Podcasts about his grace

Our identity in Jesus is distinct and living into that identity means to live contrary to the values, principles, and practices of the world. Among the list of things we are to reject, there is no one who could say that these don't apply to them. Paul is clear about the equality of these sins and their association with everyone who does not belong to Jesus. All of these are in the past for those who are in Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit living within, a Christian behaves differently.  While we will continue to battle with our old nature, our new nature will grow in influence and impact more and more as we submit to Jesus' rule in our lives. Sexual integrity, a right attitude towards material things and love for all people will become markers of our personalities. These things carry a different difficulty for each of us. Do you struggle with sexual immorality? Are greed and covetousness hard for you to overcome? Do you love as the world loves, being selective in who you give honor and behaving hatefully towards others? The first step in victory is honesty.  As you review Paul's list of named sins, ask the Lord to open your eyes to anything you are practicing, to give you understanding as to how grievous it is, and to empower you to live into His Grace and to be renewed by His love. May we all have the courage to rid ourselves of perspectives and practices that compete with Jesus' nature within us. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Colossians 3:5-11

God & His Grace by FCC Palmer, IA

  Psychology vs. The Faith:   Psychology has had a heavy impact on American culture for decades. Then, through the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, it steadily crept into the church. Today, it has a deep foothold in the church. And I want to say this carefully, but plainly: one of the most subtle forms of heresy to ever hit the American church is psychological theory being absorbed into Christian ministry as if it were neutral, safe, and compatible with the faith. Not because every observation made by anyone in the field is false. Not because the body doesn't matter. Not because Christians have never been helped by conversations with professionals. But because the most dangerous part of psychology is the part that claims to explain what man is, why man is the way he is, and how man changes. That's not lab science. That's not medicine. That's a philosophy of life—and very often, a rival religion. The Spirit "Expressly Says" This Will Happen Paul warned Timothy with a kind of urgency we rarely hear anymore: "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…" (1 Timothy 4:1) Notice what's happening: people depart from the faith, and as they loosen their grip on biblical truth, they become wide open to deception—"deceiving spirits" and "doctrines of demons." Then Paul adds something that should sober every pastor, counselor, and ministry leader: "If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed." (1 Timothy 4:6) That means warning the flock isn't optional. If we refuse to instruct God's people where deception is creeping in, we are not being "good ministers of Jesus Christ." This isn't about causing trouble. It's about acknowledging that there's already trouble if we won't speak. This Isn't About Condemning People Let me be clear: this is not a blanket condemnation of every psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, or person who has sought help. Many people are hurting. Many people are trying to survive. Some have real physiological issues—brain chemistry, sleep deprivation, hormonal problems, trauma responses in the body, or medical complications that should absolutely be evaluated. The Bible does not forbid legitimate medicine. Jesus said the sick need a physician (Luke 5:31). Luke was called "the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14). The issue is not medical care. The issue is philosophy—systems that tell you what life is, what man is, what truth is, what morality is, what change is, and what salvation looks like. That's why Scripture warns: "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men… and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8) When a counseling theory runs "not according to Christ," the church must not import it uncritically and call it "wisdom." The Most Dangerous Part of Psychology There are areas of psychology that are closer to observation and measurement—like certain aspects of learning patterns or child development. You can observe, record, and make modest conclusions. But the danger zone is the sprawling world of psychotherapy theories that claim authority over identity, meaning, values, morality, and transformation. One of the best summaries I've ever seen puts it like this (paraphrasing the sense of the quote you referenced): the most seductively dangerous area is the part that tries to explain why people are the way they are and how they change. That's exactly the ground Scripture claims as its own. Because the Bible doesn't just tell us what to do. It tells us who we are. It tells us why we sin. It tells us what the heart is. It tells us what repentance is. It tells us what faith is. It tells us what love is. It tells us how change happens—by grace, through the Spirit, in union with Christ, in the life of the church. Psychology Often Operates Like Religion Here's where people get uncomfortable. But we need to be honest: modern psychotherapy doesn't merely treat "disease." It frequently teaches a worldview. It interprets suffering. It assigns meaning. It defines virtue. It sets the boundaries of blame and responsibility. It reframes guilt. It counsels hope. It offers a path of transformation. That's religion-level territory. Even Carl Jung—one of the towering figures in psychological theory—recognized this. He essentially admitted that people were coming to therapists for what they used to go to priests for: relief, meaning, wholeness, direction. In other words, therapy was stepping into the territory of pastoral care and theology. And here's where discernment matters even more: Jung wasn't "biblically spiritual." He was spiritually open in a dark way. You referenced his fascination with spirit-guides and his guide "Philemon." Whether someone calls that metaphor, imagination, archetype, or spiritism, the fruit is the same: theories shaped by contact with a spiritual framework that is not submitted to Christ. The church must not be impressed by "spiritual language" if it is not the Holy Spirit and not the truth of God's Word. The Bible Calls It "The Faith" The New Testament doesn't present Christianity as one option among many "faiths." It presents Christianity as the faith—objective truth revealed by God. "Then the word of God spread… and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith." (Acts 6:7) And Jude says: "I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 3) That phrase "once for all delivered" matters. The faith is not evolving. It is not awaiting modern upgrades from secular theory. It has been delivered—complete in its authority and sufficient in its message. So when someone says, "Why can't we just blend the Bible with modern psychotherapy?" my answer is: because you're not blending two neutral tools. You're blending a religion with the faith. And when you merge competing belief systems, you don't get "balance." You get compromise. How the Early Church Handled Rival Spiritual Claims Acts 13 gives us a vivid picture. A sorcerer resisted the gospel and tried to turn a leader away from the faith: "Elymas the sorcerer… withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith." (Acts 13:8) Paul's response was not mild or therapeutic. It was clear and confrontational: "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil… will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?" (Acts 13:10) Why so strong? Because the issue wasn't "two equally valid perspectives." It was deception competing with revealed truth. The church today has become so polite that we often treat spiritual rivals like "alternate viewpoints." The apostles treated them as dangers to souls. And later, after Paul was stoned and left for dead, the mission continued with this repeated emphasis: "…strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith…" (Acts 14:22) Notice that phrase: strengthening the souls… continue in the faith. That's discipleship. That's pastoral care. That's biblical counseling. What This Means for Counseling Today So where does that leave us? We don't deny the body. We take physiology seriously without surrendering the soul to secular theories. We don't demonize every person who has sought therapy. We shepherd people gently, patiently, and truthfully. We do test messages and methods. Not by our preferences, but by Scripture. We refuse captivity. "Philosophy and empty deceit" must not disciple the church. (Colossians 2:8) We contend earnestly. Because the faith is worth protecting, and people are worth warning. (Jude 3) And let me say it plainly: the church does not need a new system to explain man. We have God's Word. The church does not need a new path to transformation. We have Christ. The church does not need a substitute priesthood of therapists to do what pastors and mature believers are called to do in the local church. Jesus is still "Wonderful Counselor." (Isaiah 9:6) A Word to Those Sensing a Call If you sense the Lord calling you to learn biblical counseling—real discipleship care rooted in Scripture, grounded in the local church, centered on Christ—then I want to personally invite you to consider the Biblical Counseling Academy. We are enrolling dedicated students—men and women who sense a call from God to grow in discernment, compassion, courage, and biblical clarity. This isn't about collecting information. It's about being "nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine" (1 Timothy 4:6) so you can help others with hope that is truly from the Lord. If that's you, don't ignore it. Pray. Seek counsel from your pastors. And take the next faithful step. Much Love to All — Serving with You, for God's Glory, by His Grace, Pastor Jeff Christianson Dean of Biblical Counseling

