Podcasts about he who

Don't let circumstances define you. Don't let circumstances move you from your faith. Don't let circumstances move you from the secret place of The Most High. “HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].”‭‭Psalm‬ ‭91‬:‭1‬ ‭AMPC‬‬https://bible.com/bible/8/psa.91.1.AMPC

LESSON 154I Am Among The Ministers Of God.Let us today be neither arrogant nor falsely humble. We have gone beyond such foolishness. We cannot judge ourselves, nor need we do so. These are but attempts to hold decision off, and to delay commitment to our function. It is not our part to judge our worth, nor can we know what role is best for us; what we can do within a larger plan we cannot see in its entirety. Our part is cast in Heaven, not in hell. And what we think is weakness can be strength; what we believe to be our strength is often arrogance.Whatever your appointed role may be, it was selected by the Voice for God, Whose function is to speak for you as well. Seeing your strengths exactly as they are, and equally aware of where they can be best applied, for what, to whom and when, He chooses and accepts your part for you. He does not work without your own consent. But He is not deceived in what you are, and listens only to His Voice in you.It is through His ability to hear one Voice Which is His Own that you become aware at last there is one Voice in you. And that one Voice appoints your function, and relays it to you, giving you the strength to understand it, do what it entails, and to succeed in everything you do that is related to it. God has joined His Son in this, and thus His Son becomes His messenger of unity with Him.It is this joining, through the Voice for God, of Father and of Son, that sets apart salvation from the world. It is this Voice Which speaks of laws the world does not obey; Which promises salvation from all sin, with guilt abolished in the mind that God created sinless. Now this mind becomes aware again of Who created it, and of His lasting union with itself. So is its Self the one reality in Which its will and that of God are joined.A messenger is not the one who writes the message he delivers. Nor does he question the right of him who does, nor ask why he has chosen those who will receive the message that he brings. It is enough that he accept it, give it to the ones for whom it is intended, and fulfill his role in its delivery. If he determines what the messages should be, or what their purpose is, or where they should be carried, he is failing to perform his proper part as bringer of the Word.There is one major difference in the role of Heaven's messengers, which sets them off from those the world appoints. The messages that they deliver are intended first for them. And it is only as they can accept them for themselves that they become able to bring them further, and to give them everywhere that they were meant to be. Like earthly messengers, they did not write the messages they bear, but they become their first receivers in the truest sense, receiving to prepare themselves to give.An earthly messenger fulfills his role by giving all his messages away. The messengers of God perform their part by their acceptance of His messages as for themselves, and show they understand the messages by giving them away. They choose no roles that are not given them by His authority. And so they gain by every message that they give away.Would you receive the messages of God? For thus do you become His messenger. You are appointed now. And yet you wait to give the messages you have received. And so you do not know that they are yours, and do not recognize them. No one can receive and understand he has received until he gives. For in the giving is his own acceptance of what he received.You who are now the messengers of God, receive His messages. For that is part of your appointed role. God has not failed to offer what you need, nor has it been left unaccepted. Yet another part of your appointed task is yet to be accomplished. He Who has received for you the messages of God would have them be received by you as well. For thus do you identify with Him and claim your own.It is this joining that we undertake to recognize today. We will not seek to keep our minds apart from Him Who speaks for us, for it is but our voice we hear as we attend Him. He alone can speak to us and for us, joining in one Voice the getting and the giving of God's Word; the giving and receiving of His Will.We practice giving Him what He would have, that we may recognize His gifts to us. He needs our voice that He may speak through us. He needs our hands to hold His messages, and carry them to those whom He appoints. He needs our feet to bring us where He wills, that those who wait in misery may be at last delivered. And He needs our will united with His Own, that we may be the true receivers of the gifts He gives.Let us but learn this lesson for today: We will not recognize what we receive until we give it. You have heard this said a hundred ways, a hundred times, and yet belief is lacking still. But this is sure; until belief is given it, you will receive a thousand miracles and then receive a thousand more, but will not know that God Himself has left no gift beyond what you already have; nor has denied the tiniest of blessings to His Son. What can this mean to you, until you have identified with Him and with His Own?Our lesson for today is stated thus:I am among the ministers of God, and I am grateful thatI have the means by which to recognize that I am free.The world recedes as we light up our minds, and realize these holy words are true. They are the message sent to us today from our Creator. Now we demonstrate how they have changed our minds about ourselves, and what our function is. For as we prove that we accept no will we do not share, our many gifts from our Creator will spring to our sight and leap into our hands, and we will recognize what we received.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

https://youtu.be/i6MD4oSVD2c Audio: Play the audio class Download: Download this MP3 Topics: Verses of Praise Follow-Along Text: בָּרוּךְ שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם, בָּרוּךְ הוּא, Blessed be He Who spoke, and the world came into being; blessed be He. בָּרוּךְ אוֹמֵר וְעֹשֶׂה, Blessed be He Who speaks, and acts [accordingly]. בָּרוּךְ גּוֹזֵר וּמְקַיֵּם, Blessed be He Who decrees, and fulfills. בָּרוּךְ עֹשֶׂה בְרֵאשִׁית, Blessed be He Who creates the universe. בָּרוּךְ מְרַחֵם עַל הָאָרֶץ, Blessed be He Who has compassion on the land. Blessed be He Who has compassion on the created beings. בָּרוּךְ מְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר טוֹב לִירֵאָיו, Blessed be He Who grants a generous reward to those who fear Him. בָּרוּךְ חַי לָעַד וְקַיָּם לָנֶצַח, Blessed be He Who lives forever and exists for all time. Previous092 – Verses of Praise: Lesheim Yichud – Part 02 Next094 – Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 02 More in this section 096 – Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 04 095 – Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 03 094 – Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 02 092 – Verses of Praise: Lesheim Yichud – Part 02 091 – Verses of Praise: Lesheim Yichud – Part 01 090 – Verses of Praise: Hoshienu and Lamnatzeach 089 – Verses of Praise: Hashem Melech 088 – Verses of Praise: Mizmor Shir – Part 02 087 – Verses of Praise: Mizmor Shir – Part 01 086 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 06 085 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 05 084 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 04 083 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 03 082 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 02 081 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 01

https://youtu.be/ryJJ8tG58H8 Audio: Play the audio class Download: Download this MP3 Topics: Verses of Praise Follow-Along Text: בָּרוּךְ פּוֹדֶה וּמַצִּיל, בָּרוּךְ שְׁמוֹ. Blessed be He Who redeems and saves. Blessed be His name. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, Blessed are You, God our Lord, King of the universe, הָאֵל, אָב הָרַחֲמָן, הַמְהֻלָּל בְּפֶה עַמּוֹ, the benevolent God and merciful Father, Who is praised by the mouth of His people, מְשֻׁבָּח וּמְפֹאָר בִּלְשׁוֹן חֲסִידָיו וַעֲבָדָיו, and exalted and glorified by the tongue of His pious ones and by His servants, וּבְשִׁירֵי דָוִד עַבְדֶּךָ. and by the songs of David, Your servant. נְהַלֶּלְךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, בִּשְׁבָחוֹת וּבִזְמִרוֹת, We shall extol You, God our Lord, with praises and music; נְגַדֶּלְךָ וּנְשַׁבֵּחֲךָ וּנְפָאֶרְךָ, וְנַמְלִיכְךָ וְנַזְכִּיר שִׁמְךָ מַלְכֵּנוּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ. we shall magnify, exalt and glorify You; we shall affirm Your sovereignty and recall Your name, our King, our God. יָחִיד, חֵי הָעוֹלָמִים You are unique, granting life to the worlds, מֶלֶךְ. מְשֻׁבָּח וּמְפֹאָר עֲדֵי עַד שְׁמוֹ הַגָּדוֹל. the King. Praised and glorified forever is His great name. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מֶלֶךְ מְהֻלָּל בַּתִּשְׁבָּחוֹת׃ Blessed are You, God, the King Who is extolled with praises. Previous093 – Morning Prayers: Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 01 Next095 – Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 03 More in this section 096 – Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 04 095 – Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 03 093 – Morning Prayers: Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 01 092 – Verses of Praise: Lesheim Yichud – Part 02 091 – Verses of Praise: Lesheim Yichud – Part 01 090 – Verses of Praise: Hoshienu and Lamnatzeach 089 – Verses of Praise: Hashem Melech 088 – Verses of Praise: Mizmor Shir – Part 02 087 – Verses of Praise: Mizmor Shir – Part 01 086 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 06 085 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 05 084 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 04 083 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 03 082 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 02 081 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 01

https://youtu.be/QxWje9z9G54 Audio: Play the audio class Download: Download this MP3 Topics: Verses of Praise Follow-Along Text: בָּרוּךְ שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם, בָּרוּךְ הוּא, Blessed be He Who spoke, and the world came into being; blessed be He. בָּרוּךְ אוֹמֵר וְעֹשֶׂה, Blessed be He Who speaks, and acts [accordingly]. בָּרוּךְ גּוֹזֵר וּמְקַיֵּם, Blessed be He Who decrees, and fulfills. בָּרוּךְ עֹשֶׂה בְרֵאשִׁית, Blessed be He Who creates the universe. בָּרוּךְ מְרַחֵם עַל הָאָרֶץ, Blessed be He Who has compassion on the land. Blessed be He Who has compassion on the created beings. בָּרוּךְ מְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר טוֹב לִירֵאָיו, Blessed be He Who grants a generous reward to those who fear Him. בָּרוּךְ חַי לָעַד וְקַיָּם לָנֶצַח, Blessed be He Who lives forever and exists for all time. Previous094 – Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 02 Next096 – Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 04 More in this section 096 – Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 04 094 – Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 02 093 – Morning Prayers: Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 01 092 – Verses of Praise: Lesheim Yichud – Part 02 091 – Verses of Praise: Lesheim Yichud – Part 01 090 – Verses of Praise: Hoshienu and Lamnatzeach 089 – Verses of Praise: Hashem Melech 088 – Verses of Praise: Mizmor Shir – Part 02 087 – Verses of Praise: Mizmor Shir – Part 01 086 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 06 085 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 05 084 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 04 083 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 03 082 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 02 081 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 01

https://youtu.be/xwrqtI5-ihg Audio: Play the audio class Download: Download this MP3 Topics: Verses of Praise Follow-Along Text: בָּרוּךְ פּוֹדֶה וּמַצִּיל, בָּרוּךְ שְׁמוֹ. Blessed be He Who redeems and saves. Blessed be His name. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, Blessed are You, God our Lord, King of the universe, הָאֵל, אָב הָרַחֲמָן, הַמְהֻלָּל בְּפֶה עַמּוֹ, the benevolent God and merciful Father, Who is praised by the mouth of His people, מְשֻׁבָּח וּמְפֹאָר בִּלְשׁוֹן חֲסִידָיו וַעֲבָדָיו, and exalted and glorified by the tongue of His pious ones and by His servants, וּבְשִׁירֵי דָוִד עַבְדֶּךָ. and by the songs of David, Your servant. נְהַלֶּלְךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, בִּשְׁבָחוֹת וּבִזְמִרוֹת, We shall extol You, God our Lord, with praises and music; נְגַדֶּלְךָ וּנְשַׁבֵּחֲךָ וּנְפָאֶרְךָ, וְנַמְלִיכְךָ וְנַזְכִּיר שִׁמְךָ מַלְכֵּנוּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ. we shall magnify, exalt and glorify You; we shall affirm Your sovereignty and recall Your name, our King, our God. יָחִיד, חֵי הָעוֹלָמִים You are unique, granting life to the worlds, מֶלֶךְ. מְשֻׁבָּח וּמְפֹאָר עֲדֵי עַד שְׁמוֹ הַגָּדוֹל. the King. Praised and glorified forever is His great name. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מֶלֶךְ מְהֻלָּל בַּתִּשְׁבָּחוֹת׃ Blessed are You, God, the King Who is extolled with praises. Previous095 – Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 03 More in this section 095 – Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 03 094 – Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 02 093 – Morning Prayers: Verses of Praise: Baruch Sheamar – Part 01 092 – Verses of Praise: Lesheim Yichud – Part 02 091 – Verses of Praise: Lesheim Yichud – Part 01 090 – Verses of Praise: Hoshienu and Lamnatzeach 089 – Verses of Praise: Hashem Melech 088 – Verses of Praise: Mizmor Shir – Part 02 087 – Verses of Praise: Mizmor Shir – Part 01 086 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 06 085 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 05 084 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 04 083 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 03 082 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 02 081 – Verses of Praise: Hodu – Part 01

