and forgives. We have empty pockets; in that we have no payment or merits to offer but we are drawn to His love. And in the warmth of acceptance and belonging, we are happy to live for Him and do His will. 

August 25, 2024 Luke 18:18-23 18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

Sacrifice and Discipleship  (audio)  David Eells (8/14/24)  I thought I'd share a little bit about sacrifice and discipleship. The Lord Jesus is known by His people as a sacrifice and as a Savior, but far fewer know Him as an example of an overcomer. Many don't see Jesus as an example of an overcomer because they don't see it as an opportunity for us to even walk in the steps of Jesus, which 1 John tells us that everyone that abides in Him are to walk as He walked (1Jn 2:6). So many of those not understanding the Gospel have really sold many Christians short on what the Lord has given us as a great opportunity.   The Lord Jesus came as an example of an overcomer. He came to give us an example of what it is to walk as Christians. And not just as a sacrifice and a Savior. All those things are important, but they misunderstand, really, the very nature of Jesus. And I want to share just a just a little bit concerning that so we can understand this sacrificial life that Jesus gave is the same sacrificial life that He wants us to give.   As we know, He told us to take up our cross and follow Him, or we weren't His disciples. Let's look at Philippians 2. We're told this a few times concerning the Lord in the Scriptures. Php 2:5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, (or a thing to be clutched to) 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. Now most Christians believe that the Lord Jesus came down in all the omnipotence of God. But actually He didn't come that way. He came as, we're going to see from this text, He came very much like a spirit-filled man who had the Life of Christ inside, and He was the first born among many brethren the Bible says. And many people don't understand that.   But notice, He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant being made in likeness of men. You know, Jesus called Himself the Son of Man far more often than the Son of God. “Son of Man”, He wanted to emphasize His humanity and really, truly, He was the Son of Man. Romans 1:3 says that He was declared to be …born of the seed of David, according to the flesh, but ….the Son of God according to the spirit of holiness… His body really was the “seed of the woman”, the seed of David through Mary. He was truly human and truly God.   And I'm going to read in Php 2:8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. So we see that the Lord Jesus came to walk as a man and to be sacrificed; actually He came to live as a sacrifice and to manifest the sacrifice of the cross, also.   In Hebrews Chapter 2 is another text that's really an eye opener for a lot of Christians to understand the very nature of Jesus. In verse 10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. We don't think too much about Jesus becoming perfect. I think most people believe that Jesus was always perfect from the time He was a baby. The word perfect there means “complete”, it means “mature” or “full grown”. The Bible says that Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and with man. (Luk 2:52) So it says here that He became perfect through suffering.   It also says in Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, 8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; (Yes, Jesus learned obedience by the things which he suffered.) 9 and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;  Well, that's the truth, it's the word of God. Some people think it's blasphemy, but it comes right out of the Word of God. Jesus was truly an overcomer. He had something to overcome as we're going to see in just a minute. Most people think Jesus didn't have anything to overcome. Jesus suffered in coming to perfection according to what Heb 2:10 says.   I'm going to go to Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Truly the sons of God are brothers of Jesus. Now, Jesus was the only “begotten” Son of God, meaning, “born” Son of God. But we have to be reborn sons of God. We're being born-again sons of God. Born again first in spirit, then in soul, and ultimately in body. It says in verse 14 Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; (Jesus partook of the same flesh and blood that we do.) that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; The same flesh and blood of the “seed of David according to the flesh”. He called himself, “the Son of Man.” And of course, we know He was the Son of God and all true Christians are impressed with that fact. But sometimes they're not as impressed with the fact that He was the Son of Man and that He suffered as a Son of Man in coming to perfection and in bearing fruit and so on and so forth. People don't see that.   In fact, I'm going to show you verse 17 here, it says. Heb 2:17 Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren,… If we want truth and understanding we must believe exactly what the Word says. Once again, Jesus came as the Son of God manifesting in the Son of Man, as a spirit-filled Son of Man. It says in Romans 8, that He came …in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh. (Rom 8:3) So we see that Jesus came to truly be an overcomer of His flesh. Going on in verse 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor (or come to the help of) them that are tempted. So Jesus understands us because He's been there, He's done that; He was tempted. When Peter told Jesus He would not go to His cross, Jesus rebuked him calling him a stumbling block. How could Jesus be tempted? Well, let's go to Heb 4:15 For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; (Jesus suffered temptation.) but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. In all points He was tempted like us, yet without sinning. Is temptation sin? Obviously not. Temptation is not sin, but it does tell you that Jesus was in a real flesh and blood body.   We read in Jas 1:14 but each man is tempted when he's drawn away by his own lust and enticed. When a person is tempted, it's because they're drawn by their own lust or desires and enticed. Everybody has flesh that's been passed on down through humanity. We know Jesus, from Romans 1:3, had that kind of flesh, the same flesh. The flesh is tempted because they're drawn away by their lust. Now the word “lust” here is translated from the same word that means “desire.” In fact, sometimes the word for lust is translated in a positive way in other places. It's just translated “desire.” The word lust just means “desire”. So they translated it as lust here because they knew it was negative and lust has a negative idea to us. Jesus had His own desire when He wanted to escape the cup of suffering but did not give in but accepted the cup. But a man is tempted when he's drawn away by his own desires and enticed. The Bible doesn't say that this is sin. It goes on to say, 15 Then the [desire], when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death. So just being tempted by your desires is not sin. It's said about Jesus that that he was tempted in all points like as we yet without sin. In other words, He didn't give in to those desires. He had the desires very plainly, but He didn't give into them. He was a true overcomer.  