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What do you pray when life hurts so much that ordinary words no longer feel adequate?In this reflection on Psalm 69, John Ortberg explores one of the most emotionally intense prayers in all of Scripture.Drawing a surprising connection to Howl, John examines how the Psalms give voice to grief, despair, loss, betrayal, injustice, addiction, depression, and suffering.This episode explores:- Psalm 69 and honest prayer- The language of anguish- Why God welcomes our deepest pain- Jesus and "zeal for Your house"- The danger of bitterness and despair- Protecting the soul in suffering- Learning to live in a howling worldFeaturing reflections on:- Allen Ginsberg- John Steinbeck's The Grapes of WrathScriptures:- Psalm 69- John 2:13–17#Psalm69 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Suffering #Grief #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Hope #psalms
Sermon Outline: "On My Father's Side" Preacher: Pastor Lemuel Miller (Guest Speaker / Advisory Board Member) Location: Church of the Harvest I. Introduction: The Temple and the Root Causes of Sickness The Caleb Spirit: At nearly 74 years old, Pastor Lemuel shares his experience winning a silver medal at the national arm wrestling championship, emphasizing that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). We must actively care for our physical templates so that the Holy Ghost is not "living in a garage or a shed." Commanding Prayers vs. Begging: In his book Prayers for Healing, Pastor Lemuel explains that many believers stay in ignorance, begging God for things He has already accomplished. Spiritual maturity requires switching from begging prayers to authoritative, commanding prayers. Uprooting Sickness: True physical restoration requires looking past the surface pain and identifying the structural root causes of diseases. Migraine Headaches: Often rooted in trauma and bitterness. Kidney Disease: Rooted in deep unforgiveness, bitterness, fear, and self-rejection. Leukemia: Often linked to bitterness and paternal rejection. Lupus: Can stem from deep-seated guilt, self-hatred, and low self-esteem. II. Point 1: Understanding Jesus as a 100% Human Example The Human Dependency: Reading from John 5:19, Jesus explicitly declares that the Son can do absolutely nothing of Himself except what He sees the Father do. Many Christians incorrectly attribute Jesus' earthly miracles to His inherent divinity, forgetting that He stripped Himself of that privilege to come as a 100% vulnerable human baby. The Earthly Blueprint: Jesus had to fully depend on human care and look directly to His Heavenly Father for supernatural strength. By doing this, He serves as a complete human blueprint for how we are meant to walk out authority on Earth. III. Point 2: The Full Meaning of Salvation (Sozo) Fire Insurance vs. Full Rights: Most modern believers view being "saved" purely as a post-death ticket to Heaven to avoid Hell. The Greek Meaning: In Matthew 1:21, the term for save is the Greek word Sozo. When properly translated, it means you are actively rescued from: Accidents, injuries, physical harm, and structural danger. Destruction, risk, peril, loss, and premature/untimely death. Sickness, chronic disease, physical infirmity, and generational curses. The Transacted Benefits: True Sozo simultaneously grants the believer legal rights to divine prosperity, total deliverance from addictions, inner strength, structural healing, and operational wholeness. IV. Point 3: The Conversation in the Temple (The Two Sides) Using a vivid exploration of Luke 2:47, Pastor Lemuel illustrates the 12-year-old Jesus sitting among the elite rabbis and theologians, contrasting His dual lineage: On My Mother's Side: Born into natural law, generational trauma, human limitations, fear, hunger, thirst, trouble, and the lingering curse of sin. On My Father's Side: Formed in supernatural law, eternal life, and generational blessings. The Supernatural Exchange: * Hungry/Thirsty: On His mother's side, He fasts; on His Father's side, He is the Bread of Life and a well that never runs dry. Natural Law: His mother's side is bound to gravity; His Father sits upon the flood (Psalm 29:10)—and a Father who sits on the flood raises a Son who walks on water. Surrounding Defense: On His Father's side, He is covered by feathers and wings (Psalm 91:4), meaning His truth functions as a structural shield, buckler, and surrounding defense against the snare of the fowler. Age and Identity: On His mother's side, He is a 12-year-old from Nazareth; on His Father's side, He is the Ancient of Days, Alpha and Omega, the Architect of the Universe, and the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. V. Point 4: Operating in Dunamis Power The Age of Public Service: In Hebrew culture, a priest could not step into public high-priestly service until age 30. Accordingly, Jesus did not perform public miracles until reaching this baseline. The Necessity of Anointing: Acts 10:38 states that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power. If Jesus was operating strictly as God, He wouldn't require an anointing or a companion. He operated as an anointed human being. Miraculous Power (Dunamis): When the Holy Ghost fills a believer, they receive Dunamis power—the explosive, dynamic, and supernatural capacity to perform miracles. Rebuking the Root: When dealing with demonic possession (Acts 16), Peter's mother-in-law's fever (Luke 4), or the raging sea (Mark 4), Jesus always used sharp, severe, and authoritative rebukes (epitimao). In the storm, He did not rebuke the water; He rebuked the wind—the structural root cause of the problem. VI. Conclusion: Activating Faith vs. Waiting The Whip Post Transaction: Based on Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Paragraph 2:24, our healing is already completely provided in the past tense ("by whose stripes you were healed"). Healing was legally settled at the whipping post, not two years from now. Faith is Practical Action: Believers fail to receive because they allow passive doubt to eat their seed of faith. Like the ten lepers in Luke 17, their structural healing manifested on the way because they actively moved in obedience to Jesus' command. Healing vs. Wholeness: While nine lepers were cleansed (cured of the disease), the Samaritan leper who turned back to worship Jesus was made whole (Sozo). Healing cures the virus; wholeness creatively restores every limb, finger, or piece of flesh that was eaten away or missing. Scripture Index Here are the primary scriptures read, cited, or expounded upon during the service: Deuteronomy 34:7 (Referenced) – The account of Moses being 120 years old with eyes undimmed and his natural force unabated. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (Referenced) – Knowing that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, bought with a price. John 5:19 > "Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." Isaiah 7:14 > "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 9:6 > "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Matthew 1:21 > "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save [sozo] his people from their sins." Luke 2:8-14 (Paraphrased) – The angelic announcement to the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night in the city of David. Luke 2:47 > "And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers." Romans 8:2 (Referenced) – The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus making us free from the law of sin and death. Psalm 29:10 (Referenced) – The Lord sitting upon the flood; the Lord sitting King forever. Psalm 91:1-16 (Completely Quoted) – The structural promises of protection, including abiding under the shadow of the Almighty, delivery from the snare of the fowler, protection from night terror, and angels bearing the believer up. Psalm 8:4-8 (Referenced) – What is man that thou art mindful of him, creating him a little lower than the angels and putting all things under his feet. Luke 10:19 > "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Psalm 103:1-5 (Referenced) – Blessing the Lord and forgetting not His benefits, who forgives iniquities and heals all diseases. Mark 11:23 > "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart... he shall have whatsoever he saith." Acts 10:38 > "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." Isaiah 53:5 > "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." 1 Peter 2:24 > "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." Hebrews 1:14 > "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" 2 Corinthians 5:21 > "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Luke 17:11-19 (Referenced) – The healing of the ten lepers on their way to the priest, and the structural wholeness given to the one returning Samaritan. "Thanks for listening! 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Before Jesus does a single miracle or wins a single debate, His Father declares, “This is my beloved Son.” The Breastplate of Righteousness if first received, not achieved. Jesus lives from His identity and not for it. In a culture obsessed with proving ourselves, righteousness becomes either self-righteousness or despair but in Jesus it becomes protection. When we armor up like Jesus, we stop performing for approval and begin living from the truth that we are approved. The battle is not to impress God, but to rest in the righteousness He gives and then live through that righteousness leading to a life of character and integrity.
Before Jesus does a single miracle or wins a single debate, His Father declares, “This is my beloved Son.” The Breastplate of Righteousness if first received, not achieved. Jesus lives from His identity and not for it. In a culture obsessed with proving ourselves, righteousness becomes either self-righteousness or despair but in Jesus it becomes protection. When we armor up like Jesus, we stop performing for approval and begin living from the truth that we are approved. The battle is not to impress God, but to rest in the righteousness He gives and then live through that righteousness leading to a life of character and integrity.
It is Christ's desire to recover and save all who are lost. This parable shows how ready He is to pardon our sins, as well as the obstinacy of those who murmur at God's compassion. The prodigal son lived an extravagant wasteful lifestyle – a life of madness and self-deception. But it is a sign of God's mercy to not leave prodigals in their backsliding. The son came to his change of mind by remembering the kindness of His Father. The goodness of God leads us to repentance. The older son was a picture of the self-righteous moralist who cannot bear the idea of sinners receiving mercy. Proud and self-righteous people resent the compassion of Christ, and think that obedience is only outward and not from the heart. Let us remember the Psalmist's prayer in Psalm 25: "Remember not the sins of my youth; remember me for Your goodness' sake, O Lord!"
What are you like when nobody is watching? In John 17, we step onto holy ground as we listen in on Jesus' prayer life with His Father. Just hours before the cross, Jesus spends time in prayer, revealing His heart, His priorities, and His perfect devotion. As we easvesdrop on this prayer, we'll discover the beauty of Christ's private life, the depth of His communion with the Father, and the wonderful truth that eternal life is found in knowing God through Him.
In 2024, The New York Times Book Review gathered more than 500 novelists, nonfiction writers, poets and literary enthusiasts to help pick the best books of the 21st century so far. One of those books was Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “The Road,” which came in at No. 13. That book tells the story of a man and his young son trying to survive in a postapocalyptic United States. Like other books by McCarthy, it combines ornate prose with moments of unforgettable violence. It is also a moving story of love and parenthood under the most extreme circumstances. One of the people who voted on our best books list was Ryan Holiday, author of more than a dozen nonfiction books, host of the “Daily Stoic” podcast and owner of the Painted Porch Bookshop in Bastrop, Texas. We recently invited him on the “Book Review” podcast to talk about “The Road,” and how its meaning changed for him after he became a father. Books Discussed on This Episode: “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy “No Country for Old Men” by Cormac McCarthy “All the Pretty Horses” by Cormac McCarthy “Blood Meridian” by Cormac McCarthy “The Odyssey” by Homer “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald “The Children of Men” by P. D. James “The Plague” by Albert Camus “Revolutionary Road” by Richard Yates “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius “Of Boys and Men” by Richard Reeves “Outdoor Kids in an Inside World” by Steven Rinella “Letter to His Father” by Franz Kafka “Range” by David Epstein “Good Inside” by Becky Kennedy “Wild Dark Shore” by Charlotte McConaghy “Death Be Not Proud” by John Gunther “The Revenant” by Michael Punke Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Friday, 12 June 2026 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. Matthew 20:24 “And having heard, the ten, they outraged about the two brothers.” (CG). In the previous verse, Jesus informed the sons of Zebedee that they would indeed drink His cup and be baptized with His baptism. However, He informed them that to sit at His right and left was not His to give, but for those prepared by His Father. With those words complete, it next says, “And having heard, the ten.” This means the other ten apostles who had been called aside in verse 17, and who would have included Matthew, the one writing about what occurred. Of them, it says, “they outraged about the two brothers.” A new word is seen, aganakteó, to be greatly indignant. It is only seen seven times, all in the synoptic gospels. One can see them missing the point of Jesus' words and being upset that James and John asked for this honorable seating at their expense. Apparently, they all had the same aspiration and didn't like that these two stepped forward, bringing their mother to sweeten the deal. Each of them was thinking about an earthly royal court with earthly rewards and honors. They hungrily desired to obtain special rank and privilege in such a setting. Whether they still had this ambition at the time of the ascension, they certainly still had the notion of an earthly kingdom on their mind at that time – “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' 7 And He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.'” Acts 1:6-8 It is clear that throughout all of Jesus' ministry, they continued to misunderstand what God was doing in redemptive history. That continued in Acts as they struggled with the issue of Gentiles, law observance, etc. Jesus had purposefully withheld much so that they could learn to simply trust His unfolding plan. The directive hand of God would effectively bring about what He purposed as they, along with us, have watched it unfold. Life application: Nothing has changed in the hearts of many believers as they strive to find power and position within churches. People stand ready to curry the pastor's favor, willing to cut others apart with their tongues in an attempt to be heightened in the eyes of those in charge. An example from right at the beginning concerning such personal dysfunction is found in 3 John – “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.” 3 John 1:9, 10 It's hard to understand how a person who was nothing but a johnny come lately would not receive a person who had been with Jesus throughout His ministry. But his name is recorded in Scripture, letting us know that such people exist. It is a sure indication that more like him are to be expected in the years to come. Churches are filled with them. Imagine the backstabbing and corruption in larger denominations like Roman Catholicism. Power struggles that should not exist fill them because the focus is on self, not the furtherance of Christ's gospel and instruction in His word. Let us consider these things and do our utmost to be people willing to serve, considering that Jesus set the example from the beginning. It is what Paul implores us to reflect on in Philippians 2:1-11. Take time to read that today. Lord God, may we carefully consider our situation in the world, knowing that we are just temporary vessels to be used for a short span of time to further the knowledge of You in a world that desperately needs to hear it. May our hearts be humble, and may our feet be ready to share the good news every chance we get. Amen.