Feb 12 | 2026 | Hukamnama Sahib | ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮਃ ੩ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਪਰਤੀਤਿ ਨ ਆਈਆ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਲਾਗੋ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਓਸ ਨੋ ਸੁਖੁ ਨ ਉਪਜੈ ਭਾਵੈ ਸਉ ਗੇੜਾ ਆਵਉ ਜਾਉ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਚੇ ਸਿਉ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਉ ॥੧॥ ਅਰਥ: ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਬਣਿਆ ਤੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਵਿਚ ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਪਿਆਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗਾ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਕਦੇ ਸੁਖ ਨਹੀਂ, ਭਾਵੇਂ (ਗੁਰੂ ਪਾਸ) ਸੌ ਵਾਰੀ ਆਵੇ ਜਾਏ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਜੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸਨਮੁਖ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਸੱਚੇ ਵਿਚ ਲਿਵ ਜੋੜੀਏ ਤਾਂ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਸਹਿਜੇ ਹੀ ਮਿਲ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੧। ਮਃ ੩ ॥ ਏ ਮਨ ਐਸਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਖੋਜਿ ਲਹੁ ਜਿਤੁ ਸੇਵਿਐ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਦੁਖੁ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਸਹਸਾ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਹਉਮੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਜਲਾਇ ॥ ਕੂੜੈ ਕੀ ਪਾਲਿ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਨਿਕਲੈ ਸਚੁ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਮਨਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ਸਚ ਸੰਜਮਿ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਇ ॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ! ਇਹੋ ਜਿਹਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਖੋਜ ਕੇ ਲੱਭ, ਜਿਸ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕੀਤਿਆਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਸਾਰੀ ਉਮਰ ਦਾ ਦੁਖ ਦੂਰ ਹੋ ਜਾਏ; ਕਦੇ ਉੱਕਾ ਹੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਤੇ (ਉਸ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ) ਸ਼ਬਦ ਨਾਲ ਤੇਰੀ ਹਉਮੈ ਸੜ ਜਾਏ; ਤੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰੋਂ ਕੂੜ ਦੀ ਕੰਧ ਦੂਰ ਹੋ ਜਾਏ ਤੇ ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਸੱਚਾ ਹਰੀ ਆ ਵੱਸੇ, ਅਤੇ ਹੇ ਮਨ! ਉਸ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਦੱਸੇ ਹੋਏ) ਸੰਜਮ ਵਿਚ ਸੱਚੀ ਕਾਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਤੇ ਸੁਖ ਹੋ ਜਾਏ। ਨਾਨਕ ਪੂਰੈ ਕਰਮਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰੇ ਰਜਾਇ ॥੨॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਜਦੋਂ ਹਰੀ ਆਪਣੀ ਰਜ਼ਾ ਵਿਚ ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਤਦੋਂ (ਇਹੋ ਜਿਹਾ) ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਪੂਰੀ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਸ਼ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ।੨। ਪਉੜੀ ॥ ਜਿਸ ਕੈ ਘਰਿ ਦੀਬਾਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਤਿਸ ਕੀ ਮੁਠੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਜਗਤੁ ਸਭੁ ਆਇਆ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕਉ ਤਲਕੀ ਕਿਸੈ ਦੀ ਨਾਹੀ ਹਰਿ ਦੀਬਾਨਿ ਸਭਿ ਆਣਿ ਪੈਰੀ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਅਰਥ: ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ (ਸਭ ਦਾ) ਹਾਕਮ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਵੱਸਦਾ ਹੋਵੇ, ਸਾਰਾ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਵੱਸ ਵਿਚ ਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਸੇ ਦੀ ਕਾਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦੀ, (ਸਗੋਂ) ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਹਾਕਮ ਨੇ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਲਿਆ ਕੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਚਰਨੀਂ ਪਾਇਆ (ਹੁੰਦਾ) ਹੈ। ਮਾਣਸਾ ਕਿਅਹੁ ਦੀਬਾਣਹੁ ਕੋਈ ਨਸਿ ਭਜਿ ਨਿਕਲੈ ਹਰਿ ਦੀਬਾਣਹੁ ਕੋਈ ਕਿਥੈ ਜਾਇਆ ॥ ਸੋ ਐਸਾ ਹਰਿ ਦੀਬਾਨੁ ਵਸਿਆ ਭਗਤਾ ਕੈ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਤਿਨਿ ਰਹਦੇ ਖੁਹਦੇ ਆਣਿ ਸਭਿ ਭਗਤਾ ਅਗੈ ਖਲਵਾਇਆ ॥ ਅਰਥ: ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੀ ਕਚਹਿਰੀ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਤਾਂ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੱਸ ਭੱਜ ਕੇ ਭੀ ਕਿਤੇ ਖਿਸਕ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਰੱਬ ਦੀ ਹਕੂਮਤਿ ਤੋਂ ਭੱਜ ਕੇ ਕੋਈ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ? ਇਹੋ ਜਿਹਾ ਹਾਕਮ ਹਰੀ ਭਗਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ ਵੱਸਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੇ "ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਖੁੰਹਦੇ" ਸਾਰੇ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲਿਆ ਕੇ ਭਗਤ ਜਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਖੜੇ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ (ਭਾਵ, ਚਰਨੀਂ ਲਿਆ ਪਾਇਆ ਹੈ) । ਹਰਿ ਨਾਵੈ ਕੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਕਰਮਿ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵਿਰਲੈ ਕਿਨੈ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥੧੪॥ ਅਰਥ: ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੀ ਖ਼ਾਸ ਮੇਹਰ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ (ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਗੁਣ) ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ; ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸਨਮੁਖ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਕੋਈ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਹੀ (ਨਾਮ) ਸਿਮਰਦਾ ਹੈ।੧੪। SHALOK, THIRD MEHL: One who has no faith in the True Guru, and who does not love the Word of the Shabad, shall find no peace, even though he may come and go hundreds of times. O Nanak, the Gurmukh meets the True Lord with natural ease; he is in love with the Lord. || 1 || THIRD MEHL: O mind, search for such a True Guru, by serving whom the pains of birth and death are dispelled. Doubt shall never afflict you, and your ego shall be burnt away through the Word of the Shabad. The veil of falsehood shall be torn down from within you, and Truth shall come to dwell in the mind. Peace and happiness shall fill your mind deep within, if you act according to truth and self-discipline. O Nanak, by perfect good karma, you shall meet the True Guru, and then the Dear Lord, by His Sweet Will, shall bless you with His Mercy. || 2 || PAUREE: The whole world comes under the control of one whose home is filled with the Lord, the King. He is subject to no one else's rule, and the Lord, the King, causes everyone to fall at his feet. One may run away from the courts of other men, but where can one go to escape the Lord's Kingdom? The Lord is such a King, who abides in the hearts of His devotees; He brings the others, and makes them stand before His devotees. The glorious greatness of the Lord's Name is obtained only by His Grace; how few are the Gurmukhs who meditate on Him. || 14 || Brought to you by @ Gs jhampur --------------- Connect with GS Jhampur» Subscribe to Audio Gurbani: https://Anchor.fm/gsjhampur/ » Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:https://youtube.com/GurjitSinghJhampur» Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gsjhampur» Tweet us on Twitter:https://twitter.com/tazamudda?t=eAP0Aj6t2QfjJBXJN183wg&s=09 » Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3ODU5NTA3NTQ1MTEwNDU1?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=»

Paul uses a number of metaphors in the same sentence that seem at first glance to be contradictory; live (or walk) in Christ, be rooted and built up. How can you walk and be rooted? It's more of a both/and, we are to be firmly grounded in Christ's work on our behalf and also to keep growing in our faith journey towards Christ-likeness. While on this earth we battle between our old nature and our new identity in Christ. Our battle comes from the outside through deceptions and heresies and from within through temptations and selfish desires. This is a common theme throughout Paul's writings (see also Galatians 5, Romans 7-8, Ephesians 4-5) Having our faith strengthened leads us to gratitude. For our God showers us with His Grace and gives us His Spirit so that we have everything we need for life and godliness.   Prepare for this week's message by reading Colossians 2:6-15

Jesus endured the cross to pay our unpayable debt of sin, and the good news is that everyone who trusts in His Grace will be restored. Scripture: Luke 23:32-49. View accompanying video at https://fbcpville.org/sermons/communion-luke-2332-49/

Topics: Law vs Laws in the New Covenant, Understanding New Covenant Grace and Freedom, Jeremiah 31:33 and the Law on Our Hearts, Hebrews 8:10 Meaning, Hebrews 10:16 Explained, the Burden of the 613 Commandments, Law of Moses vs Grace in the Gospel, Are We Still Under the Law of Moses, the Foundation of True Christian Morality, 10 Commandments on the Heart or the Spirit, Your New Identity in Christ Jesus, Colossians 1:22 Holiness through His Blood, the Ministry of Death in 2 Corinthians 3, Galatians 5:18 and Being Led by the Spirit, Righteousness Through Faith and Not Works, Romans 6:14 and Freedom From Sin, Total Freedom From the Law of Condemnation, Lessons on Licentiousness from the Book of Jude, Being Holy and Secure in His Grace, Repentance Toward Grace and Away From Works, Matthew 5:48 Perfection and the Impossible Standard, Living as a New Creation in Christ, Ephesians 2:12 and the Covenants of Promise, Deuteronomy 4:2 Warning Against Adding to the Law, Galatians 3:10 and the Curse of the Law, James 2:10 and the Problem of Double Talk, Romans 7 and the Power of Coveting through 10 Commandments, the Fruit of the Spirit vs Lawful Living, Christ in You the Hope of Glory, God Writing His Character on Your Heart, Why the Law Causes Sin to Increase, the Difference Between Trying and Trusting, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth, the Law as a Ministry of Condemnation, Why Christians Are Not Under the 10 Commandments, Living by the Spirit of Life, the Transition From Old Covenant to New, the Finished Work of Jesus at the Cross, Finding True Rest in Christ's Accomplishment, Why God Writes Himself on Our Hearts and MindsSupport the showSign up for Matt's free daily devotional! https://mattmcmillen.com/newsletter

Romans 10:11-13 — In this sermon on “The Riches of His Grace” from Romans 10:11–13 Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues unfolding the apostle Paul's argument for the inclusion of Gentiles in salvation. Working from this passage, his second point in the series draws from the glorious fact that the same Lord Jesus Christ, who is Lord over all, is rich in grace to all who call upon Him. Since salvation depends entirely upon God and His power to forgive, there is hope for anyone. It's the great central theme of the Scripture foretold by the prophets, brought about by Jesus in the gospel, and proclaimed by the apostles and the early church. What does this mean for today? It doesn't matter how much one has sinned or how profound their ignorance is, the riches of God's grace are endless and He is sufficient to give to all. There is no work or effort one can add to their salvation because His riches in salvation are all-sufficient. All worldly distinctions and prejudices are foolish because God is rich to all, without distinction, and there is nothing one can ever need that cannot be found in this endlessly rich savior. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29?v=20251111