Isn't that what we're called to do? We can't do anything about the desires other than not giving into them. If you give in to them, if you stir them up, you make them stronger. The more you give in to them, the stronger they get; so we can do that. We've been passed on down through our heritage from our natural parents, the “desires of the flesh.” And we see here that Jesus was also tempted with the desires of the flesh. Now I'm getting somewhere with this so please stay with me.   I want to show you how much Jesus suffered and how much He sacrificed even before the cross. He spiritually bore His cross a long time before He ever went to His physical cross. He tells us we're supposed to take up our cross and follow Him. So as we just read, when a person is tempted, they're drawn away by their desires. Jesus had desires, He just didn't give in to them. We don't have to either because of what He did on the cross; we do not have to give in to temptation. He has given us the victory.   We are going to suffer in the flesh when we refuse to give in to it. 1Pet 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind (Again, He wants us as man, the spirit filled man, to have the same mind that was in Christ. In other words, God used Him as an example for us, to be armed with the same mind.); for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts (or desires) of men, but to the will of God. There are many desires of men we obviously don't have to serve, that are not even necessarily negative, and I'll point out a few things to you.   Jesus gave up a lot of things in order to be Who He was even before the cross. If He was tempted in all points like as us, because of His desires, then He probably as a man, had a desire for a family, a wife and a home. He probably had desires for these things. He saw other people His own age desiring these things, and in themselves, these are not bad things, they're just desires, right? But He denied Himself many things, because He was really consumed with His Father's will. He was consumed with the harvest that was coming and He spoke of it many times.   But He gave up His desires for all these things, much like the apostle Paul did. The apostle Paul gave up desires for these things because he was also consumed with the harvest. Now, we are also coming to a time in history when the first fruits Man-child, who is going to walk in the steps of Jesus, who is also going to be consumed with the harvest. So much so that other things will be less important to them, like they were to Paul, like they were to Jesus and Jesus is our example.   The Bible says, That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. (Ecc 1:9) Jesus spoke of coming again as a Man-child born to a woman in John 16 and we find in Revelation 12, just that, the Man-child born to the woman. We know that to be the first fruits of those to walk in His steps in these days. That's why I'm studying this, because we need to know what it is to walk in His steps. So now, what about these desires, that in themselves are not bad, but they would certainly distract from the purpose of God, and from the very very important thing of the harvest to come?  Let's look at Joh 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work. Well His disciples asked Him about this prior in verse 32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not. 33 The disciples therefore said one to another, Hath any man brought him aught to eat? Jesus was talking about the thing that keeps Him alive. Meat is for the mature and milk is for those that are without experience in the Word. It says in Heb 5:13 For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. So meat is those that have experience of living and acting and doing the Word of righteousness. And Jesus was receiving His meat because He was fulfilling the will of the Father that sent Him and He was accomplishing His work.   And going on in Joh 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? (Can you imagine that the same thing could be said in our day? There's always been a harvest, hasn't there? We know that there's a harvest in the last seven years, a great harvest! But also throughout history there's been a harvest and Jesus said, ‘don't be waiting for the harvest because the fields are already white.') behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest. 36 He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal;   Notice the people that reap in this harvest. This is what God has called us to. No, we're not all going to be in the Man-child, nor are we all going to be in the two witnesses. But we're all going to be laboring in the harvest. In our little part of the world here at UBM, we've got brothers and sisters in the Lord that are laboring at the sacrifice of their own lives, at the sacrifice of being with their families; and at the sacrifice of things that they would love to do. They're sacrificing their lives to work in the harvest, to get prepared to feed multitudes of people. And I praise God for all of you.  36 He that reapeth receiveth wages, (Well, that's interesting, in a time when the disciples are basically giving up their livelihood, God is talking about giving them wages for working in the harvest. Many people today are worried about, “Lord, what am I going to do when the tribulation comes and this job is not there and so on?” Well, guess what? The Father is still going to pay you. He doesn't have hirelings, they do it for love, but He's still going to pay them. The laborer is worthy of his hire, He said.   So there are people that are going to have needs in the coming days and I want to tell you, God's people are going to be busy in the harvest. They're going to know the end is near. They're going to be working towards the thing that the Lord has called us to work in from the beginning. Most people are just playing religion! They're living after their own “desires”. But the Lord was giving up His desires in order to fulfill this wonderful harvest.   Going on, 36 He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal (Sounds pretty important, doesn't it?); that he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 For herein is the saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye have not labored: others have labored, and ye are entered into their labor. Some exhort, witness, or do evangelism and some enter into those labors and do teaching. Some are lazy busybodies. The Lord Jesus' normal, natural desires, were overpowered and overwhelmed by this desire to please the Father and to work in the harvest. And you know, the Great Commission is all about us going forth to do that harvest, too. And yet very few people have been obedient to it. Very few people are willing to sacrifice their desires to give up what they have in the world to do this. Moms have their own evangelistic work but they can pray for God to open other doors too.  When Jesus went to disciple, we read in Mat 4:16 The people that sat in darkness Saw a great light, And to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, To them did light spring up. The same thing is going to happen in our day. Some are laying a foundation for when the Man-child goes forth; a great light is going to be given to God's people who have been sitting in darkness. And verse 17 From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 18 And walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left the nets, and followed him.  