LESSON 162I Am As God Created Me.This single thought, held firmly in the mind, would save the world. From time to time we will repeat it, as we reach another stage in learning. It will mean far more to you as you advance. These words are sacred, for they are the words God gave in answer to the world you made. By them it disappears, and all things seen within its misty clouds and vaporous illusions vanish as these words are spoken. For they come from God.Here is the Word by which the Son became His Father's happiness, His Love and His completion. Here creation is proclaimed, and honored as it is. There is no dream these words will not dispel; no thought of sin and no illusion which the dream contains that will not fade away before their might. They are the trumpet of awakening that sounds around the world. The dead awake in answer to its call. And those who live and hear this sound will never look on death.Holy indeed is he who makes these words his own; arising with them in his mind, recalling them throughout the day, at night bringing them with him as he goes to sleep. His dreams are happy and his rest secure, his safety certain and his body healed, because he sleeps and wakens with the truth before him always. He will save the world, because he gives the world what he receives each time he practices the words of truth.Today we practice simply. For the words we use are mighty, and they need no thoughts beyond themselves to change the mind of him who uses them. So wholly is it changed that it is now the treasury in which God places all His gifts and all His Love, to be distributed to all the world, increased in giving; kept complete because its sharing is unlimited. And thus you learn to think with God. Christ's vision has restored your sight by salvaging your mind.We honor you today. Yours is the right to perfect holiness you now accept. With this acceptance is salvation brought to everyone, for who could cherish sin when holiness like this has blessed the world? Who could despair when perfect joy is yours, available to all as remedy for grief and misery, all sense of loss, and for complete escape from sin and guilt?And who would not be brother to you now; you, his redeemer and his savior. Who could fail to welcome you into his heart with loving invitation, eager to unite with one like him in holiness? You are as God created you. These words dispel the night, and darkness is no more. The light is come today to bless the world. For you have recognized the Son of God, and in that recognition is the world's.- Jesus Christ in ACIM
Jesus, in submission to his parents, lived life growing in wisdom and strength and the grace of God was upon Him.Then Luke gives us a record of Jesus as a child of 12 going to Jerusalem for the passover. And instead of returning home to Nazareth, He stayed in Jerusalem ministering His Father's business in the temple. Jesus astounded the religious leaders with His questions and answers. But Mary and Joseph were distressed, thinking He was lost in the city, they found Him in temple. Jesus was the center of attention from both his parents and the religious leaders.Jesus should be the focus of our attention, affection and faith. Here is Dr. Mitchell, Luke 2:39, on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast.
After heaven opens to Jesus at His Baptism, hell now opens to attack Jesus at His temptation. Jesus goes into the wilderness and fasts for forty days, drawing strength from His Father. The devil tempts Jesus to satisfy His hunger with miraculous bread, but Jesus refuses to use His power for His own benefit. He defeats the devil with the written Word of God. When the devil attempts to twist the Scripture against Jesus, the Lord refutes him once again. Not even the temptation for power and glory now can lead Jesus astray, as He silences and sends the devil packing. In His temptation, Jesus defeats the devil for us. Rev. Sean Daenzer, Director of Worship for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and chaplain for the International Center in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 4:1-11. “The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.
Yevamos 69a–69b: Super Episode — Does a Son Enable His Mother to Eat Terumah Through His Own Koach or His Father's?
Today’s Topics: 1) Gospel – MT 16:24-28 – Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after Me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with His angels in His Father's glory, and then He will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom.” Memorial of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Virgin and Martyr Saint Teresa, pray for us Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2) The social kingship of Christ and the Catholic State https://thejosias.com/2024/07/29/the-social-kingship-of-christ-and-the-catholic-state/ 4) CCC 1020-1065: The Four Last Things, continued – Hell
The Fentanyl Crisis Is Worse Than You Think w/ Luis Romero | The Hopeaholics PodcastIn this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Luis Romero shares his incredible journey from heroin addiction, gang involvement, and felony charges to becoming a powerful voice in recovery and fentanyl awareness. With over 13 years sober, Luis opens up about the darkest moments of his addiction, the impact of losing his father at a young age, and how searching for belonging led him down a destructive path. He shares the life-changing decision to stay in treatment longer than planned, the challenges of being a "dry drunk," and the personal growth that allowed him to become someone his family could be proud of. We also dive into the fentanyl epidemic, the dangers of counterfeit pills, fentanyl-laced drugs, and the heartbreaking losses that inspired Luis to launch Fuck Fentanyl San Diego and dedicate his life to saving others. This conversation is filled with powerful recovery insights, raw honesty, and an important message about grief, purpose, and honoring the people we've lost by living a meaningful life. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, this episode offers hope, perspective, and proof that lasting recovery is possible.#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarieJoin our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record', exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholicsBuy Merch: https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.comVisit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.comIf you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:https://www.infinitigroupllc.com Timestamps:00:03:30 - Why He Started Fuck Fentanyl San Diego00:06:57 - 13 Years Sober and Life After Heroin00:14:59 - Living an Animalistic Life Chasing Heroin00:16:08 - Family Taking Him In During Addiction00:17:14 - Heroin Addiction, Gangs and Catching a Felony Case00:18:08 - Running From Police After a Party Gone Wrong00:26:45 - Staying in Treatment an Extra Four Months to Survive00:33:30 - Recovery Turned Him Into Someone His Family Could Be Proud Of00:34:10 - The Pain of Being a Dry Drunk for Nine Years00:43:24 - Losing His Father at 10 and the Impact on His Addiction00:45:24 - His Father Died of a Heart Attack at 3300:46:31 - Seeking Validation Through Gangs After Losing His Dad00:48:11 - How His Friend's Death Sparked His Mission and Podcast00:58:04 - Why Illicit Fentanyl Is Pure Poison01:00:39 - The Shocking Reality of Fake Fentanyl Pills01:01:48 - A Celebration Turned Fatal After Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine01:05:24 - Honoring Loved Ones Instead of Letting Grief Destroy You01:06:02 - Living Life in Honor of His Father and Best Friend
LESSON 159I Give The Miracles I Have Received.No one can give what he has not received. To give a thing requires first you have it in your own possession. Here the laws of Heaven and the world agree. But here they also separate. The world believes that to possess a thing, it must be kept. Salvation teaches otherwise. To give is how to recognize you have received. It is the proof that what you have is yours.You understand that you are healed when you give healing. You accept forgiveness as accomplished in yourself when you forgive. You recognize your brother as yourself, and thus do you perceive that you are whole. There is no miracle you cannot give, for all are given you. Receive them now by opening the storehouse of your mind where they are laid, and giving them away.Christ's vision is a miracle. It comes from far beyond itself, for it reflects Eternal Love and the rebirth of love which never dies, but has been kept obscure. Christ's vision pictures Heaven, for it sees a world so like to Heaven that what God created perfect can be mirrored there. The darkened glass the world presents can show but twisted images in broken parts. The real world pictures Heaven's innocence.Christ's vision is the miracle in which all miracles are born. It is their source, remaining with each miracle you give, and yet remaining yours. It is the bond by which the giver and receiver are united in extension here on earth, as they are one in Heaven. Christ beholds no sin in anyone. And in His sight the sinless are as one. Their holiness was given by His Father and Himself.Christ's vision is the bridge between the worlds. And in its power can you safely trust to carry you from this world into one made holy by forgiveness. Things which seem quite solid here are merely shadows there; transparent, faintly seen, at times forgot, and never able to obscure the light that shines beyond them. Holiness has been restored to vision, and the blind can see.This is the Holy Spirit's single gift; the treasure house to which you can appeal with perfect certainty for all the things that can contribute to your happiness. All are laid here already. All can be received but for the asking. Here the door is never locked, and no one is denied his least request or his most urgent need. There is no sickness not already healed, no lack unsatisfied, no need unmet within this golden treasury of Christ.Here does the world remember what was lost when it was made. For here it is repaired, made new again, but in a different light. What was to be the home of sin becomes the center of redemption and the hearth of mercy, where the suffering are healed and welcome. No one will be turned away from this new home, where his salvation waits. No one is stranger to him. No one asks for anything of him except the gift of his acceptance of his welcoming.Christ's vision is the holy ground in which the lilies of forgiveness set their roots. This is their home. They can be brought from here back to the world, but they can never grow in its unnourishing and shallow soil. They need the light and warmth and kindly care Christ's charity provides. They need the love with which He looks on them. And they become His messengers, who give as they received.Take from His storehouse, that its treasures may increase. His lilies do not leave their home when they are carried back into the world. Their roots remain. They do not leave their source, but carry its beneficence with them, and turn the world into a garden like the one they came from, and to which they go again with added fragrance. Now are they twice blessed. The messages they brought from Christ have been delivered, and returned to them. And they return them gladly unto Him.Behold the store of miracles set out for you to give. Are you not worth the gift, when God appointed it be given you? Judge not God's Son, but follow in the way He has established. Christ has dreamed the dream of a forgiven world. It is His gift, whereby a sweet transition can be made from death to life; from hopelessness to hope. Let us an instant dream with Him. His dream awakens us to truth. His vision gives the means for a return to our unlost and everlasting sanctity in God.- Jesus Christ in ACIM
Jesus was sustained in doing His Father's work by the joy that He knew would be realized in the completed work. This joy in the Holy Spirit is the same thing that keeps Christians delighted in their duties today. Watch the video version of this sermon. Check out all of the Bible verses in this sermon. Check out all of the messages in this series about the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives by clicking here. ►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
John 15:24 “If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well.” It's miraculous and supernatural for anyone to live to love with Jesus. It takes a work of grace and glory to transform a hater of God into a lover of God. Look what sin has done to mankind. We live to hate God. We don't know we hate God until He shows up and does what only He can do. He does the works of God—works that no one else has ever done or can do. We all died when Adam sinned. Death is all we know, and we think it is life because our hearts are beating and we are breathing. So it was with that generation at the time of Jesus' coming. They didn't know they were dead in their sin until Jesus came and revealed the life of God. They saw His works, heard His words, and hated Him because He did things they could not do. He exposed them. John described the coming of Jesus this way in John 3:19-20. “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” The same will be true of all those who are His and who walk in the Light of Christ. God is light and the light is love. As they love with Jesus, it will expose those who walk in darkness. Their love is a supernatural love just as the works of Jesus were supernatural. Like Jesus, they will be hated because in everyone who has sin ruling their lives, the love and works of Jesus bring out hatred for Jesus and His Father. Father, give us courage and the love we need to walk in Your light today. Accomplish your work for the glory of your name. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
Facing the darkest hours of His human existence, Jesus masters His flesh and brings it into submission to His spirit which is committed to doing His Father's will. In contrast, the flesh has the upper hand and undermines the desire of the disciples to be loyal to Jesus.