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ ਫਿਰਤ ਫਿਰਤ ਭੇਟੇ ਜਨ ਸਾਧੂ ਪੂਰੈ ਗੁਰਿ ਸਮਝਾਇਆ ॥ ਆਨ ਸਗਲ ਬਿਧਿ ਕਾਂਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਮੋਹਿ ਧਾਰੀ ਓਟ ਗੋਪਾਲ ॥ ਸਰਨਿ ਪਰਿਓ ਪੂਰਨ ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰ ਬਿਨਸੇ ਸਗਲ ਜੰਜਾਲ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸੁਰਗ ਮਿਰਤ ਪਇਆਲ ਭੂ ਮੰਡਲ ਸਗਲ ਬਿਆਪੇ ਮਾਇ ॥ ਜੀਅ ਉਧਾਰਨ ਸਭ ਕੁਲ ਤਾਰਨ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ॥੨॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਗਾਈਐ ਪਾਈਐ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਧਾਨਾ ॥ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਜਿਸੁ ਦੇਇ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਬਿਰਲੇ ਕਾਹੂ ਜਾਨਾ ॥੩॥੩॥੨੧॥ DHANAASAREE, FIFTH MEHL:Wandering and roaming around, I met the Holy Perfect Guru, who has taught me. All other devices did not work, so I meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. || 1 || For this reason, I sought the Protection and Support of my Lord, the Cherisher of the Universe. I sought the Sanctuary of the Perfect Transcendent Lord, and all my entanglements were dissolved. || Pause || Paradise, the earth, the nether regions of the underworld, and the globe of the world ó all are engrossed in Maya. To save your soul, and liberate all your ancestors, meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. || 2 || O Nanak, singing the Naam, the Name of the Immaculate Lord, all treasures are obtained. Only that rare person, whom the Lord and Master blesses with His Grace, comes to know this. || 3 || 3 || 21 ||ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਭਾਲ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਹਾ ਪੁਰਖ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਨੇ (ਮੈਨੂੰ) ਇਹ ਸਮਝ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੀ ਕਿ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਣ ਲਈ) ਹੋਰ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਜੁਗਤੀਆਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਕੋਈ ਇੱਕ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਭੀ ਕੰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਉਂਦੀ। ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੀ ਕੰਮ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੧।ਇਸ ਵਾਸਤੇ, ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਮੈਂ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਲੈ ਲਿਆ। (ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ) ਸਰਬ-ਵਿਆਪਕ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਸਰਨ ਪਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ) ਜੰਜਾਲ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਗਏ।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਦੇਵ ਲੋਕ, ਮਾਤ-ਲੋਕ, ਪਾਤਾਲ-ਸਾਰੀ ਹੀ ਸ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਮਾਇਆ (ਦੇ ਮੋਹ) ਵਿਚ ਫਸੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਸਦਾ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਿਆ ਕਰ, ਇਹੀ ਹੈ ਜਿੰਦ ਨੂੰ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਵਿਚੋਂ) ਬਚਾਣ ਵਾਲਾ, ਇਹੀ ਹੈ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੁਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਾਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ।੨।ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਮਾਇਆ ਤੋਂ ਨਿਰਲੇਪ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਗਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ, (ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤਿ ਨਾਲ) ਸਾਰੇ ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਪਰ (ਇਹ ਭੇਤ) ਕਿਸੇ (ਉਸ) ਵਿਰਲੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੇ ਸਮਝਿਆ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਲਕ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ (ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਦਾਤਿ) ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੩।੩।੨੧।

His Grace is Greater. Romans 5:12-21. Lead Pastor Michael Clary

The Incomparable Christ Pt. 1: Our Standing In Christ By Louie Marsh, 1-11-2026 1) Who & what I AM. "1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are IN EPHESUS, and are faithful IN CHRIST JESUS: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1 1-2, ESV)   Intro.  Verses 3 - 14 have been called a Hymn of Grace.  They are a statement of our spiritual blessings in Christ.  These verses are one long, complex sentence in the Greek. According to Purdue University: Run-ons, comma splices, and fused sentences are all names given to compound sentences that are not punctuated correctly.   You can divide these verses into three parts.  1) The Father, 2) the Son, 3) the Spirit.  They are also mainly concerned with 1)the past, 2) the present, 3) the future.  These three sections are marked off by the repeated phrase "Praise of His Glory," or "glorious grace."  See verses 3, 12, 14.   This Passage is About   The Father -  The Past The Son – the Present The Spirit – The Future Created Loved Sealed Predestined Redeemed Guaranteed Blessed Blessed Blessed   Paul begins his letter by looking at what each member of the Trinity has done for those who have become followers of Christ.   2) I am BLESSED beyond measure.    3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us IN CHRIST with every spiritual blessing IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES, 6to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  (Ephesians 1 3-6, ESV)   Bless = eulogy.  The word literally means "to speak well of"   It's in the aorist tense, which refers to something done at a particular point in time, with effects still being felt now.  Example - rock in pond, ripples.   We bless God because He first blessed us   "19We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19, ESV)   God's word equals action. He created the universe by speaking so if God says you're blessed - you're blessed!   In the Heavenlies this phrase used 5 times in Ephesians and nowhere else by Paul. Paul is saying that these blessing of the Father reside in the unseen world of spiritual reality.  They are real - even though they can't always be seen.   Every Spiritual Blessing! Aorist Tense again. This is important, you have ALREADY BEEN GIVEN THIS! Freely Given. You don't have to do anything to earn this - works, praying through, study, etc. All These blessings are gifts of the Father's GRACE!!   3) God the Father CHOSE me before He created the universe.   4even as he chose us IN HIM before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. IN LOVE 5he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV)   A Misunderstood Bible Truth. Entire Denominations have split over this issue of Predestination.  Obviously we don't have time today to go into it fully. This is my understanding of it in a nutshell.   God chose us. This word used in LXX of God's choice of Israel, implies taking a smaller number out of a larger group.  Written in aorist tense.   This choice is called Predestination. It's actually 2 words and literally means -  "Before the Horizon" & It was used of making a blueprint.   Add to this the word "before" in verse 4 which means "to see down into"   Then read I Peter 1: 1-2 and you arrive at what I believe is the Biblical doctrine of Predestination.   "1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you." (1 Peter 1:1–2, ESV)   "God knowing everything – even what we call the future (also called foreknowledge) based on that knowledge he chooses (predestines) those who respond to His Grace in Jesus Christ."   Our problem with this is we are time bound people used to dealing with things in a certain order, God isn't and doesn't.   4) To prove that GOD'S WAY is superior to Satan's or the world's way.   6to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  (Ephesians 1:6, ESV)   Introduce Lindy Beige and show video – the world and the devil always rely on force. God doesn't.   5) Forgiveness is found ONLY in Christ.    7IN HIM we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, IN ALL WISDOM AND INSIGHT 9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth IN CHRIST 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things IN HIM, things in heaven and things on earth.  (Ephesians 1:7–10, ESV)   · The grace of God in Christ is rich · It is LAVISHED upon us. · God does this wisely with insight · To show that only IN CHRIST will everyone & everything come together.   6) I am SEALED in Christ by the Holy Spirit.    11In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12so that we who were the first to hope IN CHRIST might be to the praise of his glory. 13IN HIM you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed IN HIM, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:11–14, ESV)   · God CHOSE me – that's amazing. · I'm part of God working all things according to His will. · The Spirit seals me · He (Spirit) guarantee's our inheritance (all those spiritual blessings referred to above) until the time we can receive & live in them. · All of this results in the praise of God's glory.      

ਧਨਾਸਰੀu ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ ਫਿਰਤ ਫਿਰਤ ਭੇਟੇ ਜਨ ਸਾਧੂ ਪੂਰੈ ਗੁਰਿ ਸਮਝਾਇਆ ॥ ਆਨ ਸਗਲ ਬਿਧਿ ਕਾਂਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਮੋਹਿ ਧਾਰੀ ਓਟ ਗੋਪਾਲ ॥ ਸਰਨਿ ਪਰਿਓ ਪੂਰਨ ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰ ਬਿਨਸੇ ਸਗਲ ਜੰਜਾਲ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸੁਰਗ ਮਿਰਤ ਪਇਆਲ ਭੂ ਮੰਡਲ ਸਗਲ ਬਿਆਪੇ ਮਾਇ ॥ ਜੀਅ ਉਧਾਰਨ ਸਭ ਕੁਲ ਤਾਰਨ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ॥੨॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਗਾਈਐ ਪਾਈਐ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਧਾਨਾ ॥ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਜਿਸੁ ਦੇਇ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਬਿਰਲੇ ਕਾਹੂ ਜਾਨਾ ॥੩॥੩॥੨੧॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਭਾਲ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਹਾ ਪੁਰਖ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਨੇ (ਮੈਨੂੰ) ਇਹ ਸਮਝ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੀ ਕਿ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਣ ਲਈ) ਹੋਰ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਜੁਗਤੀਆਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਕੋਈ ਇੱਕ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਭੀ ਕੰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਉਂਦੀ। ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੀ ਕੰਮ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੧।ਇਸ ਵਾਸਤੇ, ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਮੈਂ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਲੈ ਲਿਆ। (ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ) ਸਰਬ-ਵਿਆਪਕ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਸਰਨ ਪਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ) ਜੰਜਾਲ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਗਏ।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਦੇਵ ਲੋਕ, ਮਾਤ-ਲੋਕ, ਪਾਤਾਲ-ਸਾਰੀ ਹੀ ਸ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਮਾਇਆ (ਦੇ ਮੋਹ) ਵਿਚ ਫਸੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਸਦਾ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਿਆ ਕਰ, ਇਹੀ ਹੈ ਜਿੰਦ ਨੂੰ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਵਿਚੋਂ) ਬਚਾਣ ਵਾਲਾ, ਇਹੀ ਹੈ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੁਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਾਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ।੨।ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਮਾਇਆ ਤੋਂ ਨਿਰਲੇਪ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਗਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ, (ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤਿ ਨਾਲ) ਸਾਰੇ ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਪਰ (ਇਹ ਭੇਤ) ਕਿਸੇ (ਉਸ) ਵਿਰਲੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੇ ਸਮਝਿਆ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਲਕ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ (ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਦਾਤਿ) ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੩।੩।੨੧।DHANAASAREE, FIFTH MEHL:Wandering and roaming around, I met the Holy Perfect Guru, who has taught me. All other devices did not work, so I meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. || 1 || For this reason, I sought the Protection and Support of my Lord, the Cherisher of the Universe. I sought the Sanctuary of the Perfect Transcendent Lord, and all my entanglements were dissolved. || Pause || Paradise, the earth, the nether regions of the underworld, and the globe of the world ó all are engrossed in Maya. To save your soul, and liberate all your ancestors, meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. || 2 || O Nanak, singing the Naam, the Name of the Immaculate Lord, all treasures are obtained. Only that rare person, whom the Lord and Master blesses with His Grace, comes to know this. || 3 || 3 || 21 ||

