In Christianity, the first of the three persons of the Trinity, who begets the Son and from whom the Holy Spirit proceeds
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Daily Meditation Forgiveness can be one of the hardest steps to take, especially when it involves the deep wounds left by a father’s shortcomings. In this heartfelt devotional, Lynette Kittle explores how unforgiveness can become a barrier, not just in our relationships with our fathers, but in our walk with God. Rooted in Ephesians 6:4 and the truth of God’s character, this reflection invites us to consider the healing that comes from releasing bitterness and embracing the love of our Heavenly Father. In forgiving our fathers, we don’t excuse their failures—we open our hands to receive the perfect love and guidance of our true Father in Heaven.
We were never meant to do life alone. In this new episode of The Father's Business Podcast, Kimberly and Elizabeth open up about the kind of sacred community that strengthens us—not just in celebration, but in the middle of grief, questions, and life's hardest places.Drawing from their 27 years of friendship, they share how true Christ-centered community is formed not through fixing or rescuing, but by holding space, showing up, and staying close—just like our Heavenly Father does.At the heart of this episode is an invitation to root yourself in the Father heart of God, the source of all healing, belonging, and identity. When we live from His love, we're free to build authentic friendships that reflect His presence and draw others closer to Him.Whether you're feeling deeply connected or longing for community, this episode will encourage you to take the next step—toward others, and toward the God who never leaves.P.S. This episode launches our summer re-release of the Safe in the Father's Heart series—a powerful journey into healing, identity, and connection through the love of the Father.
When Emily Peterson's husband passed away after a short but heart wrenching battle with brain cancer, she was left with grief, children to raise, and a business to run. But through it all, she felt the steady presence of her Heavenly Father—and of her husband, guiding her from beyond the veil. In this week's episode, Emily opens up about love that endures, grief that refines, and a journey that is anything but solitary. 4:24- Nathan and Emily 5:42- Losing a Baby 8:36- The Beginning of the Blankets 11:05- Working Together as a Couple 13:40- Two Ancestors 15:47- Devastating Diagnosis 20:37- But If Not 27:14- Guiding Kids Through Grief 33:36- Saranoni Cares 38:21- Making Nathan A Part of Everything 43:05- Today 45:21- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? “If we come out of this with greater faith in Jesus Christ and closer as a family, it will be worth it in the end.” -Nathan Peterson Links: The Saranoni Story- https://saranoni.com/pages/about-us?srsltid=AfmBOorAcQ1LVhOw6_NL8PqKaVcFB88WTfD6kVgaxUD1BVl8WpdPpOIk Sister Wendy Watson Nelson- “My Soul Delighteth” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF_HUTTx7q4
Do you long to truly experience the presence of God? Maybe you read the Bible hoping to deepen your relationship with Him—but end up gaining head knowledge while your heart still feels distant. Chris Brooks and Pastor Dave Ripper will share how Scripture can become more than words on a page—it can become a place to meet with God in real and life-giving ways. Bring your questions and discover how to encounter our Heavenly Father through His Word with a fresh sense of wonder and connection! Today's Resource: Experiencing Scripture as a Disciple of Jesus Equipped with Chris Brooks is made possible through your support. To donate now, click here. This month's featured resource: Still Standing
Research analyst and writer Heather Zeiger of the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity addresses the move by New York and other states to legalize medically-assisted suicide and how other countries are struggling with the decision to allow this. She also addresses the backlash happening to so-called youth gender medicine as more youth are waking up to the reality of its dangers. Plus, as we get close to Father's Day, Carmen helps us look past our own earthly fathers' weaknesses and failures, and into our Heavenly Father's true love and care. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here
How do we trust our Heavenly Father, even when things go badly? Even if we die, He has a plan to vindicate His own reputation: you must become a disciple of Yeshua, who said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father, his mother, his wife, his children, his brothers and his sisters, yes, and his own life besides, he cannot be my talmid (disciple). Whoever does not carry his own execution-stake and come after me cannot be my talmid.”
Former BYU Cougar basketball player Travis Hansen played professional basketball for more than a decade, spanning the NBA and internationally in Spain and Russia following his collegiate career. But basketball doesn't define Hansen; from a young age, he had many tender experiences that helped him build a strong spiritual foundation and know that Heavenly Father loves him. On this episode of the Church News podcast, Hansen joins Church News editor Ryan Jensen to discuss his professional and spiritual journey, highlighting the positive influences that have shaped him. As a basketball player, a missionary in Chile, a husband, a father and currently a young adult leader in Orem, Utah, he shares how his faith and effort to "be in the right place" blessed his life and the lives of others. The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.