John 15:21 “But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.” What are “these things” that Jesus referred to? Persecution and rejection of what you say. The reason we will be rejected, ignored, and dishonored will be for Jesus' name sake. If we live by and keep His words, then we identify with Jesus, His name. Those who know God, know that Jesus was sent by the Father and that His words were His Father's words. Jesus commanded His followers to love one another because God is love, and He came to live to love with His Father. So those who know God will love. John expounded on this in his first epistle. “We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him” (1 Jo. 4:6-9). Today, we live because Jesus lives. We have His life in us, which is the manifestation of God's love for us. To God be the glory. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
Dave took another trip to the emergency room this week — though this one wasn't for him. His daughter Bernadette and one of his boys built a foam block bridge, she went off the side of it, landed on the wall, and broke her clavicle. Clean break. When Adam got the x-ray, he zoomed in, screenshotted just the broken collarbone, and sent it to Lady Haylee with no context — let her think Adam had been out grinding, building fences, shouldering it like a tough guy. Bernadette, for the record, is doing great. Three weeks and she's back to normal. As Dave put it, if you're going to break your clavicle, do it young. Don't do it at Jim's age.A lot of life packed into this one before the topic. Adam and his boys, Luke and Jude, are going to read the Aeneid together this summer — Luke already read it at Holy Family Classical School, so he'll lead the way. Adam helped Dave harvest wheat (the invoice is coming), and the two of them talked homesteading honestly: you don't get into it to save time or money. It's a lifestyle, and the pork chop costs $400 if you're foolish enough to count your own labor. Adam also turned 40 — by the time this airs, the birthday's passed — and he spent his Substack this week reflecting on the four ten-year cycles he's got left, if he's lucky. The big lesson from 30 to 40: he had it backwards. He was making his life serve the business instead of the business serve his life. Build the habits of prayer, reading, and friendship young, because life only gets busier, and it's far easier to keep a habit than to add one.Two prayer requests worth holding. Lady Pamela's due date is this week — baby Niles number seven, two middle names this time, names not yet shared. And baby Mary is still in the NICU. They're going to try again this week to take her off the breathing tube. She's weaning off sedation — which means withdrawals, which is hard — but she's gaining weight and getting stronger. Get past the tube and the next hill is open heart surgery. Adam's grateful for every prayer, and for the guys who sent DoorDash cards. Keep praying for Mary. And a shout-out to Dan O'Brien, David's father-in-law, walking the Camino as this drops — Dan, hope the feet are holding up.This week's pour is a funny one: WhistlePig's 250th Anniversary of America 10-Year "Piggy Bank" Limited Edition Straight Rye, 55% ABV. The box is a literal piggy bank and the bottle is a chrome-plated ceramic pig. Spicier and more herbal than your Weller or Buffalo Trace — but smooth for the proof, with caramel and warm undertones. Picked up at Broken Arrow Wine and Spirits, owned by a good Catholic family from St. Benedict. Jim's yummy scale (bourbon scale): 5.87 out of 6.Then the main course: the Finding of Jesus in the Temple. Luke 2, the last joyful mystery, the only Gospel that records it — and the very first time Jesus is recorded speaking. Adam walks through it with the Catena Aurea, Aquinas's compilation of the Church Fathers edited by St. John Henry Newman. The caravan to Jerusalem split women and children up front, men in the back, and a twelve-year-old could be in either — so Mary thought He was with Joseph, Joseph thought He was with Mary. Theophylact says it wasn't negligence. A logistical blind spot. Any father who's left a kid at church after coffee and donuts gets it.The three days they searched? St. Ambrose says that's no accident — a rehearsal for the three days of the Passion, lost and then found again. The age of twelve is no accident either: right before the bar mitzvah, the Lord fulfilling the law perfectly, right on time, and twelve standing for the tribes and the apostles. Watch Mary, too. She brings her grief straight to her Son without accusation — "why have you done this to us?" — modeling how a soul carries pain to Christ: honestly, blaming no one, trusting before she fully understands. Watch Joseph, who says nothing, and pursues his mission relentlessly without drama. That's the masculine answer to adversity: very well, and you handle it. Protect, provide, establish.Was Jesus being disobedient? The Fathers say no — His higher obedience to His Father's business ran underneath the surface, and verse 51 shows Him going home and being subject to them. God first, then family, and that order doesn't fracture the home. It grounds it. And where did they find Him? In the temple. His Father's house. Which is the whole point: you can find Jesus in nature, in the car, anywhere — but you are guaranteed to find Him in the church, body, blood, soul, and divinity, in the tabernacle of every Catholic church in the world. If you want to become holy, go be with Him. Get an adoration hour. Holiness doesn't happen the way Adam's buddy Juan figured he'd "just kind of one day have a six pack." You have to do something about it. Raise your glass.TOPICS COVEREDDave's daughter Bernadette breaking her clavicle falling off a foam block bridge the kids builtAdam screenshotting the x-ray and sending just the broken collarbone to Lady Haylee with no contextAdam reading the Aeneid with his sons Luke and Jude this summer — and why he's doing it men's-group styleHarvesting wheat, and the honest economics of homesteading ("the $400 pork chop")Why you never homestead to save time or money — it's a lifestyle, not a shortcutAdam turning 40 and his Substack reflection on the four ten-year cycles he has leftThe biggest lesson from 30 to 40 — making the business serve your life instead of your life serving the businessWhy habits of prayer, reading, and friendship are easier to keep than to add laterLeveraging competent friends instead of trying to do everything yourselfLady Pamela due this week with baby Niles number seven — and the two-middle-names debateBaby Mary update — another attempt to come off the breathing tube, weaning off sedation, gaining weightWhy open heart surgery is the next hill after the breathing tubeDan O'Brien walking the Camino — a shout-out for sore feetBourbon of the week: WhistlePig 250th Anniversary 10-Year "Piggy Bank" Limited Edition Straight Rye, 55% ABVThe ceramic pig bottle, the piggy-bank box, and why a limited shelf whiskey runs $250–$350Jim's yummy scale hitting 5.87 out of 6 on the bourbon scaleThe Finding of Jesus in the Temple — Luke 2, the last joyful mystery, and the only Gospel that records itThe first recorded words of Our LordReading the story through the Catena Aurea — Aquinas's compilation of the Fathers, edited by St. John Henry NewmanHow the Passover caravan split women and children up front and men in the back — and how Jesus fell into the gapTheophylact on why it was a logistical blind spot, not negligence or bad parentingSt. Ambrose on the three-day search foreshadowing the three days of the Passion and ResurrectionWhy the age of twelve matters — the year before the bar mitzvah, and the symbolism of the twelve tribes and apostlesJesus fulfilling the law perfectly and right on time, not jumping aheadMary bringing her grief to Christ without accusation — the model for carrying pain to the Lord"About my father's business" vs. "in my father's house" — the translation and what it meansSt. Bede on faith preceding comprehension — assenting before fully understandingSt. Joseph as the model father — pursuing his mission relentlessly, without drama or self-pityMary honoring Joseph's fatherhood — "your father and I" — and why spouses don't belittle each otherHow complaining about your spouse to others actually breaks your wedding vowsWas Jesus disobedient? The Fathers say no — the higher obedience running underneathThe devil's-advocate case that He chose to be left behind, and His right as the Logos to do soJesus using the Socratic method in the temple — asking questions and "making them wonder upon him"The hierarchy of Christ's presence — and why you're guaranteed to find Him in the tabernacleA convert's story and the simple counsel: you just need to be in front of Jesus"Nothing if not you" — non nisi te, Domine — St. Thomas Aquinas's answer to the LordThe spiritual six pack — why holiness never just "happens on its own"Getting an adoration hour as a statement about the kind of man you want to beREFERENCED IN THIS EPISODEBooks & Writings:Catena Aurea by St. Thomas Aquinas, edited by St. John Henry Newman (the Fathers' commentary on the Gospels)The Gospel of Luke, chapter 2 (the Finding in the Temple, vv. 41–52)The Aeneid by Virgil (Adam's summer read with his sons)The Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer (mentioned alongside Luke's classical reading)Adam's Substack, The Grounded Builder — this week's reflection on his ten-year cyclesSaints & Church Fathers:St. Thomas Aquinas (the Catena Aurea; non nisi te, Domine)St. John Henry Newman (editor of the Catena Aurea)Theophylact (the caravan blind spot, not negligence)St. Ambrose (the three days foreshadowing the Passion; Mary's grief without rebuke; "right on time")St. Bede the Venerable (faith preceding comprehension; the hierarchy of loves)St. Teresa of Avila ("no wonder you have so few friends, with how you treat them")St. Humbert of Romans (the importance of place and location in prayer)The Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph (the model of unified, honoring...
EXODUS LESSON 73 PART 2 I strongly urge you to listen to Lesson 73 part 1 before listening to part 2. You'll see how important it is to make sure you do this to get a better understanding of the questions and issues in these verses. Here's the link for part 1 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/exodus-73-part-1-exod-3210-18-god-cant-change-his-mind/ One major problem we'll deal with is the way the translators of the New American Standard Bible 1995 translated the Hebrew in Exod. 32:14 to come up with the phrase, “God changed His mind.” In part 1 it is so clear that God does not change and never changes His mind. This is a major issue and one wonders how this could've happened since again and again the very words of God show the truth that God does not change and never changes His mind. Below check out the chart. You'll see that the NASB is the only Bible version that uses the phrase “God changed His mind.” The King James (KJV) and the Amplified Bible (AMP) and the Jewish Publication Society (JPS) translations are probably the most accurate. The Lord repented or turned away from one thing to turn to another. Repent in Hebrew comes from the Hebrew verb LaShuv לָשׁוּב meaning to turn around or to go back. The Strong's number H7725. It is the verb that forms the Hebrew word for repentance of Teshuvah תְּשׁוּבָה. It is not just connected to doing repentance from sin. It could be one wants to give up smoking. So one would turn from smoking and to turn to something else. In other words one is doing Teshuvah תְּשׁוּבָה from smoking. That is how the Bible uses the word and not just related to sin. Thus, God is turning from one thing to do another. I wrote an article on trying to get at this in a more understandable way. Here's the article below. Does God change His mind? How can this be? We have two verses that contradict each other. Consider ... Exodus 32:14 So the LORD changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people. (Exo 32:14) Malachi 3:6 "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed." (Mal 3:6) Which is it? If God does not change then how did Moses have God change His mind and yet God says He will not. This is not like God. This is nuts. I thought the Bible was in full agreement!! Can this be explained?? Also, one reads in the very words of God that certain people will be restricted from the Assembly of God. Deu 23:1-8 "No one who is emasculated or has his male organ cut off shall enter the assembly of the LORD. (2) "No one of illegitimate birth shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of his descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall enter the assembly of the LORD. (3) "No Ammonite or Moabite shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of their descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall ever enter the assembly of the LORD, (4) because they did not meet you with food and water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. (5) "Nevertheless, the LORD your God was not willing to listen to Balaam, but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the LORD your God loves you. (6) "You shall never seek their peace or their prosperity all your days. (7) "You shall not detest an Edomite, for he is your brother; you shall not detest an Egyptian, because you were an alien in his land. (8) "The sons of the third generation who are born to them may enter the assembly of the LORD. It says that all Moabites are so restricted and yet Ruth gets in. Why? How? (Listen to part 1 carefully regarding the Moabites. No Moabite will be allowed in to the Assembly of Israel up to an including the 10th generation by God's own words. Wait till you see how Ruth is probably of the 11th generation when one studies the Bible in its historical context. So, she can get in and she did!) It says that a MUMZER will not enter and Timothy is a mumzer - his mom was Jewish and his dad a pagan (Hebrew for one of illegitimate birth)!! Timothy!! He became a leader of the assembly of Messiah in Ephesus. We say as Gentiles we are grafted in but the Torah says NO!! God says it loud and clear. What is going on? How can both be true? Oh sure. One is the church and one is the synagogue. Right?? It can't be. This is a conundrum!! Let's check the Hebrew of Exod. 32:14 and Mal. 3:6. Exo 32:14 וינחם H5162 יהוה H3068 על H5921 הרעה H7451 אשׁר H834 דבר H1696 לעשׂות H6213 לעמו׃ H5971 Mal 3:6 כי H3588 אני H589 יהוה H3068 לא H3808 שׁניתי H8138 ואתם H859 בני H1121 יעקב H3290 לא H3808 כליתם׃ H3615 In English we are reading the word “change” (as to change one's mind in Ex 32:14 - word # 5162) and change (as to someone not changing as in Mal 3:6 - word #8138). In Exod 32:14 God "racham's" - it does NOT say He changes His mind!! The word racham is the word that is translated as "He changed His mind." That phrase is not even there. A better way to say this is that God repents; God turns from one thing to another. He REPENTS. Moses did NOT change HIS mind. What happened is God has set in place either punishment or a curse on those who are unrighteous. That is His intention. However, equally part of HIS intention is God's other option to forgive and erase the punishment if there is true repentance. Both options exist for God. It is one or the other - this is His simultaneous intention and purpose. Moses intervened for Israel and God did not change His mind. He can't. What God did was to turn, to repent, and allowed the other option. Both options are in play, both are His intentions. God has laid out those two options as part of His intentions. Thus, He did not change at all. In Mal 3:6 the word is "shanaw." This has the picture of "folding" one side on another. It has the implication of duplicating. God stays constant. He is ONE and will remain ONE. He is the Lord and HE does not go from one intention to another. Like with Moses God had either punishment or forgiveness. Both exist at once as God's intentions. In the case of sin this is God - both exist. He will turn from one to the other, from punishment to forgiveness if there is true teshuvah, repentance from the sin, and will not do option 1 but option 2. God is like that. He is always like that. God has it all covered and these options are already in place with HIM as His intentions. He will not do anything that is not already a part of HIMSELF. Thus, we study Torah to know HIM deeply and intimately and to begin to understand His ways. Finally, Moses was the greatest prophet of the Hebrew Scriptures (Deut. 34:10). God tells Moses the following … “I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” (Deu 18:18) This is the Lord's prediction of the future coming of His Son, Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus the Messiah. So, Jesus is a prophet like Moses; for us as disciples of Jesus we'd say Jesus is the Greatest Prophet ever. But, we are to be disciples of Jesus or talmidim תַּלְמִידִים. A talmid is one who is a student of a rabbi and who lives to be like his rabbi. Check out the article entitled "Rabbi and Talmidim" at this link ... https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/rabbi-and-talmidim Jesus says this quite clearly … “A pupil (from the Greek to the Hebrew is TALMID) is not above his teacher (from the Greek to the Hebrew is RAV or master. We say RABBI); but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.” (Luk 6:40) Thus, if we are real talmidim we are to be like Jesus. He was given the words of His Father to proclaim and thus Jesus is a prophet. But we are given the words of Jesus to go and proclaim. So, we are prophets as well in that Jesus sends us to bring the word to the Ends of the Earth. And as Moses offers prayers of intercession for Israel so Jesus offers prayers of intercession for His talmidim and the church, His Bride. Thus, if we are truly living to be a true disciple then we to must be ones who offer prayers of intercession for the ones we meet as well. We are to be like Him and follow Paul's teaching when he taught that we are to be like Paul since he is like his master, his RAV, Jesus (1Cor. 11:1). Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? (Ferret - somewhere in the desert north of Eilat Israel) What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