Jesus Followers Are Sinners Who Have a Savior Because “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners . . .”; Is Jesus Your Savior Too? MESSAGE SUMMARY: We are all sinners, but we now have a Savior – Jesus. As Paul tells us, in 1 Timothy 1:15-16, that the Gospel provides Salvation for all followers of Jesus, including the worst of sinners -- Paul: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.". Also, Paul, in 1 Timothy 2:3b-6, further points out that God wants all of us to be saved by His Grace through Jesus if we only, as sinners like Paul, reach out to bring Jesus into our lives: “God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”. It is only because of Jesus the Christ that we receive the healing that we need. “I am a sinner who now has a Savior – do you”?   TODAY'S PRAYER: Abba Father, I open my clenched fists to surrender everything you have given to me. Reestablish my identity in you — not in my family, my work, my accomplishments, or what others think of me. Cleanse the things in me that are not conformed to your will. By faith I unite my will to yours so that the likeness of Jesus Christ may be formed in me. In his name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 85). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Anger. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Forgiveness. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 1 Timothy 1:15-17; 1 Timothy 2:3b-6; 2 Timothy 1:8-12; Psalms 89a:1-13 A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Struggle with Time -- Until I Determine How We Want to Use Our Time, Others Will Determine How Our Time Is Used ”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Sunday, January 5, 2026 – Not only is it the first Sunday of 2026, but it’s also the first Sunday Pastor Justin and Kari Brown are at Center Point Assembly, along with their three children, Sophie, Malcom, and Simon. We are so pleased to have them serve as our new pastors. Join us as Pastor Justin shares an encouraging word titled “Built for more: Redeemed and Transformed.” In it, he reminds us of God’s purposes for our lives, no matter where we are in our spiritual journey. God’s plans are always bigger and better than we can imagine for ourselves. We just have to remember that we are saved by His Grace and then Redeemed and Transformed to be more like Christ. Worship and study with us.

Thank you for listening. Take a look at the sermon notes of this message on the church website: https://www.gatewayfranklin.com/sermonsTo find out more about Gateway Franklin Church, visit us at gatewayfranklin.com or join us online each week at gatewayfranklin.online.Notes:Ephesians 3:20–21 (NIV) Hyper — over, above Hyper — over, above Ek — out of, from the depths Hyper — over, above Ek — out of, from the depths Perissou — exceedingly, abundantly, beyond expectation, imagination, or hope 1. GOD IS ACTIVE A. His Faithfulness Is Active B. His Grace is Endless C. His Love Is Active and Never-Ending 2. GOD'S MORE IS NOT DEPENDENT ON OUR UNDERSTANDING 3. GOD IS WORKING IN YOU: ● Redeeming ● Restoring ● Refining 2. WHEN IMMEASURABLY MORE ISN'T FELT 1. WAITING 14 Waiting → TRUST. 2. INADEQUACY Inadequecy → DEPENDENCE. 3. LACK Lack → SURRENDER. 4. WEAKNESS Weakness → HUMILITY. “Be still and know I am the God of immeasurably more, working in perfect timing.” “Be still and know I am with you and empowering you.” “Be still and know I am providing according to My riches in glory.” “Be still and know My power shines through your weakness.” Pastor Christian Wylder

Your Sin Is Never Too Great for God; If You Return to God, He Will Return to You MESSAGE SUMMARY: We all sin, and sometimes you may perceive your sin to be so horrendous that you think your life is lost to God's willingness to forgive you; therefore, you believe that you are lost to God's Salvation. If you repent to God of your sins and return to God in your life, He will return to you. Whenever we fall into sin, do we repent and return to the Lord? Hopefully, our answer is: "I will, with God's help.". Our God wants us to return to Him because He loves us -- He is a covenant God. In Malachi 3:7, God admonishes His people who have turned away from Him; but God promises His return to His people if they return to Him: “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?'". However, Malachi asks the question: “How shall we return?”. Joel 2:12-13 provides the Lord's answer to Malachi's question: “'Yet even now,'” declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord our God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster.'”. The Lord wants to meet you where you are and to bring His Grace to you. In Matthew 26:27-28, Jesus confirms His Covent relationship with you: "And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'”. If you return to God in your life, He will return to you. TODAY'S PRAYER: Most merciful God I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent. For the sake of your son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me; that I might delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.  TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Hatred. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Love. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Malachi 2:4-6; Malachi 3:1-5; Matthew 26:27-29; Psalms 15:1-5. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “A Christmas Message”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

A Christmas Message MESSAGE SUMMARY: The real meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ – the Messiah, who is the Savior of the World. Christians emphasize Christmas and Jesus' birth because His birth: 1) fulfills many Biblical prophesies, especially n terms of the time and location of Jesus' birth; 2) points the fact that Jesus was more than just a man; 3) and life saw Jesus claim the right to forgive sins; 4) led Jesus to call God His “Father”, which indicated that Jesus was God; 5) resulted in Jesus' Resurrection, which validated Jesus' claims and made Him different; and 6) was God, through Jesus' birth, still trying to get our attention. God, through His Grace and through the birth of Jesus, did for us what we could not do for ourselves – save ourselves from our sins and our death that would result from our sins. God, through the birth of Jesus -- the God-Man, entered into our earthly mess to save us because, after God's Grace and Jesus' birth, all our sin now resides on Jesus. God's Grace through the birth of Jesus, demonstrates God's love for us. God wants us to know that Jesus was born for us out of His love for us. Therefore, we need to consider that God, the Creator of the Universe, entered the world, through the baby Jesus for us so that we might have a personal relationship with Him. Have you yielded to God so that your mind's consideration of God's Grace, love, and Jesus' birth can move from your mind into a commitment of both your mind and your heart to your faith in Jesus as your Savior and into God's service? Until we yield to God's lordship over our lives, we are saying to God that “we don't need your love”. Is Jesus your Lord and, therefore, your Savior? God has given you the greatest Christmas gift that you will ever receive. Have you accepted His Gift and opened His gift into your life? If not, then why not? With your hands open, you can accept God's Christmas gift by saying: “I am sorry; thank you; and please”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 2:9-11; Matthew 1:21; Isaiah 53:4-6; Colossians 1:15-19; Hebrews 1-3; John 1:4; John10:30; John 14:8-11; John 3:16-17. (Click the blue below to read the full Bible text for these scripture references in BOLD.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Our Relationship with God Is Based Solely on Our Relationship with God, and He Desires to Have a Relationship with Each of Us”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

A Christmas Message MESSAGE SUMMARY: The real meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ – the Messiah, who is the Savior of the World. Christians emphasize Christmas and Jesus' birth because His birth: 1) fulfills many Biblical prophesies, especially n terms of the time and location of Jesus' birth; 2) points the fact that Jesus was more than just a man; 3) and life saw Jesus claim the right to forgive sins; 4) led Jesus to call God His “Father”, which indicated that Jesus was God; 5) resulted in Jesus' Resurrection, which validated Jesus' claims and made Him different; and 6) was God, through Jesus' birth, still trying to get our attention. God, through His Grace and through the birth of Jesus, did for us what we could not do for ourselves – save ourselves from our sins and our death that would result from our sins. God, through the birth of Jesus -- the God-Man, entered into our earthly mess to save us because, after God's Grace and Jesus' birth, all our sin now resides on Jesus. God's Grace through the birth of Jesus, demonstrates God's love for us. God wants us to know that Jesus was born for us out of His love for us. Therefore, we need to consider that God, the Creator of the Universe, entered the world, through the baby Jesus for us so that we might have a personal relationship with Him. Have you yielded to God so that your mind's consideration of God's Grace, love, and Jesus' birth can move from your mind into a commitment of both your mind and your heart to your faith in Jesus as your Savior and into God's service? Until we yield to God's lordship over our lives, we are saying to God that “we don't need your love”. Is Jesus your Lord and, therefore, your Savior? God has given you the greatest Christmas gift that you will ever receive. Have you accepted His Gift and opened His gift into your life? If not, then why not? With your hands open, you can accept God's Christmas gift by saying: “I am sorry; thank you; and please”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 2:9-11; Matthew 1:21; Isaiah 53:4-6; Colossians 1:15-19; Hebrews 1-3; John 1:4; John10:30; John 14:8-11; John 3:16-17. (Click the blue below to read the full Bible text for these scripture references in BOLD.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Our Relationship with God Is Based Solely on Our Relationship with God, and He Desires to Have a Relationship with Each of Us”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

A Christmas Message – What God Has Done For Us MESSAGE SUMMARY: The people in and around Jesus' birth were just ordinary people like us. In our celebration of Jesus' birth on this Christmas, we celebrate the event that transformed world history and many of our lives. The birth of Jesus was a supernatural birth and was God's intervention into the Universe's natural order. This birth was foretold hundreds of years before Jesus' birth, and these prophesies were written and recorded, for us, in the Bible. Jesus' birth was the birth, of a child, that did for the human race what the human race could not do for itself. Jesus was born for all people. This baby, Jesus, was born to be a Savior for all humankind. The birth of Jesus was the birth of God as both human and divine – the Incarnation, as the Angels told the Shepherds on the first Christmas Eve in Luke 2:9-11: “And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'". In Isaiah 53:4-6, Jesus, birth, death, and Resurrection, as our means for our Salvation, were foretold more than five-hundred years before Jesus birth: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.". God, through His Grace, gave of Himself what we could not do for ourselves, thereby, providing, through the birth of Jesus, us with the means for our Salvation from our sins and for our Eternal Life. This Gift of and by God is what Christmas and Christianity are all about. Is Jesus your Savior? God has given you the greatest Christmas gift that you will ever receive. Have you accepted His Gift and opened His gift into your life? If not, then why not? With your hands open, you can accept God's Christmas gift by saying: “I am sorry; thank you; and please”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 2:9-11; Matthew 1:21; Isaiah 53:4-6; Colossians 1:15-19; Hebrews 1-3; John 1:4; John10:30; John 14:8-11; John 3:16-17. (Click the blue below to read the full Bible text for these scripture references in BOLD.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “J As a Jesus Follower, the Greatest Witness for the Gospel that You Can Give Is for Others to See Jesus IN You”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