Can you imagine with no more convincing than that! These men must have been prepared by God to be ready to follow the Man-child at this very simple plea, because they just immediately dropped their their livelihood, which of course they were feeding their families with. And as we just read that they would receive wages for working in the Lord's harvest, but they just dropped their living and they followed Jesus.   Do you think that possibly a lot of people are coming to this situation? I'm convinced of it. I'm convinced that it's not just the Man-child who was represented here by Jesus; and the two witnesses, which are represented by those disciples that He sent out two by two, which is a corporate body of two witnesses in our day. But also the Lord is preparing others. He's not only preparing the Man-child, who's lived a sacrificial life, and are not consumed with their own desires. And the witnesses who are to be raised up by the Man-child are also not consumed by their own desires.   Obviously, they were willing to drop their livelihood, the only thing that they'd  known all their lives, the very thing that they were feeding their families with. You may be asking, “David, do you think they had families?” Yes, they had families and most of these Jewish men were married at a young age. Some of them were arranged marriages which was very, common. I'll speak more of their families in a moment. But let's read the rest of this text in verse 21 And going on from thence he saw two other brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they straightway left the boat and their father, and followed him.  Notice that they just gave up their livelihood to follow Jesus. Multitudes of people are going to find themselves in the same situation, with the overcoming grace of God to give up their normal desires. Not necessarily bad desires, just their normal desires like Jesus and Paul did, and these disciples are now doing. I know I'm talking to some people who have families and you thought that possibly this was going to constrain you from doing the work of the Lord, or possibly it's constraining you now from jumping into the harvest, right? It is clear Jesus' disciples families were provided for. 1Ti 5:8 But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. Now Paul is saying in 1Co 9:5-6 Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? So this was after the Ministry of Jesus, and we see that Paul and Barnabas were single, but all the rest of them at this time in Corinthians, were leading about a wife, and I can guarantee you, children too.   During the time when the disciples followed Jesus, we don't find any indication that their wives or their children were with them. But they were following Jesus, and guess what? Somebody was taking care of their families because they were seeking first the Kingdom and His righteousness. The Lord was taking care of their families while they were doing this. They were giving up all the things that men normally desire in life in order to have the great joy of seeing the benefits of the Kingdom of God, given to God's people and sacrificing everything to do this.   Verse 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have we not a right to forbear working? Notice this, that all the rest of the apostles, and those disciples were forbearing working. They weren't working for a living, they were working for God.   You know, when I first came to Pensacola, I was ministering in a revival. I hadn't been working at a regular job for some time. I've been just working for the Lord from the time I left Louisiana, many, many years ago. And while there, I had a lady walk up to me and asked me, “David, what about these verses, here? I mean, should you be working while you're doing what you're doing?” I said, “I'll tell you what, why don't you go and ask the Lord that question? I already know it for myself, but I'd rather you get it from Him. Go and ask the Lord that question and tell me what He says.” So the next day she was back and she said, “David, I got a real clear answer from the Lord. He told me that you ARE working. You're working for Him.” I said, “That's right. He's the one ordained me. He appeared to me twice to do it. He ordained me to do what I'm doing.”   You know what, folks? We all have to work. Paul said. If a man doesn't work, he doesn't eat, in Thessalonians, right? And so Paul, in verse 6, for the first part of his ministry was working for a living while he was serving the Lord and doing the work of the Kingdom. He was working for living, but notice none of the rest of the apostles were. He said he had a right to do exactly what they were doing, but he wasn't taking that right. I remember doing the same thing for the first ten years of my ministry. I worked while I ministered, while I taught and while I pastored. But there came a time, just like with Paul, I didn't have time to work.   By the time 2 Corinthians came around, Paul wasn't working either. He was taking wages from other people so that he could serve God continually, but for part of his ministry he was working. Now we all have to work; I'm not talking about not working, because like the apostle Paul said, we if a man doesn't work, he doesn't eat. But now notice that these men who followed Jesus, they were working for the Lord and the Lord was paying their wages. Now, I've been asked of people, “Well, how is it that in the Tribulation period people are going to be going out just serving God? How is it they're going to make a living, and how is their family going to make a living?” I tell you folks, the laborer is worthy of his hire. The Lord will see to it. He's doing it today with people who are walking by faith.   He's done it with me, for 50 years in the ministry, He's taken care of us. I haven't had any visible means of support, but I was listening to the Lord and following Him and He always came through. I never took up an offering for myself.  When I went on tour they took up offerings for me. He brought us through some wonderful trials! Trials that helped me to learn to walk by faith in the Lord, Who is always our Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. But I wouldn't have traded those trials for anything, honestly. I would not have traded those trials to see the miracles of God providing for me and providing for my family, I wouldn't have traded that for anything in the world.   And God's been absolutely, totally faithful. I've seen Him do wonderful things like multiply food and seen Him multiply money. So we're not talking about not working, but there is coming a time when men, especially Christians, who cannot be a part of the Beast system any longer and not be able to work. But they will get wages because finally God's people are going to be into the same thing that Jesus and His disciples were into, and that is the harvest. Right now, so many people are living after the desires of their flesh.  I want to say something else, we are told in Heb 12:1 Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Well, notice they ‘lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us…' Paul had a right to lead about a wife, even as the rest of the apostles and that desire is not sin at all. It wasn't a sin for Jesus if He had wanted to be married and a family. He had those desires, they were not in themselves sin, except that the Father had a plan for Jesus, and these things would have been a weight. They would have kept Him from fulfilling the job the Lord sent Him to do. Am I preaching that men shouldn't have these things? No, I'm not preaching that at all. I'm just saying that we have some desires that are perfectly legal but will not bring forth the end result that the Father sent us to do.   Many of them would be weights holding us back. They are simply human desires. The Lord wants us to find our desire in the things that He desires. He wants to work in us, to will, and to do of his good pleasure. And I'm sure that the human desires Jesus had were totally overwhelmed by the desire that God put in His heart, and that was to see souls saved; to see the sick healed, to see deliverance of God's people! I'm sure that was His great desire and it's very fulfilling to see that.   Now, these disciples were in very primitive situations. Look what it says in Mat 8:19 And there came a scribe, and said unto him, Teacher, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. Well, would everybody follow Him in the rather primitive provision the Lord gives to people that do this? He says, 20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. That didn't sound like He had a home or had any kind of worldly provision. Father provided for them, but it seemed like they were living a pretty primitive and simple life in order to get the Gospel out; they couldn't carry a lot with them. I know that there's spiritual revelations here too, but I'm just looking in the natural here.  And in verse 21 And another of the disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 22 But Jesus saith unto him, Follow me; and leave the dead to bury their own dead. In other words, there are a lot of things that we might think are important that God doesn't think are as important as doing the will of the Father and bringing forth the Great Commission.   So we are being called by the Lord more than anything, to seek to have His desires in these days, before these days actually come upon us. There's a repetition of history seen in the Gospels and in the Book of Acts about to come upon this world and God's going to find some people willing to take up their cross and follow Him in this work. He has others to do much of the support work. We've got a lot of brethren allied with us to do this; supporting us with their funds, supporting us with their gifts and their talents. They support us by giving up things that they normally could do in order to bring forth this harvest. And we praise God for them.   Continuing in Mat 8:23 And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Save, Lord; we perish.  I've seen many people ‘tried' who have come into our ministry. They have the funny idea that they may not have to sacrifice anything of their natural life; things that are normal to everybody, like the fellowship with their children. Did you know Jesus' disciples sacrificed the fellowship they could have had with their wives and children, or building their homes? They sacrificed these kinds of things for the work of the Kingdom. And now we see that when they chose to follow Jesus, they even ran into tempests, storms, troubles, and different tribulations.   People who came to our ministry to help, didn't realize that just because you're serving the Lord, doesn't mean you're not going to run into these ‘tempest, troubles and tribulations'. The Lord permits it. He lets the devil bring forth a storm or a tribulation and some people think, “Well, I must have missed God somewhere, because I'm going through this, and here I am trying to serve the Lord. Here I am doing this work of the ministry. Maybe I'm missing God somewhere.” No, we are told, through much tribulation shall you enter the Kingdom.   This tempest came upon the disciples and the Lord was their Savior in the midst it. He didn't save them from the tempest, but He saved them in the midst of it. He didn't keep them from the trial, but He saved them in the midst of it. All of God's people who serve Him in this harvest are going to be opposed by the devil. It's permissible by God for this to happen, and we're going to be rejected. It's not because we've missed God, it's because we we're in the will of God.   The disciples found themselves in primitive situations while they were sacrificing the normal desires of their life, and yet they were leaving all to follow Jesus, and they spoke to Jesus about this in Mark 10. I'm going to start in verse Mar 10:17 And as he was going forth into the way, there ran one to him, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, even God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor thy father and mother. 20 And he said unto him, Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth. 21 And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.  Saints, we're coming to such a time as this, where God is going to demand this from some people. Because of the Beast kingdom, many people are going to have to give up many things that they have, which are not necessarily bad in themselves, but in order to walk through the wilderness, in order to be tried, in order to be come forth as a gold, they're going to go through these things.   Mar 10:22 But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they were astonished exceedingly, saying unto him, Then who can be saved? 27 Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for all things are possible with God. 28 Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.  This very thing is coming very soon. There are people who are going to leave all to follow the Lord. I'm not talking about just in the capacity of these apostles or these disciples, but many others are going to leave all to follow the Lord. They're not going to be distracted by the things of the world. They can't carry these things with them and the Lord Jesus is going to bring them through wonderful times of provision. ‘They that reapeth, receiveth with wages'; Father is going to take care of them and provide for them.   Mar 10:29 Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospel's sake, 30 but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.   Even today people are giving up the fellowship of family, houses and lands. They're giving up these things, which the Lord said He would multiply back to them because obviously we've got family everywhere, we've got houses everywhere. Everywhere we go there's a provision, there's a door opened, and God says, now in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life. God is going to multiply back for those people who do give up something. Don't forget the Lord will give it back, He will multiply it back. The Bible says He will multiply your seed for sowing in 1 Corinthians chapter 8.  31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. What do you think He meant by that? You know, if we put ourselves first and Him last, then we're going to be last in the Kingdom. But if we put Him first and us last, we're going to be first in the Kingdom and that's what He was talking about doing here. Like people who give up normal things of life to follow Him, not because they're sin, but because they are weights. I think God's got a calling on all of us and it's going to be the Great Commission and we're all going to be fulfilling our parts as far as bringing this Great Commission forth. We should have been doing it for the last 2000 years, but God's people have really been caught up in materialistic Christianity rather than fulfilling what He desires for us. Now the desires that we have are normal, but we give them up as a sacrifice for the greater good of bringing forth this harvest into eternal life. God bless you, Brethren!

Bible Reading: Psalms 17:6-7; 18:1-2; Matthew 19:14Twelve-year-old Scarlett was so excited about helping her mom in the twos' and threes' Sunday school class. Eagerly standing by the classroom door, Scarlett watched for the little ones to come.Most of the children came in with smiles on their faces. However, not all of them had such an easy time. Missing her mom, little Maaza cried and cried long after her mother had gone into church, staying stiff as a log in Scarlett's arms. After a while, Scarlett gently put the little girl down and offered her a toy. Now only sniffling, Maaza angrily turned away and refused to play for most of Sunday school. A little later, Myles, a toddler Scarlett often played with, arrived. He cried and cried, but instead of going stiff in Scarlett's arms, he wrapped his arms around her neck as she rocked him back and forth. After a few minutes, he was ready to play with his favorite toy truck, and soon after that he began to play with the other children."So, are you enjoying working in children's church?" Scarlett's mom asked her later that afternoon. "Yes, I like it a lot," Scarlett said. "The kids are so cute! I love playing with them and telling them about Jesus during Bible time." Mom smiled. "You know, as much as God uses us to teach children about Him, I'm amazed at how much they teach me about my relationship with God. Often I'm like how Maaza was today. When I'm sad, afraid, or confused, I turn away from God, much like how she hurried away from you. I forget that God shows His love for us by comforting us in our distress. Jesus saved us from our sins so that He could be with us every moment of every day. The Bible uses words like 'shelter' and 'stronghold' and 'refuge' to say that God cares for us and promises to be a safe place for us.""That means we should be more like Myles, shouldn't we?" asked Scarlett.Mom nodded. "He knew he could trust us as his teachers, and he clung to you and cried when he was scared about coming to Sunday school. Then he was able to enjoy all we had planned for him. If we trust God and come to Him when we're sad or afraid, we can experience the peace He promises."–Aurora ScriverHow About You?Do you ever have trouble trusting God when you feel sad or upset? Do you run away from Him when things get difficult or scary? Remember that God is faithful and promises to be with you through every difficulty you face. He wants to comfort you so you can experience His peace, rest, and joy. Go to Him when you feel sad or afraid, and He will be your safe place.Today's Key Verse:How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. (NLT) (Psalm 36:7)Today's Key Thought:Let God comfort you