Jesus takes some time to pray all night to His Father in heaven after facing deep scrutiny from critics and just before He selects the apostles. Jesus comes out of this night of prayer into powerful ministry by healing those who come to Him and preparing to preach the greatest sermon ever taught, changing the hearts and minds of men for the ages. In season 7, titled "Doctor Luke & The Great Physician", I have a unique offer relating to this series in the book of Luke. If you partner with Net Cast during our seventh season, I want to send you the complete outline for each episode to guide your study. If you would like to become a partner or donate, you can send PayPal donations using netcasthost@gmail.com or visit Patreon.com/netcast to learn more about how you can get on board with this podcast. I have also added this podcast to www.buymeacoffee.com/netcasthost where you can send a small gift of any amount to help support the show. I appreciate any help you can provide. If you cannot support this ministry's effort financially at this time, would you please consider doing one of the following? First, please subscribe and continue to be a dedicated listener. Next, please share Net Cast with your friends and family and encourage them to subscribe. Finally, consider leaving a review for the podcast so that your positive feedback can encourage others to listen. Please take a few moments after we sign off to visit our website at netcasthost.com. Here you will find transcripts of the podcast on the blog, you can sign up for the free newsletter, become a member, and join Net Cast for free, giving you access to hidden portions of the podcast host site. Don't forget to check out our social media sites on YouTube, Facebook, X aka Twitter, and Instagram. Be sure to like and follow the podcast as we use these sites to keep you current on what is happening at Net Cast. Every new episode is announced on these media outlets.Until next time, God bless you richly in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Mark Pincus is the creator behind Farmville and Words with Friends. He built Zynga into one of the biggest gaming companies in the world and helped shape the early era of social products on the internet. In this conversation, he breaks down how great founders spot winning ideas early, why most startups build the wrong thing, and how products become part of people's daily lives. He shares lessons from building Zynga, missing the opportunity behind social networking before Facebook took off, navigating platform risk during Zynga's explosive growth, and rebuilding his confidence after major failures. You'll learn how to test ideas faster, what separates products people try from products people love, how to avoid “death by compromise” as a founder, and why the best builders stay obsessed with what users actually want. + Members get the longer, extended version of this conversation, with additional content not included in the public release. Join Now. + +Pre-order Life at the Speed of Play: Launch Products People Love! ------ Timestamps: (00:00) The Principles of Great Products (01:34) How to Test if Your Idea Has "Heat" (04:02) Falling Out with His Father (06:14) Early Career Fails (09:27) The Presentation that Kicked him out of Bain (12:04) The Book of Life System for Making Strategic Decisions (17:56) Why Your Instincts are Good and Your Ideas are Bad (22:29) Copying is the Key to Great Product Design (23:22) System for Building Great Products (24:05) How to Use "Proven Better New" to Build Ideas (27:39) Why Deconstruction Leads to Better Products (29:33) All Founders Go Through This (35:14) How Zynga Changed Social Gaming (37:25) Pitching Zynga to Steve Jobs (40:36) The Fatal Mistake Founders Make (41:24) The Fight Between Peter Thiel and Sequoia (43:03) The Explosion of Farmville (45:45) Zynga's Near-Death Experience on Facebook (48:36) Why Failure Machines Reveal Your Best Ideas (49:28) The Thing that Almost Killed Words with Friends (53:05) Why the Minimum Viable Product Approach is Hurting You (54:03) Building Fast is More Important than Building Right (56:19) How Zynga Missed Their Instagram Moment (58:50) Your Company Should Be a Democratic Dictatorship (1:02:25) How to Build a Meritocracy in Your Company (1:03:44) Jeff Bezos' Invaluable Management Trick (1:05:25) Bezos Hack: Scaling Leadership with Tech Assistants ------ Newsletter: The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it's completely free. Learn more and sign up at fs.blog/newsletter ------ Follow Shane Parrish: X: https://x.com/shaneparrish Insta: https://www.instagram.com/farnamstreet/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-parrish-050a2183/ Follow Mark Pincus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markpincus/ X: https://x.com/markpinc ------ Thank you to the sponsors for this episode: +CoinShares: Delivering Reason to Digital Asset Investing. https://coinshares.com/ +Granola AI, The AI notepad for people in back-to-back meetings: https://www.granola.ai/shane Check out the Granola Notes HeyGen is a message-first AI video platform that helps people and AI agents turn ideas into professional video in minutes. Try for free at https://www.heygen.com/ Join the salty rebellion: https://drinklmnt.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LESSON 153In My Defenselessness My Safety Lies.You who feel threatened by this changing world, its twists of fortune and its bitter jests, its brief relationships and all the “gifts” it merely lends to take away again; attend this lesson well. The world provides no safety. It is rooted in attack, and all its “gifts” of seeming safety are illusory deceptions. It attacks, and then attacks again. No peace of mind is possible where danger threatens thus.The world gives rise but to defensiveness. For threat brings anger, anger makes attack seem reasonable, honestly provoked, and righteous in the name of self-defense. Yet is defensiveness a double threat. For it attests to weakness, and sets up a system of defense that cannot work. Now are the weak still further undermined, for there is treachery without and still a greater treachery within. The mind is now confused, and knows not where to turn to find escape from its imaginings.It is as if a circle held it fast, wherein another circle bound it and another one in that, until escape no longer can be hoped for nor obtained. Attack, defense; defense, attack, become the circles of the hours and the days that bind the mind in heavy bands of steel with iron overlaid, returning but to start again. There seems to be no break nor ending in the ever-tightening grip of the imprisonment upon the mind.Defenses are the costliest of all the prices which the ego would exact. In them lies madness in a form so grim that hope of sanity seems but to be an idle dream, beyond the possible. The sense of threat the world encourages is so much deeper, and so far beyond the frenzy and intensity of which you can conceive, that you have no idea of all the devastation it has wrought.You are its slave. You know not what you do, in fear of it. You do not understand how much you have been made to sacrifice, who feel its iron grip upon your heart. You do not realize what you have done to sabotage the holy peace of God by your defensiveness. For you behold the Son of God as but a victim to attack by fantasies, by dreams, and by illusions he has made; yet helpless in their presence, needful only of defense by still more fantasies, and dreams by which illusions of his safety comfort him.Defenselessness is strength. It testifies to recognition of the Christ in you. Perhaps you will recall the text maintains that choice is always made between Christ's strength and your own weakness, seen apart from Him. Defenselessness can never be attacked, because it recognizes strength so great attack is folly, or a silly game a tired child might play, when he becomes too sleepy to remember what he wants.Defensiveness is weakness. It proclaims you have denied the Christ and come to fear His Father's anger. What can save you now from your delusion of an angry god, whose fearful image you believe you see at work in all the evils of the world? What but illusions could defend you now, when it is but illusions that you fight?We will not play such childish games today. For our true purpose is to save the world, and we would not exchange for foolishness the endless joy our function offers us. We would not let our happiness slip by because a fragment of a senseless dream happened to cross our minds, and we mistook the figures in it for the Son of God; its tiny instant for eternity.We look past dreams today, and recognize that we need no defense because we are created unassailable, without all thought or wish or dream in which attack has any meaning. Now we cannot fear, for we have left all fearful thoughts behind. And in defenselessness we stand secure, serenely certain of our safety now, sure of salvation; sure we will fulfill our chosen purpose, as our ministry extends its holy blessing through the world.Be still a moment, and in silence think how holy is your purpose, how secure you rest, untouchable within its light. God's ministers have chosen that the truth be with them. Who is holier than they? Who could be surer that his happiness is fully guaranteed? And who could be more mightily protected? What defense could possibly be needed by the ones who are among the chosen ones of God, by His election and their own as well?It is the function of God's ministers to help their brothers choose as they have done. God has elected all, but few have come to realize His Will is but their own. And while you fail to teach what you have learned, salvation waits and darkness holds the world in grim imprisonment. Nor will you learn that light has come to you, and your escape has been accomplished. For you will not see the light, until you offer it to all your brothers. As they take it from your hands, so will you recognize it as your own.Salvation can be thought of as a game that happy children play. It was designed by One Who loves His children, and Who would replace their fearful toys with joyous games, which teach them that the game of fear is gone. His game instructs in happiness because there is no loser. Everyone who plays must win, and in his winning is the gain to everyone ensured. The game of fear is gladly laid aside, when children come to see the benefits salvation brings.You who have played that you are lost to hope, abandoned by your Father, left alone in terror in a fearful world made mad by sin and guilt; be happy now. That game is over. Now a quiet time has come, in which we put away the toys of guilt, and lock our quaint and childish thoughts of sin forever from the pure and holy minds of Heaven's children and the Son of God.We pause but for a moment more, to play our final, happy game upon this earth. And then we go to take our rightful place where truth abides and games are meaningless. So is the story ended. Let this day bring the last chapter closer to the world, that everyone may learn the tale he reads of terrifying destiny, defeat of all his hopes, his pitiful defense against a vengeance he can not escape, is but his own deluded fantasy. God's ministers have come to waken him from the dark dreams this story has evoked in his confused, bewildered memory of this distorted tale. God's Son can smile at last, on learning that it is not true.Today we practice in a form we will maintain for quite a while. We will begin each day by giving our attention to the daily thought as long as possible. Five minutes now becomes the least we give to preparation for a day in which salvation is the only goal we have. Ten would be better; fifteen better still. And as distraction ceases to arise to turn us from our purpose, we will find that half an hour is too short a time to spend with God. Nor will we willingly give less at night, in gratitude and joy.Each hour adds to our increasing peace, as we remember to be faithful to the Will we share with God. At times, perhaps, a minute, even less, will be the most that we can offer as the hour strikes. Sometimes we will forget. At other times the business of the world will close on us, and we will be unable to withdraw a little while, and turn our thoughts to God.Yet when we can, we will observe our trust as ministers of God, in hourly remembrance of our mission and His Love. And we will quietly sit by and wait on Him and listen to His Voice, and learn what He would have us do the hour that is yet to come; while thanking Him for all the gifts He gave us in the one gone by.In time, with practice, you will never cease to think of Him, and hear His loving Voice guiding your footsteps into quiet ways, where you will walk in true defenselessness. For you will know that Heaven goes with you. Nor would you keep your mind away from Him a moment, even though your time is spent in offering salvation to the world. Think you He will not make this possible, for you who chose to carry out His plan for the salvation of the world and yours?Today our theme is our defenselessness. We clothe ourselves in it, as we prepare to meet the day. We rise up strong in Christ, and let our weakness disappear, as we remember that His strength abides in us. We will remind ourselves that He remains beside us through the day, and never leaves our weakness unsupported by His strength. We call upon His strength each time we feel the threat of our defenses undermine our certainty of purpose. We will pause a moment, as He tells us, “I am here.”Your practicing will now begin to take the earnestness of love, to help you keep your mind from wandering from its intent. Be not afraid nor timid. There can be no doubt that you will reach your final goal. The ministers of God can never fail, because the love and strength and peace that shine from them to all their brothers come from Him. These are His gifts to you. Defenselessness is all you need to give Him in return. You lay aside but what was never real, to look on Christ and see His sinlessness.- Jesus Christ in ACIM
If you were writing a story about the Son of God, Mark chapter 15 is probably not the story you would write. Jesus is arrested, mocked, beaten, humiliated, and executed — and through almost all of it, He is completely silent. No protest. No retaliation. No escape. And He had every power to do all of those things. So why did Jesus choose surrender? That's the question we're sitting with today, and I think the answer changes everything about how we understand not just Easter, but every hard and unresolved season in our own lives. We walk through the full weight of what's happening in this chapter — the crowd that was shouting Hosanna just days earlier is now demanding Barabbas. Pilate, conflicted and cowardly, bends to the pressure. Jesus is crucified between two criminals, mocked by the very people He came to save. And darkness covers the land for three full hours. I want us to really sit with what the cross meant in Roman culture — this was the symbol of highest shame, of total defeat, of public humiliation. The word excruciating literally comes from the Latin word for crucifixion. And in the middle of all of that, at the very moment when Jesus cries out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" — that is the moment theologians point to as when He took the sin of the entire world onto His shoulders and experienced, for the first and only time, separation from His Father. That cry? That is the most painful moment of all of it — not the nails, not the mockery, but the weight of sin creating distance from God. And then He says it is finished. And the temple curtain tears in two. Here's why that matters so much: that curtain separated the people from the presence of God. Only one priest, once a year, after elaborate ritual, could enter that space. When it tears — it tears because the barrier between us and God is gone. Forever. Through the breaking of Jesus's body, we now have full access to the presence of God. No more separation. No more curtain. This is not just a personal salvation transaction. This is a cosmic shift in how the world works. And it happened in what looked like the darkest, most defeated moment in history. So whatever unresolved, silent, confusing season you're in right now — I want you to know that Jesus has been there. He has gone before us in the silence, in the suffering, in the feeling of God's absence. And because He did, we never have to experience real separation from God again. What Does It Mean for Me? Can I trust God when circumstances feel unresolved? Can I trust God with the unknowns in my own story? What does surrender look like for me today? What does it look like to actually surrender at the foot of the cross, knowing that Jesus has taken my sin upon his shoulders? If I knew I was right with God — today, tomorrow, and the rest of my life — how would I feel? How would I act? What would I do? If I can't get there yet, what would that freedom even feel like — and what would it look like to move toward it? Want More? Read along: Mark 15 Old Testament prophecy fulfilled here: Isaiah 53:7 — written 600 years before Jesus's birth Psalm connection: Psalm 13:1 — "How long, Lord, will you forget me forever?" — an honest lament for hard seasons One-sentence prayer for the week: "God, help me trust that your silence is not the same thing as your absence." Book mentioned: Not What I Signed Up For by Nicole Unice — for anyone in an unexpected, disorienting, or suffering season. Includes a free video Bible study series. Find it at NicoleUnice.com Stay connected and access resources at NicoleUnice.com/realtalk Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Join us for this week's sermon!Whether you're seeking hope, direction, or a deeper connection with God, this message is for you. Each week, we open God's Word together to find truth, encouragement, and strength for the journey.