Can I encourage you today with a powerful truth? The Lord fights for you. Main Points:1. As we face the many battles of this life, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, relational, and financial, we don't face them alone. God has promised to never leave us or forsake us.2. His Holy Spirit is in us and with us. He will give us strength when we are weary, peace when we are confused, joy when we are sad, and wisdom when we are confused.3. There is no limit to his power, his creativity, his wisdom, and his love for you. Just as a loving earthy father would do everything in his power to protect his children, our Heavenly Father, loves and protects us as well.Today's Scripture Verses:Exodus 14:10-13 - “As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn't we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”Deuteronomy 20:4 - “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”1 Corinthians 15:57 - “ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group
Father's Day stirs complicated emotions for many of us. Whether you had an amazing dad or one who left deep wounds, this episode explores how our Heavenly Father's perfect example can transform both our understanding of fatherhood and our approach to healing.We dive deep into how our experiences with earthly fathers shape our perception of God, for better or worse. Those blessed with loving fathers often find it easier to connect with God as Father, while those who experienced neglect, abuse, or absence might struggle with this fundamental relationship. Yet understanding God's perfect fatherhood—His consistency, unfailing love, appropriate discipline, and constant communication—provides a powerful corrective lens.Fathers carry unique burdens of guilt when looking back at their parenting journey. "My two smartest times for parenting were before I had kids and after they moved out," one pastor notes with painful honesty. We explore how bringing parental failures to the cross offers freedom that self-improvement alone cannot provide.Perhaps most powerful is our discussion of forgiveness. When we refuse to forgive fathers who've wronged us, we're not punishing them—we're allowing them to maintain power over our lives. Biblical forgiveness means releasing offenses completely, not keeping score or waiting for perfect apologies. This release mirrors God's complete forgiveness of our sins and creates space for genuine healing and transformation.For those struggling with father wounds, we offer practical guidance through pastoral counseling or therapy, perspective on proportional responses to past hurts, and hope that people genuinely can change through faith. God's love doesn't guarantee warm feelings or perfect reciprocity—it's commitment without reward, giving the other cheek when struck, going the extra mile when exhausted.Join us for this honest conversation about the fathers we had, the fathers we are, and the perfect Father who shows us the way forward. Share your experiences with us at lifechallenges.us—we're here to walk this journey together.SHOW NOTES:Find strength and courage in your faith at this year's FEARLESS FAITH Conference. Inspired by Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous,” join us for presentations on navigating life's storms, understanding God's peace, and engaging in crucial conversations about euthanasia, anorexia, abortion, prenatal genetic testing, and more. Hear powerful journeys of faith through loss and hope. Don't miss this empowering event! $50 in person or $40 virtual. Register now: https://christianliferesources.com/resources/events/2025-conference/Friar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show
The Jesus Empowered Maiden: Female Identity, Authority and Freedom in Christ
Is Father's Day a tough holiday for you? Did you grow up with an abusive dad? Do you long for a loving, supportive, and protective earthly father - even today? For some of us, Father's Day isn't a celebration - it's a reminder of the dad we never had. But it doesn't have to stay that way! We all have a Heavenly Father who is, by His very nature, all the things we've ever dreamed of - and more! Reset your Father's Day and bask in God's unconditional love using these 3 creative resources. -------------------- Take the Quiz: https://www.relateescape.com/quiz Get a weekly reminder of God's tender love for you. Plus, be the first to know about exclusive offers! https://bit.ly/GodLovesMeEmail Join Relate Escape Place: https://www.relateescape.com/online-community Shop the Store: https://www.relateescape.com/store Follow Jenn on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/relateescape
God Provides In Mysterious WaysPsalm 145:14-18 “The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”There are so many good things in this passage. “The Lord lifts up all who are bowed down.” How often is it that we need the Lord to lift us up, especially over this last year? It is so great to know that the Lord lifts us up when we pray to Him and ask Him too. When we are bowed down to the Lord is when we are praying and worshipping Him. When we spend this time with Him He is able to lift us up.“The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.” This one is hard one for many of us. We do not want to wait for the proper time. We want things to happen on our time line, or maybe we think our time line is the proper time. Then we struggle when God does not agree. My dad told me a story one time that demonstrates how God will give those that look to him food at the proper time. My mom & dad have 11 children. They also had a friend that had several children, I think at least 7. This friend called up and asked my parents if they could watch their kids as something important had come up. My parents said yes because they were always there for those in need. However, my parents had just been talking about how they had no idea how they were even going to feed their own children dinner that night, and now they had 7 more mouths to feed. So, they did what they always did in these situations, they turned their eyes to God and asked for Him to provide.Shortly after their prayer, they received a knock at the door. It was a neighbor holding bags of groceries. It turns out that the neighbors father had to move in with him unexpectedly and they needed to combine his father's household with his. They had just gone grocery shopping and so they did not have room in their cabinets for all the food from his Dad's place. So, they asked my folks if they could use any of the food. My parents graciously accepted. When looking through the bags they notice that there was plenty of pasta. My parents prayed, “Lord, if we only had some meat, then we could serve spaghetti to all these kids.”Guess what? There was another knock at the door. It was a different neighbor. He had a cooler full of meat. He said that him and his friend had been hunting and they had too much meat. He explained that he and his friend had already stuffed their fridge and freeze and still they had no room for this left over meet. Again my parents graciously accepted. Then when they looked in the cooler, there was ground meat for spaghetti. They were so thankful. This was not a one time thing for my parents. My parents were faithful in their prayers, not just when they were in need, but even when things were going well. God was faithful in answering them.“You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” This is another great verse. I believe that God puts our desires in our heart. I am talking about our deep desires, not the desire to eat ice cream at midnight. The desires I am talking about are the desires to have a certain job, the desire to be married and have children, the desire to sing, or act, or whatever it is you feel you are called to do. As stated in this verse, God wants to satisfy the desire of every living thing. I know this can be hard to believe if you have a desire that you have been waiting for God to satisfy. Maybe you have been waiting for the right man/woman to come along so that you can be married and have children. I know it is hard when we want something and we have to wait a very long time. Isaiah 55:9 says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God has a plan for our lives and His plan is better than our plan. I know this can be frustrating because God does not always let us in on His plan for our lives. Sometimes we can be left wondering what is His plan and when am I going to understand it? If you have been thinking these things I want you to know that you are not alone. Many of us do not understand God's plan, and do not understand why the things we have been praying for have not happened yet.It can be easy to lose hope when are prayers aren't answered immediately. It can be frustrating when we are praying for something, and we don't seem to get any answers. I found this definition of hope online and I really like it. In the Bible hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness. We know God is faithful to His children. We know He keeps His promises. Therefore we can confidently expect that He will answer our prayers. It says in Hebrews 13:8 it says, ”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever." Jesus has kept all of his promises in the bible. If He did it then, He will do it now. If you are getting frustrated waiting for your desires to be fulfilled I ask that you turn to the scriptures and either use the ones in this episode or find other ones that show you how faithful your Heavenly Father is. He will come through, please don't give up asking for what you want. Saying that makes me think of the story in Luke 18:1-8 of the persistent widow. “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.' “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don't fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!'”And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”Jesus told this parable to show his disciples that they should pray and not give up. If He was worried his disciples would stop praying and give up and they lived with Him day and night for 3 years, then I think He will cut us some slack for wanting to give up. I am sure He gets how frustrating it is to wait for the Lord's timing. If you are tempted to give up and stop praying for something that you truly desire I ask you to pause and remember this woman in the parable. What if she had stopped bothering the judge? What if she had not kept going back? Would she have her justice? We never know when the answer is right around the corner. What if you pray for 3 years and then stop and God wanted to give it to you on the next day? Don't stop praying for your deepest desires, He gave you those desires and he will bring them into being if you let Him. Dear heavenly father I ask that you bless all of those listening to this podcast today. I ask that you fill us with hope for those desires that we've been praying for. Lord we pray that you give us perseverance to keep praying even when there's no end in sight. Lord Jesus we ask that you give us strength to keep praying when we don't have any answers. Give us strength when we're weak and we don't think we can go on. Lord we know that you are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We know that you've kept your promises in the past and you will continue to do so. Lord we ask that you fortify our hope and faith in you. We ask that you increase our faith. Lord if there is a desire that we have given up on that you want to give to us we ask that you renew that desire in our heart Lord Jesus. We ask that you keep whispering it louder and louder until we can ignore it anymore. Lord, we thank you for fulfilling these desires as we know you keep your promises and so these desires will be fulfilled. We thank you for helping us stay persistent and for giving us the strength to keep asking. Lord we thank you for listening to all of our prayers every time we ask. Lord, we love you so very much, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus ' holy name. Amen Today's Word from the Lord was received in November / December 2024 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Call on me. Spirit to spirit needs to be strong. It will not be strong until you use it. I'm calling you to a deeper, more fruitful walk with me. But your spirit must grow, too.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace
WORD: ERRAND This week we are studying, The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind, Doctrine and Covenants 64-66 in Come, Follow Me. Here's what to look forward to in this episode: THE PERFECT DAY IT'S ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THAT THE BEST PART WAS PEOPLE PART OF THE RESCUE STORY SUMMER OF PRAYER Principle of Prayer: Sometimes we are an answer to prayer. Pray for an errand. (Doc & Cov 64:29) We love studying with you! Grace and David You will find the word of the week, teaching tips, and more in our newsletter. Sign up here: www.dontmissthisstudy.com Videos can be found on YouTube: Don't Miss This Grace Freeman Instagram: @thisweeksgrace David Butler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdavebutler/ Instagram: @mrdavebutler Come, Follow Me is a resource offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is designed to be used in the home to support personal and family scripture study to build faith in Heavenly Father and His plan of salvation and in the Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Come, Follow Me is self-contained and adequate, when used properly. Products and materials designed to supplement this resource, though they may be helpful in some instances, are not necessary for a successful home study program. Don't Miss This Team hello@dontmissthisstudy.com
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic conversations on marriage and family
God has selected you uniquely to be the mother for these children. He will equip you for the work He wants you to do! Summary No one feels prepared to be a parent. Even if you were one of the oldest of 10 kids in a Catholic family (like Alicia or Katie) or a family of 7 (like Suzanne) you can never really be ready! The key to surviving, and even thriving, is stepping fully into your identity as a daughter of God. All the love that we have for our spouse and children needs to come from a deep place of confident love from our Heavenly Father. Listen in to this interview with Suzanne Bilodeau, author of She Loved: Resting in the Beauty of Motherhood, a compilation of letters from older mothers to their younger selves. In our conversation we talk about actually NOT finding our identity in our motherhood, but in our daughterhood, how fear is a liar, and the importance of compassion for yourself. Key Takeaways Fear is a liar. Satan tells you that you are not enough. God says - I made you for this moment. We can be transformed when we recognize that before we are a wife or mommy we are a daughter. That is foundational. We all need to have compassion for ourselves. This is a theme found in most of the letters written for She Loved! Don't be a martyr to your motherhood. Take time for yourself to reconnect with God and others.
Testimony Podcast for Primary KidsThis week kids will learn: I can share my love and testimony of Jesus Christ.Jesus Christ wants me to share His gospel.The Lord reminds us that we have a very special gift inside us: our testimony. What's a testimony? It's that feeling in your heart that tells you the gospel is true, that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that Heavenly Father loves us.The Lord tells us that when we share our testimony, it's like a special gift to Him. He says, "Blessed are you for testifying my name." When we tell others what we know and feel about the gospel, we are helping to build His kingdom!You're listening to Come Follow Me Kids! A Come Follow Me Podcast. We are an interactive game play podcast for kids. This is a Doctrine and Covenants Podcast for Kids! Our podcast is called Come Follow Me Kids. Come Follow Me for kids that are primary aged 2-12 in the Church or Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We follow the come follow me manual from the church but are not officially affiliated in any way. Some audio segments come from the friend magazine and other church sources. On this podcast we play interactive games while learning about the gospel and atonement of Jesus Christ. If your children would like to be guests on this podcast, please email us at comefollowmekidspodcast@gmail.com They can share their testimony about the restoration of the gospel, or share an experience they had with prayer, the Holy Ghost, or Missionary Work. Make sure they include their name and where they are from in the audio recording. And don't worry about your recording being perfect, we can edit out mistakes. Any sound file should work. If your children would like a baptism shout out, email us their name, and where they are from and we will add them to an upcoming episode. Use the same email listed above.
We'll discuss the revelations from 1834-1838 including the uncanonized Zelph Revelation. In 1834, Joseph Smith changed the name of the church from Church of Christ to Church of the Latter Day Saints. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/ogCyg94XghM Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission Uncanonized Zelph Revelation One particularly intriguing inclusion in Hocking's book, treated as a revelation although not canonized by the LDS Church today, is the account of Zelph. This account originates from Joseph Smith's history and details an experience while roving over the plains of the Nephites during Zion's Camp. Joseph Smith described discovering a skeleton. Through a vision or revelation, he understood that the person was "a white Lamanite, a large thick set man, and a man of God" named Zelph. Zelph was identified as "a warrior and a chieftain under the great prophet Onandagus who named from the eastern sea." The eastern sea is likened to Lake Ontario. The account describes Zelph's injuries, including a broken side caused by a stone from a sling and death from an arrow found among his ribs during a battle. Hocking notes that B.H. Roberts, in a book written before his involvement with History of the Church, also discussed Zion's Camp passing mysterious earth mounds, which Roberts suggested were related to the Nephites, Lamanites, or people of Jared. Hocking sees Joseph Smith's account of finding Zelph as a way of demonstrating a physical witness of the Book of Mormon peoples. Joseph Smith, having provided the spiritual testimony through the translated book, was now offering a physical witness for those on the journey. Those who went on Zion's Camp reportedly stayed faithful, potentially due to this physical witness. While the story of Zelph might seem "fantastical" to some, and perhaps for this reason it hasn't been canonized by the modern LDS church, Hocking includes it because Joseph Smith presented it as a revelation where the heavens were opened and the Almighty gave him understanding. Later Revelations and Profound Connections Moving into the later period (1838-1843), which includes the Nauvoo temple era, Hocking's book covers 20 revelations. He also includes statements from Joseph Smith that he treats "as if they're revelations because they're statements." One powerful example is found in what is now Section 128 of the Doctrine and Covenants. While in hiding, Joseph Smith wrote a letter to the church about baptisms for the dead. Within this letter, he includes what Hocking calls a "poetical utterance," similar to passages in Nephi or Lehi. Joseph Smith speaks of glad tidings from Cumorah and Moroni, the voices of Peter, James, and John on the banks of the Mississippi, the voice of the Heavenly Father, and significantly, the voices of Michael the archangel, Gabriel, Raphael, and "diverse angels from Michael or Adam down to the present time." These angels are described as declaring their dispensations, rights, honors, keys, majesty, glory, and priesthood power. Hocking found this section particularly striking after studying the Book of Enoch, which features conversations with Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. He posits that Joseph Smith is a "new Enoch," drawing parallels between their lives. Furthermore, Hocking discovered profound correlations between Joseph Smith's translation work and other ancient texts. He highlights the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 18, where three men who visit Abraham are identified as "angels which were holy men and they were sent after the order of God," in contrast to the King James Version which simply calls them "three men". Comparing this to the Book of Jasher (published 10 years after Joseph Smith's revelation), Hocking found a passage stating, "and the Lord appeared unto him at the plain and sent three of his ministering angels." Delving deeper,
Why must we be born again? Because we are born in sin, inheriting Adam's fallen nature. Jesus, the last Adam, gives us a new nature. Salvation isn't self-improvement—it's total transformation. Are you growing to reflect your Heavenly Father? How can we follow Christ without first being transformed by Him? Jesus commands us to be born again, not by our own efforts but through the Holy Spirit. This series explores why new birth is essential, how it happens, and the fruit it produces. Have you been born again? If so, does your life reflect Christ's transforming power? Join Nate and Gabe as they look at Christ Command to “Be Born Again.” Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at https://homediscipleship.com Study guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at https://homediscipleship.com Find us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshiphttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast
We all know we live in a chaotic world filled with noise coming from all directions. We know that God ordained and blessed the family as the first union and community. So, for ourselves and our kids we need to take every step possible to make our homes into a sanctuary where God's presence and peace are welcome and manifested.Let's start this week with a very familiar passage. Let's take the words and apply them to our homes. Listen to Psalm 23 … The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. (NLT)Is there an action or attitude that you do or have that disrupts the scripture describes as ‘rest in green meadows' or ‘leads by peaceful streams' in your home?How can you make your home a place that feels like a green meadow or a peaceful stream where strength is renewed?We all experience ‘dark valleys” - our kids do too… Is there something that you can do to be what God describes himself as doing - being with us in dark valleys? How can we better be ‘with' our kids in their dark valley?Listen now to this same passage in The Message Bible … God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.No matter how close or how far away you may feel Psalm 23 fits your home or is a place where you sense God's peace, we want to encourage you to find one, just one, step you can take to invite God's presence in. As you make your home His home, you and your kids will feel more at home than ever before.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I want you to fill my home from floor to ceiling, wall to wall with Your presence. Make my home a Psalm 23 sanctuary, as only You can do by Your peace. As above, so below.”
In order to hear the voice of God, we must take a moment to quiet our mind and soul. When we take the time to intentionally be still, we will get a lot of our questions answered. Sitting in silence is part of our relationship with God. Silence is a means to allow God to speak to us and through us by the Holy Spirit. This episode is encouraging you to take time out of your busy schedule to spend time with your Heavenly Father.
God's Mercy & ForgivenessPsalm 51:10-12 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”These verses come within a series of verses addressing God. The person talking to God in this psalm is David. This psalm takes place after David had been visited by the prophet Nathan. Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. This psalm includes a lot of David asking God to forgive him for his sins. One thing I love about David is that he is so good at realizing he did something wrong and then turning back to the Lord. He messed up pretty badly sometimes. It was not as if he was anointed, and so he always followed the Lord and never strayed. He broke some pretty big commandments. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, thou shalt not commit adultery, and thou shalt not kill, being a few of them.No matter how big the sin was, David never seemed to feel too ashamed to turn back to the Lord. This is so great. This shows such a deep level of understanding or trust, or both. I think he was never afraid to turn back because he knew how much he was loved by God. I wish we all knew and could trust God's love like David did. How great would it be to know with every fiber of our body that no matter what we did, God would still love us and welcome us back?Have you ever done something and then not turned back to the Lord because you didn't think you deserved forgiveness? Have you ever thought that you did something so bad that there was no way that God would forgive you? I think that most people have probably thought this at one time or another. I wonder if we would still think it if we remembered in that moment all the things that God has forgiven over the years? David saw a woman bathing on the roof of another house in his town and called for her to be brought to him. Then he had relations with her. I doubt she had much to say about it, as that was not really the culture back then. After he did this, she was pregnant, and he was worried her husband would find out what he had done. He tried to trick her husband, and when that didn't work, he sent him to the front lines to be killed in the war. Then he took Bathsheba for his wife.Take a moment and think of the thing that you have been trying to hide from God because you think there is no way he will forgive it. Is it worse than what David did? If God could forgive David, He will forgive you. What if it is worse than what David did? What do you do then? Is it worse than what Saul did when he was going around stoning to death those who believed in Jesus? Was it worse than what the soldiers did when they whipped Jesus and hung Him on a cross? Because if Jesus can forgive them, He will forgive you.Why is it that we worry so much about God forgiving us? We know He loves us, and yet we don't want to turn to Him when we mess up because… why? Maybe we are ashamed and we don't want Him to see that we messed up? Guess what, he has already seen your mess-ups and already loved you through them. Maybe we don't want to bother Him with our mess-ups because we feel we should have known better in the first place. Guess what? He loves it when we turn to Him and ask Him for help to clean up our messes. Maybe we don't feel like we are good enough to turn back to the Lord. Guess what? He is your Heavenly Father, and He made you in His likeness and image. You are better than good enough; you are perfect just as you are.In the verse, David asks the Lord to create a pure heart in him. He knows what he did was wrong, and he wants to do what is right. I think we all want to do what is right. I don't think that any of us walk around all day wondering how we can sin against God. I don't believe it is our intent to damage our relationship with God in any way. If we want to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, we can all pray for the Lord to create a pure heart in us. God knows what is in our hearts. As much as we may try to purify our own hearts, God is the one who can help us with this.It goes on to say, “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” I think this statement can be an example of David's humility. It shows us that even though David was brave enough and trusted God enough to turn back to the Lord, even after David did some pretty awful things, David was humble enough not to assume God would forgive him. In this verse, David is asking the Lord to please not cast him away or take the Holy Spirit from him. God loves humility. It says in James 4:10, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” This is what David was doing. He was humbling himself and asking the Lord not to depart from him.After David asks the Lord not to abandon him, he goes on to say, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” David knows that he is doing the things he does not want to do and not doing the things that God wants him to do. This is why he is asking the Lord for a willing spirit to sustain him. He knows that following the Lord's word is the way to go, and he also knows that he can get off track sometimes. David did a lot of good things, and he spent a lot of his time following the Lord; however, when he veered off course, he did it in a big way. If you feel like this is you, I hope that David's story can bring you a little bit of comfort. I hope that if you are feeling like you did something wrong and that it was so bad you can't turn back to the Lord, that you will remember David and how he was able to turn back to the Lord even after he did some truly terrible things. And you know what, God always forgave him and kept loving Him. He does this for you, too. God will always love you, no matter what it is you do. He will always be hoping, no matter how much you think that you messed up, that you will turn back to him. He is your Heavenly Father, and you mean the world to Him!Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you bless all those listening to this episode today. Lord, we ask that you help us to remember to turn back to you every time we mess up. No matter how bad a thing we think we did, help us to know that you still love us and forgive us. Help us to know that you are always there for us. Lord, create a clean heart in us and grant us a willing spirit. Lord, we want to follow you, and we don't know why we get off course sometimes. If you create a willing spirit in us, we hope to use that spirit to follow you more closely. Lord Jesus, you are amazing, and we are so thankful that you always forgive us and that you continue to love us, even with all of our faults. We love you, Lord, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen.Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. Tomorrow night will be week #2 of mentoring. This week we are address this very topic, God's Mercy & Forgiveness. I hope you will join us! I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in November / December 2024 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Come to me. I have given you a gift, spirit to spirit. You use it less and less. I want you to be strong in my love. Use your gifts.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace
Why does God command us to worship Him alone? Whatever we give our focus, time, and adoration to will become what we emulate. Worship is far more than singing in church, it is a lifestyle that transforms us to become more like our Heavenly Father. In this conversation, Sheila Walsh, Nicole Binion, Nicole C, Kalley Heiligenthal, and Blynda Lane explore the power of worshipping an all-powerful God who transforms hearts and changes lives. If you missed last week's conversation, we encourage you to go back and listen to “Honoring Spiritual Moms.” --------- Do you want more Better Together? We have 1000+ conversations available! Start watching now for free on TBN+ -------- If you need prayer, join our community on Instagram // Facebook // YouTube // TikTok and let us know how we can pray for you! --------- Better Together is TBN's first daily original program made by women for women! We discuss faith, family, friends, and so much more—no topic is off-limits. Find out what happens when real friends get together for real conversations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week at Lifetree we continued our sermon series entitled "The Secret of Contentment." "Heavenly Father, You have given me a will, and I am free to do with it what I choose. I acknowledge that within me is the desire to have what I want when I want. I recognize that getting my way does not promise contentment. It may not even be for my good. So today, and each day after, I surrender my will to Yours. I trust You to guide the seasons of my life. Your ways are just right and Your timing is perfect. You have made everything beautiful in it's time. I will look for it. As I do, I will see You in each season of my life, and I will find contentment in Your presence with me. Amen."
We continued our No Other Gospel Book of Galatians Series by closing out chapter 4 some expounding on our “wilderness” time we may find ourselves in. This time is not “aimless” but by divine appointment. Pastor Josh wants to make sure he holds true to the proper teaching of God's word, and in speaking and preaching can “slip up” because his brain has not caught up with his mouth. See below some notes corrections he wanted to point out:*At the 8:25 minute mark Pastor Josh was referencing Numbers 20:10. Moses did not enter the promise land because he did strike the rock twice RATHER than speaking to it as he was commanded. *At the 23:30 minute mark, Sarah waited 25 years to have Isaac after God said she would give birth to a child. Pastor Josh in error said 20 years. *At the 24:45 minute mark Pastor Josh in error said “Heavenly Father” being sinful when he meant to say “earthly father”.
Our final passage for this week is a familiar one, but has so many great applications for our lives to encourage us to seize the day … Philippians 3:12-16 … I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. (NLT) Let's focus on what Paul said he focused on … this one thing … forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. When we move on, but are constantly looking backwards, something is wrong. Remember—Paul had a lot of horrible violence in his past, all done in the name of religion. He had a lot to forget, but he stated exactly how he had to choose to move forward into what Christ had for his life. Great advice … Listen to this passage once again in The Message Bible … I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.What has God shown you this week?What has He called you to let go of … for the last time? Lay it down and never turn back?What has He called you to take on and never let go of?We pray you have found some healing and health this week. That's always our goal, to connect you to Christ.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, today, I need to, for the final time, let go of what You have told me to let go of. I need to listen to You and take up what You have called me to take up. As above, so below.”
Your Nightly Prayer
Our Scripture today is Colossians 3:12-16 … Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. (NLT) In several places throughout Scripture, God used the concept of putting on His qualities just like we choose to put on clothing. The practical side of this is, one, we choose to put on what we wear, and two, that is the majority of what people see on us, our clothing. The same can be true of His qualities.What we may choose to quote-unquote wear from our past can still show in the present. People can literally see our hurts, pain, victimization, bitterness, and so on. There comes a point when we have to choose a new wardrobe and let people see the person Christ has forgiven and changed. The past is no longer our present and the future is no longer determined by anything, except the present.Listen to this passage in The Message Bible … So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives.What have you been wearing that you need to take off and throw away? It's worn out and old and you know it. What once may have been a security blanket is now a funeral shroud.What of Christ's qualities listed in today's passage, do you need to put on and keep on?If you choose peace in your heart, it will surely show in your life.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, today, I choose to put on love, humility, compassion, kindness, strength, and peace. As above, so below.”
In order to “bloom where you are planted”, it is important to understand the role of commandments in our lives and how a loving Heavenly Father gives them to us so we can grow and be free.
In Part 6 of our Be a Bucket Filler series, we explore the 7th fruit of the Spirit—faith or faithfulness. Galatians 5:22–25 highlights faithfulness as a steady, unwavering commitment to God and to others. It's not just about belief—it's about reliability, loyalty, and trustworthiness in every area of life.To be a bucket filler through faithfulness means showing up consistently for others, keeping your word, and staying anchored in your relationship with God even when it's hard. Faithful people make others feel safe, secure, and valued—because their lives reflect the faithful nature of our Heavenly Father.Join us as we reflect on how Spirit-led faithfulness can fill empty hearts with hope, restore trust in broken relationships, and serve as a quiet but powerful witness to the goodness of God.
Our own minds, along with the words of the Accuser, are going to constantly try to bring the past back up, acting as if it is today's headlines. The more we press into the Lord and His love, the less this will occur, and the more we can deal with it in health.Listen to Psalm 85:7-10 …Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory. Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! (NLT) For many of us, the past had plenty of foolish ways. So we have to constantly take inventory of our lives to invite the words God speaks, to listen carefully to Him as He speaks truth to us. When we hear Him and do what He asks, then our land—our homes—can be filled with His glory and love, truth, righteousness, and peace will mark our lives.Is there any foolish way from the past that you know needs to be kicked out of your house, so to speak?Is there a new level of listening to God, a new place of obedience, that you need to commit to hear Him as He speaks peace to you?Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, show me your unfailing love and grant me your salvation. I listen carefully to what You say as You speak peace. Help me to not return to foolish ways. My salvation is near, so my home will be filled with Your glory, Your unfailing love, truth, righteousness and peace. As above, so below.”
Your Nightly Prayer
Is the baptism in the Holy Spirit optional? According to Pastor Rod Parsley, the answer is clear — absolutely not! In Episode 4 of Pentecost If, Pastor Parsley tackles the most common objection in modern Christianity: “Do I really need the Holy Spirit to get to Heaven?” With bold conviction and undeniable truth, he reveals why every believer desperately needs the same Holy Ghost who raised Jesus from the dead to dwell in them, with fire and with power.
Pastor Ray Bentley says if Jesus found benefit in prayer, we all the more. Jesus prayed more than all the disciples and that was the source of his strength. But he did not just pray. His prayer moved him into action. Prayer is where he derived his strength from his relationship with the Heavenly Father, but it was also where he received direction from the father.
To make peace with our past, we have to understand that peace will always be a choice. Often a daily choice.Listen to the spirit of Philippians 4:6-7 … Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NLT) Notice that the peace that passes understanding comes only after we choose to let go of anxiousness and pray. We choose gratitude to God and give Him our requests. He promises peace will come to our hearts and minds after we decide to let go of the toxicity we can so easily hold onto.Like two nations at war have to choose to call a truce, come to the table, and talk, we have to come to Christ's table and lay down our past to then experience His peace.In repeating today's passage, let's now add verse 8 … Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.What from your past causes you anxiety today? What do you struggle to overcome that keeps robbing you of peace? What will it take for you to give up and choose the peace of Christ today? You don't have to understand it to receive it because it always transcends our understanding. We simply decide to experience His peace.As you sit with your eyes closed, open your hands and reach out as a symbol of letting go and handing the past over to God. Trade Him your past for His peace. That's exactly what He wants you to do.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, please take the past, the toxic feelings, the anxiety, all of it. I'm tired of it and want to trade my past for Your peace. As above, so below.”
WORD: JOURNEY This week we are studying I am with the Faithful Always Doctrine and Covenants 60-63 in Come, Follow Me. You will find the word of the week, teaching tips, and more in our newsletter. Here's what to look forward to in this episode: WHAT HE CARES ABOUT BE OF GOOD CHEER WHAT ABOUT ZION? THE VISION SUMMER OF PRAYER Principle of Prayer: Prayer is a way you can ask God to be there. We love studying with you! Grace and David You will find the word of the week, teaching tips, and more in our newsletter. Sign up here: www.dontmissthisstudy.com Videos can be found on YouTube: Don't Miss This Grace Freeman Instagram: @thisweeksgrace David Butler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdavebutler/ Instagram: @mrdavebutler Come, Follow Me is a resource offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is designed to be used in the home to support personal and family scripture study to build faith in Heavenly Father and His plan of salvation and in the Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Come, Follow Me is self-contained and adequate, when used properly. Products and materials designed to supplement this resource, though they may be helpful in some instances, are not necessary for a successful home study program. Don't Miss This Team hello@dontmissthisstudy.com
Today we will discuss making good decisions and how children can make good choices. This podcast is called Come Follow Me Kids or Come Follow Me For Kids or Come Follow Me For Children. We are a podcast made by members from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We aren't officially affiliated with the church in anyway. I'm just a mom who wants to help other moms have an easy way to do come follow me with their kids each week. I hope this podcast helps you. This week the lesson is: June 2–8: “Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause”Doctrine and Covenants 58–59Children will learn: I can “bring to pass much righteousness” of my “own free will.”Heavenly Father has given me power to choose.This week some of our segments were taken from the friend magazine and other church sources. If your children would like to be guests on this podcast, please email us at comefollowmekidspodcast@gmail.com They can share their testimony about the restoration of the gospel, or share an experience they had with prayer, the Holy Ghost, or Missionary Work. Make sure they include their name and where they are from in the audio recording. And don't worry about your recording being perfect, we can edit out mistakes. Any sound file should work. If your children would like a baptism shout out, email us their name, and where they are from and we will add them to an upcoming episode. Use the same email listed above. Doctrine and covenants podcast for primary.
While today's podcast begins a series for parents, it really applies to all Christians as Doug & Paula look at the Perfect Parent, our Heavenly Father, and what we can learn about Him and from Him. And Parents, take a listen and grow in your parenting skills.-Feel free to email us with any questions at info@servingbb.org or for more information check out our website at https://servingbeyondborders.org-Follow us on:Instagram - @servingbeyondbordersYouTube - Serving Beyond BordersFacebook - Serving Beyond Borders-"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve. . ." Mark 10:45-TUNE IN: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-radical-christian-life-with-doug-and-paula/id1562355832#podcast #podcasting #podcasts #spotify #applepodcast #podcaster #interview #newpodcast #spotifypodcast #missions #jesus #god #love #bible #faith #jesuschrist #christian #church #christ #gospel #holyspirit #prayer #christianity #pray #theradicalchristianlife
To make peace with our past, the very first step, is to first, forgive ourselves and next, and for some of us this can be a really tough one, to forgive others. Essentially, we need to clean house of all unforgiveness. If we don't let go, the past is going to keep haunting us because we are giving it the power to stay current, which then hinders our future.A great place to start is with Jesus' own words from the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:12 … “… and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” (NLT) He continued this theme in verses 14 and 15 … If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (NLT) When we struggle to forgive ourselves, or someone else for past hurts, Jesus' words can feel like a threat or some kind of ultimatum. That is not the intention at all. He simply stated a spiritual truth about how God works.Think about it. It makes sense. Why should we expect to have something happen for us that we are not willing to extend ourselves? God knows our personal freedom lies in our ability to forgive.Listen now to this same passage in The Message Bible … “Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. … In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.”To make peace with your past, forgiveness is the first key to unlock freedom. Any bitterness that we carry causes us to also carry around that other person, causing more pain, while he or she is out free and not thinking about us at all. So we have to ask ourselves, is it really worth what I'm losing? Or am I ready to gain back my freedom?Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, give me the grace and the strength to forgive myself, everyone who has hurt me, and then help me keep my list clean, knowing You died to give me that freedom. As above, so below.”
The Heavenly Father speaks that He is requiring His own to decide.
Sermon Notes:· What's hiding in the dark places of your soul?· Admit we are powerless.· God is greater than us and he can restore us to sanity.· We make a decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God.· We make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.· The fifth step: We admit to God, ourselves, and another person the exact nature of our wrongs.· 1 John 1:9 – If we admit our sins, he is faithful and right to dismiss our sins and cleanse us from all things not right. (wcs)· Confessing to God washes your soul in grace.· Pray through your moral inventory.· Deal in specifics.· Review each day.· Claim the promise of sin removal.· James 5:16 – Admit to each other your sins and pray over each other for healing. The great, strong prayer of a right doer produces! (wcs)· Be aware of your own sin.· Do not be disturbed by what you hear.· Keep what you hear confidential.· Respond in love.· Trust the Spirit for what to say.· Pronounce forgiveness.· Pray for healing.· As a church we need to admit we are all sinners.· Heavenly Father, we confess we fall short of what is right and good. We hurt ourselves and others with our sin. None of us are good, no, not one. Please have mercy on us. Heal the wounds of our sin. Take away our temptations. Thank you for cleansing us.· Today, what do you need to confess to your Heavenly Father?· Today, what do you need to do to make this church a true place of grace?· Today, who needs to hear your confession?LIFE Group Discussion Questions:Opener: How do you feel when you admit you are wrong? Is it a positive or negative experience?1. Read 1 John 1:92. Imagine reviewing your day yesterday. Does a particular sin stand out? What is God saying to you about that sin?3. God is described as faithful and right. How does it feel to know God will forgive your sins?4. Imagine how you might feel if you sensed God cleaning you up.5. Read James 5:196. Is our group a safe place to admit our struggles?7. Keeping secrets is a breeding ground for sin. Do you know someone who tried to keep a sinful pattern secret? How did things turn out for them?8. We are instructed to pray for one another. How would you pray for someone who confessed their sins to you?9. What do you need to do to be ready to hear someone's confession?
John 20:17What blessings do we have in Christ with God as our Heavenly Father? In Christ we are adopted as beloved sons and daughters and have the blessings of the Father's: 1. Love and ProvidentialCare, 2. Ear in Prayer, and 3. Discipline.
As we come to our sixth week of exploring Dynamic Faith: The Power of theMustard Seed, we come face to face with a passage that can give great hope orgreat frustration. As Pastor Karin breaks down the myths surrounding Matthew7:7-11, we discover that Jesus's promises associated with asking, seeking, andknocking are not for a few select people, but for everyone longing to beconnected to the heart of our Heavenly Father. Whether you are new to the faithor have walked with the Lord for years, the enemy loves to plant seeds of doubtin our minds about the goodness of God. Combat those doubts with truth so youcan ask, seek, and knock with confidence.
This book is a compilation of my life arising from my deepest memories and heart-felt moments through the experiences I have lived. This book is in poetry--all my loves, struggles as a mother and wife, to just enjoying all the things that God has given me to see and feel. I have made lemonade with my life and I wanted to share with others all the ups and downs that have gone into making me what I have become today. I have grown very close to my Heavenly Father through each step. I hope it is an inspiration to all who read the words of my life.For more info on the book click HERE
Our son's first word was the name he called me, "Da!" I know it's supposed to be "da da," but it was good enough for me. Now, our grandson's first word was "mama," which he liked so much that he just kept it rolling, "ma-ma-ma-ma-ma." Sort of the opposite of "da!" The first words children learn reflect what's going on around them. If they see Mama all the time, you can expect them to say her name early on. Sometimes, those first words aren't happy words. Our friends were dedicated missionaries in a war-torn part of the Middle East for years. Not long after their daughter was born, their area became a place where frequent bombardments and violence erupted all around them. Some of her first words told the story: "bomb," "gun." I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Lessons That Shape Your Child's Life." Children learn what they live, for better or worse. For all our words as parents, it's ultimately what our children live that makes them into the people they become. And God doesn't give a human being any greater trust, any greater responsibility than the shaping of a little person that He made in His image. God, who asks us to call Him our Heavenly Father, has left us parents and grandparents some great help in the book He wrote. The Bible passes along some valuable instructions given to a generation of parents who were trying to raise their children in a culture that had no use for the values they were teaching their children. And in a setting where their children were being given what their parents had to work for. Sounds kind of familiar, doesn't it? His instructions to parents are recorded in Deuteronomy 11, beginning with verse 13, and it's our word for today from the Word of God. He begins by saying, "Love the Lord your God and...serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul." Parents need to give their children more than a religion. They need to show them a personal love relationship with the God who made them and a life that makes God the sun in your universe and everything else the planets that revolve around that sun. Then God says: "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds...teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home, when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses...so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land." In short, live your life in such a way your kids keep bumping into God wherever they turn; a real God that they see in real life situations. It isn't enough for your child to hear the truth. He or she needs to see what the truth looks like in your life. You teach them faith by how you handle the storms and the stresses that hit your family. You teach them loving their neighbor by seeing your compassion for hurting people. They learn about forgiveness by you forgiving them and asking them to forgive you. They learn that lying is wrong from a parent who always tells the truth. They learn about managing anger when they see you always make things right before your day ends. They learn to love God's Word when they see you meeting with God with His book in your lap. The truth is, children grow up thinking God is like whatever their parents are like, and that's scary. Especially if you know you have a dark side that all too often is what your kids see; a dark side that continually causes you to hurt most the people you love most. Honestly, your child is your mirror. And if you don't like what you see in that mirror, it's time for you to know the Savior of mommies and daddies. That's Jesus, who died for our sins so they could be forgiven, who rose from His grave with the power to help us change what we could never change about ourselves. Our children show us a truth we may have been able to run from before. We need a Savior. We need Jesus. This might be the day to make this Savior your Savior. I'd love to help you with that, that's why our website is there. Go to ANewStory.com. You can't begin to imagine how different your home could be - how different you could be - if Jesus lives there, in you.
Luke 22:39-42 …Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.” He walked away, about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (NLT) For most of us, when we want to avoid something hard coming at us, we pray for God to remove the suffering. And, of course, there's nothing wrong with that prayer.But then the key is if He doesn't, what do we do? How do we respond? Blame Him? Question His goodness? Think He no longer loves us?First, notice Jesus didn't say, “Father, if you can …” but rather “Father, if you are willing …”When we pray about anything hard, any kind of suffering, any sort of difficulty that we have to go through, asking God to take it away makes a lot of sense. But adding Jesus' last sentence is a huge step of faith and maturity. “Yet, I want your will to be done, not mine.” That is an entirely new level of faith and trust to be like Jesus to that extent, because to pray that, we have to know He wants the best for us, no matter what.Whether you are in a dark time right now, or the next time you are, remember Jesus' choice in the Garden—to trust God's will for You.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I know wanting Your will isn't just about blessings. Trusting You in the dark times is what faith is really about. Help me to trust You and Your will with Jesus as my Example and Goal. As above, so below.”
There is only one voice that speaks on our behalf. It is God Himself, who took our judgement and set us free. He is the only who has the right to condemn us but He never will. He took our sin, our guilt on Himself. He will not come back and tell us how wrong we are, no - He wraps us up in goodness and holds us close to His heart continually.Daylight Meditations is a daily podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and online courses. If you are encouraged by this time of meditation, please consider supporting us.Contributors: Michelle DeChant, Adam Maddock, and Phil Reaser
No matter where you are or how far away from God you have run, you can always come home. Our loving Heavenly Father is waiting with open arms. He is calling once again for you to come home.Today's Scripture Verses:Luke 15:20 - “So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” “…Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. (Vs 24)Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group
Psalm 91 is one of the most powerful chapters in the Bible for asking God's protection and provision when troubles come. There is a hopeful tone in the words that cut through the darkness.Listen to verses 1 and 2 …Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. (NLT) When we struggle, when we are trying to find our way through days filled with trouble, knowing that God is the shelter where we can find rest and the refuge where we can find safety is a huge comfort and encouragement. But the key is in the final words: He is my God and I trust Him.Listen now to verses 14-16 …The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”When trouble lands on your doorstep, what is your first thought? Your first thought. Is it, how am I going to fix this? Why is this happening to me?One of the ways we can know we are growing in our faith is when our first thought is to invite God to work. To pray, “Lord, rescue me, protect me, answer me. I need to hear from You.”I want to encourage you to use Psalm 91 as a prayer for you and your kids. Words like these will help you look to God first when darkness falls.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, You are my Shelter, my Refuge, my Place of safety. My Rescue. My Protector. My answer. As above, so below.”
We all want certain things for our children. We want them to be healthy and happy. We want them to make good choices, foremost among them being accept Jesus as their Savior. But our kids reach a certain point, and the principles we taught them are working their way in to the specific choices they make. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie says our Heavenly Father’s guidance is similar. The closer we get to God and His values, the more we’ll know that we’re walking in His ways. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We all want certain things for our children. We want them to be healthy and happy. We want them to make good choices, foremost among them being accept Jesus as their Savior. But our kids reach a certain point, and the principles we taught them are working their way in to the specific choices they make. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie says our Heavenly Father’s guidance is similar. The closer we get to God and His values, the more we’ll know that we’re walking in His ways. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God loves us with a pure, untangled love. Keywords: Love; unconditional; relationship; receive; Heavenly Father.Scripture: 1 John 4:9-10
This week we are studying Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause 58-59 in Come, Follow Me. Here's what to look forward to in this episode: ZION IS NOT A PLACE NOT YET TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER A TASTE OF EDEN Principle of Prayer: Gratitude prayers lead to rejoicing (Doctrine and Covenants 59:7, 14) Sometime this week, pray a prayer of only things you are grateful for. We love studying with you! Grace and David You will find the word of the week, teaching tips, and more in our newsletter. Sign up here: www.dontmissthisstudy.com Videos can be found on YouTube: Don't Miss This Grace Freeman Instagram: @thisweeksgrace David Butler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdavebutler/ Instagram: @mrdavebutler Come, Follow Me is a resource offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is designed to be used in the home to support personal and family scripture study to build faith in Heavenly Father and His plan of salvation and in the Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Come, Follow Me is self-contained and adequate, when used properly. Products and materials designed to supplement this resource, though they may be helpful in some instances, are not necessary for a successful home study program. Don't Miss This Team hello@dontmissthisstudy.com