A Christmas Message – What God Has Done For Us MESSAGE SUMMARY: The people in and around Jesus' birth were just ordinary people like us. In our celebration of Jesus' birth on this Christmas, we celebrate the event that transformed world history and many of our lives. The birth of Jesus was a supernatural birth and was God's intervention into the Universe's natural order. This birth was foretold hundreds of years before Jesus' birth, and these prophesies were written and recorded, for us, in the Bible. Jesus' birth was the birth, of a child, that did for the human race what the human race could not do for itself. Jesus was born for all people. This baby, Jesus, was born to be a Savior for all humankind. The birth of Jesus was the birth of God as both human and divine – the Incarnation, as the Angels told the Shepherds on the first Christmas Eve in Luke 2:9-11: “And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'". In Isaiah 53:4-6, Jesus, birth, death, and Resurrection, as our means for our Salvation, were foretold more than five-hundred years before Jesus birth: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.". God, through His Grace, gave of Himself what we could not do for ourselves, thereby, providing, through the birth of Jesus, us with the means for our Salvation from our sins and for our Eternal Life. This Gift of and by God is what Christmas and Christianity are all about. Is Jesus your Savior? God has given you the greatest Christmas gift that you will ever receive. Have you accepted His Gift and opened His gift into your life? If not, then why not? With your hands open, you can accept God's Christmas gift by saying: “I am sorry; thank you; and please”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 2:9-11; Matthew 1:21; Isaiah 53:4-6; Colossians 1:15-19; Hebrews 1-3; John 1:4; John10:30; John 14:8-11; John 3:16-17. (Click the blue below to read the full Bible text for these scripture references in BOLD.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “J As a Jesus Follower, the Greatest Witness for the Gospel that You Can Give Is for Others to See Jesus IN You”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

What would you do without Grace? Where would we be without Grace? In this episode Elder Angela shares a devotion from Rick Warren's It's All Because of Grace. It is only by His GRACE that we are able to do what we do. And what we do is as 'Unto The Lord.' All the gifts the talents He bestows comes from Him and so who am I who are you to play it safe, play small, or bury what his given us to transform, create, or multiply. When you welcome grace, you are not just inviting love and kindness into your life, but you're also connecting to the God source who supplies and sees that whatever He has begun, is in the capacity to complete it. So, by tuning into this podcast and network through grace, you open yourself up to a wealth of experiences and feelings. A deeper sense of knowing of fulfilling and trusting God that wherever He leads or whatever He says, it's as if life's symphony plays a sweeter tune and that you are in sync too. From all of us here at Into The Garden, to you and yours. Happy Holidays. We hope you enjoy this episode.  God bless you and Rise Up! Into The Garden PodcastSalomé Jacobs & Team

 ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਉਪਾਇਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਕਰਿ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਚੰਦੁ ਚਾਨਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪਿ ਨਿਤਾਣਿਆ ਤਾਣੁ ਹੈ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪਿ ਨਿਮਾਣਿਆ ਮਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪਿ ਦਇਆ ਕਰਿ ਰਖਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਸੁਘੜੁ ਸੁਜਾਣੁ ॥੧॥ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਜਪਿ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਿਲਿ ਧਿਆਇ ਤੂ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਣੁ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਗੁਣ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਬਖਸ ਕਰਾਇਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਸਚੁ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਫੁਰਮਾਣੁ ॥੨॥ ਆਪੇ ਭਗਤਿ ਭੰਡਾਰ ਹੈ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਦੇਵੈ ਦਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਸੇਵ ਕਰਾਇਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪਿ ਦਿਵਾਵੈ ਮਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਤਾੜੀ ਲਾਇਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਗੁਣੀ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ॥੩॥ ਆਪੇ ਵਡਾ ਆਪਿ ਹੈ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਪਰਧਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਪਾਇਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਤੁਲੁ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਅਤੁਲੁ ਤੁਲਾਇਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਦ ਕੁਰਬਾਣੁ ॥੪॥੫॥ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ! ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਿਆ ਕਰ। (ਨਾਮ ਹੀ ਜੀਵਨ-ਸਫ਼ਰ ਵਾਸਤੇ) ਰਾਹਦਾਰੀ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਸਾਧ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਤੂੰ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰਿਆ ਕਰ, (ਧਿਆਨ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤਿ ਨਾਲ) ਮੁੜ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਦਾ ਗੇੜ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹੇਗਾ।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਉਹ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਸ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਪੈਦਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤੇ (ਸ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਨੂੰ) ਸੂਰਜ ਚੰਦ ਚਾਨਣ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਬਣਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਨਿਆਸਰਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ ਆਦਰ-ਮਾਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਦੇਂਦਾ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਦਰ-ਮਾਣ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਸੋਹਣੀ ਆਤਮਕ ਘਾੜਤ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ, ਸਭ ਦੇ ਦਿਲ ਦੀ ਜਾਣਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਆਪ ਸਭ ਦੀ ਰਖਿਆ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।੧।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਉਹ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ) ਗੁਣਾਂ ਦੀ ਦਾਤਿ ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਆਪ ਹੀ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਹਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਵਿਚ ਕਬੂਲ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਸਭ ਉਤੇ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਸ਼ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਜੀਵਾਂ ਵਾਸਤੇ) ਸਦਾ ਕਾਇਮ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਚਾਨਣ-ਮੁਨਾਰਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ) ਹੁਕਮ ਵਿਚ ਤੋਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਆਪ ਹੀ ਹਰ ਥਾਂ ਹੁਕਮ ਚਲਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੨।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਉਹ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ (ਆਪਣੀ) ਭਗਤੀ ਦੇ ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨਿਆਂ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ, ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਭਗਤੀ ਦੀ) ਦਾਤਿ ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਜੀਵਾਂ ਪਾਸੋਂ) ਸੇਵਾ-ਭਗਤੀ ਕਰਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤੇ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਸੇਵਾ-ਭਗਤੀ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਗਤ ਪਾਸੋਂ) ਇੱਜ਼ਤ ਦਿਵਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਦਾ ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨਾ ਹੈ, ਤੇ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਵਿਚ) ਸਮਾਧੀ ਲਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੩।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਉਹ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡਾ ਹੈ ਤੇ ਮੰਨਿਆ-ਪ੍ਰਮੰਨਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਆਪਣਾ) ਤੇਲ ਤੇ ਪੈਮਾਨਾ ਵਰਤ ਕੇ (ਆਪਣੇ ਪੈਦਾ ਕੀਤੇ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਜੀਵਨ ਦਾ) ਮੁੱਲ ਪਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਅਤੁੱਲ ਹੈ (ਉਸ ਦੀ ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗੀ ਦਾ ਮਾਪ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ) ਉਹ (ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਜੀਵਨ ਸਦਾ) ਤੋਲਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਦਾਸ ਨਾਨਕ! ਆਖ-) ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਸਦਕੇ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ।੪।੫।SORAT'H, FOURTH MEHL:The Beloved Himself created the Universe; He made the light of the sun and the moon. The Beloved Himself is the power of the powerless; He Himself is the honor of the dishonored. The Beloved Himself grants His Grace and protects us; He Himself is wise and all-knowing. || 1 || O my mind, chant the Name of the Lord, and receive His Insignia. Join the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, and meditate on the Lord, Har, Har; you shall not have to come and go in reincarnation again. || Pause || The Beloved Himself pervades His Glorious Praises, and He Himself approves them. The Beloved Himself grants His forgiveness, and He Himself bestows the Insignia of Truth. The Beloved Himself obeys His Will, and He Himself issues His Command. || 2 || The Beloved Himself is the treasure of devotion; He Himself gives His gifts. The Beloved Himself commits some to His service, and He Himself blesses them with honor. The Beloved Himself is absorbed in Samaadhi; He Himself is the treasure of excellence. || 3 || The Beloved Himself is the greatest; He Himself is supreme. The Beloved Himself appraises the value; He Himself is the scale, and the weights. The Beloved Himself is unweighable — He weighs Himself; servant Nanak is forever a sacrifice to Him. || 4 || 5 ||