#bible #biblia #Jesus #JesusChrist #podcast #spiritualfamily In this episode, we're exploring Matthew 12:50, where Jesus reminds us that whoever does the will of His Father is like family—our brothers and sisters in Christ. How can we foster relationships with loved ones who have not yet found their faith while remaining true to God's will? Join us as we examine Matthew 12:46-50 to shed light on how to navigate this meaningful scripture.
Worship in Spirit and Truth Welcome, new subscribers to my monthly Live to Love blog. I'm honored that you would join us here at The Spirit of Elijah Ministries International in turning our hearts to God. John 4:23-24 “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” I have chosen truth as my word of the year, therefore each month I aim to encourage us to love and pursue truth. Truth is reality, and reality is what God says, does, hears, and sees. If God says it, it is reality. If He speaks, it happens. If He hears something, it truly occurred. If He sees something, it happened. Truth is reality. John 4:23-24 are from Jesus' encounter with a woman at Jacob's well near the city of Sychar. He spoke about the time period that began with His coming and ends when He returns. We are in that era, the time when worship of God, the Father, is in spirit and truth. We learn from these verses that today, God is seeking such worshipers. I pray that He will find you and me among that number. Soul-satisfying, eternal love Soul-satisfying, eternal love comes from worshiping the Father in spirit and truth. Honest, truth-loving worship in the presence of God satisfies our souls because we were made to worship God. The source of love is not external worship of a material nature. When we realize in our hearts that God is spirit, we know the truth. Our consciences recognize that God is always with us and has seen everything about us. To worship in spirit is to believe Hebrews 4:13. “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Since truth is what He sees, we know that we are known, which makes us honest. Jesus, was God, inviting the woman to worship His Father in spirit and truth as He revealed to her that He knew the truth about her. He said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly” (John 4:16-18). When we know that we are known by God (that's worshiping in spirit) and come to Him as He sees us (that's in truth), we experience His soul-satisfying eternal love which produces worship—the kind God seeks.
Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Dr. Jori discusses with her listeners Jesus's statements concerning HIS doing everything only according to HIS Father's will. Scripture References: John 5:30; John 1:1-14; John 3:16; John 5:19-30; John 5:39-47 Scripture translation used is the NASB “Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995, 2020 (only use the last year corresponding to the edition quoted) by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org”CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S NEW PODCAST- The First Love ProjectHere is the video introducing the podcast on You Tube-https://youtu.be/PhFY1moDDmsHERE IS A LINK TO THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR FIRST LOVE PROJECThttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdaujk1npuKR0BLSkTlKyxmuxavrZQHM6&si=dC10K4Qdh0xMKElU FIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishaffer DAILY MUSICAL DEVOTIONAL BY THE WORSHIP INITIATIVE:Text SING to 79316CHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code. I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you decide to make a purchase through my links.Here is a link to some of my favorite bible study tools on Amazon:https://geni.us/cHtrfEMr. Pen Bible Journaling Kitshttps://lvnta.com/lv_PTrHSCogbRim4yhEDnhttps://lvnta.com/lv_mkaMOuGe6m4oHR88uqhttps://lvnta.com/lv_dgvsxOc99t663A628z BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters in the Holy Bible. The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals. Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING? CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up. https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website: https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show
IntroductionPeople bring criticism against the Reformed people's love for doctrine. People claim that if you go to a Reformed church, you will see that we are people concerned with the head, not the heart. That our catechisms and confessions are cold documents. These are documents fueling intellectual exercises that keep doctrine tidy but leave the soul unmoved. That we know about God without actually knowing him.The Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 13, communicates to us that God is very personal. In fact, we are brought into the Lord's family. We are adopted as sons for the sake of our faithful Savior. We were the estranged children who had been brought near to God through the faithful son. So, is it fair to say that we are people who love doctrine and not the Lord? Is it fair to say that the Reformed faith makes one distant in relation to God? Children by AdoptionThe catechism is careful to distinguish between Christ's sonship and ours. Christ is the Son from eternity who is not created, not adopted, but of the same essence as the Father. When we confess the only begotten Son, we are saying that Christ is of the same nature as the Father. He has not sinned or done anything wrong. He is eternal, having the same attributes and nature as the Father. We are sons by adoption. And we need to be very encouraged by this. In the ancient world, adoption was not a consolation prize. In Roman law and in the Old Testament background, an adopted son received full inheritance rights. Abram understood this in Genesis 15, when he offered Eliezer of Damascus as an option to be an heir. Eliezer was not merely a faithful servant, but Abraham requested him to be the heir. Abraham is offering God an easy option, and not the challenge to bring a son through two elderly people without children. And Paul presses this further in verse 14. He declares that all who are led by the Spirit are sons of God. This language is important because all in the Spirit are sons possessing full inheritance. Note that firstborn sons are the ones who receive the greatest portion. Whatever your gender, whatever your genealogy, if you have the Spirit, you share in the inheritance of the eternal firstborn Son of God. You have done nothing to earn it. You have done everything to forfeit it. However, Christ, as a faithful son, secured His people to be coheirs with him as firstborn children. This love that the Father has for his children goes clear to the core of our heart. Why Submit to God? The Freedom of the RedeemedOur culture does not love submission. Even the word sounds like loss. But Paul reframes the question entirely in verse 15: you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear.Paul has already named the alternative. Living by the flesh is death. We see that in the fall. No, they did not fall dead, but they immediately broke fellowship with God. They were naked and ashamed. They thought they would find freedom in their rebellion, but they discovered that being estranged from God is a problem. Christ, washing the disciples' feet in John 13, says something remarkable to Peter: “ You are already clean.” Christ makes this declaration even before Christ is raised from the dead. Christ's work is so certain that he assures his disciples of its benefit before it is officially confirmed. The disciples consciously know who Christ is, but they need to rest in his cleansing. John Murray captured it well: in Christ, we have moved from the courtroom to the family room. The legal question is settled. Yes, affirming with the head, but resting in the heart. Honoring God without TerrorIf submission sounds like an obligation, honoring God can sound like performance. We can think that we better make sure we earn our Lord's favor. We have to make sure that we are doing the right things to prevent the Lord smiting us or harming us in some way. Paul does not want people to have this mindset of the Lord's grace and mercy. He tells us in verse 15 that we have received the spirit of adoption, by which we cry Abba, Father. This is the same word Christ uses in Gethsemane. This is the time of his greatest anguish, of going to the cross. Christ is vulnerable; this is his darkest moment as he is about to face hell, and in this time of need, he cries out, “Abba.” We call on our heavenly Father as Christ calls on His Father. This is more like Dad rather than “master” or “Father.” It is communicating to us that we are brought near in the family in such a way that we have God's attention. The reason we want to honor God is not out of dread. Rather, when we consider the inheritance, we see that we are: heirs of God, fellow heirs with Christ. Not servants who have earned their way up. Not subordinate sons who receive a smaller portion. Fellow heirs. Co-heirs with the one who never sinned, never failed, and never rebelled. Christ does not gloat over his success, but rather freely shares everything he has merited with those who deserved none of it. Yes, we do consciously profess this with our minds, but the Spirit works in our hearts to see the joy of the new life. So, we cannot divorce the head from the heart. ConclusionThe Heidelberg Catechism seeks to bring out the implications of being brought near to God. The Heidelberg Catechism is not a cold document. It is a document written for people who need to know who they are. People who feel the weight of sin and ask whether God is really on their side. People who wonder whether submission to Christ is freedom or just a nicer version of slavery.The Heidelberg Catechism summarizes Romans 8 with the assurance that you are not a servant who performed well enough to be elevated. You are not an orphan who has been adopted by an abusive or lonely father. You are an adopted child of the living God, a co-heir with his faithful Son, indwelt by the Spirit who prods you toward life and away from death.We honor God, then, not because we have conceded that a terrible master is preferable to a really abusive one. We honor him because he is ours, and we are his, and the inheritance is already secured in the one who went to the cross knowing exactly what the wrath of God costs. He knows the cost and went anyway. He did so in order to make sure we all share in his inheritance. Our life lived before the face of God is not an obligation, but a joy.