Mark 10:13–31 (Listen) Let the Children Come to Me 13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. The Rich Young Man 17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is1 to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him,2 “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Footnotes [1] 10:24 Some manuscripts add for those who trust in riches [2] 10:26 Some manuscripts to one another (ESV)

Rev. Chad Johnson teaches us about "The Good Teacher and the Student." He helped us understand that many of us are able to be teachers in faith. The world is ready for us to step up so we can all become better students of the Good Teacher in Christ. — Stay connected with Hope Church Memphis: Website • HopeChurchMemphis.com Instagram • @Hope4Memphis TikTok • @Hope4Memphis Facebook • @Hope4Memphis Prayer • HopeChurchMemphis.com/Prayer Giving • HopeChurchMemphis.com/Give

Petronella McGovern talks about the writing craft and process behind her novel The Last Trace. Petronella went deep into the writing of this novel with me - we talked about inciting incidents, setting, research, editing, character development and all the techniques she uses to achieve narrative tension and keep that pace cracking along such as foreshadowing and writing cliffhanger chapter endings. This was also the first time she's written an historical thread which added another layer of rich complexity to the story.You'll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of The Last Trace by Petronella McGovern here.ABOUT PETRONELLA MCGOVERNPetronella McGovern is fascinated by what makes us tick, the lies we tell, and the secrets we keep. She is the best-selling author of Six Minutes, The Good Teacher, The Liars and The Last Trace. Her books have been nominated in the Ned Kelly Awards, the Davitt Awards and the Australian Independent Bookseller Awards. The Liars was selected in the Top 100 Big W/Better Reading list for 2023. Petronella has a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and tutors in creative writing. She grew up on a farm in central west NSW and now lives with her family in Sydney on Gadigal Country. Among other adventures, she has worked on a summer camp in America and travelled in eastern Africa which inspired parts of her fourth novel, The Last Trace.Website and events: https://www.petronellamcgovern.com.au/Buy The Last Trace by Petronella McGovern here.Buy The Swordmaster's Daughter and An Unsuitable Pursuit by Terri Green here.BUILD AN AUTHOR WEBSITE COURSETo receive notifications about course dates, the free author website workshop and early bird discounts, sign up here - https://www.freshwebdesign.com.au/course This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

As a Jesus Follower, Is Your Faith So Solid that, Unlike the “rich ruler”, You Would “follow Jesus” in a Financial Storm? MESSAGE SUMMARY: If a financial and economic calamity were to occur in America or in your family, would you still be content with Jesus; or would your faith be tested? In a personal financial problem, would you cling to your “wealth” like the rich young ruler, in Jesus' Parable, from Luke 18:18, 22-24: “And a ruler asked him {Jesus}, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' . . . When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.' But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, ‘How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!'”? It is not beyond the realm of possibility that we could face a situation in which our economy goes off the cliff; prices inflate; and life's necessitates become scarce. When you compare yourself to the remainder of the world, you are wealthy like the young ruler – we are all earthly rich in this country. Therefore, can you, unlike the “rich ruler”, “follow Jesus” in a time of financial calamity as well as in good economic times?   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I have spent much of my life running from pain and loss, medicating my pain, and quickly moving on to the next project — the new urgent demand. I ask for the grace to embrace all of life — the joys and the sorrows, the deaths, and the births, the old and the new. In Jesus' name, amen.     Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 110). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will entrust to Him my future. I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.  From 2 Timothy 1:12 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 18:21-27; James 5:1-6; Mathew 6:24-25; Psalms 37a:1-10. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: ““Jesus, Teach Us To Pray” ”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Luke 18:18-30 18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

I Love Central – Week 4 – July 7, 2024 The Second “Yes” Mark 10:17-22 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”8  “Why do you call me good?”  Jesus asked. […]

Mark 10:17-52 (ESV) 17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: […] The post What Do You Want Me to Do for You? (Mark 10:17-52) first appeared on Hope of Christ Church.

The German international school in Sydney in the Terry Hills district is an important institution of the German community in Australia. Dr. Lorenz Metzger has managed the school as its principal for 6 years. According to the statutes, there must be a change of school management at regular intervals. That is why, after a long adventure down under, the teacher is now heading back to Germany. - Die deutsche internationale Schule in Sydney im Stadtteil Terry Hills ist eine wichtige Institution der deutschen Community hier in Australien. Dr. Lorenz Metzger durfte 6 Jahre lang als Schuldirektor die Geschicke der Schule leiten. Gemäß der Satzung muss es in regelmäßigen Abständen einen Wechsel der Schulleitung geben. Deshalb geht es jetzt nach einem langen Abenteuer in Down Under für den Pädagogen zurück nach Deutschland.

This Week, Rizaan get SKELLED by a Teacher... We Chat About School & Teacher Dynamics.. How Parents Impact their Kids and Exploring Alternative Pathways.. A Bus Trip Love Story?? Samia's Journey with Embracing Islam.. Social Media Interactions.. Some Games.. and a Message to Your Younger Self... Follow Samia on

Has there ever been a teacher who saw something in you, when nobody else did? Host of FOX News Saturday Night and FOX Across America Jimmy Failla joins Kennedy to discuss which teachers they had in school affected their lives the most. Follow Kennedy on Twitter: @KennedyNation Kennedy Now Available on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4311mhD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HT1926 - Good Teachers, Better Teachers Having been a participant in workshops for 50 years (both as a student and as an instructor), I come to recognize that there are two types of instruction that are most prevalent. There are instructors who teach how to make images like they make. Then there are instructors who help you make the images that you want to make.

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Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”Facing the world today can sometimes feel like standing at the edge of a cliff, with the winds of cultural and spiritual turmoil threatening to push us over. Join me, Jack Rigert, as we navigate these tempestuous times, guided by the wisdom of Pope John Paul II and the poignant biblical story of Christ's encounter with the rich young man. This episode is a heartfelt call to the youth, and to all who mentor them, to recognize the fine line between the allure of kindness and the necessity of robust love—a love that doesn't shy away from the truth. Stories of young women grappling with identity and self-worth serve as our compass, leading us to understand how true compassion is the beacon that guides us towards redemption and an authentic sense of self.As we seek direction in life, it's easy to be blinded by the glare of materialism and the hollow pursuit of status symbols. But what happens when we look beyond these distractions to the horizon of eternal life? I'll share the insights of Carl Jung and the powerful narrative of Prisha Mosley, a detransitioner whose experience raises a flag of caution for the medical community. Together, we'll consider the responsibilities of those who shape young lives and the profound impact of decisions made in the absence of reality's firm grip. Whether it's the quest for identity or the search for spiritual meaning, this episode is a journey into the depths of what it means to truly connect with others and embrace a life illuminated by truth and purpose.Follow us on X: John Paul II Renewal @JP2RenewalCatch up with the latest on our website: jp2renew.orgSign up for our Newsletter!!  JPll Renewal Center email listContact Jack: info@jp2renew.orgPlease Support the show     "The future of humanity passes by way of the family"--John Paul II.Please send donations to support our work to:John Paul II Renewal Center902 S Randall RoadSTE C #296St. Charles, IL. 60174Support the Show.

This is pretty hysterical...Canadian teachers race around a snowy track in inflatable costumes! VIDEO: https://www.wdjx.com/teachers-run-a-hilarious-inflatable-costume-race-in-the-snow/

As a Jesus Follower, Is Your Faith So Solid that, Unlike the “rich ruler”, You Would “follow Jesus” in a Financial Storm? MESSAGE SUMMARY: If a financial and economic calamity were to occur in America or in your family, would you still be content with Jesus; or would your faith be tested? In a personal financial problem, would you cling to your “wealth” like the rich young ruler, in Jesus' Parable, from Luke 18:18, 22-24: “And a ruler asked him {Jesus}, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' . . . When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.' But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, ‘How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!'”? It is not beyond the realm of possibility that we could face a situation in which our economy goes off the cliff; prices inflate; and life's necessitates become scarce. When you compare yourself to the remainder of the world, you are wealthy like the young ruler – we are all earthly rich in this country. Therefore, can you, unlike the “rich ruler”, “follow Jesus” in a time of financial calamity as well as in good economic times?     TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I have spent much of my life running from pain and loss, medicating my pain, and quickly moving on to the next project — the new urgent demand. I ask for the grace to embrace all of life — the joys and the sorrows, the deaths, and the births, the old and the new. In Jesus' name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 110). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will trust in the Lord with all my heart. I will trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding.  In all my ways I will seek to know Him, and He will make my pathways straight.   From Proverbs 3:5f SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 18:21-27; James 5:1-6; Mathew 6:24-25; Psalms 37a:1-10. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “How God Says He Loves Us: Part 3 -- The Covenant with Moses”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________LentLet my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.Psalm 141:2 ConfessionOfficiant: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Lord's PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Invitatory & PsalmsOfficiant: O God, make speed to save us. People: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant & People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. O Gracious Light Phos hilaronO gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life,and to be glorified through all the worlds. Psalm 71In te, Domine, speravi1In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; *let me never be ashamed.2In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free; *incline your ear to me and save me.3Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; *you are my crag and my stronghold.4Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, *from the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor.5For you are my hope, O Lord God, *my confidence since I was young.6I have been sustained by you ever since I was born;from my mother's womb you have been my strength; *my praise shall be always of you.7I have become a portent to many; *but you are my refuge and my strength.8Let my mouth be full of your praise *and your glory all the day long.9Do not cast me off in my old age; *forsake me not when my strength fails.10For my enemies are talking against me, *and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together.11They say, “God has forsaken him;go after him and seize him; *because there is none who will save.”12O God, be not far from me; *come quickly to help me, O my God.13Let those who set themselves against me be put to shame and be disgraced; *let those who seek to do me evil be covered with scorn and reproach.14But I shall always wait in patience, *and shall praise you more and more.15My mouth shall recount your mighty actsand saving deeds all day long; *though I cannot know the number of them.16I will begin with the mighty works of the Lord God *I will recall your righteousness, yours alone.17O God, you have taught me since I was young, *and to this day I tell of your wonderful works.18And now that I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, *till I make known your strength to this generationand your power to all who are to come.19Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens; *you have done great things;who is like you, O God?20You have showed me great troubles and adversities, *but you will restore my lifeand bring me up again from the deep places of the earth.21You strengthen me more and more; *you enfold and comfort me,22Therefore I will praise you upon the lyre for your faithfulness, O my God; *I will sing to you with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.23My lips will sing with joy when I play to you, *and so will my soul, which you have redeemed.24My tongue will proclaim your righteousness all day long, *for they are ashamed and disgraced who sought to do me harm. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The LessonsJeremiah 7:1-15English Standard Version7 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Stand in the gate of the Lord's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all you men of Judah who enter these gates to worship the Lord. 3 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place. 4 Do not trust in these deceptive words: ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.'5 “For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, 6 if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.8 “Behold, you trust in deceptive words to no avail. 9 Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are delivered!'—only to go on doing all these abominations? 11 Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the Lord. 12 Go now to my place that was in Shiloh, where I made my name dwell at first, and see what I did to it because of the evil of my people Israel. 13 And now, because you have done all these things, declares the Lord, and when I spoke to you persistently you did not listen, and when I called you, you did not answer, 14 therefore I will do to the house that is called by my name, and in which you trust, and to the place that I gave to you and to your fathers, as I did to Shiloh. 15 And I will cast you out of my sight, as I cast out all your kinsmen, all the offspring of Ephraim.Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Mary - MagnificatMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation.He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as It was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Mark 10:17-31English Standard Version17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Simeon - Nunc dimittisLord, you now have set your servant free * to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, * whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, * and the glory of your people Israel.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersOfficiant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Officiant: Let us pray The SuffragesThat this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful, We entreat you, O Lord.That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses, We entreat you, O Lord.That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for the needs of others. Third Sunday in Lent (Anglican Prayer Book)ALMIGHTY God, consider the sincere desires of your humble servants, we humbly pray, and stretch out the right hand of your power to defend us against our enemies; through Jesus Christ our LORD. Amen.A Collect for PeaceMost holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.A Collect for Aid against PerilsBe our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.For MissionKeep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen. ThanksgivingsThe General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. ConclusionMay the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. - Romans 15:13