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --The prophetic fulfillment in the conception and birth of Jesus testify to the miracle of God's power!But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2 NLTAt that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:1-7 NLTGod's has the power to do both the improbable and impossible according to His will and purpose. To presume we know how God should act is to mistrust His sovereign wisdom and love. Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 NLTI pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else, not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. Ephesians 1:19-22 NLTTo believe God can't or doesn't do miracles today is to completely miss on the impact of His power and compassion! I dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. Lamentations 3:21- 25 NLTOur hope is forever in the compassion and power of our ever-present, all-knowing, miracle working Messiah!-POEM-Our merciful messiah came in a mangerWith hidden strength soon to be shown. Immanuel here to save and to heal,His power and presence, He came to make known. The God who created the stars and the heavensCreated my inner most being too. A universe so large it's hard to conceiveWith tiny electrons for creations glue.God's power is boundless, beyond descriptionHis love is vast, and yet intimately near. Awe and honor are owed to our SaviorStill He calls us to come, no reason to fear.This world is caught in a cosmic conflictThe fight is for every heart and soulThe prince of darkness, the architect of brokenKill, steal, and destroy his only goal. Our fallen world in the pangs of deathIncludes various hellish hurts and painMany are we in need of a miracle Exactly the reason Immanuel came. The babe born at Christmas is here to heal Discontentment, addiction, broken bodies and heartsHis sovereign discernment guides His compassionHis Grace and mercy never miss the mark. -------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --The prophetic fulfillment in the conception and birth of Jesus testify to the miracle of God's power!But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2 NLTAt that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:1-7 NLTGod's has the power to do both the improbable and impossible according to His will and purpose. To presume we know how God should act is to mistrust His sovereign wisdom and love. Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 NLTI pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else, not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. Ephesians 1:19-22 NLTTo believe God can't or doesn't do miracles today is to completely miss on the impact of His power and compassion! I dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. Lamentations 3:21- 25 NLTOur hope is forever in the compassion and power of our ever-present, all-knowing, miracle working Messiah!-POEM-Our merciful messiah came in a mangerWith hidden strength soon to be shown. Immanuel here to save and to heal,His power and presence, He came to make known. The God who created the stars and the heavensCreated my inner most being too. A universe so large it's hard to conceiveWith tiny electrons for creations glue.God's power is boundless, beyond descriptionHis love is vast, and yet intimately near. Awe and honor are owed to our SaviorStill He calls us to come, no reason to fear.This world is caught in a cosmic conflictThe fight is for every heart and soulThe prince of darkness, the architect of brokenKill, steal, and destroy his only goal. Our fallen world in the pangs of deathIncludes various hellish hurts and painMany are we in need of a miracle Exactly the reason Immanuel came. The babe born at Christmas is here to heal Discontentment, addiction, broken bodies and heartsHis sovereign discernment guides His compassionHis Grace and mercy never miss the mark. -------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

Why We Do Christmas MESSAGE SUMMARY: Introduction: We are still in the season of Advent, which means “coming” or “arrival”. The Church begins this season of “arrival” or Advent as the time we recognize and celebrate the “arrival” of Jesus – both Jesus' “first coming” and His “second coming”. We celebrate Jesus' “first coming” on Christmas Eve. The season of Advent is, also, a season of hope; and Advent is the beginning of our Church's “New Year”. Message:  What does Christmas mean to you? “Could we be missing the point of what Christmas is all about”? Irrespective of all the personal, social and cultural noise we encounter around the Christmas season, we must not lose sight of the fact that Christmas is all and only about Jesus. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the most important person that ever lived – the God and man Jesus. Is this birth and life of the Incarnate and unique Son of God, as both the Creator of the Universe and the Savior of humankind, true? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” because Jesus birth and life are based upon historical evidence. Also, the birth of Jesus is God coming among us in a desire to have a personal relationship with us and with all people. If God is so desirous of a personal relationship with us, why did God go to so much trouble to bring Jesus to us? Because, every time we sin, we are building a barrier between us and God – God is Holy, and He cannot relate to sin. Therefore, God's Grace provided Jesus as both the means of our Salvation and as an intermediary (i.e. Jesus is both God and a human without sin) from which we can have God's desired personal relationship with us. However, when Jesus died on the cross, He took on all sin and became the required and once offered sacrificial payment for all sin. Jesus birth, life, death and Resurrection became the doorway for our personal relationship with God. As Jesus tells us in Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man {Jesus}came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”. “God loves us because of who God is.” Why do so few of us accept God's offered gift of Salvation through His Grace? When those not yet believing look at the lives of those of us that believe, they, often, they see us living by the fruit of the flesh rather than by the fruit of the Spirit – our hypocrisy. Also, God's offer is rejected because He may require us to give up some sin that we enjoy. Additionally, some believe that the cost of becoming a Christian is too great; however, the cost of not becoming a Christian is far greater than the cost of becoming a Christian and accepting God's offer. Many refuse God's gift because they believe that they are not worthy or good enough for God and His gift. They are correct; none of us are worthy of God's gift, but that is the point – Jesus' birth, life, death and Resurrection provide us with the means a path to be worthy of God's gift. Is Jesus your Savior? God has given you the greatest Christmas gift that you will ever receive. Have you accepted His Gift and opened His gift into your life? If not, then why not? With your hands open, you can accept God's Christmas gift by saying: “I am sorry; thank you; and please”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus' name, amen.  Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Mark 10:45; John 15:13; John 3:16-17; Galatians 5:18-25. (Click the blue below to read the full Bible text for these scripture references in BOLD.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Is Your Faith Yours, or Is Your Faith a Faith Derivative of the Faith of Others?”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Why We Do Christmas MESSAGE SUMMARY: Introduction: We are still in the season of Advent, which means “coming” or “arrival”. The Church begins this season of “arrival” or Advent as the time we recognize and celebrate the “arrival” of Jesus – both Jesus' “first coming” and His “second coming”. We celebrate Jesus' “first coming” on Christmas Eve. The season of Advent is, also, a season of hope; and Advent is the beginning of our Church's “New Year”. Message:  What does Christmas mean to you? “Could we be missing the point of what Christmas is all about”? Irrespective of all the personal, social and cultural noise we encounter around the Christmas season, we must not lose sight of the fact that Christmas is all and only about Jesus. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the most important person that ever lived – the God and man Jesus. Is this birth and life of the Incarnate and unique Son of God, as both the Creator of the Universe and the Savior of humankind, true? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” because Jesus birth and life are based upon historical evidence. Also, the birth of Jesus is God coming among us in a desire to have a personal relationship with us and with all people. If God is so desirous of a personal relationship with us, why did God go to so much trouble to bring Jesus to us? Because, every time we sin, we are building a barrier between us and God – God is Holy, and He cannot relate to sin. Therefore, God's Grace provided Jesus as both the means of our Salvation and as an intermediary (i.e. Jesus is both God and a human without sin) from which we can have God's desired personal relationship with us. However, when Jesus died on the cross, He took on all sin and became the required and once offered sacrificial payment for all sin. Jesus birth, life, death and Resurrection became the doorway for our personal relationship with God. As Jesus tells us in Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man {Jesus}came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”. “God loves us because of who God is.” Why do so few of us accept God's offered gift of Salvation through His Grace? When those not yet believing look at the lives of those of us that believe, they, often, they see us living by the fruit of the flesh rather than by the fruit of the Spirit – our hypocrisy. Also, God's offer is rejected because He may require us to give up some sin that we enjoy. Additionally, some believe that the cost of becoming a Christian is too great; however, the cost of not becoming a Christian is far greater than the cost of becoming a Christian and accepting God's offer. Many refuse God's gift because they believe that they are not worthy or good enough for God and His gift. They are correct; none of us are worthy of God's gift, but that is the point – Jesus' birth, life, death and Resurrection provide us with the means a path to be worthy of God's gift. Is Jesus your Savior? God has given you the greatest Christmas gift that you will ever receive. Have you accepted His Gift and opened His gift into your life? If not, then why not? With your hands open, you can accept God's Christmas gift by saying: “I am sorry; thank you; and please”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus' name, amen.  Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Mark 10:45; John 15:13; John 3:16-17; Galatians 5:18-25. (Click the blue below to read the full Bible text for these scripture references in BOLD.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Is Your Faith Yours, or Is Your Faith a Faith Derivative of the Faith of Others?”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Do you claim Christ as Savior by His Grace but continue in the sin and selfish desires of your old life? Or are you walking in Christ by true grace in His Spirit and Word, living out the New Life He died to freely give you? Share. Make it a great day in the Love & Lordship of Christ (Mark 12:29-31)!

The Mother of God told Ramprasad, "Never allow the world's opinion to dim the light of non-duality, nor draw you away even subtly from Mother's wonderful intimacy." That's what you're feeling right now.And as you go out into the seeming duality,as long as you're feeling this intimacy,as long as you're feeling Her holding you up,as long as you're hearing Her Silence, feeling Her Prayer,doors will open where you didn't expect them to be,opportunities will come that you couldn't have imagined.You'll see that you've figured it out like you always do,like you always will.And you'll keep this receipt,and you'll never worry again.I Love YouI Am Younik nik Support the show:▶▶https://www.patreon.com/goodmornings__________________________________________"You're gonna figure it out like you always do." - @acupof.selflove via IG "Do not worry about anything, my child.Worry will only make you sick.If you exist within the Light of the Faith that only God exists then there will be no worry for you.There will only be God.Do not worry my child.The path of the world is difficult the path of God is very easy.If you take one step towards God, then He will take a thousand steps towards you.It is my prayer that you come to know that only God existsThat is my prayer.May you come to know Him, my childMay you receive His Grace. May God protect all of us. Amin!" - M.R.BAWA MUHAIYADDEEN"It was God who called you. It was God who gave you purpose. It was God who planted and watered that desire in your heart. It was God who opened that door for you. It was God who gave you those talents. It was God who made you good at that skill. It was God who provided you with connections, It was God who gave you that hope and strength. It was God all along.It was Him all along. From beginning till the end, it will always be God." -@JoenaSandiego via IG

God Became Human to Enable Jesus Followers to Have a Personal Relationship with Him through His Grace and Gift of the Holy Spirit MESSAGE SUMMARY: As Jesus tells us in John 15:12-14, that you, as His follower, are His “friend: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends.". God became flesh, and He dwelt among us. God became human to draw you into a personal relationship with Him. In John 1:14, the Apostle John identifies Jesus as the “Son of the Father”: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.". God alone can satisfy the meaning and purpose of your life. God alone can satisfy your hunger to know your life's meaning. Most importantly, God alone can give you forgiveness of your sins as Paul tells us in Colossians 2:13-14: “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.". Jesus' life, miracles, death, and His resurrection are invitations to a life-long personal relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe. Our personal relationship with God is through His gift, to followers of Jesus, of the Holy Spirit.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Surely it is God who saves me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and my defense, and He is my savior. Therefore, you shall draw water with rejoicing from the springs of salvation. And on that day, you shall say, “Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His Name; make His deeds known among the peoples; see that they remember that His Name is exalted.”. Amen. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be ashamed of the Gospel. I will not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (including me). From Romans 1:16 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 1:10-13; Colossians 2:10-15; Psalms137:1-9. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “My Grace is Sufficient” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

A new MP3 sermon from Covenant Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Heavenly Blessings; Part 2 Chosen for the Purpose of Praise of His Grace! Ephesians 1 Subtitle: Ephesians Speaker: Pastor Charles Swann Broadcaster: Covenant Baptist Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 11/2/2025 Length: 67 min.

Eric and Emily reconvene the podcast after a break and share some life updates: for Eric, joining the Society of St. Joseph and beginning life as a seminarian; for Emily, campus ministry, liturgical music and teaching at Ohio Dominican University. They welcome Deacon Royce Winters of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (and personal friend of Father Rivers) to discuss some great news: the approval of a historical marker all about Father Rivers, to be installed at St. Joseph Parish in Cincinnati. Eric, Emily and Deacon Royce discuss the process for the marker (especially determining its text) and ultimately the enduring historical significance of their friend, His Grace, Fr. Clarence Rivers. Listeners are encouraged to donate to help offset the significant cost of the historical marker (see below). For Episode 41 Show Notes, click here.

1. Knowing Our Spiritual Blessings2. Knowing the Riches of His Grace3. Knowing the Mystery of His WillToday's sermon explored the incredible spiritual wealth that belongs to every believer in Christ. We discovered that before the foundation of the world, God chose us and predestined us for adoption as His sons and daughters. Through the riches of His grace, we have been given everything pertaining to life and godliness—not based on our merit, but according to His kind intention and will. This has profound implications for our spiritual life: we are not spiritual paupers scraping by, but heirs of God, joint-heirs with Christ, possessing every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Understanding this transforms how we view ourselves, how we face challenges, and how we extend grace to others.Takeaways:- We possess every spiritual blessing in Christ—our past is forgiven, Christ lives in us presently, and our future is secure in Heaven. God equipped each of us equally with everything we need to fulfill His purposes for our lives.- Salvation is both a divine mystery and a divine gift—God chose us before the foundation of the world, and we respond by receiving Christ. This wasn't earned through our effort but lavished upon us according to the riches of His grace.- We are called to live thankfully, not trying to earn what has already been freely given, but responding in gratitude by living holy and blameless lives that reflect His grace to a world desperately in need of it.As we go forward this week, let us remember that we are not slaves to sin but sons and daughters of the Most High God. May we embrace the fullness of what He has given us and live lives worthy of the calling we have received—not to earn His favor, but because we already have it.

1. Knowing Our Spiritual Blessings2. Knowing the Riches of His Grace3. Knowing the Mystery of His WillToday's sermon explored the incredible spiritual wealth that belongs to every believer in Christ. We discovered that before the foundation of the world, God chose us and predestined us for adoption as His sons and daughters. Through the riches of His grace, we have been given everything pertaining to life and godliness—not based on our merit, but according to His kind intention and will. This has profound implications for our spiritual life: we are not spiritual paupers scraping by, but heirs of God, joint-heirs with Christ, possessing every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Understanding this transforms how we view ourselves, how we face challenges, and how we extend grace to others.Takeaways:- We possess every spiritual blessing in Christ—our past is forgiven, Christ lives in us presently, and our future is secure in Heaven. God equipped each of us equally with everything we need to fulfill His purposes for our lives.- Salvation is both a divine mystery and a divine gift—God chose us before the foundation of the world, and we respond by receiving Christ. This wasn't earned through our effort but lavished upon us according to the riches of His grace.- We are called to live thankfully, not trying to earn what has already been freely given, but responding in gratitude by living holy and blameless lives that reflect His grace to a world desperately in need of it.As we go forward this week, let us remember that we are not slaves to sin but sons and daughters of the Most High God. May we embrace the fullness of what He has given us and live lives worthy of the calling we have received—not to earn His favor, but because we already have it.

A new MP3 sermon from Covenant Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Heavenly Blessings; Chosen for the Purpose of Praise of His Grace! Ephesians 1:3–6 Subtitle: Ephesians Speaker: Pastor Charles Swann Broadcaster: Covenant Baptist Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 10/19/2025 Length: 64 min.

Christ is a Better Judge Who Gives the Better Verdict . . . I. People Pleasing: Living for Others Approval! (1-3) II. Self-Pleasing: Living up to My Standards! (3c-4a) III. Jesus Pleasing: Living for His Glory by His Grace! (4b-5) Practical Implications o Which judge are you most prone to try to please? o What are some ways this misshapes your life? o What would it look like specifically to live in and for the better verdict of Jesus this week?

God Became Human to Enable Jesus Followers to Have a Personal Relationship with Him through His Grace and Gift of the Holy Spirit MESSAGE SUMMARY: As Jesus tells us in John 15:12-14, that you, as His follower, are His “friend: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends.". God became flesh, and He dwelt among us. God became human to draw you into a personal relationship with Him. In John 1:14, the Apostle John identifies Jesus as the “Son of the Father”: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.". God alone can satisfy the meaning and purpose of your life. God alone can satisfy your hunger to know your life's meaning. Most importantly, God alone can give you forgiveness of your sins as Paul tells us in Colossians 2:13-14: “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.". Jesus' life, miracles, death, and His resurrection are invitations to a life-long personal relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe. Our personal relationship with God is through His gift, to followers of Jesus, of the Holy Spirit.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Surely it is God who saves me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and my defense, and He is my savior. Therefore, you shall draw water with rejoicing from the springs of salvation. And on that day, you shall say, “Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His Name; make His deeds known among the peoples; see that they remember that His Name is exalted.”. Amen. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be ashamed of the Gospel. I will not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (including me). From Romans 1:16 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 1:10-13; Colossians 2:10-15; Psalms137:1-9. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Jesus in Prayer” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Walk by faith in God's place, at His pace, and by His Grace.

IF IT HAD NOT BEEN THE LORD Psalm 124:2-3, 6-7 “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us… Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.” There are certain phrases in Scripture that immediately draw us into reflection. “If it had not been the Lord…” is one of those phrases. It calls us to pause, look back over our lives, and consider the many moments when danger, despair, or destruction could have swallowed us whole, yet it didn't. Why? Because the Lord was on our side. The phrase actually means “by our side”. The truth is that we are on God's side when we accept His Grace through Jesus. Intro Music By: Mike Outland Song “Where Would I Be” written and composed by: Eddie B. Woodard Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

We're told to follow the 10 Commandments, but when we try we find we cannot keep them. The Commandments are there to show how much we need God. Jesus fulfilled the Law in His death, burial and resurrection. Therefore, we live in gratitude to God for His Grace in allowing us to live righteously through the power of His Holy Spirit.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/livingalegacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let this blow your mind: There are no secrets. In a world of endless cameras and cell phones, most things you THINK aren't seen usually are. But even if NO ONE sees and NO ONE knows, God knows. God sees our unspoken fears and our hidden sins. This message will look at how God calls us out of our “hiddenness” and into His Grace and Mercy. Whatever we're facing, whatever we're going through, God knows.

The Power of God in Your Life MESSAGE SUMMARY: As a follower of Jesus, God's power can be displayed in your life. In John 11, Jesus is in a distant town when He learns that Lazarus is very ill, but Jesus says that Lazarus will not die. However, subsequently, Jesus tells His Disciples that, indeed, that Lazarus has “died”. Jesus intended to use Lazarus' “death” and “resurrection” to build His Disciples' faith and to illustrate God's glory and power by awakening Lazarus from his “death”. When Jesus arrives at Lazarus's home town, He tells Lazarus' sister that Lazarus will arise from his “death”. At this point, Jesus tells Martha, in John11:23-27, one of the most profound statements of His earthly ministry that is the cornerstone of our Salvation Gospel: “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.'”. With both the faith of Lazarus' sisters Mary and Martha, Jesus raises Lazarus from his death in Lazarus' tomb. Upon seeing Lazarus raised from the dead by Jesus, some believed in Jesus as the Christ, but some went to the Jewish religious leaders who feared Jesus' growing power with the people; and these leaders plotted Jesus' death. In Jesus' parable of the “Rich Man and Lazarus” in Luke 16:19-31, Jesus illustrates that no matter how powerful the miracle, like raising someone from the dead, many people's hearts are so hardened to God, His Grace, and the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus that they will not believe in Jesus and His Gospel of our Salvation. The implications, for us, from John 11 and Luke 16: 1) Jesus can handle our death through His assurance of Eternal Life if we believe and follow Him, and 2) God wants to exhibit His power through our lives while we are still alive—we are not called to be wimpy Christians; we are called to be men and women of the mighty God. However, too often we are blinded by our religious experiences or what we think we have seen in church. Therefore, we think God's power is of another time, or because we believe that our sin is so great that God's power will not be in us. God wants to indwell us through the Holy Spirit – consider that the Creator of the Universe, God, wants to give you power in your life! Jesus tells us, in John 14:11-14: “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, and I will do it.”. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, God was giving an outward demonstration of the power that He wants to indwell in us. God has blessed us with the privilege and power of a personal relationship with Him and with the privilege, power, and God's expectation that we will be His blessing to other people.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John11:1-53; Luke 16:19-31; 1 Corinthians 15:26-28; Ephesians 1:18-20; Ephesians 3:7-10; Ephesians 3:16-19; Ephesians 3:6:10-11; John 14:11-14. (Click the Bible References, in blue, below to read the full Bible text for these Scripture References.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “When Jesus Asked You: “Whom do you say that I am?”, Did You Answer Jesus: “You are my God and the Lord of my Life!”?”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Matthew 8:2-4 MSGThen a leper appeared and went to his knees before Jesus, praying, “Master, if you want to, you can heal my body.” Jesus reached out and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be clean.” Then and there, all signs of the leprosy were gone. Jesus said, “Don't talk about this all over town. Just quietly present your healed body to the priest, along with the appropriate expressions of thanks to God. Your cleansed and grateful life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done.”The famous saying by St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel everywhere and if necessary, use words”. Francis's wisdom reflects Jesus's teaching in that a radically healed and changed life will always speak louder and be respected more than any sermon from a life that just looks like everyone else's.When God forgives any sinner and sets that person free, the reality of a changed life will result in a constant reflection of gratitude to Him that flows out of a transformed heart.How has your heart been changed or transformed through Jesus? What is noticeable about your life that points towards God and His Grace ?Listen once again to Jesus's final instructions to the healed leper: Just quietly present your healed body … along with the appropriate expressions of thanks to God. Your cleansed and grateful life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done.” (Matthew 8:2-4 MSG) St. Francis was certainly right in his day, and most especially today in our current culture. People are longing to witness a forgiven, grateful, and transformed life. That message never gets old and always makes a difference. Today, choose to let your cleansed and grateful life bear witness to what Jesus has done in your attitudes, words, and actions.Let's pray to that end: “Father, may all I am be a reflection of all You are. May my life speak loud about You and all You have done for me. Today, I am forgiven. Today, I am grateful. As above, so below.”

In episode 366 of the Words of the Prophets podcast, Todd, Rivka and Burke discuss the talk “His Grace is Sufficient” by Brad Wilcox from a July 2011 BYU Devotional.  Come have a listen!#wordsoftheprophets #generalconference #conference #ldsconference #LDS #ldspodcast #podcast #sharegoodnesshttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/words-of-the-prophetsFind us on twitter, instagram or email us at wordsoftheprophetspodcast@gmail.comFind us at youtube.com/wordsoftheprophetspodcast

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com    Wishy Washy… what a great way to describe people who do not live on a straight line… I can't stand wishy washy people, they drive me crazy… Now I need to be careful when I talk about wishy washy people because well… Im one of them. And thats where were going today!      Why Does God use wishy washy people?   -  Demonstrate his grace   His Grace is amazing saving us as sinners… But its super amazing in forgiving us in our failures after salvation.   Stephen Glenn - Adopted kids. He adopted a 15 year old boy. He ran the car through the garage. Stephen came home the boy had packed his suitcase, sitting on the bed waiting to be dropped back off at the social workers office… Stephen said to him: did you not think I knew days like this would happen. The boy doubted him… Stephen went to his study, got a letter out of his desk and had the boy read it. It said “I know you will blow it, But I adopted you because I love you, not because you will be perfect”.    His grace proves his redemption even in our failure and our foolishness.    Jesus restored Peter. - He may discipline but he never abandons us.          -  He uses the foolish things to confound the wise. It was said years ago NASA spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to create a pen that would write in space (no gravity made it almost impossible) To show off to Russia they sent them a few… Russia returned them and said thanks but no thanks we use pencils.   Later The US sent a drill bit so small it could drill it could drill through the center of a stick pin… they sent it to the Chinese to see if they wanted to order any (and brag) China said, great job, but it tends to overheat so we added a feature to help with that… upon closer inspection they found a hole drilled straight through the center of it.    *You would never Pick Peter to change the world. You would never pick David to defeat a Giant You would never pick a stutter'er to be the greatest leader in the Bible You would never choose a mass murderer to be the greatest evangelist  You would never pick a teenager to lead the NEW Church Plants   **WHAT WOULD YOU “NEVER” BE CALLED TO BE? The best husband? The best employee? The most fulfilled and at peace? The best marriage? The best health?   The best soul winner? The best healer? The best author? The best Teacher? 

Enjoy a reading of Psalms 32 as we wrap up our week on Morning Manna. Enjoy the forgiveness from Jesus and His Grace and Mercy. Have a blessed weekend.

Jesus Followers Are Sinners Who Have a Savior Because “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners . . .”; Is Jesus Your Savior Too? MESSAGE SUMMARY: We are all sinners, but we now have a Savior – Jesus. As Paul tells us, in 1 Timothy 1:15-16, that the Gospel provides Salvation for all followers of Jesus, including the worst of sinners -- Paul: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.". Also, Paul, in 1 Timothy 2:3b-6, further points out that God wants all of us to be saved by His Grace through Jesus if we only, as sinners like Paul, reach out to bring Jesus into our lives: “God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”. It is only because of Jesus the Christ that we receive the healing that we need. “I am a sinner who now has a Savior – do you”?   TODAY'S PRAYER: Abba Father, I open my clenched fists to surrender everything you have given to me. Reestablish my identity in you — not in my family, my work, my accomplishments, or what others think of me. Cleanse the things in me that are not conformed to your will. By faith I unite my will to yours so that the likeness of Jesus Christ may be formed in me. In his name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 85). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Hatred. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Love. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 1 Timothy 1:15-17; 1 Timothy 2:3b-6; 2 Timothy 1:8-12; Psalms 89a:1-13 A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Sermons on the Amount - Part 2  "Owner - A Question: Who is Lord Over All?"”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

If you turn on the news, what do you see? You see an absence of God in this country. And the results of man-made efforts only prove that there are things in this life that man can't simply accomplish, and the biggest thing that people fool themselves into believing is that they can earn their way into salvation. But in today's message, Pastor Ken tells you that without Jesus Christ, there is no other way into eternal life. But when you give your life to Jesus and allow Him into your life, He offers you His Grace.

Your Sin Is Never Too Great for God; If You Return to God, He Will Return to You MESSAGE SUMMARY: We all sin, and sometimes you may perceive your sin to be so horrendous that you think your life is lost to God's willingness to forgive you; therefore, you believe that you are lost to God's Salvation. If you repent to God of your sins and return to God in your life, He will return to you. Whenever we fall into sin, do we repent and return to the Lord? Hopefully, our answer is: "I will, with God's help.". Our God wants us to return to Him because He loves us -- He is a covenant God. In Malachi 3:7, God admonishes His people who have turned away from Him; but God promises His return to His people if they return to Him: “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?'". However, Malachi asks the question: “How shall we return?”. Joel 2:12-13 provides the Lord's answer to Malachi's question: “'Yet even now,'” declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord our God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster.'”. The Lord wants to meet you where you are and to bring His Grace to you. In Matthew 26:27-28, Jesus confirms His Covent relationship with you: "And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'”. If you return to God in your life, He will return to you.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Most merciful God I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent. For the sake of your son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me; that I might delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.  TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Hatred. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Love. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Malachi 2:4-6; Malachi 3:1-5; Matthew 26:27-29; Psalms 15:1-5. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Sermon on the Amount – Part 1 “Where Your Treasure Is””, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

This week Pastor Justin talks about being marked by God for a purpose no matter what season you might be in now!   You can now see on our Youtube Channel by following this link: Marked   Important Points: I am marked by His Grace not My Grind! I am Marked in the Middle! I am Marked to Make a Mark!   Important Scriptures (NLT version unless stated otherwise):   Ephesians 1:13 NIV 2 Timothy 1:9 Isaiah 43:2 Matthew 5:13-16 Galatians 6:17 NIV

Orthodoxy and Orthopraxis (right belief and right practice) are intimately tied together. All of the fathers and, in particular, Saint Isaac the Syrian want us to understand that our perception of revelation, who God is to us and what we have become in his Son through the Paschal mystery, and how we live our life are inseparable. God has revealed himself to us in a unique and distinctive fashion, and has made known to us our dignity and destiny in Christ. Therefore, having a clear understanding of our human nature, the sickness of sin and the passions that follow and the healing that takes place through Grace is imperative. Isaac pushes us to understand that virtue is the natural health of the soul and the passions are an illness of the soul that follow and invade our nature and despoil its proper health. One can see how essential this is when looking at our life in this world and the struggles of the spiritual life. We can attribute sin and the hold that passions have upon us simply to human nature. However, when we do this, we lose sight of the fact that we have been created in the image and likeness of God and that sin is antecedent to that reality. We have been created for love and to manifest this love through virtue. A faulty or incomplete understanding of human anthropology and psychology, has often been the pretext that the Evil One uses to distort our vision to the point that we willingly embrace that which enslaves us.  To understand that we have been created good, conversely, establishes a firm desire within the human heart for that which is of God. It also establishes confidence and hope in the grace of God who tells us precisely that he has come not to judge the world but to save it!  One of the beautiful things that the desert fathers would have us understand is that Christ is the divine physician who has come to heal us. He is the Good Samaritan from the gospel who takes our burden upon himself in order that we might be nursed to the fullness of health.  Again, if Isaac makes us work to understand this, we must see it as a labor of love. To grasp these truths allows us to give free expression to our desire for God and to run towards Him with the freedom of those aided by His Grace. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:01:52 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 128 paragraph 6 00:10:40 Anthony: I just read that there is a "Holy Transfiguration East" in Burnsville, NC. 00:11:43 Anthony: Gotcha thanks 00:26:20 Joshua Sander: I've missed the last couple of weeks, and so you may have already explained this, but when Isaac uses the term "passions," what exactly does he mean? I've heard the term used roughly in the sense of "emotions" (i.e. anger, sadness, etc.), but does Isaac mean it more in the sense of "temptations"? I think you may have just explained this now, but in that case, could you briefly restate this? 00:30:04 Suzanne Romano: Does Isaac distinguish between original nature and fallen nature? 00:33:15 David: I found this helpful from Fr. Maximos- So, we have five stages in the evolution of a logismos,” he concluded, spreading out the five fingers of his right hand. “Assault, interaction, consent, captivity/defeat, and passion/obsession. These are more or less all the stages. While they use the same word in translation it helped me to realize the different stages in context. 00:37:23 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "I found this helpful..." with