John 15:16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” These words were shared for the purpose of giving His disciples confidence and honor. They were His friends because He wanted to befriend them. Let us remember, Jesus' enemies intended to shame Him by calling Him a “friend of sinners.” The transforming power of His love was bestowed by grace. He did not call them friends because they initiated the relationship. Rather, they found favor with Him because of God's grace and an eternal purpose determined by His Father. The apostle Paul commented on this great gospel truth of God's election when he wrote, “God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity” (2 Tim. 1:9). What is the purpose for which we were chosen by God in Christ Jesus? To love with Him. To go through life with Him, laying down our lives, suffering for the sake of the gospel, displaying the fruit He produces in answer to prayer inspired and encouraged by the knowledge of God's will for them to be fruitful branches. Do we live with that awareness of His purpose, promise, and honor? He has honored us by choosing, appointing, and empowering us to live to love with Him for the glory of the Father. Be encouraged today in the eternal purpose of God revealed in you as you live to love with Jesus. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
From the dancefloor to wearing full Bana 24/7; Dharmveer Singh's journey to Sikhi is one of the most honest, inspiring and relatable stories we've ever heard on this podcast. Born and bred in Edinburgh, Scotland, Dharmveer grew up in a typical Punjabi household, Gurdwara on Sundays, meat on the table, and clubs on the weekends. But something was pulling him in a different direction. A cousin's invitation to a Rehras Sahib class, a moment in a nightclub mirror, and a heart attack at just 38 years old all became turning points on a path that would lead him to Amrit, full Bana, and a life devoted to Waheguru. This is a conversation about faith, identity, family pressure, and what it really means to live as a Gursikh in today's world, told with complete honesty, warmth, and a healthy dose of Scottish humour.IN THIS EPISODE WE COVER: 0:00 Key Moments 2:28 Introduction 6:56 Dharmveer Singh's Background: Growing Up Sikh in Scotland 8:57 Previous Lifestyle: Clubbing & Dancing to Hip-Hop 10:07 Dancing in a Bhangra Music Video on Arthur's Seat 11:19 Drinking & Peer Pressure: Being Transparent 13:17 His Father's Influence: The Principles That Kept Him Grounded 15:07 Keeping His Kes: The Moustache Biting Story 17:12 The Turning Point: A Cousin's Invitation 18:53 Discovering Rehras Sahib: The Sounds That Hit His Soul 20:21 Becoming Vegetarian: A Quiet Sign from Waheguru 24:43 What the Rehras Sahib Classes Really Meant 26:32 Bhatt Sikh Heritage: Who Are the Bhatts & Their Contribution to Gurbani 31:22 Exploring the Path of Sikhi: Karpan, Chola & Walking Out of the Club 41:07 Clubbing & Sikhi: The Mirror Moment That Changed Everything 44:31 Sikhi Is a Journey, Not a Race (Sahaj Pakke So Meetha) 49:40 The Road to Amrit: Being Told He Couldn't Take It Alone 53:57 Love in Sikhi: What Keeps Him in Chardi Kala 58:35 Challenges & Backlash: Being Pulled Off Stage 1:02:19 Wearing Bana 24/7: Job Interview in Full Bana & the Kirpan at Work 1:08:16 Spreading Sikhi: Schools, Police Stations & the Shetland Islands 1:13:13 The Impact of Sikhi: Becoming a Better Version of Himself 1:15:41 Advice for Those Earlier on Their Sikhi Journey 1:18:48 Struggling Through COVID: Losing Sangat & the Gurdwara Closing 1:20:51 Heart Attack at 38 & the Weight Loss Journey 1:27:14 Final Message: Stay in Chardi Kala 1:31:54 Quick Fire Round 1:37:40 Word from the Previous Guest: Shanti 1:38:28 Conclusion If this episode inspired you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. You never know whose life it could change. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Friday morning, the 29th of May, 2026, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We go to the Book of Exodus 31:18: “He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.” Then we go to the Gospel of John 8:6: “But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.”What was Jesus writing on the ground? Well, people have spoken about that for centuries. No-one actually knows but isn't it God-incidental that His Father also wrote on the tablets of stone with His finger? Can you imagine - burnt into stone? Oh my friend, how desperately do we need something like that in this world where nothing is honourable, nothing is secure. You can't believe anything anymore, can you?I have a very dear friend. Many, many years ago we were talking about, “What is absolute trust?” What can we do? Like we go and sign an agreement, the other person breaks it. He said that piece of paper is not even worth the weight of the paper. (He is a lawyer, by the way). He said, “Uberrima fides,” which is latin for utmost trust. What is utmost trust? It is the promise of a man. I have promised to pay you for that farm - and he does it; I have promised to honour you for the rest of my life, on your wedding day. It is absolute. It cannot be broken, cannot be bent, cannot be changed, cannot be misinterpreted. When I read this, this morning, oh my dear friend, I thought, “God, what an incredible Person You are! You wanted to make sure that we understood that the law of God is not to be broken by anybody under any circumstances.”How many times have countries signed agreements? No more war! They don't even walk out the door and it starts again. Remember, Chamberlain came back from Germany. He had signed an agreement with Adolf Hitler and he said, “Peace, peace!” He got off the aeroplane shaking that piece of paper. “I have signed a piece of paper.” Folks, I don't think Chamberlain had got off the aeroplane and Hitler was already invading the rest of Europe.Today, we need to understand. God gave us His word. Jesus wrote in the sand and He meant it. Have a wonderful day as you put your trust in the Son of God, Jesus Christ.God bless you and have a wonderful day.Goodbye.
John 15:15 “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” Earlier in the evening before their last meal together, Jesus had called His disciples slaves. ““If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:14-17). He called them slaves earlier to set the stage for them to receive His new command to live to love with Him. At this point in the evening, He wanted them to know what was about to happen and that He was relating to them, not as slaves, but as His dearly beloved friends. As He spoke and they walked toward the arranged rendezvous with the devil, He was laying down His life for His friends. He wanted them to know what He was doing—sanctifying them, His friends, to Himself—calling them into the place He was going to prepare for them. How do His friends get into this place of union with Jesus? They believe Jesus is God in the flesh, who died to remove all of the sins of His friends, who conquered death for them, has risen to ever live to intercede for them, and to give them His life. All done perfectly, according to the will of His Father, so He can continue loving all His friends through them for His glory. Do you realize what Jesus did for you? Do you believe in Jesus? If so, then you know what He was doing. He was preparing to live to love through us today who are His friends. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Nathan Potter, CEO of Pavilion Farms, to unpack the future of precision agriculture and why Pavilion Farms is now searching for an AgTech Lead to help shape the next chapter of the business.From growing up on chicken farms in Victoria to building a career in management consulting with PwC across Australia and London, Nathan shares the journey that brought him back to the family business and how Pavilion Farms has grown into a large-scale operation focused on innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement.Nathan explains why he sees poultry farming as “the Formula 1 of agriculture” and how emerging technologies, AI, and real-time monitoring are creating new opportunities to improve animal welfare, farm performance, and operational consistency at scale.The conversation also dives into Pavilion Farms' newly created AgTech Lead role, the mindset they are looking for in candidates, and why curiosity, systems thinking, and a willingness to solve problems matter more than coming from a traditional farming background.This episode is designed to give candidates and listeners a genuine insight into the business, the people, the opportunity, and Nathan's vision for the future of agriculture.If you'd like to learn more about Pavilion Farms or the AgTech Lead opportunity, head to https://humansofagriculture.com/careers/job-board/agtech-lead-precision--cgk9The role is live now, and we'd love to hear from anyone interested in the future of agriculture and technology.Key insights from the conversation:How Pavilion Farms grew from a family farm into a large-scale poultry businessWhy Nathan left consulting in London to return to agricultureThe role AI and technology could play in poultry farmingWhy poultry is one of the most data-driven sectors in agricultureWhat the AgTech Lead role will focus on day to dayThe importance of curiosity, innovation, and continuous improvementHow technology can improve consistency, welfare, and efficiency at scaleWhy Nathan believes agriculture offers endless opportunities to solve problemsChapters:00:00 Introduction to Pavilion Farms and AgTech Lead Role04:57 Evolution of Pavilion Farms and Industry Changes10:10 Dynamic Between Nathan and His Father in Business12:58 Balancing Family and Business Responsibilities17:14 Precision Agriculture: The Formula 1 of Farming21:07 Team Structure and Operations at Pavilion Farms21:45 Future Opportunities and Technological Evolution in Poultry Farming23:24 Harnessing Technology for Poultry Management25:01 The Role of Ag Tech Lead26:28 Fast Tracking Innovation in Poultry28:15 Understanding the Current Technology Landscape30:46 Incremental Improvements in Poultry Farming32:14 Consistency and Efficiency in Production34:30 The Ideal Candidate for Ag Tech36:06 Passion for Agriculture and Family Legacy37:53 Building Relationships and Change Management38:59 Early Wins and Data-Driven Decisions41:00 Balancing On-Farm and Desk Work43:01 The Importance of Location in Poultry Farming44:08 Recruitment Process and Future Opportunities Running a farm business comes with its challenges; from seasonal conditions to rising costs and cash flow uncertainty, there can be many unknowns along the way. Regional Investment Corporation, simply known as RIC, is the Australian Government's agri-lending specialist, providing low interest loans to help eligible farm businesses navigate challenges. Whether that's starting out, planning for succession, or managing through tough conditions like drought and natural disasters, RIC helps viable farmers to keep farming. With concessional interest rates, RIC loans can provide valuable breathing space, helping farmers manage cash flow while they get through tough times or to build their business. Every situation is different, so it's important to understand what support may be available and what's involved before applying. Visit ric.gov.au to learn more, explore your options, and check your eligibility.
Have you ever been absolutely sure you'd hold up under pressure — until you didn't? That's Peter's story in Mark chapter 14, and honestly? It's most of our stories, too. Peter is one of Jesus's closest friends. He's bold, he's passionate, he's all in. And when Jesus tells him that before the rooster crows twice, Peter will deny knowing Him three times — Peter can't even accept it. Even if everyone else falls away, I won't. He means every word. And by the end of that same night, he's standing by a fire, cursing and swearing that he has never met this man. Here's what I don't want us to miss: this isn't a story about Peter being uniquely weak or uniquely bad. This is a story about what fear does to all of us, faster than we expect. Fear reshapes our behavior before we even realize it's happening. We also spend time in the Garden of Gethsemane, where we get one of the most raw and human moments in the entire Gospel. Jesus — fully God and fully man — is on His knees asking His Father if there is any other way. He's not performing. He's not distant. He is agonizing. And while He's drawing on the strength of His Father through prayer, His disciples are... asleep. Again and again. And that difference — Jesus prepared through prayer, the disciples unprepared through sleep — that's the whole point. Because here's the thing about being spiritually alert: you don't build it in the moment of crisis. You don't decide to run a marathon the day of the race. The courage to follow Jesus under pressure is built in the quiet, daily, unsexy work of being in His word, staying in prayer, and paying attention to what God is doing around you. If your spiritual life feels like an insurance policy you're just keeping current — I want to gently say, you are missing out on so much of what Jesus actually came to offer. So this week I'm asking you to sit with one question: Is there any place in your life where you're following Jesus at a distance? Because that's where the gap is. And that's exactly where Jesus wants to meet you. Want More? Read along: Mark 14:27–72 Psalm connection: Psalm 56:3 — "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you" One-sentence prayer for the week: "God, help me bring my fears honestly to you instead of pretending I'm stronger than I really am." Brave Enough by Nicole Unice — on what it looks like to follow Jesus with courage and grace in everyday life. Find it at NicoleUnice.com Sign up for Nicole's monthly newsletter at NicoleUnice.com/realtalk Leave a comment on YouTube — Nicole loves hearing from the community! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. After commanding His disciples to love each other as He had loved them, He explained how He had loved them. His entire life from His first breath in this world, was to surrender His life, to lay down His life, to love those His Father commanded Him to love. What did He lay down? He laid down His life with the comforts of heaven and earth. He surrendered His reputation, honor, rights, everything this world had to offer Him. He did not defend, promote, protect, or assert Himself. Everything was laid down that He had a right to hold onto for the sake of one thing: to express the love of the Father for His glory for those the Father wanted Him to love. As He had only minutes before said, “So that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me.” What had the Father commanded Him? For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father” (Jo. 10:17-18). The Father loves His Son so commanded Him to lay down His life of His own initiative. If He laid down His life for us out of obedience to His Father, shall we not also be loved by our Father and commanded to lay down our lives for those He loves? This is the great love that lives inside of us—the supernatural, self-sacrificial, love of God for His friends. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
“He became obedient to the point of death,even the death of the cross.” Jesus'entire earthly life was marked by obedience. Hebrews 10:7 says: “Behold, Ihave come to do Your will, O my God.” From Bethlehem to Calvary, Jesuslived in perfect submission to the Father. In the Gospel of John Jesus made itvery clear that He did not do what He Himself wanted to do. He always did whatHis Father told Him to do. He went where His Father told Him to go, and Hespoke what His Father told Him to speak. It is very obvious that Jesus lived alife of submission to the Father. Where Adam disobeyed in a garden, Jesusobeyed in a garden. In Gethsemane, facing the horror of the cross, Jesusprayed: “Not My will, but Thine be done.” What obedience! Notice verse 8 says: “He became obedientto the point of death.” Obedience cost Him everything. Sometimeswe speak casually about obedience, but biblical obedience is often very costly.For Jesus, obedience meant: rejection, betrayal, false accusations, mocking, beatings,crucifixion, and ultimately death. Then Paul emphasizes: “Even the death ofthe cross.” Thecross was the most humiliating and shameful form of execution in the Romanworld. Roman citizens were generally exempt from crucifixion. It was reservedfor the worst criminals, slaves, and rebels. Victims were publicly stripped,mocked, and displayed in agony before the world. My friend, that is the deathJesus willingly obeyed unto—the death of the cross. Deuteronomy 21:23 declares:“Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” Galatians 3:13 tells us: “Christhas redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.”Hebecame that curse for us by hanging on the cross. Jesusdid not merely die physically. He bore the wrath and judgment for our sins—thejudgment we deserved.Isaiah53:6 says: “The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” 2Corinthians 5:21 says: “For God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us,that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” At the cross, Jesustook our place. He suffered the judgment we deserved so that we could receivethe forgiveness we did not deserve. My friend, this is the heart of the gospel. Remember,Jesus chose this. Matthew 26:53 says that He could have called twelve legionsof angels, but love held Him to the cross. The nails did not hold Him there. Itwas the love of God and the love of Christ that held Him on that cross when Hedied. What application does this have for you and metoday? First, we must realize that obedience always involves surrender. Youcannot follow Christ while insisting on your own way and your own will. Jesussaid in Luke 9:23: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himselfand take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Second, true obedience istested when it becomes costly. Anyone can obey when it is convenient. Obediencebecomes real when sacrifice is required. Maybe the sacrifice will involve: ourreputation, our comfort, our popularity, our financial security, our relationships,or our personal plans. When we come to Christ and choose to follow Him, it willcost us something. But nothing we surrender for Christ compares to what Hesurrendered for us! Thecross changes everything about how we view sacrifice. Paul later tells us inRomans 12:1:“Present your bodies a living sacrifice.” The Christian lifeis not about shallow, convenient Christianity. It is about cross-centereddiscipleship. But here is the wonderful truth: the cross is not the end. Sundaywas coming. Humiliation would give way to exaltation. Death would give way toresurrection. Tomorrow, in Philippians 2:9, we will see heaven's response toChrist's obedience: “Therefore God has highly exalted Him.” Godbless you and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!