LESSON 100My Part Is Essential To God's Plan For Salvation.Just as God's Son completes his Father, so your part in it completes your Father's plan. Salvation must reverse the mad belief in separate thoughts and separate bodies, which lead separate lives and go their separate ways. One function shared by separate minds unites them in one purpose, for each one of them is equally essential to them all.God's Will for you is perfect happiness. Why should you choose to go against His Will? The part that He has saved for you to take in working out His plan is given you that you might be restored to what He wills. This part is as essential to His plan as to your happiness. Your joy must be complete to let His plan be understood by those to whom He sends you. They will see their function in your shining face, and hear God calling to them in your happy laugh.You are indeed essential to God's plan. Without your joy, His joy is incomplete. Without your smile, the world cannot be saved. While you are sad, the light that God Himself appointed as the means to save the world is dim and lusterless, and no one laughs because all laughter can but echo yours.You are indeed essential to God's plan. Just as your light increases every light that shines in Heaven, so your joy on earth calls to all minds to let their sorrows go, and take their place beside you in God's plan. God's messengers are joyous, and their joy heals sorrow and despair. They are the proof that God wills perfect happiness for all who will accept their Father's gifts as theirs.We will not let ourselves be sad today. For if we do, we fail to take the part that is essential to God's plan, as well as to our vision. Sadness is the sign that you would play another part, instead of what has been assigned to you by God. Thus do you fail to show the world how great the happiness He wills for you. And so you do not recognize that it is yours.Today we will attempt to understand joy is our function here. If you are sad, your part is unfulfilled, and all the world is thus deprived of joy, along with you. God asks you to be happy, so the world can see how much He loves His Son, and wills no sorrow rises to abate his joy; no fear besets him to disturb his peace. You are God's messenger today. You bring His happiness to all you look upon; His peace to everyone who looks on you and sees His message in your happy face.We will prepare ourselves for this today, in our five-minute practice periods, by feeling happiness arise in us according to our Father's Will and ours. Begin the exercises with the thought today's idea contains. Then realize your part is to be happy. Only this is asked of you or anyone who wants to take his place among God's messengers. Think what this means. You have indeed been wrong in your belief that sacrifice is asked. You but receive according to God's plan, and never lose or sacrifice or die.Now let us try to find that joy that proves to us and all the world God's Will for us. It is your function that you find it here, and that you find it now. For this you came. Let this one be the day that you succeed! Look deep within you, undismayed by all the little thoughts and foolish goals you pass as you ascend to meet the Christ in you.He will be there. And you can reach Him now. What could you rather look upon in place of Him Who waits that you may look on Him? What little thought has power to hold you back? What foolish goal can keep you from success when He Who calls to you is God Himself?He will be there. You are essential to His plan. You are His messenger today. And you must find what He would have you give. Do not forget the idea for today between your hourly practice periods. It is your Self Who calls to you today. And it is Him you answer, every time you tell yourself you are essential to God's plan for the salvation of the world.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

LESSON 94I Am As God Created Me.Today we continue with the one idea which brings complete salvation; the one statement which makes all forms of temptation powerless; the one thought which renders the ego silent and entirely undone. You are as God created you. The sounds of this world are still, the sights of this world disappear, and all the thoughts that this world ever held are wiped away forever by this one idea. Here is salvation accomplished. Here is sanity restored.True light is strength, and strength is sinlessness. If you remain as God created you, you must be strong and light must be in you. He Who ensured your sinlessness must be the guarantee of strength and light as well. You are as God created you. Darkness cannot obscure the glory of God's Son. You stand in light, strong in the sinlessness in which you were created, and in which you will remain throughout eternity.Today we will again devote the first five minutes of each waking hour to the attempt to feel the truth in you. Begin these times of searching with these words:I am as God created me.I am His Son eternally.Now try to reach the Son of God in you. This is the Self That never sinned, nor made an image to replace reality. This is the Self That never left Its home in God to walk the world uncertainly. This is the Self That knows no fear, nor could conceive of loss or suffering or death.Nothing is required of you to reach this goal except to lay all idols and self-images aside; go past the list of attributes, both good and bad, you have ascribed to yourself; and wait in silent expectancy for the truth. God has Himself promised that it will be revealed to all who ask for it. You are asking now. You cannot fail because He cannot fail.If you do not meet the requirement of practicing for the first five minutes of every hour, at least remind yourself hourly:I am as God created me.I am His Son eternally.Tell yourself frequently today that you are as God created you. And be sure to respond to anyone who seems to irritate you with these words:You are as God created you.You are His Son eternally.Make every effort to do the hourly exercises today. Each one you do will be a giant stride toward your release, and a milestone in learning the thought system which this course sets forth.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

Mat 21:8  And a great number of the multitude spread their garments on the road; and others were cutting down branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. Mat 21:9  And the multitudes, those who were going before and those who were following behind, were shouting, saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!" 

Saturday is review day on The Daily Promise. Every Saturday, we review the promises of the week so we can allow them to go deep into our hearts and lives. Here are the promises we covered this week. Exodus 23:20 – Angels go Ahead of you. Luke 19:4-5 – Jesus Knows You by Name. 1 John 4:4 – Greater is He Who is in You. 2 Timothy 1:7 – God Promises Victory Over Fear. James 4:7 – You Have Victory over the Devil.

O you poor and silly and thoughtless and unreflecting and senseless Galatians! Who has fascinated or bewitched or cast a spell over you, unto whom—right before your very eyes—Jesus Christ (the Messiah) was openly and graphically set forth and portrayed as crucified? 2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the [Holy] Spirit as the result of obeying the Law and doing its works, or was it by hearing [the message of the Gospel] and believing [it]? [Was it from observing a law of rituals or from a message of faith?] 3 Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the [Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things and experienced so much all for nothing (to no purpose)—if it really is to no purpose and in vain? 5 Then does He Who supplies you with His marvelous [Holy] Spirit and works powerfully and miraculously among you do so on [the grounds of your doing] what the Law demands, or because of your believing in and adhering to and trusting in and relying on the message that you heard? 6 Thus Abraham believed in and adhered to and trusted in and relied on God, and it was reckoned and placed to his account and credited as righteousness (as conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action). 7 Know and understand that it is [really] the people [who live] by faith who are [the true] sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify (declare righteous, put in right standing with Himself) the Gentiles in consequence of faith, proclaimed the Gospel [foretelling the glad tidings of a Savior long beforehand] to Abraham in the promise, saying, In you shall all the nations [of the earth] be blessed. 9 So then, those who are people of faith are blessed and made happy and favored by God [as partners in fellowship] with the believing and trusting Abraham. 10 And all who depend on the Law [who are seeking to be justified by obedience to the Law of rituals] are under a curse and doomed to disappointment and destruction, for it is written in the Scriptures, Cursed (accursed, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment) be everyone who does not continue to abide (live and remain) by all the precepts and commands written in the Book of the Law and to practice them. 11 Now it is evident that no person is justified (declared righteous and brought into right standing with God) through the Law, for the Scripture says, The man in right standing with God [the just, the righteous] shall live by and out of faith and he who through and by faith is declared righteous and in right standing with God shall live.

Grace (favor and blessing) to you and [heart] peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. 4 In every prayer of mine I always make my entreaty and petition for you all with joy (delight). 5 [I thank my God] for your fellowship (your [a]sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership) in advancing the good news (the Gospel) from the first day [you heard it] until now. 6 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. 7 It is right and appropriate for me to have this confidence and feel this way about you all, because [b]you have me in your heart and I hold you in my heart as partakers and sharers, one and all with me, of grace (God's unmerited favor and spiritual blessing). [This is true] both when I am shut up in prison and when I am out in the defense and confirmation of the good news (the Gospel).

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord God, He Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty (the Ruler of all). ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ Do not grow weary in well doing

While this episode was suposed to appear in Decemeber, it is a powerful appreciation of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Michael Sparks and James Joseph excitingly invite newly ordained Deacon Luciano Diaz to share his story. In this episode another Sons of Ars episode is referenced called "He Who is Called by God" from Mar 21, 2022 Email with any questions or comments: sonsofarspodcast@gmail.com Do you want to get monthly updates about seminary life at Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary? Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://sjvdenver.edu/  Also, check us out and see our events on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sjvseminaries/

Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [[a]the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [[b]subdued, overcame, [c]deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice], 4 So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit]. 5 For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and [d]pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and [e]seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit. 6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that [f]comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. 7 [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's Law; indeed it cannot. 8 So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him. 9 But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God]. 10 But if Christ lives in you, [then although] your [natural] body is dead by reason of sin and guilt, the spirit is alive because of [the] righteousness [that He imputes to you]. 11 And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you. 12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, but not to the flesh [we are not obligated to our carnal nature], to live [a life ruled by the standards set up by the dictates] of the flesh. 13 For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! 16 The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God. 17 And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory. 18 [But what of that?] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and [g]for us and [h]conferred on us!

December 28 2025 Sunday Who Jesus Made You To Be / Week 06 / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:" 1 Thessalonians 4:16 KJV "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves." 1 Thessalonians 4:16 NLT  "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first." 1 Thessalonians 4:16 AMPC "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT "Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMPC "And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 1:14 KJV "Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 1:14 NLT "And the grace (unmerited favor and blessing) of our Lord [actually] flowed out superabundantly and beyond measure for me, accompanied by faith and love that are [to be realized] in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 1:14 AMPC "who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," 2 Timothy 1:9 KJV "For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 1:9 NLT "[For it is He] Who delivered and saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to holiness [to a life of consecration, a vocation of holiness]; [He did it] not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of and to further His own purpose and grace (unmerited favor) which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago]." 2 Timothy 1:9 AMPC "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 1:13 KJV "Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 1:13 NLT "Hold fast and follow the pattern of wholesome and sound teaching which you have heard from me, in [all] the faith and love which are [for us] in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 1:13 AMPC "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." Psalm 138:2 KJV Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

December 25, 2025Today's Reading: John 1:1-18Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 49:1-18; Matthew 1:1-17“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The words “in the beginning” take us back to Genesis. We know the story: a perfect, pristine creation by God in six days comes crashing down under the curse of sin by one man's trespass that “led to condemnation for all men” (Romans 5:18). The darkness of sin and man's condemnation under the law is only overcome by divine Light.  The inspired writer John proclaims this Light, this redemption found in the Word made flesh Who dwelt among us. John's description of Jesus is still worthy of faithful contemplation, for he speaks of Jesus' divinity as the everlasting Word in the beginning through Whom all things were made. Whereas the other Gospels begin emphasizing the humanity of Jesus, John begins with His divinity. Christ wasn't another prophet or rabbi, but the everlasting Word Incarnate, God having come to dwell among us not in a Temple or Tent, but in the flesh and blood person of Christ crucified and risen from the dead. We behold our Advocate with the Father in the Son Who testifies “I and the Father are One” (John 10:30) and “before Abraham was, I Am” (John 8:58). In the face of so many heresies decrying Jesus as God, this confession of Christ as Lord must go forth in that courageous conviction only God brings forth in His blessed children. There's no other way to the Father than through the Son, Who is the “Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6) and calls sinners to repentance and faith in He Who still outshines a dark world.The children of God believe and confess this Word by faith, and John also clarifies for us that this is God's work. Children of God aren't made so by the will of the flesh but God. It's His divine work to bring life from death. The dark, cold, stoney heart becomes one brimming with life at the good deposit entrusted to the baptized believer—faith in the Word made flesh. It's this faith that seeks comfort and solace in the promises of God when it seems the darkness has won and thus any victory belongs to the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31). Feelings should fall to the wayside of Jesus' promises. No, the darkness doesn't win. The Word Incarnate has made sure of it. The darkness doesn't overcome the Light Who shines now and for all eternity. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Into flesh is made the Word, alleluia! He, our refuge and our Lord, alleluia! On this day God gave us Christ, His Son, to save us; Christ, His Son, to save us (LSB 381)Author: Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, senior pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Brenham, TX.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you'll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew's Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.

This recording is a recording of the meaning of the Advent Wreath used during the season of Advent. To hear the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on December 7, 2025, go to our YouTube Channel. Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12   The Prophecy Candle is the 1st candle lit the first week in Advent.  It is symbolic of the long years of waiting during which the prophets, inspired of God, kept alive the hope that the Son of God was coming to redeem His people from their sins. "Therefore... rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:13) The Bethlehem Candle is the 2nd candle lit.  It symbolizes the peace that comes to sinners and the preparations God made for the coming of the world's Savior. The prophecy in Micah 5:2 that foretold Jesus' birthplace at Bethlehem may seem to be a minor revelation, but it shows how God prepared even the least detail for the coming of Christ. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” (Micah 5:2) The Shepherds' Candle is the 3rd candle lit and reminds us of our responsibility to share the Savior and His promises. The shepherds left their task and went with haste to see the Christ-child; then they returned to joyfully tell others about the good news of the Savior. “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people." ...  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. (Luke 2:11,17) The Angels' Candle is lit the 4th week of Advent.  It reminds us of the activity of the angels before and after Jesus' birth, bearing messages, ministering, protecting, praising; they will be with Jesus at His final coming on Judgment Day, to gather the nations. "All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God" (Revelation 7:11) The Christ Candle is the white candle in the center, and is lit on Christmas Eve. It signals that He Who is the Light of the world has been born.   The light these candles put forth seems small;  so does the gospel at times.  But to those in lonely darkness, it is the powerful light which shows the way to Heaven.

LESSON 324I Merely Follow, For I Would Not Lead.Father, You are the One Who gave the plan for my salvation to me. You have set the way I am to go, the role to take, and every step in my appointed path. I cannot lose the way. I can but choose to wander off a while, and then return. Your loving Voice will always call me back, and guide my feet aright. My brothers all can follow in the way I lead them. Yet I merely follow in the way to You, as You direct me and would have me go.So let us follow One Who knows the way. We need not tarry, and we cannot stray except an instant from His loving hand. We walk together, for we follow Him. And it is He Who makes the ending sure, and guarantees a safe returning home.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

November 09 2025 Sunday Your Words Matter / Week 40 / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 KJV "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." 1 John 1:9 NLT "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]." 1 John 1:9 AMPC "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:" 1 John 2:1 KJV "My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous." 1 John 2:1 NLT "MY LITTLE children, I write you these things so that you may not violate God's law and sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate (One Who will intercede for us) with the Father–[it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, Who conforms to the Father's will in every purpose, thought, and action]." 1 John 2:1 AMPC "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2 KJV "Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is." 1 John 3:2 NLT "Beloved, we are [even here and] now God's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God's children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is." 1 John 3:2 AMPC "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." 1 John 3:14 KJV "If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead." 1 John 3:14 NLT "We know that we have passed over out of death into Life by the fact that we love the brethren (our fellow Christians). He who does not love abides (remains, is held and kept continually) in [spiritual] death." 1 John 3:14 AMPC "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4 KJV "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world." 1 John 4:4 NLT   "Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 AMPC Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

Today's Topics: 1) Gospel - Luke 13:31-35 - Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill You." He replied, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish My purpose. Yet I must continue on My way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.' "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord." Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3, 4) Terry discusses what must be done to foster vocations to the Priesthood, and the influences of the Saints and others

What is the Real World?The real world is a symbol, like the rest of what perception offers. Yet it stands for what is opposite to what you made. Your world is seen through eyes of fear, and brings the witnesses of terror to your mind. The real world cannot be perceived except through eyes forgiveness blesses, so they see a world where terror is impossible, and witnesses to fear can not be found.The real world holds a counterpart for each unhappy thought reflected in your world; a sure correction for the sights of fear and sounds of battle which your world contains. The real world shows a world seen differently, through quiet eyes and with a mind at peace. Nothing but rest is there. There are no cries of pain and sorrow heard, for nothing there remains outside forgiveness. And the sights are gentle. Only happy sights and sounds can reach the mind that has forgiven itself.What need has such a mind for thoughts of death, attack and murder? What can it perceive surrounding it but safety, love and joy? What is there it would choose to be condemned, and what is there that it would judge against? The world it sees arises from a mind at peace within itself. No danger lurks in anything it sees, for it is kind, and only kindness does it look upon.The real world is the symbol that the dream of sin and guilt is over, and God's Son no longer sleeps. His waking eyes perceive the sure reflection of his Father's Love; the certain promise that he is redeemed. The real world signifies the end of time, for its perception makes time purposeless.The Holy Spirit has no need of time when it has served His purpose. Now He waits but that one instant more for God to take His final step, and time has disappeared, taking perception with it as it goes, and leaving but the truth to be itself. That instant is our goal, for it contains the memory of God. And as we look upon a world forgiven, it is He Who calls to us and comes to take us home, reminding us of our Identity Which our forgiveness has restored to us.LESSON 291This Is A Day Of Stillness And Of Peace.Christ's vision looks through me today. His sight shows me all things forgiven and at peace, and offers this same vision to the world. And I accept this vision in its name, both for myself and for the world as well. What loveliness we look upon today! What holiness we see surrounding us! And it is given us to recognize it is a holiness in which we share; it is the Holiness of God Himself.This day my mind is quiet, to receive the Thoughts You offer me. And I accept what comes from You, instead of from myself. I do not know the way to You. But You are wholly certain. Father, guide Your Son along the quiet path that leads to You. Let my forgiveness be complete, and let the memory of You return to me.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

Resting In the Promises (1) (audio) David Eells, 10/15/25 Today, I'd like to encourage you and remind you about the rest of God and to trust in His promises so we can see His salvation come to pass completely. We need the Lord to help us understand how deep and broad His precious promises of the Real Good News are, and what His power is to those who believe them. Jesus said, (Mat.9:29) According to your faith be it done unto you. And in (8:13) As thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. It's important what we believe and know because faith is based on knowledge, and you can't believe for something that you don't know about. So we need to be familiar with the Word. The promises of God are for our salvation in personal (soul) salvation, healing (body) salvation, and also deliverance, protection, and provision. We know that all these promises are past tense. (1Pe.2:24) Who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree ... by whose stripes ye were healed. (Col.1:13) Who delivered us out of the power of darkness.... (Rom.6:18) And being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness. (22) But now being made free from sin and become servants to God... They are all past tense so that we can enter into His all-inclusive, New Testament rest. The rest mentioned in Hebrews speaks of ceasing from our own works through faith in His promises. We need to walk in that rest and in that peace so that we are not condemned by the devil, separated from the faith of God, separated from the things that God wants to do through us. All provision has been made in our New Testament Sabbath rest. Our sabbatismos, as it is called in Hebrews 4, means “a continual rest.” The Sabbath is no longer one day that we rest; we have to cease from our works and enter into His rest through faith every day. That's His promise. The Lord has been bringing individuals through their own personal wilderness so that they can learn how to live by faith. (Heb.10:38) But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul. Now, your soul is your mind, will and emotions; it's your nature, your character. Jesus Christ is an example of a saved soul, and walking in His steps is something that He has provided for us to do. (1Jn.2:6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. And we can see from His life that Jesus walked by faith, completely trusting the Father in everything. The Lord is using our time in the wilderness to work the same thing in us. We understand that we are living in the latter days, and Jeremiah said in (Jer.30:23) Behold, the tempest of the Lord, [even his] wrath, is gone forth, a sweeping tempest: it shall burst upon the head of the wicked. (24) the fierce anger of the Lord shall not return until he have executed, and till he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall understand it. And continuing in (31:1) At that time (still talking about the latter days), saith the Lord, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. Romans 11 tells us about all those who are grafted into the olive tree, which is called “all Israel” by faith. The Lord broke off the unbelieving Jews concerning the new Kingdom and He grafted in the Gentiles as the Church, and then He said, (Rom.11:26) And so all Israel shall be saved. “All the families of Israel” is a very large group of people around the world, not just natural Israel. (Jer.31:2) Thus saith the Lord, The people that were left of the sword found favor in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest. The wilderness is a sparse place with very little worldly provision for man. There, the Israelites had to have their salvation, provision, and protection from God. He brought them to a perfect place to learn to trust in Him for His provision. He made this an opportunity for them where God, in His mercy, had to ultimately save them after they ran out of all their provision from Egypt (a type of the world) and there was no natural provision around them. So, when you believe these past tense promises from God, you automatically enter into a wilderness because there is no help from man. I have seen God's wonderful stored provision for His people headed to wilderness.  God's already delivered you, healed you, provided for you, fed you, housed you, already protected you, and saved your soul. He's already done all these things; therefore, you can't do anything to bring them to pass. Since He's already done them, you just have to rest. (Heb.4:3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. In other words, God is saying, “Why shouldn't you rest? The works are already finished!” The problem is that people don't walk by faith and the promises are quickly taken away from them. Here's one instance: (Heb.3:18) And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient? (19) And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief. So if you want to know where disobedience comes from, it comes from unbelief because when you believe the promises, you are at rest. You are at peace. You are trusting in God to bring it to pass and you are ceasing from your works. Now, your works of the flesh are disobedience and they're sin. Your works of the Law, which are of the Old Covenent, are sin in the New Covenant. So you see, unbelief brings disobedience, and the Greek word apeitheia means both “disobedience” and “unbelief.” It can be translated either way. How can that be? Let's read (Heb.4:11) Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience (apeitheia or “unbelief”). (6) Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience (apeitheia or “unbelief”). If you have unbelief, you will be disobedient and one reason is that you cannot cease from your own works when you don't believe God's already done it. You always want to help Him out, or you get your eyes on the world and your problems. When that happens, people fall victim to fear, doubt, discouragement, and all those things because of what they see with their physical eyes, rather than what they see in the Bible. If you walk by sight, you will not walk by faith. You'll be like Israel in the wilderness, who looked around and saw lack on every side. They didn't believe that God was able to meet their every need out there, and the devil agreed with them, so they became full of fear, discouragement, and disobedience, and they spoke against the Lord. You will do that too if you don't have faith. Let's read some of that story and look at a few points. (Num.21:4) And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. (5) And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loatheth this light (or “vile”) bread. They were speaking about the manna and calling it “this vile bread.” The bread of life is sweet to the taste but is bitter in the belly. In other words, the flesh does not like it because it demands your life, and that you give up your thinking and your ways. It demands submission. Well, these people were walking by sight, having their eyes on the problems around them, instead of on the promise, so they became discouraged and they spoke against the Lord. But God has already taken care of every problem that you could possibly have or imagine. It's all been covered by the blood. It's already been covered by the Lord on the cross. He's already taken it away; it's already solved as Jesus said in (Joh.19:30) It is finished. Jesus told His disciples in (16:33) Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. If we keep our eyes on those promises, they bring us rest. If we get our eyes on the problem, we stumble and fall. When that happens, we go back to walking by sight and speaking against the Lord. Do you know what speaking against the Lord can be? It can be anything that is contrary to the Word, anything that is not confessing the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. (Rom.10:10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Our salvation in every form comes not only by faith, but the works that come from that faith, and the biggest work that comes from faith is what we say. We have to learn to confess the Lord in the midst of the situations around us. The Lord brought the Israelites into the wilderness on purpose to try them, to see if they would walk by sight or by faith. Jesus tells us this, too. (Mat.10:32) Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. (33) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven. We believe His promises and they give us rest, and then what naturally comes out of our mouth is in agreement with the Word of God. And when you confess Him before men, He confesses you before the Father. The word “confess” here is the Greek homologeo, and it means “to speak the same as.” When we are in the tribulations of our wilderness experiences, we see our need, our lack, our sickness, and our sin; we see our problems, which as we have discovered the Lord has already taken care of. Are we going to agree with the Good News? “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” It's very important that we're careful to confess faith in the promises. This brings the salvation that we're believing for. With our confession, we're “calling the things that are not as though they were.” It's very important that we confess Him before men, that we say before men what His Word says. (Heb.3:1) Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, [even] Jesus. Jesus is the “High Priest of our confession,” Who offers an offering before the Father and that offering is what we say; it's the words of our mouth. And if we speak the same as Jesus, then He confesses us before the Father and before the holy angels. (Luk.12:8) And I say unto you, Every one who shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: (9) but he that denieth me in the presence of men shall be denied in the presence of the angels of God. I also like this verse: (Mat.12:36) And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Thank God that we come into days of judgment so that we don't have to come into the Day of Judgment! The Greek word translated as “idle” here means “unfruitful.” There are unfruitful words that don't give us any help in the day of judgment. (Mat.12:37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified (that means “accounted righteous”), and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. When you come into judgment you want to be justified, so that you come through and overcome it. (Rom 3:4)  God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment.  He tells us in order for that to happen, we have to confess Him before men. (Mat.15:18) But the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man. (19) For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings: (20) these are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not the man. When we think thoughts that are contrary to God, when we speak what we see, feel and hear, we're like the spies who went into the Promised Land and brought back a bad report. They reported what they saw, what they felt and what they heard, so they were condemned by God. They made the hearts of the people fearful and that made the people fall away (Numbers 13,14). The spies died in the wilderness because they brought a bad report and the rest died because they believed what they heard and not what God said. Our report, the good witness that we're supposed to give before men, has to be what “thus saith the Lord.” What did the Lord say about our circumstances and our situations? By your words you are going to be justified or accounted righteous, and by your words, you are going to be condemned. When these Israelites in the wilderness began to look at the problems around them and became discouraged because they didn't have their mind on the promise, they “spoke against the Lord.” (Num 14:28) … as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you. They spoke about what they saw, what they felt, what they heard, and what their fears told them would happen. They cried the whole time to go back to Egypt because they loved the fleshly rest of trusting in the world to supply their needs. God wanted them to rest in the promises in the wilderness, and He had to bring them through the wilderness to get them to the Promised Land of rest. We see here that the people, walking in flesh, “spake against the Lord,” and that's what comes from the disobedience caused by unbelief. They spoke against the Lord, saying that He was going to cause them to die in the wilderness and they spoke of how much they hated the bread, which brought a curse upon them. (Num.21:6) And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. They said they hated the “light bread.” They hated the Lord! Did you know that if you don't love the bread of the Word, you don't love the Lord? Many people say they love the Lord, but what did the Lord Himself say? (Joh.14:15) If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. If you love the Lord, you will love the Word. Now the “light bread” that they reviled was the manna, but what was the manna? (Exo.16:31) And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers [made] with honey. Some Bible versions have a footnote that the word “manna” is actually the Hebrew word “man.” Wow! And Who is the Man? The Man is Jesus. (Joh.6:33) For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world. (34) They said therefore unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. (35) Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. They hated the manna, which represented the Word of life. It represented He Who is the Word, Jesus Christ. They hated the Lord, but the Lord is these promises. (Joh.1:14) And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth. “The Word became flesh,” or to state it another way, the Word manifested in flesh. The Word became flesh in order for us to be like Him, bearing His fruit, because we also have to be the Word become flesh. God's plan is that He might reveal Himself through the body of Christ today, like He revealed Himself through the first body of Christ. The Israelites in the wilderness hated the Lord because they had their eyes on the problems instead of the promises, and they became discouraged. They hadn't entered into the rest. They hadn't ceased from their works and so they were under the curse. (Num.21:6) And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. (7) And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. They sinned because they spoke against the Lord. Do you know it's overwhelmingly common for God's people to speak against Him? That's because their tongue is connected to their physical sight and their physical hearing. It's also common that God's people live under the curse, but the Lord did not ordain us to live under the curse. He ordained us to live above the curse. God told Joshua (Jos.1:8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: (Notice: You will be able to do what is written if you speak in agreement with the Word.) for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous (Hebrew: “to push forward”; this has nothing to do with the worldly “prosperity” doctrine.), and then thou shalt have good success (Notice: Christian success comes from speaking and acting in agreement with the Word.). To state it another way, when we speak in agreement with the Word, although not necessarily quoting the Word, “then thou shalt make thy way prosperous.” This is how we “prosper” in going to the Promised Land and what else did He say? “That thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein.” You see, faith makes us obedient; unbelief makes us disobedient. If we never cease from our works, then we will never enter into the rest. That's what the Lord exhorted in (Heb.3:11) As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest. Why? (12) Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God. They couldn't enter into the rest because they had “an evil heart of unbelief” that made them speak against the Lord. When they realized this was sin, they asked Moses to pray for them and Moses prayed for the people. (Num.21:8) And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a standard: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live. What does the serpent represent? We came out of this world and into the Kingdom of God, into what is called “the body of Christ.” So what body were we a part of before we came to the body of Christ? The body of antichrist. Anti means against. Jesus said, (Mat.12:30) He that is not with me is against me.... He talked to the Pharisees and said, (Joh.8:44) Ye are of [your] father the devil.... They were members of the body of the devil, which is antichrist! And we used to be in the devil's body, too. We were created to be in his image but we were actually full of the poison of the serpent. We had that poison in our heads, just like the serpent does. Remember what Revelation says. (Rev.12:9) And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world.... And yet the Lord called us to be a part of His body. The Bible says that Jesus became like that serpent on the pole. (Joh.3:14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. From now on, when we look at Jesus upon the cross, we can see our curse put there upon Him. We can see our sin and our sickness put upon Him. We can see our lack and whatever our problem is put there upon Him because of this. (Gal.3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law.... “Redeemed” is the Greek word exagorazo, and it means “to buy out or to purchase a slave with a mind to set him free.” Christ bought us. He delivered us from the bondage of slavery to sin, the devil and the curse. The “curse of the law” is all of the evil things that came upon mankind for disobeying God's Law (Deuteronomy 28). (Gal.3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.... Jesus became the curse! We know that the devil administers the curse and he's been given that authority by God to do it so that people would be humbled, repent and turn to Him. (13) Christ… having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree (Now we see that Jesus became cursed on that cross; He became like the serpent, like us.): (14) that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. The Bible says that Abraham was blessed in all things. (16) Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. God made all these promises to Christ. He made all these promises to just one seed and now we must abide in Him. And we abide in Him by accepting the same promises, by speaking the same promises, by walking in faith in the same promises. And we receive the benefit of Abraham because Jesus became cursed for us. God put our curse, the whole curse that's partially enumerated in Deuteronomy 28, upon Jesus. No matter what problem you have, you should be able to see this problem upon Jesus. (Num.21:8) And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a standard: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live. We were snake-bit and Jesus took the venom. I'd like to point out something else: (2Co.5:21) Him who knew no sin he made [to be] sin (Jesus became the curse and He became the sin.) on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Do you have a problem with sin? Do you have a problem with the curse that comes from sin? We see the serpent on the cross and that the Lord has put all of this upon Jesus. Now we confess what the Bible says: (2Co.5:17) Wherefore if any man is in Christ, [he is] a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new. All of that curse and sin has completely passed away. We are new creatures by faith in this. When you look at the serpent on the pole, you're supposed to see your curse, your sin, upon Him. The curse is very broad. If you read Deuteronomy 28, you'll find it's all sickness, it's all lack, it's all bondage to your enemies, etc. We're speaking against God if we're not speaking in agreement with His promises. We must repent. We must “change our mind,” which is what “repent” means. We are new creatures in Christ. Christ has been raised up on the pole for our salvation and we are to get our eyes upon Him because Moses said, (Num.21:8) ... every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live. (9) And Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it upon the standard: and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived. So when the Israelites got their eyes on the Son, which in this case is represented by the serpent, and on what the Son had accomplished, they were healed. Many years ago, I had a vision in which I saw myself walking to a stream and when I got into the stream, I received a revelation that as long as I lay on my back and looked at the sun, I could stay floating up the stream. As I meditated on that, the Lord gave me the understanding that this stream represents the Word of God. God told Moses, (Deu.11:26) Behold I set before you this day a blessing and a curse. He was talking about His commandments because they represent both a blessing and a curse. They represent the blessing of God's Good News, and they represent the curse of death to those who disobey it. So I realized that the water represented the Word of God (Eph.5:26) having cleansed [the church] by the washing of water with the word, and that it could either kill me or give me life. I could go upstream, contrary to nature, if I kept my eyes on the sun and I would always stay afloat; in other words, I would always stay above the curse. Water will kill you if you go beneath it, but if you stay on top, it's a blessing like Noah in the ark. We have to keep our eyes on the Son in order to stay above the curse that's upon this world because He's the One Who promised and He's the One Who bore the curse. We should be able to see our curse upon Him. If you can see your problem having been put on Jesus, you can be free of it; that's His method. It's very, very simple. If you get double minded you sink into the curse like Peter when he walked on water. That's what faith is all about; faith is believing that you have already received on account of the promises that God has already given. Continuing with my dream, as I was lying on my back with my face to the sun, I was floating upstream, contrary to nature and to the laws of this world. If you keep your eyes on the Son, it's supernatural. It's above the laws of this world. The supernatural takes precedence over the laws of this world. For instance, healing comes to people who believe that they have received it, but healing comes very hard to people who are always seeking it. It works the same way for deliverance from sins and all of the curse. (Mar.11:24) All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them. That's very simple and an awesome benefit that the Lord has given to us. So I'm floating upstream and I looked around me and saw there were a few others who were doing the same thing. As we floated away, I noticed that there were people on the left side of the stream who floated up under a tent that was stretched over about half the stream. Whenever any of these people who were floating with me went under the tent and the shadow fell upon them, they sank to the bottom of the stream, for they lost sight of the Son and His salvation. I quickly got out onto the bank and cut the ropes holding the tent up. It fell into the water and the water carried it away. Then I made these floats to float the people up off the bottom. As soon as they saw the sun again, they started floating once more. I realized that the tent represented man's religion. The religions of man like to take credit for what God has already done. They like to tell men, “God does not do it that way anymore.” They have their fleshly ideas and their way of leading people is, “Let's go back to Egypt and do it the way of the world. Let's have God's salvation through man's provision. Let's go back by the fleshpots.” They don't teach people to walk by faith with their eyes on the Son, but they bring them into darkness. They block the light of the Son and the people sink. They're under the curse and think it's normal to live that way because everybody around them lives that way. God did not ordain us to do that. If we keep our eyes on the Son, we will stay above the curse; that's what the Lord revealed to me about this. Also it was those on the “left” that fell away. Jesus put the goats on the left. Many “Christians” are self-willed and rebellious like goats and must be taught better. Another revelation I want to share …   Resting in Jesus to Do the Work Missy Pollock - 04/11/2012 (David's notes in red) A couple was ministering to me concerning something I've been going through for about four years. The husband said he sensed in his spirit that soon things would come to light. Then, that same night, the Lord gave me the following dream to encourage me and build my faith. I believe that this dream can be encouraging and faith-building for other members of the body of Christ. In the dream, my husband (representing Jesus) was driving to work and I was with Him (the Lord doesn't do anything without me; He needs my cooperation). (Missy here represents the bride of Jesus, who is learning to let Him lead and do the work.) There was a car (representing circumstances and situations in my environment, or in my life) in front of us with a baseball glove attached to it by about 6 feet of string (my flesh) on the back bumper. (Getting ahead of the Lord's works.) My husband (Jesus) said that the baseball glove (the hand of God) was His. I said, “No, that's not your glove” (not recognizing God's hand in things). Then there was another car in front of us with a string attached to it with a baseball glove on a power line (Doing our work by)(the power of God's kingdom) and the car eventually pulled the string tight to the point that it came off and the glove stayed on the power line (God is using the circumstances in my life to cause me to let go and let God). This same thing happened again (the process of transforming me into His image through dying to self and taking up my cross and following Him) with another car and ball glove attached. The next time it happened, when the string was pulled tight, it wasn't a glove but a bird attached to the string, and it flew away and landed in a tree. (I am the bird in the Spirit, in resurrection, one with the Lord, free from the flesh [the string], resting in the tree from the works of the flesh. Amen. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!) (Also, a bird can represent God's Spirit who enables His works with gifts.) Then my husband was driving fast (doing a quick work in my life) and I asked Him to slow down (a quick work is hard on the flesh. Amen; it's dying! (1Pe.4:1) ... for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin). He made a comment that the road was a dirt road (an earthly, temporary journey: (2Co.4:18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.) and I said, “No, it wasn't.” My husband made a turn without even looking and a car almost hit us (Psalm 91). I said to him, “That car almost hit us.” My husband was annoyed with all my comments (because I wasn't trusting in Him). At some point, I saw that the road really was a dirt road and there were a lot of curves in the road (finally seeing that it was just a temporary (earthly) journey). My husband made another reckless turn. (This is just the perception of my carnal man. I need to make sure I set my mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are on the earth.) These are the verses the Lord gave me to go with the dream: (1Ki.12:33) And he went up unto the altar which he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth (rest) day in the eighth (the number of circumcision, the cutting off of sowing flesh) month, even in the month which he devised of his own heart: and he ordained a feast for the children of Israel and went up unto the altar, to burn incense. (Serving God our own way in the flesh. The wife gave the meaning of the numbers. She said, “Step away from the matter now; it's in God's hands. Rest in all that God has shown you. The end of the matter is at hand. Be patient in spirit!”) Also (Joe.3:17) So shall ye know that I am Jehovah your god, dwelling in Zion my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. We start out serving God in the flesh, but learn to rest through all the trials and tribulations He takes us through. Eventually, there are no strangers (man in the flesh) in God's Kingdom and His bride. (Ecc.3:14) I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God hath done it, that men should fear before him. Amen.

October 12 2025 Sunday Your Words Matter / Week 36 / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons “who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” Colossians 1:13 KJV “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,” Colossians 1:13 NLT “[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,” Colossians 1:13 AMPC “even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:26-27 KJV “This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God's people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.” Colossians 1:26-27 NLT “The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations [from angels and men], but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints), To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory.” Colossians 1:26-27 AMPC “who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14 KJV “He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.” Titus 2:14 NLT “Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds. [Deut. 14:2; Ps. 130:8; Ezek. 37:23.]” Titus 2:14 AMPC “that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7 KJV “Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” Titus 3:7 NLT “[And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope.” Titus 3:7 AMPC “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,” Hebrews 2:9-11 KJV “What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God's grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation. So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.” Hebrews 2:9-11 NLT “But we are able to see Jesus, Who was ranked lower than the angels for a little while, crowned with glory and honor because of His having suffered death, in order that by the grace (unmerited favor) of God [to us sinners] He might experience death for every individual person. For it was an act worthy [of God] and fitting [to the divine nature] that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect [should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest] through suffering. For both He Who sanctifies [making men holy] and those who are sanctified all have one [Father]. For this reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren;” Hebrews 2:9-11 AMPC Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

Three main hosts including Michael Salemi, Michael Sparks, and James Joseph recap the summer and explain a little about why their schedule was too full to record... There was exciting summers full of spiritual growth, spanish immersions, and sports games. Also, included is what the SJV seminarians look forward to in the seminary this year. In this episode the host reference another Sons of Ars episode called "He Who is Called by God" from Mar 21, 2022 Email with any questions or comments: sonsofarspodcast@gmail.com Do you want to get monthly updates about seminary life at Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary? Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://sjvdenver.edu/  Also, check us out and see our events on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sjvseminaries/

"Our Lord Jesus Christ, He Who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords Who alone has immortality, Who dwells in unapproachable light.” (1 Timothy 6: 14-16)

Read Online“The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.” Luke 6:5This short yet powerful statement by Jesus was spoken in response to the Pharisees who questioned Jesus as to why His disciples were apparently doing what was unlawful on the sabbath. They were walking through a field of grain, picking grain as they walked, and eating it for nourishment on their journey from one town to another.This challenge from the Pharisees highlights their scrupulous approach to the moral law. Recall the Third Commandment given through Moses: “Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy. Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God. You shall not do any work…” (Exodus 20:8–10). From this Commandment, the Pharisees had developed a complex commentary which went into great detail about what kind of work was forbidden on the Sabbath in their view. One such regulation was to pick and mill grain. Thus, they judged that this was what the disciples were doing and were, therefore, violating the Third Commandment.The laws of God, as they are given by God, must be followed perfectly. His divine Law refreshes us, enlivens us and enables us to live in union with Him. The Pharisees, however, deeply struggled with a need to control the lives of the people through their human interpretation of the divine Law. By saying that “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath,” Jesus made it clear that this scrupulous interpretation of the Third Commandment taught by the Pharisees did not align with the truths of that divine Law.One lesson to learn from this encounter is that each one of us can easily fall into a similar trap. It's easy to replace God's true Law with our perception of faith and morality. We are weak human beings, and there are many things that affect our thinking and our convictions in life. Emotions, habits, family relationships, friendships, media and so many other things affect us in powerful ways. Sometimes for good and sometimes for ill. We can easily arrive at certain judgments of faith and morality that are slightly erroneous, being based on subtle errors. As a result, we can easily begin to get off track in our thinking and convictions and, over time, can find that we have deviated far from the truths of God. When this happens, it can be difficult to humbly admit it and change our convictions. Reflect, today, upon the humble truth that Jesus and Jesus alone is Lord of the divine Law. This means that we must perpetually remain open to changing our opinions when we hear our Lord speak to us. Ponder any way in which you have become overly attached to your own opinions. If they bring forth peace, joy, charity and the like, then they are most likely in union with God. If they are burdensome, a cause of confusion, contention or frustration, then you may need to step back and humbly reexamine the convictions you hold, so that He Who is Lord of all will be able to speak His divine Law to you more clearly. Lord of all Truth, You and You alone are the guide of my life. You and You alone are the Truth. Help me to be humble, dear Lord, so that I can recognize any error in my convictions and turn to You and Your divine Law as the one and only guide for my life. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: The story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Today's Guest:Monique Chabot joins Tam and Matt to share about childhood abuse that came up from the past to be dealt with.Connect with Monique OnlineAuthor:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Monique-Chabot/author/B0B91BP7FT Bloghttps://monicchabot.wixsite.com/se-poser-reflection/blogBook whose profits are donated to an NGO:https://www.amazon.com/Under-Spotlight-Famous-Shine-Light/dp/1778193706Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MoniqueChabotCRCertified Coach in Connection Practicehttps://connectionpractice.org/find-a-coach/profile/monicchabotgmail-com/Monique's Favorite ACIM passage:I am here only to be truly helpful. ³I am here to represent Him Who sent me. ⁴I do not have to worry about what to say or what to do, because He Who sent me will direct me. ⁵I am content to be wherever He wishes, knowing He goes there with me. ⁶I will be healed as I let Him teach me to heal. (ACIM, T-2.V-A.18:2-6)Downloadable Image of The Prayer is Available Here:⁠ https://acim.org/meditate/meditate-10/The Four Ho'oponopono PhrasesI'm sorryPlease forgive meThank youI love youBook Mentioned: The End of Your Worldby Adyashantihttps://www.amazon.com/End-Your-World-Uncensored-Enlightenment/dp/1591799635/The ACIM Audio App Has Arrived:The ACIM Audio is now on both Android phones and iPhones. This easy-to-use app brings the profound teachings of A Course in Miracles directly to your mobile device, making it easier to immerse yourself in the Course anytime, anywhere.Android here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.acim.audio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Iphone (iOS) here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apps.apple.com/us/app/a-course-in-miracles-audio/id6443662668⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The ACIM Audio App puts the entire Course in the palm of your hand. Read-Along Mode: Experience synchronized text and audio for enhanced comprehension and focus. Smart Auto Bookmarks: Seamlessly navigate between the Text and the Workbook without ever losing your place.Curated Prayers: Access nearly 200 different prayers from the Course in the Meditate tab.Stay Connected with Us, Join The Miracle Voices Email List: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.miraclevoices.org/email-signup/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Feel Inspired to Make a Love Offering? Visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.miraclevoices.org/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Think your Forgiveness Story Would Inspire Listeners? Submit your forgiveness story here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.miraclevoices.org/form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LESSON 242This Day Is God's. It Is My Gift To Him.I will not lead my life alone today. I do not understand the world, and so to try to lead my life alone must be but foolishness. But there is One Who knows all that is best for me. And He is glad to make no choices for me but the ones that lead to God. I give this day to Him, for I would not delay my coming home, and it is He Who knows the way to God.And so we give today to You. We come with wholly open minds. We do not ask for anything that we may think we want. Give us what You would have received by us. You know all our desires and our wants. And You will give us everything we need in helping us to find the way to You.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

LESSON 242This Day Is God's. It Is My Gift To Him.I will not lead my life alone today. I do not understand the world, and so to try to lead my life alone must be but foolishness. But there is One Who knows all that is best for me. And He is glad to make no choices for me but the ones that lead to God. I give this day to Him, for I would not delay my coming home, and it is He Who knows the way to God.And so we give today to You. We come with wholly open minds. We do not ask for anything that we may think we want. Give us what You would have received by us. You know all our desires and our wants. And You will give us everything we need in helping us to find the way to You.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

August 16, 2025Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 10 - Psalm 55:1, 12-14, 16; antiphon: Psalm 55:22Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 6:1-19; 1 Corinthians 9:1-23“Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!” (Psalm 55:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Isn't it a gift? In the lowest moments we have, the hardest experiences we struggle through, the long nights, and tear-stained memories - we get to cry out to God.I'll be honest, living through hurt, trauma, loss, brokenness, and betrayal are not situations I have usually considered ‘gifts' while going through them. Sin breaks all that God calls good. And yet, there is hope in those broken moments. Suffering is a mark of a Christian life. Struggling with sin, living life with and among sinners, and feeling wholly inadequate with your own shortcomings are daily difficulties; yet, suffering is a reality of life and a gift. You are never alone in those moments. In your Baptism, you are given the Holy Spirit, who creates faith in you to cling to the hope we have in Jesus. Indeed, Jesus became man and came into the mess and death of this sinful world and defeated our enemies for us. In the prayer that Jesus teaches us, we are taught to come to Him, to be reminded of all that God has done for us, and to ask for what we need—not because God isn't sure or doesn't remember, but so we can be refocused on the Giver of all that we need. Indeed, our lives are marred with sin, but we are not without hope. In moments of great pain and weakness, cry out to God. Ask for His attention and His mercy; be reminded and reassured that He is the One Who created you, redeemed you, sustains you, and is with you even now. Turn to God in the moments of disorder and pain; cling to and remember the promises that He has made. Go to the Divine Service, confess your sins and brokenness, and receive Absolution. Know that your guilt and shame are gone. Hear God's Word proclaimed and preached to you. Receive Jesus' Body and Blood in your mouth. Make the sign of the cross. Jesus' mercy is for you. He hears your cries, He counts your tears, He holds you within His hand. It is a gift to cry out for mercy and know that He Who is faithful will continue to give it. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Evening and morning, Sunset and dawning, Wealth, peace, and gladness, Comfort in sadness: These are Thy works; all the glory be Thine! Times without number, Awake or in slumber, Thine eye observes us, From danger preserves us, Causing Thy mercy upon us to shine. (LSB 726:1)Deac. Sarah Longmire, Bible study editor for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

LESSON 198Only My Condemnation Injures Me.Injury is impossible. And yet illusion makes illusion. If you can condemn, you can be injured. For you have believed that you can injure, and the right you have established for yourself can be now used against you, till you lay it down as valueless, unwanted and unreal. Then does illusion cease to have effects, and those it seemed to have will be undone. Then are you free, for freedom is your gift, and you can now receive the gift you gave.Condemn and you are made a prisoner. Forgive and you are freed. Such is the law that rules perception. It is not a law that knowledge understands, for freedom is a part of knowledge. To condemn is thus impossible in truth. What seems to be its influence and its effects have not occurred at all. Yet must we deal with them a while as if they had. Illusion makes illusion. Except one. Forgiveness is illusion that is answer to the rest.Forgiveness sweeps all other dreams away, and though it is itself a dream, it breeds no others. All illusions save this one must multiply a thousandfold. But this is where illusions end. Forgiveness is the end of dreams, because it is a dream of waking. It is not itself the truth. Yet does it point to where the truth must be, and gives direction with the certainty of God Himself. It is a dream in which the Son of God awakens to his Self and to his Father, knowing They are one.Forgiveness is the only road that leads out of disaster, past all suffering, and finally away from death. How could there be another way, when this one is the plan of God Himself? And why would you oppose it, quarrel with it, seek to find a thousand ways in which it must be wrong; a thousand other possibilities?Is it not wiser to be glad you hold the answer to your problems in your hand? Is it not more intelligent to thank the One Who gives salvation, and accept His gift with gratitude? And is it not a kindness to yourself to hear His Voice and learn the simple lessons He would teach, instead of trying to dismiss His words, and substitute your own in place of His?His words will work. His words will save. His words contain all hope, all blessing and all joy that ever can be found upon this earth. His words are born in God, and come to you with Heaven's love upon them. Those who hear His words have heard the song of Heaven.For these are the words in which all merge as one at last. And as this one will fade away, the Word of God will come to take its place, for it will be remembered then and loved.This world has many seeming separate haunts where mercy has no meaning, and attack appears as justified. Yet all are one; a place where death is offered to God's Son and to his Father. You may think They have accepted. But if you will look again upon the place where you beheld Their blood, you will perceive a miracle instead. How foolish to believe that They could die! How foolish to believe you can attack! How mad to think that you could be condemned, and that the holy Son of God can die!The stillness of your Self remains unmoved, untouched by thoughts like these, and unaware of any condemnation which could need forgiveness. Dreams of any kind are strange and alien to the truth. And what but truth could have a Thought which builds a bridge to it that brings illusions to the other side?Today we practice letting freedom come to make its home with you. The truth bestows these words upon your mind, that you may find the key to light and let the darkness end:Only my condemnation injures me.Only my own forgiveness sets me free.Do not forget today that there can be no form of suffering that fails to hide an unforgiving thought. Nor can there be a form of pain forgiveness cannot heal.Accept the one illusion which proclaims there is no condemnation in God's Son, and Heaven is remembered instantly; the world forgotten, all its weird beliefs forgotten with it, as the face of Christ appears unveiled at last in this one dream. This is the gift the Holy Spirit holds for you from God your Father. Let today be celebrated both on earth and in your holy home as well. Be kind to both, as you forgive the trespasses you thought them guilty of, and see your innocence shining upon you from the face of Christ.Now is there silence all around the world. Now is there stillness where before there was a frantic rush of thoughts that made no sense. Now is there tranquil light across the face of earth, made quiet in a dreamless sleep. And now the Word of God alone remains upon it. Only that can be perceived an instant longer. Then are symbols done, and everything you ever thought you made completely vanished from the mind that God forever knows to be His only Son.There is no condemnation in him. He is perfect in his holiness. He needs no thoughts of mercy. Who could give him gifts when everything is his? And who could dream of offering forgiveness to the Son of Sinlessness Itself, so like to Him Whose Son he is, that to behold the Son is to perceive no more, and only know the Father? In this vision of the Son, so brief that not an instant stands between this single sight and timelessness itself, you see the vision of yourself, and then you disappear forever into God.Today we come still nearer to the end of everything that yet would stand between this vision and our sight. And we are glad that we have come this far, and recognize that He Who brought us here will not forsake us now. For He would give to us the gift that God has given us through Him today. Now is the time for your deliverance. The time has come. The time has come today.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

LESSON 193All Things Are Lessons God Would Have Me Learn.God does not know of learning. Yet His Will extends to what He does not understand, in that He wills the happiness His Son inherited of Him be undisturbed; eternal and forever gaining scope, eternally expanding in the joy of full creation, and eternally open and wholly limitless in Him. That is His Will. And thus His Will provides the means to guarantee that it is done.God sees no contradictions. Yet His Son believes he sees them. Thus he has a need for One Who can correct his erring sight, and give him vision that will lead him back to where perception ceases. God does not perceive at all. Yet it is He Who gives the means by which perception is made true and beautiful enough to let the light of Heaven shine upon it. It is He Who answers what His Son would contradict, and keeps his sinlessness forever safe.These are the lessons God would have you learn. His Will reflects them all, and they reflect His loving kindness to the Son He loves. Each lesson has a central thought, the same in all of them. The form alone is changed, with different circumstances and events; with different characters and different themes, apparent but not real. They are the same in fundamental content. It is this:Forgive, and you will see this differently.Certain it is that all distress does not appear to be but unforgiveness. Yet that is the content underneath the form. It is this sameness which makes learning sure, because the lesson is so simple that it cannot be rejected in the end. No one can hide forever from a truth so very obvious that it appears in countless forms, and yet is recognized as easily in all of them, if one but wants to see the simple lesson there.Forgive, and you will see this differently.These are the words the Holy Spirit speaks in all your tribulations, all your pain, all suffering regardless of its form. These are the words with which temptation ends, and guilt, abandoned, is revered no more. These are the words which end the dream of sin, and rid the mind of fear. These are the words by which salvation comes to all the world.Shall we not learn to say these words when we are tempted to believe that pain is real, and death becomes our choice instead of life? Shall we not learn to say these words when we have understood their power to release all minds from bondage? These are words which give you power over all events that seem to have been given power over you. You see them rightly when you hold these words in full awareness, and do not forget these words apply to everything you see or any brother looks upon amiss.How can you tell when you are seeing wrong, or someone else is failing to perceive the lesson he should learn? Does pain seem real in the perception? If it does, be sure the lesson is not learned. And there remains an unforgiveness hiding in the mind that sees the pain through eyes the mind directs.God would not have you suffer thus. He would help you forgive yourself. His Son does not remember who he is. And God would have him not forget His Love, and all the gifts His Love brings with it. Would you now renounce your own salvation? Would you fail to learn the simple lessons Heaven's Teacher sets before you, that all pain may disappear and God may be remembered by His Son?All things are lessons God would have you learn. He would not leave an unforgiving thought without correction, nor one thorn or nail to hurt His holy Son in any way. He would ensure his holy rest remain untroubled and serene, without a care, in an eternal home which cares for him. And He would have all tears be wiped away, with none remaining yet unshed, and none but waiting their appointed time to fall. For God has willed that laughter should replace each one, and that His Son be free again.We will attempt today to overcome a thousand seeming obstacles to peace in just one day. Let mercy come to you more quickly. Do not try to hold it off another day, another minute or another instant. Time was made for this. Use it today for what its purpose is. Morning and night, devote what time you can to serve its proper aim, and do not let the time be less than meets your deepest need.Give all you can, and give a little more. For now we would arise in haste and go unto our Father's house. We have been gone too long, and we would linger here no more. And as we practice, let us think about all things we saved to settle by ourselves, and kept apart from healing. Let us give them all to Him Who knows the way to look upon them so that they will disappear. Truth is His message; truth His teaching is. His are the lessons God would have us learn.Each hour, spend a little time today, and in the days to come, in practicing the lesson in forgiveness in the form established for the day. And try to give it application to the happenings the hour brought, so that the next one is free of the one before. The chains of time are easily unloosened in this way. Let no one hour cast its shadow on the one that follows, and when that one goes, let everything that happened in its course go with it. Thus will you remain unbound, in peace eternal in the world of time.This is the lesson God would have you learn: There is a way to look on everything that lets it be to you another step to Him, and to salvation of the world. To all that speaks of terror, answer thus:I will forgive, and this will disappear.To every apprehension, every care and every form of suffering, repeat these selfsame words. And then you hold the key that opens Heaven's gate, and brings the Love of God the Father down to earth at last, to raise it up to Heaven. God will take this final step Himself. Do not deny the little steps He asks you take to Him.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

LESSON 189I Feel The Love Of God Within Me Now.There is a light in you the world cannot perceive. And with its eyes you will not see this light, for you are blinded by the world. Yet you have eyes to see it. It is there for you to look upon. It was not placed in you to be kept hidden from your sight. This light is a reflection of the thought we practice now. To feel the Love of God within you is to see the world anew, shining in innocence, alive with hope, and blessed with perfect charity and love.Who could feel fear in such a world as this? It welcomes you, rejoices that you came, and sings your praises as it keeps you safe from every form of danger and of pain. It offers you a warm and gentle home in which to stay a while. It blesses you throughout the day, and watches through the night as silent guardian of your holy sleep. It sees salvation in you, and protects the light in you, in which it sees its own. It offers you its flowers and its snow, in thankfulness for your benevolence.This is the world the Love of God reveals. It is so different from the world you see through darkened eyes of malice and of fear, that one belies the other. Only one can be perceived at all. The other one is wholly meaningless. A world in which forgiveness shines on everything, and peace offers its gentle light to everyone, is inconceivable to those who see a world of hatred rising from attack, poised to avenge, to murder and destroy.Yet is the world of hatred equally unseen and inconceivable to those who feel God's Love in them. Their world reflects the quietness and peace that shines in them; the gentleness and innocence they see surrounding them; the joy with which they look out from the endless wells of joy within. What they have felt in them they look upon, and see its sure reflection everywhere.What would you see? The choice is given you. But learn and do not let your mind forget this law of seeing: You will look upon that which you feel within. If hatred finds a place within your heart, you will perceive a fearful world, held cruelly in death's sharp-pointed, bony fingers. If you feel the Love of God within you, you will look out on a world of mercy and of love.Today we pass illusions, as we seek to reach to what is true in us, and feel its all-embracing tenderness, its Love which knows us perfect as itself, its sight which is the gift its Love bestows on us. We learn the way today. It is as sure as Love itself, to which it carries us. For its simplicity avoids the snares the foolish convolutions of the world's apparent reasoning but serve to hide.Simply do this: Be still, and lay aside all thoughts of what you are and what God is; all concepts you have learned about the world; all images you hold about yourself. Empty your mind of everything it thinks is either true or false, or good or bad, of every thought it judges worthy, and all the ideas of which it is ashamed. Hold onto nothing. Do not bring with you one thought the past has taught, nor one belief you ever learned before from anything. Forget this world, forget this course, and come with wholly empty hands unto your God.Is it not He Who knows the way to you? You need not know the way to Him. Your part is simply to allow all obstacles that you have interposed between the Son and God the Father to be quietly removed forever. God will do His part in joyful and immediate response. Ask and receive. But do not make demands, nor point the road to God by which He should appear to you. The way to reach Him is merely to let Him be. For in that way is your reality proclaimed as well.And so today we do not choose the way in which we go to Him. But we do choose to let Him come. And with this choice we rest. And in our quiet hearts and open minds, His Love will blaze its pathway of itself. What has not been denied is surely there, if it be true and can be surely reached. God knows His Son, and knows the way to him. He does not need His Son to show Him how to find His way. Through every opened door His Love shines outward from its home within, and lightens up the world in innocence.Father, we do not know the way to You. But we have called, and You have answered us. We will not interfere. Salvation's ways are not our own, for they belong to You. And it is unto You we look for them. Our hands are open to receive Your gifts. We have no thoughts we think apart from You, and cherish no beliefs of what we are, or Who created us. Yours is the way that we would find and follow. And we ask but that Your Will, which is our own as well, be done in us and in the world, that it become a part of Heaven now. Amen.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

LESSON 186Salvation Of The World Depends On Me.Here is the statement that will one day take all arrogance away from every mind. Here is the thought of true humility, which holds no function as your own but that which has been given you. It offers your acceptance of a part assigned to you, without insisting on another role. It does not judge your proper role. It but acknowledges the Will of God is done on earth as well as Heaven. It unites all wills on earth in Heaven's plan to save the world, restoring it to Heaven's peace.Let us not fight our function. We did not establish it. It is not our idea. The means are given us by which it will be perfectly accomplished. All that we are asked to do is to accept our part in genuine humility, and not deny with self-deceiving arrogance that we are worthy. What is given us to do, we have the strength to do. Our minds are suited perfectly to take the part assigned to us by One Who knows us well.Today's idea may seem quite sobering, until you see its meaning. All it says is that your Father still remembers you, and offers you the perfect trust He holds in you who are His Son. It does not ask that you be different in any way from what you are. What could humility request but this? And what could arrogance deny but this? Today we will not shrink from our assignment on the specious grounds that modesty is outraged. It is pride that would deny the Call for God Himself.All false humility we lay aside today, that we may listen to God's Voice reveal to us what He would have us do. We do not doubt our adequacy for the function He will offer us. We will be certain only that He knows our strengths, our wisdom and our holiness. And if He deems us worthy, so we are. It is but arrogance that judges otherwise.There is one way, and only one, to be released from the imprisonment your plan to prove the false is true has brought to you. Accept the plan you did not make instead. Judge not your value to it. If God's Voice assures you that salvation needs your part, and that the whole depends on you, be sure that it is so. The arrogant must cling to words, afraid to go beyond them to experience which might affront their stance. Yet are the humble free to hear the Voice Which tells them what they are, and what to do.Arrogance makes an image of yourself that is not real. It is this image which quails and retreats in terror, as the Voice for God assures you that you have the strength, the wisdom and the holiness to go beyond all images. You are not weak, as is the image of yourself. You are not ignorant and helpless. Sin can not tarnish the truth in you, and misery can come not near the holy home of God.All this the Voice for God relates to you. And as He speaks, the image trembles and seeks to attack the threat it does not know, sensing its basis crumble. Let it go. Salvation of the world depends on you, and not upon this little pile of dust. What can it tell the holy Son of God? Why need he be concerned with it at all?And so we find our peace. We will accept the function God has given us, for all illusions rest upon the weird belief that we can make another for ourselves. Our self-made roles are shifting, and they seem to change from mourner to ecstatic bliss of love and loving. We can laugh or weep, and greet the day with welcome or with tears. Our very being seems to change as we experience a thousand shifts in mood, and our emotions raise us high indeed, or dash us to the ground in hopelessness.Is this the Son of God? Could He create such instability and call it Son? He Who is changeless shares His attributes with His creation. All the images His Son appears to make have no effect on what he is. They blow across his mind like wind-swept leaves that form a patterning an instant, break apart to group again, and scamper off. Or like mirages seen above a desert, rising from the dust.These unsubstantial images will go, and leave your mind unclouded and serene, when you accept the function given you. The images you make give rise to but conflicting goals, impermanent and vague, uncertain and ambiguous. Who could be constant in his efforts, or direct his energies and concentrated drive toward goals like these? The functions which the world esteems are so uncertain that they change ten times an hour at their most secure. What hope of gain can rest on goals like this?In lovely contrast, certain as the sun's return each morning to dispel the night, your truly given function stands out clear and wholly unambiguous. There is no doubt of its validity. It comes from One Who knows no error, and His Voice is certain of Its messages. They will not change, nor be in conflict. All of them point to one goal, and one you can attain. Your plan may be impossible, but God's can never fail because He is its Source.Do as God's Voice directs. And if It asks a thing of you which seems impossible, remember Who it is That asks, and who would make denial. Then consider this; which is more likely to be right? The Voice That speaks for the Creator of all things, Who knows all things exactly as they are, or a distorted image of yourself, confused, bewildered, inconsistent and unsure of everything? Let not its voice direct you. Hear instead a certain Voice, Which tells you of a function given you by your Creator Who remembers you, and urges that you now remember Him.His gentle Voice is calling from the known to the unknowing. He would comfort you, although He knows no sorrow. He would make a restitution, though He is complete; a gift to you, although He knows that you have everything already. He has Thoughts which answer every need His Son perceives, although He sees them not. For Love must give, and what is given in His Name takes on the form most useful in a world of form.These are the forms which never can deceive, because they come from Formlessness Itself. Forgiveness is an earthly form of love, which as it is in Heaven has no form. Yet what is needed here is given here as it is needed. In this form you can fulfill your function even here, although what love will mean to you when formlessness has been restored to you is greater still. Salvation of the world depends on you who can forgive. Such is your function here.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

"Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." John 19:26-27 Amid the unthinkable anguish of Calvary, the Lord Jesus paused--not to relieve His own suffering, but to care for another. With thorns piercing His brow and breath growing short, He fixed His eyes upon His mother. To Mary, He said, "Dear woman, here is your son." To John, "Here is your mother." In the very act of redemption, He demonstrated tender affection and perfect obedience. This scene is rich in divine beauty. At the height of His suffering, Christ was not absorbed in Himself. Though He was bearing the full wrath of God for the sins of His people, He was not forgetful of the needs of His earthly mother. The law He came to fulfill commanded, "Honor your father and your mother" (Exodus 20:12), and even from the cross, the sinless Son rendered full obedience. Though Mary had no claim upon Him as Savior above any other, yet as her Son, He provided for her with holy compassion. What love is this? He who sustains the universe ensures the earthly care of one widow. He who was forsaken by the Father does not forsake His mother. He Who was giving His life for the Church did not overlook the needs of one aged saint. Here is the heart of Christ--tender, attentive, selfless. Let every believer draw comfort from this: if the Lord showed such affection in His darkest hour, will He not now--glorified and enthroned--care for His own? "Casting all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). Christ is not indifferent to your sorrow, your loneliness, or your need. He who appointed John to care for Mary appoints all your circumstances with wisdom and love. And let this word o

Romans 8:30, "Those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified, He also glorified." The Christian's journey is not a random path through this wilderness world--it is a divinely ordained pilgrimage that begins in GRACE, and ends in GLORY. Every believer is the object of God's eternal love, chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, and predestined not merely for salvation, but for full conformity to His image. Grace is not the end of the story--it is the beginning of a glorious journey to glory. The same God who begins the good work of salvation in us, will bring it to completion. He Who predestined us, and effectually called us, and justified us, will also glorify us. Our final state is one of radiant perfection, fully reflecting the character of Jesus. This is the believer's unshakable hope. Our salvation is not uncertain or dependent on our frail efforts. The God who saved us by His grace, will surely bring us to glory. Between grace and glory, there will be suffering, trials, and valleys--but none of them can sever this golden chain of salvation forged by divine love. Let every redeemed soul rejoice in this truth: God's grace will carry us all the way home to Heaven. From His electing love in eternity past, to our glorification in eternity future--we are held fast by His unchanging purpose. The One who called us by grace, will crown us with glory. We shall see His face, and be like Him forever. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. He chose us in Him before the creation of the world, to

LESSON 154I Am Among The Ministers Of God.Let us today be neither arrogant nor falsely humble. We have gone beyond such foolishness. We cannot judge ourselves, nor need we do so. These are but attempts to hold decision off, and to delay commitment to our function. It is not our part to judge our worth, nor can we know what role is best for us; what we can do within a larger plan we cannot see in its entirety. Our part is cast in Heaven, not in hell. And what we think is weakness can be strength; what we believe to be our strength is often arrogance.Whatever your appointed role may be, it was selected by the Voice for God, Whose function is to speak for you as well. Seeing your strengths exactly as they are, and equally aware of where they can be best applied, for what, to whom and when, He chooses and accepts your part for you. He does not work without your own consent. But He is not deceived in what you are, and listens only to His Voice in you.It is through His ability to hear one Voice Which is His Own that you become aware at last there is one Voice in you. And that one Voice appoints your function, and relays it to you, giving you the strength to understand it, do what it entails, and to succeed in everything you do that is related to it. God has joined His Son in this, and thus His Son becomes His messenger of unity with Him.It is this joining, through the Voice for God, of Father and of Son, that sets apart salvation from the world. It is this Voice Which speaks of laws the world does not obey; Which promises salvation from all sin, with guilt abolished in the mind that God created sinless. Now this mind becomes aware again of Who created it, and of His lasting union with itself. So is its Self the one reality in Which its will and that of God are joined.A messenger is not the one who writes the message he delivers. Nor does he question the right of him who does, nor ask why he has chosen those who will receive the message that he brings. It is enough that he accept it, give it to the ones for whom it is intended, and fulfill his role in its delivery. If he determines what the messages should be, or what their purpose is, or where they should be carried, he is failing to perform his proper part as bringer of the Word.There is one major difference in the role of Heaven's messengers, which sets them off from those the world appoints. The messages that they deliver are intended first for them. And it is only as they can accept them for themselves that they become able to bring them further, and to give them everywhere that they were meant to be. Like earthly messengers, they did not write the messages they bear, but they become their first receivers in the truest sense, receiving to prepare themselves to give.An earthly messenger fulfills his role by giving all his messages away. The messengers of God perform their part by their acceptance of His messages as for themselves, and show they understand the messages by giving them away. They choose no roles that are not given them by His authority. And so they gain by every message that they give away.Would you receive the messages of God? For thus do you become His messenger. You are appointed now. And yet you wait to give the messages you have received. And so you do not know that they are yours, and do not recognize them. No one can receive and understand he has received until he gives. For in the giving is his own acceptance of what he received.You who are now the messengers of God, receive His messages. For that is part of your appointed role. God has not failed to offer what you need, nor has it been left unaccepted. Yet another part of your appointed task is yet to be accomplished. He Who has received for you the messages of God would have them be received by you as well. For thus do you identify with Him and claim your own.It is this joining that we undertake to recognize today. We will not seek to keep our minds apart from Him Who speaks for us, for it is but our voice we hear as we attend Him. He alone can speak to us and for us, joining in one Voice the getting and the giving of God's Word; the giving and receiving of His Will.We practice giving Him what He would have, that we may recognize His gifts to us. He needs our voice that He may speak through us. He needs our hands to hold His messages, and carry them to those whom He appoints. He needs our feet to bring us where He wills, that those who wait in misery may be at last delivered. And He needs our will united with His Own, that we may be the true receivers of the gifts He gives.Let us but learn this lesson for today: We will not recognize what we receive until we give it. You have heard this said a hundred ways, a hundred times, and yet belief is lacking still. But this is sure; until belief is given it, you will receive a thousand miracles and then receive a thousand more, but will not know that God Himself has left no gift beyond what you already have; nor has denied the tiniest of blessings to His Son. What can this mean to you, until you have identified with Him and with His Own?Our lesson for today is stated thus:I am among the ministers of God, and I am grateful thatI have the means by which to recognize that I am free.The world recedes as we light up our minds, and realize these holy words are true. They are the message sent to us today from our Creator. Now we demonstrate how they have changed our minds about ourselves, and what our function is. For as we prove that we accept no will we do not share, our many gifts from our Creator will spring to our sight and leap into our hands, and we will recognize what we received.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

https://youtu.be/aDgamvWsHB4 Audio: Play the audio class Download: Download this MP3 Topics: Morning Prayers Follow-Along Text: שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, יְיָ | אֶחָד:בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְיָ אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ, בְּכָל | לְבָבְךָ, וּבְכָל נַפְשְׁךָ, וּבְכָל מְאֹדֶֽךָ:וְהָיוּ הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵֽלֶּה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם, עַל | לְבָבֶֽךָ:וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶֽיךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם, בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶֽךָ, וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּֽרֶךְ, וּבְשָׁכְבְּךָ, וּבְקוּמֶֽךָ:וּקְשַׁרְתָּם לְאוֹת עַל יָדֶֽךָ, וְהָיוּ לְטֹטָפֹת בֵּין עֵינֶֽיךָ:וּכְתַבְתָּם עַל מְזֻזוֹת בֵּיתֶֽךָ, וּבִשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ:אַתָּה הוּא עַד שֶׁלֹּא נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם, אַתָּה הוּא מִשֶּׁנִּבְרָא הָעוֹלָם,אַתָּה הוּא בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וְאַתָּה הוּא לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא.קַדֵּשׁ אֶת שִׁמְךָ בָּעוֹלָמֶֽךָ עַל עַם מַקְדִּישֵׁי שְׁמֶֽךָ,וּבִישׁוּעָתְךָ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ תָּרוּם וְתַגְבִּֽיהַּ קַרְנֵֽנוּ, וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ בְּקָרוֹב לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ.בָּרוּךְ הַמְקַדֵּשׁ שְׁמוֹ בָּרַבִּים:אַתָּה הוּא יְיָ הָאֱלֹהִים בַּשָּׁמַֽיִם וּבָאָֽרֶץ, וּבִשְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמַֽיִם הָעֶלְיוֹנִים.אֱמֶת אַתָּה הוּא רִאשׁוֹן, וְאַתָּה הוּא אַחֲרוֹן, וּמִבַּלְעָדֶֽיךָ אֵין אֱלֹהִים.קַבֵּץ נְפוּצוֹת קֹוֶֽיךָ מֵאַרְבַּע כַּנְפוֹת הָאָֽרֶץ,יַכִּֽירוּ וְיֵדְעוּ כָּל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם, כִּי אַתָּה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים לְבַדְּךָ לְכֹל מַמְלְכוֹת הָאָֽרֶץ.אַתָּה עָשִֽׂיתָ אֶת הַשָּׁמַֽיִם וְאֶת הָאָֽרֶץ, אֶת הַיָּם וְאֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר בָּם,וּמִי בְּכָל מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶֽיךָ בָּעֶלְיוֹנִים וּבַתַּחְתּוֹנִים, שֶׁיֹּאמַר לְךָ מַה תַּעֲשֶׂה, וּמַה תִּפְעָל.אָבִֽינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַֽיִם, חַי וְקַיָּם, עֲשֵׂה עִמָּֽנוּ צְדָקָה וָחֶֽסֶד בַּעֲבוּר שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא שֶׁנִּקְרָא עָלֵֽינוּ,וְקַיֶּם לָֽנוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ אֶת הַדָּבָר שֶׁהִבְטַחְתָּֽנוּ עַל יְדֵי צְפַנְיָה חוֹזָךְ כָּאָמוּר:בָּעֵת הַהִיא אָבִיא אֶתְכֶם, וּבָעֵת קַבְּצִי אֶתְכֶם,כִּי אֶתֵּן אֶתְכֶם לְשֵׁם וְלִתְהִלָּה בְּכֹל עַמֵּי הָאָֽרֶץ, בְּשׁוּבִי אֶת שְׁבוּתֵיכֶם לְעֵינֵיכֶם, אָמַר יְיָ:Hear, O Yisrael, God is our Lord, God is one.Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever.You shall love God your Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.These words that I command you today shall be on your heart.You shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home, when you walk on the way, when you lie down and when you rise.You shall bind them as a sign on your arm and as an ornament between your eyes.And you shall write them on the doorposts of your homes and your gates.You are the One Who existed before the world was created; You are the One Who has existed since the world was created.You are the One Who exists in this world, and You are the One Who will exist in the World to Come.Sanctify Your name in Your world upon the people who make Your name holy.Through Your salvation, our King, raise and uplift our banner, and deliver us soon for the sake of Your name.Blessed is He Who sanctifies His name among people at large.You indeed are God our Lord,Truly, You are the first and You are the last; apart from You, there is no God.Gather the dispersed who put their hope in You from the four corners of the earth.Let all the inhabitants of the earth recognize and know that You alone are the Lord over all the kingdoms of the world.You made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that they contain.Who among all the works of Your hands, in the spiritual realms or in the physical realms can tell You what You should do, or what You should bring into being?Our Father in heaven, Who lives eternally,deal charitably and kindly with us for the sake of Your great, mighty, and awesome name that is proclaimed upon us.Fulfill for us, God our Lord, the promise You made through Tzephaniah, Your seer, as it is written,8“ ‘At that time, I will bring you back and at that time, I will gather you,

https://youtu.be/V7bWYmOTGoo Audio: Play the audio class Download: Download this MP3 Topics: Morning Prayers Follow-Along Text: שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, יְיָ | אֶחָד:בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְיָ אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ, בְּכָל | לְבָבְךָ, וּבְכָל נַפְשְׁךָ, וּבְכָל מְאֹדֶֽךָ:וְהָיוּ הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵֽלֶּה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם, עַל | לְבָבֶֽךָ:וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶֽיךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם, בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶֽךָ, וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּֽרֶךְ, וּבְשָׁכְבְּךָ, וּבְקוּמֶֽךָ:וּקְשַׁרְתָּם לְאוֹת עַל יָדֶֽךָ, וְהָיוּ לְטֹטָפֹת בֵּין עֵינֶֽיךָ:וּכְתַבְתָּם עַל מְזֻזוֹת בֵּיתֶֽךָ, וּבִשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ:אַתָּה הוּא עַד שֶׁלֹּא נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם, אַתָּה הוּא מִשֶּׁנִּבְרָא הָעוֹלָם,אַתָּה הוּא בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וְאַתָּה הוּא לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא.קַדֵּשׁ אֶת שִׁמְךָ בָּעוֹלָמֶֽךָ עַל עַם מַקְדִּישֵׁי שְׁמֶֽךָ,וּבִישׁוּעָתְךָ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ תָּרוּם וְתַגְבִּֽיהַּ קַרְנֵֽנוּ, וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ בְּקָרוֹב לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ.בָּרוּךְ הַמְקַדֵּשׁ שְׁמוֹ בָּרַבִּים:אַתָּה הוּא יְיָ הָאֱלֹהִים בַּשָּׁמַֽיִם וּבָאָֽרֶץ, וּבִשְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמַֽיִם הָעֶלְיוֹנִים.אֱמֶת אַתָּה הוּא רִאשׁוֹן, וְאַתָּה הוּא אַחֲרוֹן, וּמִבַּלְעָדֶֽיךָ אֵין אֱלֹהִים.קַבֵּץ נְפוּצוֹת קֹוֶֽיךָ מֵאַרְבַּע כַּנְפוֹת הָאָֽרֶץ,יַכִּֽירוּ וְיֵדְעוּ כָּל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם, כִּי אַתָּה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים לְבַדְּךָ לְכֹל מַמְלְכוֹת הָאָֽרֶץ.אַתָּה עָשִֽׂיתָ אֶת הַשָּׁמַֽיִם וְאֶת הָאָֽרֶץ, אֶת הַיָּם וְאֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר בָּם,וּמִי בְּכָל מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶֽיךָ בָּעֶלְיוֹנִים וּבַתַּחְתּוֹנִים, שֶׁיֹּאמַר לְךָ מַה תַּעֲשֶׂה, וּמַה תִּפְעָל.אָבִֽינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַֽיִם, חַי וְקַיָּם, עֲשֵׂה עִמָּֽנוּ צְדָקָה וָחֶֽסֶד בַּעֲבוּר שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא שֶׁנִּקְרָא עָלֵֽינוּ,וְקַיֶּם לָֽנוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ אֶת הַדָּבָר שֶׁהִבְטַחְתָּֽנוּ עַל יְדֵי צְפַנְיָה חוֹזָךְ כָּאָמוּר:בָּעֵת הַהִיא אָבִיא אֶתְכֶם, וּבָעֵת קַבְּצִי אֶתְכֶם,כִּי אֶתֵּן אֶתְכֶם לְשֵׁם וְלִתְהִלָּה בְּכֹל עַמֵּי הָאָֽרֶץ, בְּשׁוּבִי אֶת שְׁבוּתֵיכֶם לְעֵינֵיכֶם, אָמַר יְיָ:Hear, O Yisrael, God is our Lord, God is one.Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever.You shall love God your Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.These words that I command you today shall be on your heart.You shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home, when you walk on the way, when you lie down and when you rise.You shall bind them as a sign on your arm and as an ornament between your eyes.And you shall write them on the doorposts of your homes and your gates.You are the One Who existed before the world was created; You are the One Who has existed since the world was created.You are the One Who exists in this world, and You are the One Who will exist in the World to Come.Sanctify Your name in Your world upon the people who make Your name holy.Through Your salvation, our King, raise and uplift our banner, and deliver us soon for the sake of Your name.Blessed is He Who sanctifies His name among people at large.You indeed are God our Lord,Truly, You are the first and You are the last; apart from You, there is no God.Gather the dispersed who put their hope in You from the four corners of the earth.Let all the inhabitants of the earth recognize and know that You alone are the Lord over all the kingdoms of the world.You made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that they contain.Who among all the works of Your hands, in the spiritual realms or in the physical realms can tell You what You should do, or what You should bring into being?Our Father in heaven, Who lives eternally,deal charitably and kindly with us for the sake of Your great, mighty, and awesome name that is proclaimed upon us.Fulfill for us, God our Lord, the promise You made through Tzephaniah, Your seer, as it is written,8“ ‘At that time, I will bring you back and at that time, I will gather you,

In this episode of Pray the Word on Isaiah 26:3, David Platt reminds us to keep our minds and hearts focused on He Who brings us perfect peace.Explore more content from Radical.

Read Online“Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher' and ‘master,'  and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” John 13:12–15Do you want to be holy? Perhaps this question is not one that everyone will immediately answer with a resounding “Yes.” Sadly, holiness, for some, can seem boring and unattractive. The lure of evil is very enticing on a confused and superficial level. So what is your answer to this question? Do you want to be holy?As we begin today the sacred Triduum, we enter into the holiest days of the Church year.  We walk with our Lord through His final glorification today as He celebrates the Passover with His disciples and enters the Garden of Gethsemane to await His arrest. Tomorrow we walk with Him through the stations of His Cross. On Saturday, we sit in silent adoration of His tomb as we await the Resurrection.In the Gospel quoted above, Jesus gives us a model for holiness by the witness of His actions. He Who is the God of the Universe, the Creator of all, the Eternal Son of God, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, humbles Himself and takes on the form of a lowly servant by washing the feet of His disciples. He then offers them the Most Holy Eucharist for the first time, before He goes to meet His persecutors.The model Jesus gives us is a prophetic action by which Jesus tells us that true greatness, that is, true holiness, is found in humility. Holiness is realized in our lives when we turn our eyes from ourselves and love others as their servants. None of us are the Savior of the World, but each of us must become instruments of His saving act for others. As we accept Jesus' gift, we must then turn to others and humble ourselves before them. We must help them to see our love and their dignity. We must serve them with humility and put them first. Doing so will then enable us to invite them to imitate us as we imitate Christ. Thus, our humble imitation of Jesus becomes a means by which Jesus invites others to follow Him.Reflect, today, upon the invitation of Jesus: “...as I have done for you, you should also do.” Jesus gave us everything, so we must give everything to others. We must serve without counting the cost. We must love them, putting their needs before ours. We must become a model of the love of Christ for them. Ponder Jesus' service today and throughout the Triduum and commit yourself to live the invitation given you by our Lord.My humble Lord, may Your name be praised and adored above all things. May You be exalted by Your humility and lowly service. I see in Your humble act, dear Lord, the deep love You have for me and for all. May I imitate that humble love in my own life so that my imitation of You will help to share Your saving love with others. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Palma il Giovane, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

The Bridegroom calls for us to meet him on the "mountain of myrrh", Golgotha. Will we let him draw us in His footsteps? He has already climbed this mountain. There is no suffering, no trial or tribulation we endure alone. He Who has already conquered sin and death is with us; He has gone before us.Encounter the love of Christ the Bridegroom and learn more about God's divine love song, the Song of Songs, at Hopesgarden.comHope's Garden | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

LESSON 100My Part Is Essential To God's Plan For Salvation.Just as God's Son completes his Father, so your part in it completes your Father's plan. Salvation must reverse the mad belief in separate thoughts and separate bodies, which lead separate lives and go their separate ways. One function shared by separate minds unites them in one purpose, for each one of them is equally essential to them all.God's Will for you is perfect happiness. Why should you choose to go against His Will? The part that He has saved for you to take in working out His plan is given you that you might be restored to what He wills. This part is as essential to His plan as to your happiness. Your joy must be complete to let His plan be understood by those to whom He sends you. They will see their function in your shining face, and hear God calling to them in your happy laugh.You are indeed essential to God's plan. Without your joy, His joy is incomplete. Without your smile, the world cannot be saved. While you are sad, the light that God Himself appointed as the means to save the world is dim and lusterless, and no one laughs because all laughter can but echo yours.You are indeed essential to God's plan. Just as your light increases every light that shines in Heaven, so your joy on earth calls to all minds to let their sorrows go, and take their place beside you in God's plan. God's messengers are joyous, and their joy heals sorrow and despair. They are the proof that God wills perfect happiness for all who will accept their Father's gifts as theirs.We will not let ourselves be sad today. For if we do, we fail to take the part that is essential to God's plan, as well as to our vision. Sadness is the sign that you would play another part, instead of what has been assigned to you by God. Thus do you fail to show the world how great the happiness He wills for you. And so you do not recognize that it is yours.Today we will attempt to understand joy is our function here. If you are sad, your part is unfulfilled, and all the world is thus deprived of joy, along with you. God asks you to be happy, so the world can see how much He loves His Son, and wills no sorrow rises to abate his joy; no fear besets him to disturb his peace. You are God's messenger today. You bring His happiness to all you look upon; His peace to everyone who looks on you and sees His message in your happy face.We will prepare ourselves for this today, in our five-minute practice periods, by feeling happiness arise in us according to our Father's Will and ours. Begin the exercises with the thought today's idea contains. Then realize your part is to be happy. Only this is asked of you or anyone who wants to take his place among God's messengers. Think what this means. You have indeed been wrong in your belief that sacrifice is asked. You but receive according to God's plan, and never lose or sacrifice or die.Now let us try to find that joy that proves to us and all the world God's Will for us. It is your function that you find it here, and that you find it now. For this you came. Let this one be the day that you succeed! Look deep within you, undismayed by all the little thoughts and foolish goals you pass as you ascend to meet the Christ in you.He will be there. And you can reach Him now. What could you rather look upon in place of Him Who waits that you may look on Him? What little thought has power to hold you back? What foolish goal can keep you from success when He Who calls to you is God Himself?He will be there. You are essential to His plan. You are His messenger today. And you must find what He would have you give. Do not forget the idea for today between your hourly practice periods. It is your Self Who calls to you today. And it is Him you answer, every time you tell yourself you are essential to God's plan for the salvation of the world.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

LESSON 100My Part Is Essential To God's Plan For Salvation.Just as God's Son completes his Father, so your part in it completes your Father's plan. Salvation must reverse the mad belief in separate thoughts and separate bodies, which lead separate lives and go their separate ways. One function shared by separate minds unites them in one purpose, for each one of them is equally essential to them all.God's Will for you is perfect happiness. Why should you choose to go against His Will? The part that He has saved for you to take in working out His plan is given you that you might be restored to what He wills. This part is as essential to His plan as to your happiness. Your joy must be complete to let His plan be understood by those to whom He sends you. They will see their function in your shining face, and hear God calling to them in your happy laugh.You are indeed essential to God's plan. Without your joy, His joy is incomplete. Without your smile, the world cannot be saved. While you are sad, the light that God Himself appointed as the means to save the world is dim and lusterless, and no one laughs because all laughter can but echo yours.You are indeed essential to God's plan. Just as your light increases every light that shines in Heaven, so your joy on earth calls to all minds to let their sorrows go, and take their place beside you in God's plan. God's messengers are joyous, and their joy heals sorrow and despair. They are the proof that God wills perfect happiness for all who will accept their Father's gifts as theirs.We will not let ourselves be sad today. For if we do, we fail to take the part that is essential to God's plan, as well as to our vision. Sadness is the sign that you would play another part, instead of what has been assigned to you by God. Thus do you fail to show the world how great the happiness He wills for you. And so you do not recognize that it is yours.Today we will attempt to understand joy is our function here. If you are sad, your part is unfulfilled, and all the world is thus deprived of joy, along with you. God asks you to be happy, so the world can see how much He loves His Son, and wills no sorrow rises to abate his joy; no fear besets him to disturb his peace. You are God's messenger today. You bring His happiness to all you look upon; His peace to everyone who looks on you and sees His message in your happy face.We will prepare ourselves for this today, in our five-minute practice periods, by feeling happiness arise in us according to our Father's Will and ours. Begin the exercises with the thought today's idea contains. Then realize your part is to be happy. Only this is asked of you or anyone who wants to take his place among God's messengers. Think what this means. You have indeed been wrong in your belief that sacrifice is asked. You but receive according to God's plan, and never lose or sacrifice or die.Now let us try to find that joy that proves to us and all the world God's Will for us. It is your function that you find it here, and that you find it now. For this you came. Let this one be the day that you succeed! Look deep within you, undismayed by all the little thoughts and foolish goals you pass as you ascend to meet the Christ in you.He will be there. And you can reach Him now. What could you rather look upon in place of Him Who waits that you may look on Him? What little thought has power to hold you back? What foolish goal can keep you from success when He Who calls to you is God Himself?He will be there. You are essential to His plan. You are His messenger today. And you must find what He would have you give. Do not forget the idea for today between your hourly practice periods. It is your Self Who calls to you today. And it is Him you answer, every time you tell yourself you are essential to God's plan for the salvation of the world.- Jesus Christ in ACIM 

LESSON 94I Am As God Created Me.Today we continue with the one idea which brings complete salvation; the one statement which makes all forms of temptation powerless; the one thought which renders the ego silent and entirely undone. You are as God created you. The sounds of this world are still, the sights of this world disappear, and all the thoughts that this world ever held are wiped away forever by this one idea. Here is salvation accomplished. Here is sanity restored.True light is strength, and strength is sinlessness. If you remain as God created you, you must be strong and light must be in you. He Who ensured your sinlessness must be the guarantee of strength and light as well. You are as God created you. Darkness cannot obscure the glory of God's Son. You stand in light, strong in the sinlessness in which you were created, and in which you will remain throughout eternity.Today we will again devote the first five minutes of each waking hour to the attempt to feel the truth in you. Begin these times of searching with these words:I am as God created me.I am His Son eternally.Now try to reach the Son of God in you. This is the Self That never sinned, nor made an image to replace reality. This is the Self That never left Its home in God to walk the world uncertainly. This is the Self That knows no fear, nor could conceive of loss or suffering or death.Nothing is required of you to reach this goal except to lay all idols and self-images aside; go past the list of attributes, both good and bad, you have ascribed to yourself; and wait in silent expectancy for the truth. God has Himself promised that it will be revealed to all who ask for it. You are asking now. You cannot fail because He cannot fail.If you do not meet the requirement of practicing for the first five minutes of every hour, at least remind yourself hourly:I am as God created me.I am His Son eternally.Tell yourself frequently today that you are as God created you. And be sure to respond to anyone who seems to irritate you with these words:You are as God created you.You are His Son eternally.Make every effort to do the hourly exercises today. Each one you do will be a giant stride toward your release, and a milestone in learning the thought system which this course sets forth.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

Moreover, the Lord said to Job,2 Shall he who would find fault with the Almighty contend with Him? He who disputes with God, let him answer it.3 Then Job replied to the Lord:4 Behold, I am of small account and vile! What shall I answer You? I lay my hand upon my mouth.5 I have spoken once, but I will not reply again—indeed, twice [have I answered], but I will proceed no further.6 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, saying,7 Gird up your loins now like a man; I will demand of you, and you answer Me.8 Will you also annul (set aside and render void) My judgment? Will you condemn Me [your God], that you may [appear] righteous and justified?9 Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His?10 [Since you question the manner of the Almighty's rule] deck yourself now with the excellency and dignity [of the Supreme Ruler, and yourself undertake the government of the world if you are so wise], and array yourself with honor and majesty.11 Pour forth the overflowings of your anger, and look on everyone who is proud and abase him;12 Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low, and tread down the wicked where they stand [if you are so able, Job].13 [Bury and] hide them all in the dust together; [and] shut them up [in the prison house of death].14 [If you can do all this, Job, proving yourself of divine might] then will I [God] praise you also [and acknowledge that] your own right hand can save you.15 Behold now the behemoth (the hippopotamus), which I created as I did you; he eats grass like an ox.16 See now, his strength is in his loins, and his power is in the sinews of his belly.17 He moves his tail like a cedar tree; the tendons of his thighs are twisted together [like a rope].18 His bones are like tubes of bronze; his limbs [or ribs] are like bars of iron.19 [The hippopotamus] is the first [in magnitude and power] of the works of God [in animal life]; [only] He Who made him provides him with his [swordlike tusks, or only God Who made him can bring near His sword to master him].20 Surely the mountains bring him food, where all the wild animals play.21 He lies under the lotus trees, in the covert of the reeds in the marsh.22 The lotus trees cover him with their shade; the willows of the brook compass him about.23 Behold, if a river is violent and overflows, he does not tremble; he is confident, though the Jordan [River] swells and rushes against his mouth.24 Can any take him when he is on the watch, or pierce through his nose with a snare?FAITHBUCKS.COM

Read OnlineJesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” Mark 8:27In answer to this question, the disciples informed Jesus that some thought He was “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” But then Jesus asked the disciples who they thought He was. It was Peter who responded by saying, “You are the Christ.”As we ponder this exchange between Jesus and the disciples, try to hear our Lord ask you the same question. “But who do you say that I am?” Though you most likely will find this easy to answer on an intellectual level, don't answer it too quickly. Think about it. Deep within your soul, what do you believe about Jesus?Though Peter's answer is the correct answer, it's important to ponder what that actually means. This is especially evident by the fact that as soon as Jesus began to explain His mission as the Christ, Peter could not accept it. Jesus explained to Peter and the other disciples that, as the Christ, he would “suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.” In other words, Jesus wanted the disciples to understand the essence of His mission. His mission was one in which He would become the sacrificial Lamb of God and die for our sins. But this was too much for the disciples to immediately understand, accept and embrace with gratitude.Do you understand, accept and embrace this primary mission of Jesus? Do you understand that because of the sins you have personally committed, you need a Savior? Do you understand that the consequences of your sins are death? Eternal death? And do you further understand that it is only by Jesus' death that all sin and death are destroyed?Sometimes we can fall into the fallacy of thinking that Jesus is only an inspirational figure Who teaches us how we should live. And though that is true, Jesus is so much more. He is the one and only way to Heaven. Without His death and resurrection we cannot attain Heaven. He is the one and only Savior. The Lamb Who was slain for our sins. The one and only source of eternal redemption. The exclusive bridge between Heaven and humanity. And though you might understand this intellectually to a certain extent, your faith in this fact must enter deeply into your soul so that you can believe it and embrace His gift of eternal salvation within the deepest core of your being. This takes a radical understanding, acceptance and embrace if we are to truly receive the gift of Jesus' life. Reflect, today, upon how you would answer this question from our Lord. “Who do YOU say that I am?” If you are to answer this correctly, then it requires that you continually deepen your understanding, acceptance and full embrace of the saving mission of our Lord. Though this is a lifelong process, we must never stop entering more deeply into this divine mystery and gift so that we will become completely transformed by the life, death and resurrection of He Who is the Christ of God. Saving Lord, please open my mind and heart to You more deeply this day and every day of my life. May I continually go deeper in my faith and understanding of You and Your divine mission of salvation. As I do, please transform me more and more so that I will be more fully disposed to receive all that You came to bestow upon me. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Pieter Coecke van Aelst, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Today's Topics: 1) Gospel - LK 13:31-35 - Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill You.” He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on My way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.' “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.” Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3) Homosexual relations and the decisive battle for marriage and family https://www.tfp.org/homosexual-relations-and-the-decisive-battle-for-marriage-and-family/?PKG=TFPE3466 4) The Vatican's mascot designer for the 2025 Jubilee Year previously designed devil-decorated "sex toys" https://gloria.tv/post/47ANqtC7EQjpCEeAdPZXxSDVt

Read Online“The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.” Luke 6:5This short yet powerful statement by Jesus was spoken in response to the Pharisees who questioned Jesus as to why His disciples were apparently doing what was unlawful on the sabbath. They were walking through a field of grain, picking grain as they walked, and eating it for nourishment on their journey from one town to another.This challenge from the Pharisees highlights their scrupulous approach to the moral law. Recall the Third Commandment given through Moses: “Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy. Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God. You shall not do any work…” (Exodus 20:8–10). From this Commandment, the Pharisees had developed a complex commentary which went into great detail about what kind of work was forbidden on the Sabbath in their view. One such regulation was to pick and mill grain. Thus, they judged that this was what the disciples were doing and were, therefore, violating the Third Commandment.The laws of God, as they are given by God, must be followed perfectly. His divine Law refreshes us, enlivens us and enables us to live in union with Him. The Pharisees, however, deeply struggled with a need to control the lives of the people through their human interpretation of the divine Law. By saying that “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath,” Jesus made it clear that this scrupulous interpretation of the Third Commandment taught by the Pharisees did not align with the truths of that divine Law.One lesson to learn from this encounter is that each one of us can easily fall into a similar trap. It's easy to replace God's true Law with our perception of faith and morality. We are weak human beings, and there are many things that affect our thinking and our convictions in life. Emotions, habits, family relationships, friendships, media and so many other things affect us in powerful ways. Sometimes for good and sometimes for ill. We can easily arrive at certain judgments of faith and morality that are slightly erroneous, being based on subtle errors. As a result, we can easily begin to get off track in our thinking and convictions and, over time, can find that we have deviated far from the truths of God. When this happens, it can be difficult to humbly admit it and change our convictions.Reflect, today, upon the humble truth that Jesus and Jesus alone is Lord of the divine Law. This means that we must perpetually remain open to changing our opinions when we hear our Lord speak to us. Ponder any way in which you have become overly attached to your own opinions. If they bring forth peace, joy, charity and the like, then they are most likely in union with God. If they are burdensome, a cause of confusion, contention or frustration, then you may need to step back and humbly reexamine the convictions you hold, so that He Who is Lord of all will be able to speak His divine Law to you more clearly.Lord of all Truth, You and You alone are the guide of my life. You and You alone are the Truth. Help me to be humble, dear Lord, so that I can recognize any error in my convictions and turn to You and Your divine Law as the one and only guide for my life. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: Jesus and his disciples walk through the corn, via Wikimedia Commons