Message for 02/18/2024 "Jesus Goes Fishing" by Justin McTeer. *All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted* *All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted* Hebrews 1:3a - The Son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God 1 Samuel 16:7 - But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Matthew 4:12-16 - When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.” 17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Matthew 4:18-22 - One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him. 21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind. John 1:35-40 - The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. 36 As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” 37 When John's two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them. They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. They are Ordinary They were not men of great scholarship, or influence, or wealth, or social background. They were not poor; they were simple, working people with no great background, and certainly, anyone would have said, with no great future. What Jesus needs is ordinary men and women who will give him themselves. He can do anything with people like that. They are from from perfect, and they know it Mark 2:15-17 - Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus' followers.) 16 But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?” 17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” They recognize something is missing Mark 10:17-21 - As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.'” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I've obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven't done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 9:14-17 - One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him, “Why don't your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?” 15 Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 “Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. 17 “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.”

Jesus of Nazareth is one of those rare historical figures who nearly everyone wants to claim. You might say that just as God made us in His image, people return the favor and remake Jesus in our image. In fact, in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, it became academically popular to claim to know what Jesus taught while assuming the Gospel accounts, especially the miraculous parts, were not true. An assumption that was simply taken for granted is that Jesus never claimed to be God.   Though the scholarly world has largely progressed past these scholars and their “scholarship,” Jesus is still reimagined by many as something other than Christ. He's embraced as a political avatar or lifestyle coach, or in a role for which He was ill-suited: that of merely a “good teacher.” Christians know there's more to the Jesus story. But how should we respond to false claims about Him, especially those based on little knowledge of what the Gospels actually say?   A recent video in the What Would You Say? series tackled this question and offered three points to keep in mind. First, the Scriptures clearly tell us who Jesus was and what He claimed to be.   "People who reject that Jesus was God have to reject some of the things that the Gospel writers claim about Jesus while accepting others. But how do we know which parts we can trust and which parts we should reject? Often, skeptics end up keeping those parts of the Gospels that describe the kind of Jesus they want to accept and end up with a Jesus they've pieced together. In other words, skeptics can be guilty of what they are assuming about Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.   Not only is that inconsistent, but it ignores the fact that the Gospel writers have provided a reliable account of the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Not only are the books full of eyewitness accounts of His life and ministry, the authors had strong incentive to rightly preserve and pass on the details they contain. … At the very least, to dismiss the Gospels up front, and assume that they could not possibly be reliable accounts, means we are left with no real sources about His life to conclude He was even a good teacher." Second, the coming and work of the Messiah were long foretold, with prophetic details that were fulfilled in the life of Jesus.   "In 700 BC, the prophet Micah predicted the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judea. The prophet Zechariah announced that the coming Savior would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. Some Psalms point to a crucifixion-like death, centuries before this became a common means of execution under the Romans.   Some skeptics claim that these prophecies were read back into the Old Testament by those in power in the early Church. However, there are far too many details mentioned to be mere coincidence. The odds of one man's life matching so many of these predicted details would be astronomical. In fact, according to Professor Peter Stoner, 'The probability that Jesus of Nazareth could have fulfilled even eight such prophecies would be only 1 in 10x17th power. That's 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000.'" Finally, the Gospels record the eyewitness accounts of Jesus' ministry. One of the ways they confirm His identity as the Messiah is recording the miracles Jesus performed.   "In addition to the miraculous prophetic detail, Jesus performed miracles during His earthly ministry that were attested to by eyewitnesses and recorded in the Scripture and history. Even his enemies who denied that He was the Messiah never disputed that Jesus of Nazareth performed miracles and wonders. In fact, after the crucifixion and resurrection, Peter, in the Pentecost sermon to the crowd in Jerusalem, reminded his audience that Jesus had fed 5,000 people, had restored sight to the blind, and had raised the dead to life. Peter claimed that all these miracles were done by Jesus, 'in your midst' (Acts 2:22) " Jesus wasn't just a nice guy who told stories and wanted others to be nice. He didn't come to simply “show us the way.” He claimed to be the Way, the only way to God.  To see this video and others like it, and to use them in classes or conversation, go to whatwouldyousay.org.    This Breakpoint was co-authored by Dr. Timothy Padgett. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.