We see the holiness of Christ not only in His separation from sin but also in His loving devotion to His Father and His people. Today, Sinclair Ferguson marvels that we are consecrated to enjoy the perfect love of the triune God. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/consecrated-to-god/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
They're just pieces of cardboard, but some of them are worth hundreds, even thousands of dollars. We call them baseball cards. Actually, our son got interested in them when he was a little guy, and pretty soon they became a pretty serious investment for him. He really knew how to, well like they say on Wall Street, buy low and sell high. Because he watched up-and-coming players, then he would get the rookie cards of some of those players who later became major stars, and there aren't many of those rookie cards out there. So they're rare and they're valuable. Lest we trivialize the baseball card business, I want you to realize that it helped pay a significant part of our son's way through college. I remember when he told me as a teenager, "Dad, I know my room is a mess, but there's one thing I take care of - my baseball cards." That's true! His valuable ones were neatly organized in these plastic folders in these carefully guarded notebooks. And the reason most of those cards were high value was very simple. You know. They were rare! I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "What Makes You Really Valuable." If you're trying to do what's right in an environment where most everybody else is doing what's wrong, you get to kind of feeling lonely sometimes, right? And even weird? In fact, the people you work with, or play with, or go to school with may basically tell you that you're weird because you don't do the things they do. And, after a while, that can start to wear on you and even wear down your resistance. You get tired of being "weird." But if you're basically standing alone but standing for the right thing, you're not weird - you're rare. Ask any collector, whether it's baseball cards, or antiques, or stamps, or coins, whatever. What makes an item valuable is that there aren't many of them. The less there are like them, the more valuable they become. So, if you're taking a stand, and you're doing things God's way, that's you - rare and valuable. In His final hours before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed to His Father on behalf of all those who believed in Him at that time and all those who would believe in Him through the years. So, when you listen to a portion of that prayer in our word for today from the Word of God, remember Jesus is actually praying in advance down the years for you and me. John 17, beginning with verse 15, says of His followers, "My prayer is not that You take them out of the world, but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world." "Sanctify them," Jesus prayed. What that means is, "set them aside for special purposes. Keep them special. Keep them reserved for God's purposes." Jesus wanted to plant you right in the middle of a dark world because they needed a light there, and that's you. So that means that, just like Him, you will take some abuse, some name-calling, and some rejection for your allegiance to Him. But not because there's something wrong with you. No, there's something very right with you! The less virgins there are, the more valuable a virgin becomes. The less honest men and women there are, the more valuable an honest person becomes. The less people who say no to what's dirty, what's destructive, what's negative, the more your worth increases. Maybe you've been tempted to cave in. You've got combat fatigue; there's heavy pressure. Don't do it. Not only is Jesus counting on you, but the very people who are pressuring you, desperately need for you to stand firm, or their only light goes out. Because you're Jesus' personal representative in a dark place, in many ways you aren't like everybody else. But you keep loving them unconditionally. You make them feel important; do the right thing without condemning them. And keep doing all of that, and you're going to be, whether they admit it or not, one of the most valuable and important people in their life. Because people like you are rare and very, very valuable.
Brad Jensen: Using Heroin While His Mom Drove | The Hopeaholics PodcastIn this episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Brad Jensen, widely known online as “The Sober Bodybuilder,” joins the Hopeaholics Podcast for a brutally honest conversation about addiction, homelessness, recovery, and rebuilding a life from rock bottom. Before becoming a successful fitness coach and helping millions through his content, Brad was trapped in a devastating cycle of heroin, meth, alcohol, and prescription pill addiction that nearly killed him multiple times. In this episode, he opens up about being bullied as a kid, finding confidence through fitness, and how quickly pain pills turned into full-blown addiction. Brad shares stories about smuggling drugs across the border, manipulating the people who loved him, and spiraling into homelessness while desperately trying to survive. He also reflects on the heartbreaking moments that forced him to confront the reality of what addiction had done to his family, relationships, and identity. As the conversation unfolds, Brad explains how sobriety, mentorship, fitness, faith, and personal accountability completely transformed his life and gave him a new purpose. From emotional conversations about forgiveness and making amends to powerful lessons on discipline and recovery, this episode is packed with raw truth and perspective. Whether you're battling addiction yourself, supporting someone who is, or searching for motivation to change your life, Brad's story is proof that recovery is possible no matter how far gone things feel.#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarieJoin our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record', exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholicsBuy Merch: https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.comVisit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.comIf you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:https://www.infinitigroupllc.com Timestamps:00:04:25 - Finding Heroin After Becoming a Personal Trainer00:05:32 - Being Overweight and Bullied as a Kid00:06:12 - First Experience With Alcohol at 1300:10:49 - Gym Mentors Told Him to Quit Drinking00:11:54 - Taking Pain Pills for the First Time00:13:00 - “I Had Fully Arrived” After Hydrocodone00:13:42 - Smuggling Pills Across the Mexico Border00:15:02 - Girlfriend Calls Him a Drug Addict00:17:38 - Telling His Mom He Was Addicted to Heroin00:18:19 - First Rehab Experience at 20 Years Old00:19:19 - Sneaking Out of Rehab and Relapsing00:39:39 - Parents Finally Cut Him Off Completely00:40:30 - Using Meth to Survive and Hustle00:41:02 - Living Homeless Around Dangerous People00:41:44 - Withdrawing at His Grandfather's Funeral00:42:43 - His Mother Watching Him Inject Drugs00:43:44 - Realizing He Had to Get Sober or Die00:57:46 - Learning Gratitude Through Sobriety00:58:37 - Discovering a Mentor Relapsed After 10 Years Sober01:10:12 - “You Don't Have a Drug Problem, You Have a You Problem”01:20:07 - Making Amends With His Father01:21:09 - His Father's Emotional Apology01:26:06 - Fully Surrendering His Life to God
Read Online“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them.” John 17:9–10Though the Church has traditionally summarized sin under the seven capital sins, sin is also understood to arise from three primary sources: the flesh, the world, and the devil. The “flesh” refers to the disordered desires and passions that stem from our fallen human nature. The “world” signifies the societal values, materialism, and secular ideologies that promote a lifestyle contrary to God's will. The “devil” represents the personal, spiritual adversary who seeks to lead us astray through deception, lies, and the stirring of sinful desires. These three sources constantly seek to undermine our relationship with God.We are called to resist these temptations and remain firm in faith. This is accomplished by relying on grace to silence these sources. The flesh is subdued and moderated by the virtue of temperance, the devil is overcome as we discern the voice of God, and the world is overcome by seeking the true glory to which we are called. It is this third source, and its remedy, that Jesus particularly addresses in today's passage.This prayer concludes Jesus' Last Supper Discourse and is prayed just before He goes to the Garden of Gethsemane, where His Passion begins with His arrest. These final words of Jesus encapsulate the ultimate purpose of life. Within this prayer, He prays to His Father, “Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began” (John 17:5).From a human perspective, we naturally desire glory. However, from a worldly perspective, earthly “glory” is a temptation, as it leads us to seek the praise of creatures over the glory that God desires to bestow. Jesus does not dismiss the value of glory; He simply points to its true source—the Father. Jesus' glory does not originate from human praise. His glory stems from His perfect fulfillment of the Father's will, offering Himself as the one and only Sacrifice for sins. Through His Passion, He is glorified by the Father in His human nature and manifests the glory He has always enjoyed as the eternal Son of God. He will continue to manifest this glory for all eternity.Though Jesus begins this prayer for Himself, He quickly includes “the ones you have given me”—His disciples, and ultimately, everyone who will come to believe in Him through them, including us. His prayer is for all who are united to Jesus and the Father, pointing out that Jesus is glorified in them because they fulfill His will and continue His mission, which results in our participation in His eternal glory.This passage beautifully illustrates that the attainment of worldly glory and recognition pales in comparison to the true glory we are invited to share. We are called to participate in Jesus' own glory, the eternal glory He shares with the Father. We do this by being united to Him in His earthly mission of living sacrificial love, which manifests His glory—the true glory for which we long. Reflect today on your natural desire for glory. God places this desire in us, but the values of the fallen world tempt us to seek a passing glory bestowed by others' opinions. The only way to fulfill the desire for true glory is to unite ourselves to Christ, including His Passion and death, so as to receive the glory bestowed upon Him by the Father. This is why martyrdom, the ultimate act of sacrificial love, is considered glorious. It is the highest expression of participation in Christ's own suffering, which manifested His glory. Sacrifice, selflessness, virtue, and perfect conformity to Christ all lead us into this eternal glory. Living transformed in Christ bestows that glory here and now. When we die, we will enjoy forever in heaven the level of glory we participated in on earth. Seek glory—true glory—and you will find that your natural desires are fulfilled by supernatural grace. Lord of all glory, with Your Father, You are eternally glorified, and the glory bestowed upon You by the Father from all eternity shines forth. You invite us to share in Your glory by sharing in the earthly means by which that glory was manifested—Your Passion. May I always seek this holy and pure glory above that which the world offers, so as to share in it forever in Heaven with You and all the saints. Jesus, I trust in You. Image: The last supper via Adobe StockSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
As a follower of Jesus, as one who aims to know, love, and become like Jesus, we must take on the position of Jesus, servant to all. And this position, of servant to His Father and to all was not a position of begrudging duty, but of joyful delight!
Welcome to Gospel Rant! Watch this and more on our DrBillSenyard YouTube channel. But how do we pray when someone crushes, betrays, abandons, abuses, or robs us? Our gut screams for God's righteous wrath. It's human—even for believers. We Christians tsk-tsk vengeance from a safe distance. Yet quotes like Nietzsche's ring true: "It is impossible to suffer without making someone pay for it; every complaint already contains revenge." Or ancient duty: "To exact revenge for yourself or your friends is not only a right, it's an absolute duty." We know that we should not feel it. But to be honest, it would be a rare thing for a victim to not feel that desire at one point in time. Of course, the Bible condemns it: "Vengeance is Mine" (Dt. 32:35). "Do not say, 'I will recompense evil'; wait for the Lord" (Prov 20:22). "Love your enemies… pray for those who persecute you" (Matt 5:44). "Shall God not avenge His elect who cry day and night?" (Luke 18:7). "Do not avenge yourselves… 'Vengeance is Mine'" (Rom 12:19). And yet, to our shame, so many have found that it is easier said than done—in truth, all of us. Our Top 10 Prayer #5 is not just an admonition that we shouldn’t feel vengeance, no, it is Jesus Himself pleading to His Father in Heaven that the Father would forgive those who were unjustly victimizing, abusing, violently dishonoring him to death. Welcome to the Top 10 Prayers of the New Testament. We will see what you think. And now, it’s your turn…
Friends of the Rosary,Today, May 17, the Seventh Sunday of Easter, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension, when, at the end of His earthly life, Jesus ascended triumphantly from Mount Olivet into His Father in Heaven, seated at the right hand and sharing in eternal glory.The return of Christ to heaven is the culmination of the accomplishment of His salvific mission on earth.The Son of God, the second divine Person of the Blessed Trinity, became man, lived and died on this earth on the cross, reconciling sinful man with his divine Creator, so we can live with God forever in heaven. His human death earned for us a share in the divine life.The resurrection is the divine guarantee that we, too, shall rise again, and his ascension to the Father is the prelude to our entrance into God's everlasting kingdom.Today's feast is therefore the confirmation of our faith. We shall all rise from the grave with new, glorified bodies and ascend to heaven, as Christ did. There we'll begin our true life of eternal happiness.Human beings want to live on forever with our dear ones. Death breaks that continuity, but only for a little while. That break is necessary for the new life to begin.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• May 17, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
Read OnlineJesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him.” John 17:1–2The entirety of Chapter 17 of John's Gospel is traditionally referred to as Jesus' High Priestly Prayer. This prayer concludes the Last Supper Discourse, which we have been reading for the past two weeks. It marks a transition from the conclusion of Jesus' public ministry to His Passion and glorification. With His teaching completed, Jesus begins His prayerful offering of His life to the Father. The prayer can be divided into three sections:Verses 1–11a: Jesus' intimate prayer to the Father focuses on their mutual glorification through the completion of His sacrifice. This “hour” of sacrifice and glory is now at hand.Verses 11b–19: Jesus prays for the disciples who accompanied Him during His earthly ministry, asking for their protection, sanctification, and perseverance in their mission.Verses 20–26: Jesus' prayer extends to all future believers, the Church throughout time, including us today. He prays for unity among believers, rooted in the love of the Father and the Son.Today, in liturgical Year A, we read the first section of this prayer, when Jesus speaks of His divine mission and His imminent return to the glory He shared with the Father before creation. This prayer highlights a central theme in John's Gospel: Jesus' “hour.”The theme of the “hour” was introduced at the wedding at Cana, the beginning of Jesus' signs. When the Blessed Mother intercedes for the couple, saying, “They have no wine,” Jesus replies, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come” (John 2:3–4). From that moment, Jesus references the concept of His “hour” throughout His ministry, pointing to the appointed time for His Passion and glorification. In today's High Priestly Prayer, Jesus makes His final and definitive reference to His hour: “Father, the hour has come…” (John 17:1). The hour of His sacrifice, the pinnacle of His earthly mission, has now arrived. Though Jesus was fully aware of the suffering He was about to endure, He did not enter into that suffering with dread or fear. Rather, He did so with eager resolve, knowing that everything He had done throughout His life and public ministry pointed to this moment, which had finally come.Jesus' human disposition while praying at this pivotal moment offers us an invitation to approach His Sacrifice in the way He did. His “hour” continues in our lives every time we are invited to embrace His Cross. Therefore, every opportunity for sacrifice—no matter how small—must be prayerfully embraced in union with Jesus' prayer.Jesus' prayer teaches us that sacrifice is not something to resist or begrudge. Instead, every sacrifice becomes an opportunity to glorify God and receive a share in His glory. When we embrace sacrifice with generosity and trust, we unite ourselves to Jesus' perfect Sacrifice, participating in His work of redemption and giving glory to the Father. Reflect today on the interior disposition Jesus manifested as He faced His imminent suffering and death. He did not cower or hesitate. He looked at His Cross with divine eyes, seeing His Sacrifice as the pinnacle of His life's mission and the source of glory for Him and His Father. As we strive to embrace our own sacrifices, turn to Christ in prayer, asking for His grace and strength to offer His prayer as He offered it to the Father. Most glorious High Priest, when Your hour of suffering had arrived, You embraced that Sacrifice with unwavering resolve. That resolve revealed the glory You shared with the Father. Please draw me into Your sacrificial love and help me to prayerfully choose every sacrifice to which I am called with the same determination modeled in Your High Priestly Prayer. Jesus, I trust in You. Image by Prabowo Shakti from PixabaySource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 1 Chronicles 22–24, 1 Thessalonians 3 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible, where we journey together through the pages of Scripture each day. On this 14th day of May, Hunter guides us through 1 Chronicles 22–24 and 1 Thessalonians 3, exploring themes of preparation, faithfulness, and God's presence in the gaps of our lives. Together, we'll reflect on David's preparations for the temple, Paul's encouragement to the Thessalonians, and the hope that Christ fills every emptiness. Today's episode invites you into prayer, reflection, and the reminder that you are loved and never alone on this journey. Join us now for scripture, encouragement, and a time of prayerful connection. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Christ fills the gaps. That's what Paul says in verse 10: "Night and day, we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith." This is the walk of discipleship—to recognize that God has filled what was absent and lacking. So much of our life gets lost in the gaps, lost in the lie of God's absence, God's separation—the lie that creates all kinds of problems, all kinds of divisions, addictions, neuroses. But our discipleship is about God filling us in those places, places we thought would be forever empty. The gaps, those unfinished areas in our life, can be filled. But filling is a process, and faith is a walk. The destination is him—the One who fills all things with Himself. We have a day that is coming on the church calendar called the Day of Ascension, on May 26, the day that Jesus ascended in his resurrected human body to sit at the side of His Father, having accomplished and created for us our completed life, our full life in Him. Today, we can walk with him and allow the Spirit to open our eyes even more to the fullness that is ours in Christ. Christ fills the gaps, and he will fill all things with Himself. And the prayer of my heart is that I will begin to live into the reality of what is true about God and about myself in Christ. That's a prayer that I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's a prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen. Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. And now Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, Joy. Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life. Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation. Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL
“Joint heirs with Christ.” — Romans 8:17 The boundless realms of His Father's universe are Christ's by prescriptive right. As “heir of all things,” He is the sole proprietor of the vast creation of God, and He has admitted us to claim the whole as ours, by virtue of that deed of joint-heir-ship which the […]
If you've ever felt guilty for prioritizing your own health, this episode is for you. As Christian women, many of us were raised with the quiet belief that selflessness means self-neglect. We pour into our families, our patients, our communities — and we run on empty. But what if Scripture actually makes a strong case for taking care of yourself? What if the Proverbs 31 woman has been modeling holistic health all along and we've just been missing it? This episode is for the Christian woman who is exhausted, overlooked, and quietly falling apart while holding everyone else together. If you're a caregiver, nurse, mom, or ministry leader who has put herself last for far too long — this one is for you. --- THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN WAS NOT WHO YOU THINK SHE WAS Many of us grew up with a narrow picture of this woman — quietly keeping house, sacrificing everything, never asking for anything in return. But a closer look at the Hebrew text tells a very different story. She was an entrepreneur. A real estate investor. A business owner who worked intentionally and strategically. And yes — she took care of herself. • Verse 17 tells us she dressed herself with strength and made her arms strong. She stewarded her physical body. • Verse 22 says she made fine coverings for herself and wore linen and purple — fabrics reserved for royalty and the wealthy elite in the ancient world. She kept something for herself, and she wore her flourishing without apology. • Verse 25 says strength and dignity were her clothing, and she laughed at the days to come. That's not naivety — that's the settled peace of a woman who has done the work. She was not a martyr. She was a prepared, thriving, God-fearing woman who understood that caring for herself was part of caring for her calling. --- GOD DELIGHTS IN YOUR WELFARE — NOT JUST EVERYONE ELSE'S Psalm 37:4 says God delights in the welfare of His servants. Not just your patients. Not just your children. You. If you are His, He is not indifferent to your health, your rest, your joy, or your flourishing. The fruit of your labor is meant to be something you also enjoy — not just something you hand off to everyone around you. This is not a prosperity gospel message. It's a stewardship message. You are the vessel. And a depleted vessel cannot carry much. --- JESUS MODELED BOUNDARIES — AND SO CAN YOU Even Jesus didn't heal everyone in every town every day. He retreated. He rested. He sought His Father. He knew who He was called to serve, when, and how. That framework matters for you too. Not every good thing is your thing. Not every need is your assignment. As it says in 1 Corinthians, we are all one body — each with a specific function. You are not the whole body. You are one part, with a specific gift, a specific calling, and a limited amount of time and energy to steward. When you say yes to everything, someone somewhere is missing the version of you that God actually appointed for them. --- WHEN BUSYNESS BECOMES A HEALTH ISSUE From a holistic health perspective, chronic overextension is not just a spiritual problem — it's a physical one. Boundaries are not just emotionally healthy. They are biologically necessary. Chronic fatigue, autoimmune flares, hormonal imbalance, and burnout are often the body's way of saying what the mouth has been too afraid to say: this is too much. If you haven't read Boundaries or Boundaries in Marriage by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, those are worth your time. --- TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS 0:00 — What Proverbs 31 actually says about self-care and why most of us missed it 0:58 — She made her arms strong, she wore purple: unpacking the Hebrew meaning 2:21 — The caregiving trap: why high-capacity women neglect themselves most 4:45 — Psalm 37:4 and what it means that God delights in your welfare 5:15 — How Jesus modeled boundaries, rest, and intentional service 7:37 — Why not every good thing is your assignment 9:04 — How overextension connects directly to physical illness 10:32 — The invitation: what it looks like to take your next step toward healing --- KEY TAKEAWAYS • The Proverbs 31 woman stewarded her body, enjoyed the fruit of her labor, and wore her flourishing without shame. That is a biblical model worth following. • God cares about your welfare — not just the people you care for. • Jesus himself modeled intentional limits on his service. You are not called to do everything for everyone. • Chronic illness and fatigue can be the body signaling that boundaries are overdue. • Seek God's wisdom specifically — who to serve, when, and how. Not every good thing is your assignment. • You are one part of the body of Christ. Function in your part well, and trust God with the rest. This episode is educational and faith-based in nature and is not intended as medical advice or diagnosis. --- READY TO STOP RUNNING ON EMPTY? If this episode stirred something in you — if you are the woman who is tired of being tired and ready to actually do something about it — the More Energy Strategy Session was built for you. This is a private 60-minute conversation where we look at your whole health picture and identify the most important next step for your specific body and season of life. Not a generic protocol. Not another overwhelm spiral. Just clarity, direction, and a path forward. Book your session at herholistichealing.com/services.
→ Sigrid: Use code DRG15 for 15% OFF your full order (valid through May 31) Applied on top of subscription discounts. https://sigridlife.com/discount/DRG15 Episode Description You're not failing at healthy eating. You're navigating a food system that was never designed to help you succeed. Kasper Wickzén spent 15 years inside major food companies (Kraft Heinz, Danone) watching how products were engineered to drive cravings, not nourish bodies. Then his father got diabetes eating what most of us would call a normal diet. That was the turning point. Now he's the co-founder of Sigrid, and after 15 years of research and six clinical trials, he's bringing to market something Dr. G calls one of the most revolutionary metabolic tools he's seen: a natural silica-based particle that slows digestion so your body can actually handle the energy coming in. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why blood sugar spikes aren't just about junk food - bread, rice, potatoes, and pasta are doing the same thing to your system meal after meal • How Sigrid's SiPore® technology physically slows enzyme activity in the gut to flatten glucose curves, reduce cravings, and extend energy - without blocking digestion • Why only 1 in 10 Americans is actually metabolically healthy, and what that means for your energy, mood, weight, and relationships If you eat a modern diet, this episode is for you. Find Sigrid: • Website: https://sigridlife.com/ Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:32 - Is It a Willpower Problem or a Broken Food Environment? 2:42 - Why You Crash at 3pm: The Blood Sugar Roller Coaster Explained 3:37 - The Moment He Realized Big Food Was Working Against Us 7:11 - Inside Major Food Companies: How Cravings Are Engineered on Purpose 9:00 - His Father's Diabetes & How "Normal" Eating Destroys Metabolic Health 13:50 - How Long Does It Take for Metabolic Damage to Set In? 15:42 - The Technology That Slows Down Digestion (And Why It Changes Everything) 19:28 - What Is Cypore? The Science Behind the Tool 22:22 - Real Data: What Happens to Blood Sugar With and Without the Product 24:30 - Less Cravings, More Energy, Fat Loss — What the Research Actually Shows 27:04 - What People Are Actually Feeling: Satiation, Sleep & Less Bloating 29:07 - Why Blood Sugar Instability Wrecks Your Mental Health & Relationships 32:33 - Capsule vs. Liquid: Which One to Use and When 37:49 - Final Word: Who This Is For and Where to Get It Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices