Podcasts about his kingdom

Read OnlineWhen the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Luke 2:22–24Forty days after a firstborn male was born, the law of Moses required that the mother participate in a purification ritual and that the parents were to “redeem” the child by offering a ritual sacrifice. As faithful Jews, Mary and Joseph took these obligations seriously. When they entered the Temple, they were met by a holy man named Simeon, who was among the faithful Jews “awaiting the consolation of Israel.”From its founding, the Kingdom of Israel had endured many troubled times. The last time the Kingdom of Israel had been united was under the reign of King David and his son Solomon in the tenth century B.C. After Solomon's death, the kingdom split into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The Northern Kingdom was captured by the Assyrians in 722 B.C., and the Southern Kingdom was conquered by the Babylonians in 586 B.C., leading to the destruction of the First Temple and the exile of many Jews to Babylon for about seventy years. In the centuries that followed, Greek culture was imposed upon the region after the conquest of Alexander the Great, and the Romans finally captured Judah in 63 BC, maintaining control beyond the birth of Christ.This history of oppression and division created various responses among the Jewish people. Many prophets had foretold the coming of the Messiah, the one who would bring consolation to Israel. Some Jews expected the Messiah to be a political leader who would reunite and restore the Kingdom. Others were indifferent to the prophecies. But a faithful remnant, like Simeon, awaited the Messiah who would bring about a profound spiritual renewal.Simeon was not a Pharisee, Sadducee, or scribe, but an ordinary devout Jew filled with the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit Who revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Messiah. On the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple, Simeon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, came to the Temple and recognized the Christ Child. He took Jesus in his arms and rejoiced, saying, “Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled…”We should all strive to be like Simeon. Like the people of Israel and Judah, we are living in a world where God's Kingdom is often divided or overshadowed by immorality, wars, divisions, and a lack of faith. We might be tempted to address these challenges in various ways, but the best way is to become part of the faithful remnant who, like Simeon, trust in God's promises and eagerly anticipate His transforming action in our lives and in the world. Reflect today on the state of the world. In some places, the Kingdom of God is vibrant and alive; in others, it seems distant or absent. No matter where you find yourself, turn your gaze to the all-powerful Messiah, Who is capable of renewing His Kingdom on Earth as we await its fullness at the end of time. Devote yourself to His mission, and allow the Holy Spirit to inspire you to be an active participant in bringing about the reign of God. My Lord and Messiah, as I see the challenges and divisions in the world around me, help me to trust in Your promises. May I, like Simeon, be filled with faith and hope as I await Your Kingdom. Inspire me to be an instrument of Your grace, helping to build Your Kingdom here on Earth. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Janmad, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

It's surprisingly easy to let life's big moments slip by and forget how much has actually happened over the last twelve months! We often move so fast that we lose sight of how God has been looking out for us. This week, we looked at how pausing to remember isn't just a sentimental exercise—it's Biblical! And it helps us gain peace and perspective, regardless of what's happening around us. Think of your phone's photo library as a modern version of a memory jar. When you scroll back through your pictures from 2025, you start to see the full story of where you've been and what God has done, even in the messy parts. Before the new year officially kicks off, take a few minutes to look through your photos, send a quick text to someone you've missed, and be honest with God about what you're grateful for and where you still need some help. It's a simple way to head into next year with a much clearer head and a lot more gratitude. Your 2025 year-end giving advances our Unshakeable vision as we partner with God to build an Unshakeable future. As you put God first in your giving, He continues to use your generosity to move His Kingdom forward. Thank you for continuing this journey with us. Together, we're seeing lives changed as people take their next steps with Jesus. Give online or mail gifts postmarked by December 31st. Get more details by clicking the button below. As we approach the end of the year, we praise God for all He has done through 12Stone Church and your generosity in 2025. Your year-end giving allows us to continue our Unshakeable journey and advance the gospel around the world. You can find year-end giving tips and ways to give at 12Stone.com/give At 12Stone Church, learn how to Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose and Make a Difference. Visit our website at 12Stone.com for more information or connect with us at https://12stone.com/connect/

THE RECALIBRATION OF OUR VISION FOR 2026 AND BEYOND. PART 1Defining Writing Down the VisionAt the core of "writing down the vision" is the idea of aligning our lives with the divine revelation, the prophetic pattern and instructions given by God regarding our purpose and destiny. This goes beyond just jotting down ideas or goals - it's about inscribing God's vision for our lives upon the tablets of our hearts and minds.Our vision is more than just a career path or something that makes us feel good about ourselves. It is the very DNA of our prophetic identity, shaping our character, principles, and reason for existence. When we get even a small part of our vision wrong, it can have far-reaching impacts across every area of our lives.The reason for this is that vision is all-consuming - it's like a raging fire that transforms how we think, see, feel and act. Our faculties - the way we perceive and process information - do not inherently know the difference between an authentic vision from God and a counterfeit one. We must intentionally feed our minds with the truth of God's word to discern true vision.Building Vision on Solid FoundationsVision cannot be constructed on feelings, the praise of others, or environments that shield us from life's realities. Many have grown up in protective bubbles that bred the wrong ideals and aspirations - a "Moses-like calling" without the wilderness training to prepare them.The enemy has cleverly provided counterfeit visions cloaked in religious language, leaving many sincerely believing they are fulfilling God's purpose. But these visions often reveal little of God's true nature and character. This deception has led to dangerous delusion, where people become convinced of lies they've come to believe.People are willing to live and die for their vision, which makes getting it right all the more critical. God is very particular about the vessels He chooses - He does not employ carnal means or tendencies to accomplish His divine counsel. His focus is on preparing and approving the vessel before the assignment.Aligning Our Hearts with God's VisionThis is a season to recalibrate our calling, vision, and purpose. We must return to the place of renewing our prophetic sight, wisdom and grace for the journey ahead. This requires examining the state of our hearts - is our first love still Christ Jesus?The concept of vision goes beyond a mere sense of duty or purpose. True vision speaks of an unending intimacy with Christ, keeping our eyes firmly fixed on His glory, majesty and beauty. It is from this place of abiding that we gain the proper perspective to see ourselves, the church, and the world around us.Writing Down the Vision"Write the vision and make it plain" (Habakkuk 2:2) is not just about jotting down ideas. It is a metaphor for inscribing God's vision upon our hearts and minds through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. This vision then becomes the living epistle that others can see expressed through our very lives and conduct.The vision must first take root in the depths of our being before it can be faithfully carried out. Jesus is the ultimate model - the Word made flesh, doing the will of the Father. Similarly, our lives must become the incarnation of the vision already written concerning us. In this way, we do not merely perform a set of tasks but embody the very nature and character of Christ. Our lives become a true reflection of God's desired plan, intention and order - a living testimony that draws others into the reality of His Kingdom.

In this uplifting Abounding Love podcast, I continue a series in the Gospel of Luke. Our theme is the Kingdom of God, where our coming King lives, and where we live in the Spirit now and in the future. Through the Holy Spirit, the Kingdom of God lives within us. When we were born of the Spirit, all things become new, because we've been resurrected with Christ into His Heavenly Kingdom. You can't separate God, Jesus and us from His Kingdom. Jesus showed His authority over all the works of the Devil, commanding them to leave, and He gave His disciples authority to do what He commanded them to do. But once they were endued with power on the day of Pentecost in Acts, chapter 2, the Holy Spirit begin to work through their lives in Jesus' name. Today, all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to manifest through your life, if you will yield yourself to the working of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that we would do even greater works, sending us to the uttermost parts of the world. In the Gospel of Luke and in the Acts of the Apostles, we see the divine power of God's love flowing through Jesus and His disciples, showing us how the ministry is to be carried out. Also, we're told that Jesus, "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them,  triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:15, NKJV). As a result, we overcome the Devil in Jesus' name. Join me as we look at Luke, chapters 11, 12, 13, and 14, plus Hebrews 4:12; 2 Corinthians 4:10: 10:3-6, and more. Selah! [For more: Copy and Paste or Enter into ChatGPT.com, "Create a Study Guide for episode #074 Creative Faith In Luke #5 from Abounding Love Ministries" ].      www.aboundinglove.org

TOPIC: PROVOKING FEARFUL FAVOUR FOR A GLORIOUS FUTURE PREACHER: Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Okronipa SCRIPTURES Genesis 1:1 Judges 6:12, 17 Genesis 13:1–2 Malachi 1:9 Philemon 1:6 Proverbs 3:4 Proverbs 13:15 KEY POINTS 1. Preparation Is the Mother of Success Nothing happens by accident in the Kingdom of God. Preparation positions a person for favor. 2. Understanding Favor Favor beautifies life and gives it meaning. Favor is the spice of life — it adds value and attractiveness. The strength of men cannot bring lasting victory; favor does. When a man is favored, his life becomes constructed, not scattered.

TOPIC: PROVOKING FEARFUL FAVOUR FOR A GLORIOUS FUTURE PREACHER: Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Okronipa SCRIPTURES Genesis 1:1 Judges 6:12, 17 Genesis 13:1–2 Malachi 1:9 Philemon 1:6 Proverbs 3:4 Proverbs 13:15 KEY POINTS 1. Preparation Is the Mother of Success Nothing happens by accident in the Kingdom of God. Preparation positions a person for favor. 2. Understanding Favor Favor beautifies life and gives it meaning. Favor is the spice of life — it adds value and attractiveness. The strength of men cannot bring lasting victory; favor does. When a man is favored, his life becomes constructed, not scattered.

In the Christmas narrative, angels came to deliver "good news of great joy" to us. Good news of great joy doesn't mean everything is going to be easy, but it does mean our assignments will be meaningful and well-rewarded. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson teaches about the theme for the third week of Advent: joy. We may be tempted to grumble when facing trials, but God calls us to endure with joy. It's counterintuitive to our human natures, but with the Holy Spirit's help, we can find true joy in the midst of hardship. God is moving in the earth, and we want to be a part of what He's doing in His Kingdom, so let's choose to cultivate joy—sustaining, eternal, and supernatural joy.

Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.” Matthew 10:17–18These words capture the essence of the martyrdom of Saint Stephen, the Church's first martyr, whom we honor today. The day after celebrating the birth of Christ, the Church, in her wisdom, reflects on the reality of persecution as a consequence of worshiping the newborn King.The Jewish community in Jerusalem was diverse, with traditional Hebraic Jews and Hellenistic Jews who were influenced by the Greco-Roman culture. As Jews began to convert to Christianity, a new unified community of believers emerged. Despite this unity, tensions arose, particularly when Hellenistic widows were neglected in the daily distribution of bread. To address this, the Apostles appointed seven deacons, with Stephen being the first, likely a Hellenist himself.Stephen, described as “a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,” performed great wonders among the people. When confronted by Hellenistic Jews, he defended the faith with wisdom and courage, leading to his being dragged before the Sanhedrin. His eloquent defense angered his opponents, resulting in his stoning. In his final moments, Stephen commended his spirit to Jesus and prayed for his persecutors.At first, his martyrdom seemed a tragic loss that sparked a wave of persecution and scattered the Christian community throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. This dispersion, however, spread the Gospel beyond Jerusalem, leading to many new converts. What appeared to be a tragedy became a catalyst for the growth of the early Church.As we honor Saint Stephen, reflect on the truth that God permits evil only to draw greater good from it. If you face suffering or persecution, let today's feast inspire hope. Trust in God's plan, reject fear, and embrace His will, knowing that He can use every cross for His glory. Saint Stephen, you were a man filled with grace and power, deeply committed to Jesus and the proclamation of the Gospel. Please pray for me, that I will have your courage and faith so that God can use me to further His Kingdom by drawing many souls to Him. Saint Stephen, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Giovanni Andrea de Ferrari, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

In this special Christmas episode of Faith in Healthcare, Dr. Mike Chupp reflects on God's faithfulness as CMDA nears its 100th year, before we listen to a message from former CMDA CEO Dr. Dave Stevens. He shares how a small group of praying medical students grew into CMDA and a global ministry through seasons of obedience, challenge, and God's unmistakable guidance. More than a history lesson, this episode is a reminder that God delights in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes for His Kingdom. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, we're invited to remember that the same God who has been at work through CMDA for decades is still at work today in healthcare and in each of our lives.

In this fourth sermon in the Christmas series "This Child is The King", Pastor Matt Sanders shares a sermon entitled, “Receive the King and His Kingdom (1 Peter 1:3-5, 8-9, 13).”Link to Sermon notes and Wednesday Bible Study page: ⁠https://waialaebaptist.org/worshipservices/Join us on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. for a Bible study led by the preaching pastor on the upcoming sermon passage. Attend either in person or via Zoom. Please ⁠contact us⁠ if you would like to receive the Zoom link.Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://waialaebaptist.org/⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/WaialaeBaptistChurch⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/waialaebaptistchurch/⁠YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/c/WaialaeBaptistChurch

Ryan Kelly | Isaiah 9:6-7 | 1. The Promise of a Child 2. The Majesty of His Name 3. The Security of His Kingdom 4. The Certainty of His Plan

Growing In God Podcast Program Number: GIG #281 Title: Christmas, Celebrating the Son of Man   Web Description: The symbolism that most often defines Christmas is the Nativity scene. And the Nativity scene is about the reality that Christ, the Messiah, the Savior, the King of kings, was born and lived as a human being. At Christmas we are not celebrating His divinity. We are celebrating His humanity. We are celebrating the fact that He came to earth as a man who went through everything we go through and is thus able to lead us and help us through everything.   Show Notes: At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Yeshua (Jesus). When we do that, we are celebrating the birth of a human baby. Yet in our Christian faith, we think of Christ as a divine figure who always moved in a divine way. But the Christmas story is the opposite of that. The Christmas story tells us that He was a vulnerable baby who had to be cared for and protected. He had to be raised and taught like any human child.   As Christians we tend to put Christ so far above us that He is unattainable in today's life. We think, "He was perfect, but I am caught in my flesh, and I can't get out of it." That viewpoint is unscriptural. The Scriptures teach us that the Messiah is a human being. Yeshua was not born perfect. He learned obedience through the things that he suffered. He was made perfect by what He went through, just as we are being made perfect because of what we go through.   Yeshua could not be the Messiah without living in the flesh. He had to share in flesh and blood. He had to partake in the same things we partake in. He had to feel what we feel. He had to experience what we experience because He is our help. He is the aid to those who are tempted because He faced it all. He overcame the circumstances, the stress, the oppression, the futility of living in this earth where satan surrounded all that He did, seeking to kill Him every day. Therefore, He is able to help us through all those things in our daily lives.   Key Verses:   •       Read Luke 2:1–52. •       2 Corinthians 5:16. "We have known Christ according to the flesh." •       Matthew 6:10. "Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." •       Acts 1:6. "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" •       Hebrews 2:14–18. "Since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same." •       Hebrews 5:7–11. "Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered." •       Hebrews 4:14–16. "We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses." •       Hebrews 7:24–25. "Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him." •       Romans 8:27–39. "Those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren."   Quotes:   •       "If we are going to truly celebrate the concept that is called Christmas, it is about Him being born. It is about Him living in a human life." •       "I know we will live in the days of glory. I know that we will live with Him in His Kingdom. But right now in the days of our flesh, we need help." •       "He lived in the flesh. And in the flesh, He was successful in being a human who related to God, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, who was enabled to move and enact and bring the will of God into the earth."   Takeaways:   1.    Let us celebrate Christmas this year by identifying with our Messiah as a human being—a son of man.[SP1]  2.    Let us celebrate that Yeshua did not exercise His divinity during His days on earth, but He was tempted in all things and felt our every human suffering. There is nothing we go through in our lives that He cannot relate to. 3.    Let us celebrate that Yeshua lives to intercede for us every day and ministers to us in our times of crisis and need. He is our Messiah. Our lives are meant to be lived in Him and through Him.  

Send us a text          Matthew 25:14-19 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 "And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 "Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 "And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 "But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. 19 "After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.'             God gives each of us time, talent, and money that we are to use for the expansion of His Kingdom. In times past some had considerable responsibility and authority as some do today.  Others are not gifted in such a way as to be able to do all the things others do, but are still expected to use what they have to the best of their ability.  God expects us to become His children, trust Him, and use all that He gives us in such a way that it will bring glory to Him and bring others to Christ.  We have to ask ourselves are we first of all a child of the King?  Then we have to ask are we using all that God has given us in such a way that we can hear what was said in Matthew 25:21 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'       Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?             John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.               “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  -John 8:32           Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.              hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don't go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F             The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions 

Title: A Christmas Carol Examined: Hark the Herald Angels Sing Text: Various FCF: We often neglect the deep theology in the Christmas carols we sing. Prop: Because Hark the Herald angels sing speaks much about the gospel, we should sing it with renewed vigor. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Genesis Chapter 3. We will reference several passages of scripture this morning but it might be wise for you to have this text open and in front of you. In light of the holiday season, I typically break for a couple weeks from whatever sermon series I am in, in order to better accommodate our traditions. What a joy it was to hear so many of our folks use the talents the Lord has given them to bring Him praise this morning. Next week I'll deliver my traditional year wrap up sermon. I'll give you some lessons I've learned and some recommendations I have. I'll also spend some time assessing where we as a church are and how we could improve. Today, I wanted to do something a bit different and a good deal shorter than I normally would. My wife actually gave me the idea, calling my attention to this particular Christmas Carol which was missing a verse or two in our hymn book. In looking into the carol, and to the distance between when most of the carols we sing were written and us singing them today, it became clear that I should devote time to taking a familiar carol and examining the rich theological depths which we unknowingly sing about each year. Today, we will consider the carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing. This is on page 192 in our hymnal. The Carol was written by Charles Wesley. He wrote five verses. Most hymnals, including our own, only have the first three verses. Primarily because George Whitfield, a good friend of the Wesley brothers, John and Charles, edited the song down to four verses, combining the last two verses into one. This edit was later removed and kept to 3 verses in most hymnals. This was not because of any theological differences or errors that Whitefield perceived, but primarily to shorten the song without repeating theological themes. Unfortunately, we will only have time to look at two verses this morning. But I will make it up to you by giving you two for the price of one. So, we'll look at the first verse which we always sing. Then we will look at Mr. Whitfield's cobbled together 4th and 5th verse, so you get some exposure to the last two verses that were later omitted from Charles Wesley's masterful carol. We'll follow the same general pattern. I will translate the idea into modern vernacular and then expand on the What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures in the line and prove it by quoting or referencing an appropriate scripture passage. But before we dive in, let's pray and ask the Lord to bless our study of this carol. Invocation: Loving Lord, we thank you for such a rich history of the church. For thousands of years your church has grown and your kingdom has spread. We can look to songs we sing today that were written hundreds of years ago and still find great and deep meaning in their words. Help us to be mindful of the things we sing and say. Help us to see the great meaning of this season and preach it to others with everything we are. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Transition: Well, let's get to the verse that we all know. I.) The gospel is at the center of this Christmas carol, so we must sing it as though we were preaching it. a. [Slide 2] Hark! The herald angels sing, i. What does this mean: 1. Hark is an interjection. It is calling those present to listen closely. 2. No, the angel's name is not herald. 3. Rather this is the job of the angels who pronounced the birth of Jesus the Messiah. 4. In the song they are said to Sing this to the shepherds. 5. So, in our modern vernacular it would be – Listen up, the Angels are singing a proclamation from God. ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. When God has an announcement for us to listen to, He often prefaces the statement with something to get our attention. Like Behold. Or Truly Truly. Or Thus says the Lord God. 2. Although in Luke 2 we do see the angels announce this news – we do not have any record in the New Testament that they sang this news. It actually says they shouted. b. “Glory to the newborn King; i. What does this mean: 1. Glory means to give praise that is due to an important person. 2. Newborn King is self-explanatory 3. “Give the honor due to this child because he is THE KING ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. All the way back in II Samuel 7, God promised David that a King from his line would sit on the throne forever. 2. And in Luke 1:32-33 the angel Gabriel told Mary that Jesus would inherit the throne of His father David. c. Peace on earth, and mercy mild, i. What does this mean: 1. Peace here refers to the cessation of hostilities between two warring parties. 2. This is contrasted with the second phrase where this cessation of hostilities is instituted by this child who is merciful and humble – bringing salvation to sinners. 3. “Forgiveness and Rightness with God comes from this baby” ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. Isaiah 53 teaches that the first coming of the Messiah, Yahweh's Servant, will be meek and mild, a sacrifice for sinners. 2. Not coming as someone who would be esteemed highly. d. God and sinners reconciled!” i. What does this mean: 1. Reconciliation is when two parties settle up a dispute. All debts are paid. 2. This dispute, we are told in the song, is between God and sinners. 3. God and Sinners square. ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. The dispute we have with God is that He made us to be His worshippers but we have rebelled against Him both in Adam and in our own sin. Gen 3 and Eph 2 and Rom 1-3 2. Yet God has made promises to preserve a remnant and save His people from their sins. 3. Christ then, meek and mild King, is the instrument to settle all the debts. e. Joyful, all ye nations rise, i. What does this mean: 1. Joyful is the attitude or the manner that is being commanded. 2. Nations rising is indicating the global nature of this announcement. 3. All the world get up and be joyful ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. Throughout the Old Testament, God desired Israel to be a light to the nations. 2. And in the prophets we see promises that the Messiah will finally succeed in what Israel was tasked to do. 3. The nations will be reclaimed as Yahweh's 4. And God ruling the nations will be praised and rejoiced in because the gentiles will be adopted into God's family too. f. Join the triumph of the skies; With th'angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” i. What does this mean: 1. This is what the nations are told to do. They are told to join the triumph. 2. What triumph? 3. It is actually going all the way back to the beginning of the song. The announcement being made about the triumph of God over sin and peace on earth. 4. How? By the Messiah being born this day in Bethlehem. 5. So joyfully the nations are to rise up and announce the same message that the angels are announcing to the shepherds. ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. We see this happen in the New Testament. 2. The Gentiles not only inherit the gospel and become grafted into the promise of the Israelites, but they now become the heralds announcing the coming of the King. 3. A King who was born, lived, died, was raised, and ascended. All to save sinners and reconcile them to God. g. Summary of the Point: The first verse of this carol is nothing short of the gospel message. It is the announcement that Christ has come to make us right with God and change the world forever. Now not just Jews, but all the nations will rise up and announce this message as the world shifts and the Kingdom of God expands. So, as we sing this verse – we must recognize the potent dose of gospel truths being conveyed in a few seconds. And as we sing it out, we fulfill the words of this opening verse to joyfully join the triumph the angels sang about that Christmas night 2000 years ago. Transition: Let us move to the two verses not included in our hymnal. I.) Deep doctrine of redemption is found in this carol, so we must sing it as though we were preaching it. a. [Slide 3] Come, Desire of nations, come, i. What does this mean: 1. To be the desire of nations is to be the one thing that will truly fix the world. The one King that will bring everything back to what it is supposed to be. 2. This is, of course, the work of the Kingdom Christ began at His incarnation and will be completed when He returns to set up His Kingdom on the New Earth. 3. Come, one who will fix everything, Come! ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. We referenced psalm 2 just last week. 2. The eternally begotten Son of God - Jesus the Messiah, is this one that the nations must kiss lest He be angry and pour His wrath out on them. 3. Christ came first as a meek and mild child but will one day return as a conquering King. 4. The nations would be wise to kiss the son. To welcome Him. To pay homage to Him. 5. He is… after all… their only hope. b. Fix in us Thy humble home; i. What does this mean: 1. To fix is to establish something. 2. A home would be a residence. Humble of course meaning meager or unworthy. 3. Establish in us a little hovel for You to dwell in. ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. This probably doesn't reference God living or dwelling with us in the New Kingdom. Although that could be it. 2. Givin the context this no doubt refers to the coming of the Spirit of God to indwell those who are partakers of the New Covenant which is inaugurated in the blood of Christ. 3. This is foretold in Isaiah 44 and Joel 2 where God tells the Israelites that He will pour out His Spirit… ON ALL OF THEM. 4. In the New Testament we are explicitly told that the Holy Spirit indwells all who believe by true faith. c. Rise, the woman's conqu'ring Seed, i. What does this mean: 1. Rise again means to come out and do something. 2. A seed is an offspring or a child. 3. Come conquering child of the woman ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. This is pulled straight from the protoevangelium, or the first gospel announcement given by God Himself in Genesis chapter 3. 2. After the fall of mankind, God promises that unto the Woman he would give an offspring that would undo what had been done in the fall. 3. This offspring would be at odds with the offspring of the serpent or the children produced by the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve, which was instigated by the serpent in the garden of Eden 4. Revelation 12:9 identifies the serpent as none other than the Devil, or Satan himself. 5. This harmonizes texts like Ephesians 2; John 8; and 1 John 3:12 which identify people who act like Satan as his children or belonging to him. 6. This sets up the idea that there are two families. The family of God and the family of Satan. The Family of Satan is the family we are all born into because of the fall of Adam. 7. God creates a new family, through seed of the woman, in which we can be adopted. More on that in a bit. d. Bruise in us the serpent's head. i. What does this mean: 1. The serpent's influence is truly IN us. 2. Otherwise, this is fairly self-explanatory. ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. The term used in the Genesis promise is to strike, bruise, or crush. 2. Although many preachers have made the connection that Christ bruises his heel while crushing the head of the serpent – the scriptures do not overtly teach this. 3. But it is a logical and theological possibility. 4. Certainly, Paul says that if the forces of darkness knew that His death would lead to the salvation of His people, they wouldn't have done it. 5. The song references the destruction of Satan's power over us and the cessation of his claim on us as his children. e. Now display Thy saving power, Ruined nature now restore; Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine. i. The rest of verse 4 goes on to speak of our restoration and salvation. ii. These are excellent lines, but Whitfield saw the next verse communicate similar teachings and decided to combine it together. iii. Still these words do add some to the meaning of the song. iv. But we'll have to cover them more deeply another time. f. [Slide 4] Adam's likeness, Lord, efface, i. What does this mean: 1. To efface something is to erase it. It is to undo something. 2. Adam's likeness refers to Adam as our first representative and how we have inherited his sin from him. 3. Erase the original sin of Adam from us ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. Although it has been attacked in recent years, the doctrine of Original Sin has been held to by the church since the beginning. 2. If something else were taught in scripture then we should cast the teaching aside. However, Romans 5, Ephesians 2 and many other passages seem to establish this doctrine not only as plausible but as orthodox. 3. Adam was our representative being the first man created. Because of his failure, we inherit the sin-disease through his line. 4. Seeing it this way helps us to understand the scriptures when they seem to paint our problem of sin beyond even just our own personal sin. National sins and even sins that we didn't commit but inherit culpability in. Even our sinfulness before we seem to be able to willfully commit sin (ie babies crying for no reason or crying when nothing is actually wrong) These all make sense when we understand sin as something like a hereditary spiritual disease. 5. This also explains and expands the teaching of the virgin birth, keeping Jesus from inheriting this same sin nature. By being born of a virgin, he is not technically a son of Adam. Truly and completely human, but not from Adam's line. Therefore, He is a second human representative. g. Stamp Thine image in its place: i. What does this mean: 1. To stamp an image is relatively clear. 2. Instead of Adam's likeness, give us your likeness God. ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. As a New Adam, all under Christ's headship and representation inherit a new name, a new nature, and a new birth. 2. They are put into a new family and made into a new person. 3. The old has passed away and the new has come. h. Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love. i. What does this mean: 1. These last two lines we'll take together. 2. The first Adam was formed from the dust and given life by the breath of God. 3. The Second Adam was conceived by the Holy Spirit in dust (in Mary's womb). 4. He is not from earth as the first Adam was. He is from above. A true man… but with a different fountainhead. 5. Adam was once fully in the love and grace of God. He was sinless and in right standing with God. 6. The song asks for Christ to reconcile us to God… which provides bookends between the first verse and the last. ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. This is the primary work of the second Adam. 2. Christ becomes our second representative both passively and actively. 3. Actively he did what Adam did not. He kept the whole law of God without sin. 4. Passively he paid for what Adam could not. He accepted the penalty for human sin by suffering the full wrath of God as a human. 5. 2 Corinthians 5 says that He became sin who knew no sin that we might become the righteousness of God. 6. He is a perfect substitute not only for us but for Adam, our first representative. 7. He alone is capable of returning us to the relationship we had with God in the garden… and even making that relationship closer, since we are now not just a created being of God's, but actually His children. i. Let us Thee, though lost, regain, Thee, the Life, the inner man: O, to all Thyself impart, Formed in each believing heart. i. This is the rest of verse 5 which goes on to say similar things to what has been said already. j. Summary of the Point: Once again we must notice that the gospel is on display in these verses. And in these last two verses – the gospel is explained in rich and full theological detail. Details that are not found in the shallow end of the pool. This is well beyond the Sunday School answers of “Jesus died because He loved us.” But rather the representation of a Second Adam taking our place and restoring humanity's hope. Such are the words of this Christmas Carol. And when we sing it, we preach the gospel to one another and all who hear it. Make sure that you do that from now on. Conclusion: [Slide 5] I can think of no better application than to have the praise team come and we can sing this carol together. We'll sing Hark the Herald Angels Sing/King of Heaven but with one minor modification. We will add verse 4, which is the cobbled together verses 4 and 5 of Charles Wesley's original carol. You sing with us and sing it loud, knowing that you sing, you announce, you preach… the gospel of Jesus Christ in this carol. Benediction: May the God who humbled Himself to take on human flesh Who was wounded for our transgressions and chastised for our peace May the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, and The Prince of Peace Bring to you a season of hope as you celebrate His birth and look ahead to His return Until We meet again… Go in peace.

Central to the Christmas Story is the arrival of the Munus Triplex, a theological term referring to Jesus's three roles: The Prophet who reveals, The Priest who reconciles, King who reigns. Having this view of Jesus changes everything for how we see the Christmas Story.In this sermon, Pastor Joe Baker unpacks the compassion, love, shepherd Heard of our Holy Priest forever -- Jesus. Not only is Jesus our great high priest who is able to care for our hearts in a way only He can, he calls us to be His priests here on Earth to usher in His Kingdom and dominion. We'd love for you to subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications to get updates on our latest content and resources that will help more people know Jesus and people know Jesus more.GIVE : We believe that generosity is golden. Freely we have received and so freely we give back to God. If you would like to give to support the work Jesus is doing here please visit: https://www.elevatecc.church/give.Elevate City Church is a Jesus Over Everything Church that launched in the Atlanta Perimeter area on October 4th, 2020.Jesus Over Everything.Give us a follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatecity.church/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevatecc.churchPodcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3H8BBrEFWxGKsTF8wPSvrn?si=epcQMMrmQIiTpeXEnyxMOQPodcast on itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elevate-city-church/id1536637567Visit our website for more information about who we are as a church and how you can get involved.https://www.elevatecc.church/home

The Kingdom advances wherever Christ is welcomed not only as Savior but as Lord. When He reigns in us, His Kingdom moves through us into our homes, our work, our relationships, and our communities. Lives are transformed. Culture begins to change. Darkness loses its authority. The reign of God advances. As we celebrate Christmas, we, His people, should do more than remember the birth of the baby Jesus. We should recognize the opportunity to renew our allegiance to the King who came. We should seek to recommit to His mission and allow His truths to shape how we live every day. When the King truly reigns in us, the Kingdom is revealed in us and can then advance through us.

Isaiah 61 | Lessons and Carols | Dean Miller | December 21, 2025 In Isaiah 61 we see how God is still working through His Spirit to heal the brokenhearted and fulfill His Kingdom on earth. The message highlights that believers are not merely observers of this divine narrative but are active participants recruited to […]

As King David did, we should also consider all things through God. Good, bad, joy, and despair, God uses all things to refine us and further His Kingdom.

God will not build His Kingdom on our pain, because His is building it on His Mercy. Bible in a Year: Amos 7-9 & Revelation 8. 

Read OnlineThe book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham… Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen generations.” Matthew 1:1; 17This lengthy list of Abraham's and David's descendents, leading to Jesus, is much more than a listing of names. It's an illustration of God's fidelity to His promises. To Abraham, God promised “All the families of the earth will find blessing in you” (Genesis 12:3). To David, God promised “Your house and your kingdom are firm forever before me; your throne shall be firmly established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16).Certain divine qualities are revealed in these passages. Unwavering fidelity, continuity through the ages, and God's eternal plan to bless all people through the descendants of Abraham and David are among them. These qualities are not only important for Scripture study, enabling scholars to better understand the whole of salvation history, they also are important to each one of our lives today.When God makes a promise, He is faithful to that promise. What promises has God made to you? He has promised the gifts of grace, happiness, holiness, and eternal life to all who become members of His Kingdom. This promise of unwavering fidelity should inspire hope within our hearts, especially when life is difficult. Difficulties can tempt us to despair, anxiety, and fear. Confidence in God's fidelity will keep us firmly grounded in the certainty of hope that God will never let us down when we remain faithful to Him.In our fast-paced and ever changing world, continuity and consistency are often absent. Many people change their views based on the latest trends. The barrage of constant news, political and moral opinions, and changing economic and social conditions tempt us to change with the latest ideas. God's ideas, however, never change. These promises should lead us to establish our lives not on the latest opinions or popular culture, but on the rock-solid principles of faith, as revealed by God.We are among those who receive blessings promised to “all the families of the earth” through Abraham. Jesus is that final descendent through Whom every good blessing comes. His mission opens the floodgates of grace to all who turn to Him in their need. Don't ever doubt that perfect and eternal plan of salvation. Reflect today on God's perfect fidelity, continuity, and promise of eternal salvation to all who become members of His Kingdom. That Kingdom will remain forever while every other kingdom will pass away. Resolve to remain a full citizen of that Kingdom by being unwaveringly faithful to God's promises, and you will be blessed now and forever to share in the eternal plan of our saving God. My faithful God, Your eternal Word never changes. Your perfect plan invites me to share in the salvation promised to all who follow You and become members of Your Kingdom. Grant me the gift of perfect fidelity to You so that I am consistently united to You and always remain a member of Your eternal Kingdom on Earth and in Heaven. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: © José Luiz Bernardes RibeiroSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

How are you stewarding the resources God has given you to help the community around you and around the world? In this episode, Jeff, Jeff, Tom, and Chelsea discuss: Supporting sustainable employment to create a larger impact.Deciding where to give.Passing your faith to the next generation - caught, not taught.Collaborative giving.  Key Takeaways: Sometimes God will call you to a hard place where you are not going to have the highest impact for the dollar. Lean on Him - He knows where His resources are needed.God was generous with us first - He gave us life, resources, and time. We should be stewarding those resources for the good of His Kingdom.It is the simple things that shape hearts and minds. You don't need to overcomplicate how you share your faith - just live it and invite people in.Get engaged in a community. There are giving communities around the world that will facilitate growth and learning as you are starting your giving journey.  "It's just amazing how when you follow the Lord's calling, you don't always see the end result, but He will show you what you need, day by day, step by step." —  Chelsea Lernihan About Tom and Chelsea Lernihan: Chelsea is engaged in promoting faith, justice, and empowerment. At heart, she loves cultivating relationships and believes the power of a person's story can challenge action to create a world where all humans can flourish. Chelsea seeks to bring hope to women in crisis and empower all men and women to thrive.In her role at the MIGMIR Fund, Chelsea loves getting to cultivate relationships with people in East Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and Chicago. She leads the day-to-day international operations of a donor-advised fund, including strategic direction, program development, and execution of its mission. The MIGMIR Fund seeks to partner with Christ-centered ministries that serve the spiritual and physical needs of individuals in under-resourced communities in Chicago and internationally. Chelsea works alongside the ministry partners globally to support their efforts in solving poverty and injustices within the communities that they serve.Tom Lernihan serves as Chief Investment Officer of His Fund, a faith-driven investment firm dedicated to creating employment opportunities for those in poverty and tackling some of the world's most pressing social challenges. He is also the cofounder of Brightwater Angels, an Indianapolis-based angel investment group supporting high-impact organizations led by Christian founders. Tom is deeply passionate about his faith, his family, and advancing innovation through entrepreneurship. Tom lives in Carmel, Indiana, is married to his best friend, Chelsea, and is the proud father of four children. Connect with Tom and Chelsea Lernihan:His Fund: https://www.his.fund/Brightwater: https://www.brightwater.co/MIGMIR: https://migmir.org/  Tom's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-lernihan/Chelsea's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-lernihan-43207453/  Connect with Jeff Thomas: Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-upEmail: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdvFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisorsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

Today’s Topics: Joshua Charles joins Terry for Friday with the Fathers 1) Gospel – Luke 1:26-38 – The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of David His father, and He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of His Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the Child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us! Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3, 4) Terry and Joshua discuss miracle stories of Early Father of the Church,  Saint Augustine

Revelation 3:7-13 | Pastor Rick Packinghouse's Sunday morning worship service from December 14, 2025. Jesus' letter to Philadelphia reminds a small, pressured church that He is holy, true, and in charge—the One with the key of David who opens doors no one can shut and shuts doors no one can open. He sees their faithfulness, sets an “open door” before them (whether fresh ministry or sure entrance to His Kingdom), and promises that persecutors won't have the last word. The “synagogue of Satan” line targets a specific hostile group in their day, not the Jewish people as a whole; the real battle is spiritual, and Christ will vindicate His people. Because they've kept His word, Jesus will keep them—assuring protection from a coming global trial—and urges them to “hold fast” so they don't lose rewards (crowns), while their salvation remains secure. He promises overcomers a place like a pillar—stable, honored, never shaken—and a new name in God's New Jerusalem. The takeaway is simple: when life feels small or shaky, cling to the faithful Jesus who keeps His promises, opens the right doors, and anchors His people in love until He comes. - Rick Cornejo - Sunday, December 14, 2025

Why is God so opposed to lying? As we mentioned earlier, the Ten Commandments are the most crucial set of rules ever created for building a good society. However, such a society cannot be established or maintained without a foundation of truth. In bringing His Kingdom into this world, God is introducing His way of living life. He is cultivating within His people godly behaviors that will create a godly society. To faithfully share the gospel, we must be truth-tellers. To live in harmony with one another, we must value truth and practice it with one another.

From Mary's encounter with the angel Gabriel, we see that God intends to work miracles both in us and through us. The Holy Spirit still moves in the most unlikely places—driving out darkness, calming fear, bringing healing, and drawing us into His Kingdom purpose.

Ryan Kelly | Daniel 7:13-14 | 1. His Arrival 2. His Kingdom 3. His Sacrifice 4. His Exaltation

Tom Logue - December 14th 2025 What you value most will determine who your master is. This week, Tom continues our King and His Kingdom series in Matthew 19:16–22 with Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler. Through a simple “this or that” exercise and a deeply personal exposition of the text, Tom shows how our everyday choices reveal what we truly value—and ultimately, what we worship. While the young man appears moral, successful, and spiritually sincere, Jesus exposes the deeper issue of his heart: eternal life cannot be earned, and his wealth has become a rival master. Tom unpacks how Jesus intentionally lists only the commandments related to loving others, then lovingly confronts the man's idolatry through a custom-tailored invitation. When we genuinely engage with God, He inevitably invites us to let go of lesser masters—money, control, approval, comfort—and follow Him instead. These invitations are not just tests; they are the keys to freedom. In a powerful Advent connection, Tom shows how Jesus practices what He preaches: Christ Himself let go of the riches of heaven, gave His life to the spiritually poor, and now invites us to say yes to the only Master who leads to life. This message calls us to examine our ruling gods, receive the gift of grace, and joyfully say, “Yes, Master,” to Jesus alone. Learn more about our church: https://restoredtemecula.church Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restoredtemecula and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restoredtemecula #Matthew19 #KingAndHisKingdom #RichYoungRuler #Idolatry #Grace #Advent #FreedomInChrist #RestoredTemecula Share this message with someone who needs to hear it. Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome Home: Restored Church(00:00:35) - Advent season(00:03:08) - In the Elevator With Me(00:05:24) - 20 Questions Gen Z Can't Answer(00:06:42) - Last One: Sunrise or Sunset(00:07:06) - What Do We Value?(00:10:01) - Rich Young Ruler(00:12:35) - The Rich Young Ruler's Problem(00:18:17) - Christmas: A Gift of Grace(00:20:34) - Jesus Listens to His Disciples(00:25:30) - Engagement with God Is a Test(00:31:53) - Young Man, What Will You Cling To Above All Else?(00:39:00) - There's Only One Master For You(00:41:53) - Ditch the Idols and Make Me Your Master(00:44:27) - Jesus Invitation to the Rich Young Ruler(00:50:03) - Jesus' invitation to say yes(00:52:09) - A Moment of Praise for Others

When John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus with that piercing question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”, we must not too quickly suppose that John had lost his faith. Far more often, doubt is not the absence of belief but the collision of belief with unexpected reality. Even the greatest saints may stand bewildered before the mystery of God's methods.Here is Jesus healing the blind and lifting the poor, hardly the thunderous overthrow of evil John may have expected. The prison cell in which John waited could not have made the contrast less stark. He had preached a roaring lion; Jesus seemed more like a quiet lamb. And so the messenger goes to the Messiah with the cry that every disciple must eventually utter: “Explain Yourself.”Jesus answers not by argument but by evidence. The blind see; the lame walk; the dead rise. That is to say, “Look at what is happening. The Kingdom is already breaking in, though not in the way you imagined.” God's power often arrives not as a mighty earthquake but as a seed, small enough to be ignored by the proud and yet strong enough to split the stones beneath it.Jesus refuses to conform to our ideas of what God should do. We want a Savior who fits our expectations; He gives us a Savior who fits what we truly need, even when we do not realize it. In praising John, Jesus reminds us that greatness in the Kingdom is measured not by one's spiritual résumé but by one's nearness to the Light. John stood at dawn, pointing to the coming Sun; we stand at mid-morning, bathed in its warmth. The smallest soul who trusts Christ on this side of the Resurrection possesses a gift even John longed to see with his own eyes. What then shall we learn from the imprisoned prophet and the unconventional Messiah?Perhaps this: God may not behave as you expect, but He will always be better than you expect. His answers may not thunder, but they heal. His Kingdom may not arrive with spectacle, but it transforms everything it touches. For such a Savior does not simply rule the world; He remakes the human heart. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Christians must boldly share the gospel with all types of people, all while knowing that Jesus Christ will continue to advance His Kingdom even through means that may seem inefficient to us.

Jesus speaks in parables to further dismiss those who are defiant in rebellious unbelief while disclosing saving faith discernment to His trusting disciples. Preaching the Parables: Proclaiming the King of Kings and His Kingdom.

Faith shapes every part of life—not only what we believe, but how we spend, save, invest, and give. Every financial decision reveals something about what we value, trust, and treasure most. That's why conversations about money are never just about budgets or balances; they're deeply spiritual.Today, Afton Phillips, our Head of Content at FaithFi, joins the show to talk about how our faith reshapes the way we steward God's resources. This conversation grew out of our upcoming 21-day devotional, Our Ultimate Treasure, and the themes behind it.The Heart Behind the New DevotionalAfton has been shaping this project from its earliest concept to its final pages. She shared that when she first joined FaithFi, she longed for a place where people could revisit core biblical principles—not simply hear them once, but reflect on them deeply.“Money isn't just about math,” Afton said. “It's really about our hearts.”The devotional walks readers through foundational truths:God owns it all.Money issues are heart issues.Our financial lives are deeply connected to our spiritual formation.If that's true, then what we need isn't a formula—it's space with God. Scripture. Prayer. Reflection. This devotional is designed to help readers slow down long enough to allow God to reshape how they see and handle money.Redefining Success: What We Surrender, Not What We StoreOne of the early themes in Our Ultimate Treasure is the truth that God doesn't measure success by what we store up, but by what we surrender.We're all tempted to believe that just a little more—more savings, more security, more achievement—will finally bring peace. But no amount of accumulation ever delivers the rest our souls crave.True biblical success is about formation more than finances.Are we growing in Christlikeness?Are the fruits of the Spirit becoming more evident in our lives?Are we learning to let go of fear, control, and comfort so God can shape us?When surrender becomes the lens, money stops being a monument to ourselves and becomes a tool for becoming more like Jesus.Restoring Purpose in Our WorkAnother key section of the devotional explores a truth we often forget: work is not a curse—it's a calling.From the very beginning, God designed work as something good. Not something we merely do to earn or survive, but something through which we participate in His redemptive mission.Your desk, job site, classroom, or kitchen table isn't just a workplace—it's holy ground. Your work is one of the primary arenas where God shapes your character and blesses others through you.Why Margin Matters for Faithful StewardshipMargin is one of the most important threads running through the entire devotional.Afton put it simply:“Margin creates space for God to move.”When we max out:our moneyour timeour energyWe leave no room to listen, pause, or respond to God's leading.Margin isn't restrictive. It's freeing. It enables generosity, rest, trust, and wise decision-making. It's one of the clearest marks of faithful stewardship.The Power of Wise CounselMoney can feel personal—sometimes even private. But Scripture is clear: we're not meant to navigate finances alone.Every day, callers to our program remind us how many people long for guidance, encouragement, and clarity. That's why we devoted an entire day in the devotional to seeking wise counsel.Afton shared:“When we invite wise counsel into our lives, we begin to see things we might have missed.”That's also why Certified Kingdom Advisors (CKA) exist—to help believers apply biblical principles to their real-life financial situations. You can find one at FindaCKA.com.Generosity Rooted in Grace, Not GuiltIf there's a single thread that runs through the whole devotional, it's generosity.But not guilt-driven generosity. Grace-driven generosity.We give because God has first given to us—lavishly, sacrificially, joyfully. When we understand His grace, generosity becomes something we get to do, not something we feel pressured into.Every act of giving becomes an act of worship.A Devotional Designed for Reflection, Beauty, and FormationOne of the most unique aspects of Our Ultimate Treasure is its built-in rhythm of reflection.Each day includes:ScriptureA devotionalGuided reflection questionsA written prayerBeautiful, thoughtful imageryThe artwork itself invites contemplation. Everyday images—like a simple desk—are visually transformed to reflect biblical truth, reminding readers that God reshapes the way we see everything, even our work and money.This devotional was designed not just to be read, but to be experienced.Finishing with What Truly Lasts: Eternal RewardsThe final day draws us back to what matters most: our ultimate treasure is Christ Himself.Earthly wealth fades. Opportunities change. Seasons shift. But our life in Christ—His presence, His love, His Kingdom—endures forever. Afton summed it up beautifully:“What are we investing in that will matter in a thousand years? That's eternal treasure.”Experience Our Ultimate TreasureIf you'd like to journey through this 21-day devotional yourself, we would love to send it to you as part of the FaithFi Partner Program.With a monthly gift of $35 or a one-time gift of $400, you'll receive year-long benefits, including early access to studies, devotionals, and our Faithful Steward magazine.You can learn more at FaithFi.com/Partner.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I have Roth and traditional IRAs, plus taxable investments with large capital gains. My advisor suggested direct indexing last year, so I opened a small-cap account. It's up slightly overall but includes about a 19% loss I could use to offset gains. I also give appreciated stock to charity, but I need some funds for living expenses. My question is: Is direct indexing a biblically sound strategy, or is it problematic in any way? And how do you tell the brokerage which companies you don't want to own? Do you specify which types of businesses to exclude?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)National Christian Foundation (NCF)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever heard of "the Long Peace"? It's the period of history from 1945 (the end of WW2) all the way to the present. For 80 years, now, it has been argued that while there have been relatively small skirmishes, there has not been the large, global embroilment of conflict that has caused millions of deaths. Perhaps to you, that's small comfort, and that's understandable. If you or your family is facing depression and anxiety, more month at the end of your money, work and/or relational conflict, chronic infirmity or injury ... the angelic proclaimation of "Peace on earth good will towards men" doesn't ring true. But Biblical peace, the shalom that God gives that God gives is not the absence of conflict but the presence of God. Biblical peace means “completeness, soundness, welfare, and even success" that is not tied to circumstance. It is trusting that God will manifest His Kingdom and Will no matter what happens. Are you experiencing Biblical peace? How do you get it? Listen-in to this powerful and fun episode! ▶️ Nate's Message on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/ytp4e3df

Ultimate Reconciliation of All (1) (audio) David Eells – 12/10/25 I have found that the truth always motivates people to holiness, to turn loose of the world and run after God; but a lie always makes people comfortable where they are, and there are a lot of lies out there. People who like to make up their own gospel turn the grace of God into lasciviousness by choosing to believe that once saved is always saved. That means there's no use in taking any warning from the Lord seriously, since that false doctrine negates the possibility of being lost. These people are not motivated because they erroneously believe their “ticket's been punched.” Today, I'm going to speak to you about a doctrine that's in the church denominations called “ultimate reconciliation of all.” Many Unconditional Eternal Security people find this easy to fall into since in effect you cant be lost. Ultimate Reconciliationists believe there will come a time when the wicked, including the devil and his angels, in some cases, will come out of torment and be reconciled to God. This doctrine did not come from Christians but Unitarians and Universalists who brought it from England to the New England colonies in the 18th century. The fruit of this doctrine is the same as that of unconditional eternal security. If no one can ultimately be lost, why fear God or the warnings of Scripture? It destroys motivation to study and obey the Word of God or evangelize the lost and dying. Like the unconditional eternal security people, many of these will take the mark of the beast and are taking the spiritual mark now. What else would the devil have you believe? I have ministered in several churches that believed this. Generally, the people are very prideful and judgmental of those who do not have their “deep revelation”. They are forced to pick and choose verses in order to justify this doctrine, and it makes them disrespect the Word. I have debated many with this doctrine over the years, some on our live internet chat Bible study a few years ago. When they can't back it up with scriptures, they generally resort to insults. We who believe the Word just don't have “the revelation”. Reconciliationists say the Greek words for forever and ever mean “unto the age of the ages”, meaning when used of those in eternal punishment, it is only for a period of time after which everyone comes out of the lake of fire. They lie. “Unto the age of the ages” is only in one place. (Eph.3:21) unto him [be] the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever (unto the age of the ages) Amen. Here it says, “unto all generations unto the age of the ages”, which is only as long as men have children, clearly making it a period of time. In the four Greek manuscripts I have, which range from the oldest to the Received Text, the second-to-last Greek letter of “age” in this verse is an omicron, the 17th letter of the Greek alphabet, which makes this word singular, “Age”. In every other place, the second-to-last letter in the word “ages” is an alpha, the 1st letter of their alphabet, making this word plural, “Ages”. In every other case where “forever and ever” is the translation, “unto the ages of ages” is the literal wording, which has no end. The manuscripts and Bible Numerics prove this to be the case. (Rev.14:11) and the smoke of their torment goeth up for ever and ever (unto the ages of ages); and they have no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image, and whoso receiveth the mark of his name. There is no end to the fiery punishment. Many will receive the mark because of this false doctrine. That means that God would die if it were only a period of time. Notice in (Rev.15:7) And one of the four living creatures gave unto the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. So if they are correct, using the same words, when these people come out of hell, God dies. If it were only a period of time in the following verses, the devil, beast, and false prophet would come out of the lake of fire at the end of that time. (Rev.20:10) And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Even though many Reconciliationists say they do not believe the devil will be saved, according to this doctrine, he has to be. If there is an end to his torment, God will die for the same phrase is used for the longevity of each. They say that “forever,” Greek: “aionios”, meaning “unto the ages”, is for a period of time, but the Kingdom will cease if that is true. We are told forever is without end. (Luk.1:33) and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Vines says this is a Greek Idiom; i.e., an expression whose meaning cannot be derived from the elements of the word. Idioms can always be explained by their usage in the text. If one said, “After he kicked the bucket, I went to the funeral”, you know that “kicked the bucket” means death. It is so with the Greek word for “for ever” or “eternal”. Forever is clearly set apart from a period of time in this verse: (Phm.15) For perhaps he was therefore parted [from thee] for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever. Clearly “for ever” is far more than a period of time. They also say eternal, which is the same Greek word, “aionios”, meaning “unto the ages”, and has no end. (Joh.10:28) and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. Clearly the elect only are eternal and eternal is clearly set apart from a period of time in this verse: (2 Cor.4:18) while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal (temporary or for a season); but the things which are not seen are eternal. If eternal is only a period of time, then at the end of that period, the wicked come out of hell and God and the righteous die. (Mat.25:46) And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life. If “eternal” is only a period of time, then, according to this doctrine, God, the Holy Spirit, the Kingdom of God, the new body, etc., would come to an end; but God is also immortal, i.e., deathless (1 Timothy 6:16); the Holy Spirit is eternal (Hebrews 9:14); the Kingdom is eternal (2 Peter 1:11); and the new body, which is also immortal, i.e., deathless, is eternal (1 Cor­inthians 15:52,53; 2 Corinthians 5:1). Here is the clincher: Those who do not have eternal life will “not see life”. (Joh.3:36) He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life (Greek: aionios; “unto the ages”); but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. We can't twist those words. “Not see life” clearly means never. Those who have eternal sin “never” get forgiveness. (Mar.3:29) but whosoever shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit hath never forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin. Once again, we can't twist those words. Reconciliationists use the following verse to claim that “eternal” has an end. (Rom.16:25) Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, (26) but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God. There is no end of eternity, just as God here is eternal, but there are points in eternity when things are manifested like the revelation of Christ here. From our point of view, eternity goes into the past and into the future. Something may be eternally future without being eternally past. For instance, we have eternal life because we entered into eternity. The spiritual man in Jesus is eternal for he came out of God. His flesh had a beginning for He was sown of God and born of Mary.  And even before that He was “the beginning of the creation of God” and “the first-born of all creation”. This was a point in eternity. When other terminology is used in the Word as we have seen, the Ultimate Reconciliationists are at a loss. (Isa.66:24) And they shall go forth, and look upon the dead bodies of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. Clearly the wicked souls do not die for they are in eternal fire. (Job.5:6) How much less man, that is a worm! And the son of man, that is a worm! Which will not come out of fire. (Mar.9:47) ... it is good for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell; (48) where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Notice that using different words they will always be in fire. (Psa.49:19) He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see the light. Again using other words they will never see the light of truth. They also say, “everlasting” is a period of time, but as we can see, it has no end! (Jer.20:11) But Jehovah is with me as a mighty one [and] a terrible: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail; they shall be utterly put to shame, because they have not dealt wisely, even with an everlasting dishonor which shall never be forgotten. Everlasting here is clearly eternal. When I was younger, “Ultimate Reconciliation” was often called the “Restoration of All Things,” taken from the KJV. (Acts 3:21) whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things (Things is not in the original Greek.), whereof God spake by the mouth of His holy prophets that have been. Restoration here is “apokatastasis,” meaning “back in order”. Only God's people can go back to order because the rest never had order. Notice that when the Lord returns after the Tribulation, the “restoration of all” of His elect is completed. At that time, He is not restoring the wicked but destroying them. (Rev.19:15) And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. Even a thousand years later, when all the wicked are resurrected at the Great White Throne judgment, they are taken from hell and thrown in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7-15). That makes it clear that “all” is all of the elect, not all people, as even the Jews understood. To the Jews, “all” meant all of the elect. It is the same today. All of the elect, but without racial distinction, classes or conditions of people, rather than just physical Jews. All Israel is all elect Jews and Gentiles who are grafted into the olive tree (Romans 11:19-24,26), not those who are broken off. Compare the “all” in Mark 1:5 and Luke 7:29-30, where “all” is clearly the elect. The “all” whom the Father gives to Jesus are the elect in John 17:6,9 and in John 6:37,45. We see the same thing when we look at John 8:2, Acts 22:15, 2 Corinthians 3:2 and 1 Corinthians 15:22. Compare Romans 12:3 and 2 Thessalonians 3:2. Read 1 Timothy 2:6, Colossians 3:11 and Matthew 20:28. Jesus came to save only all of His own (Isaiah 53:8,11; Luke 1:68,77; Romans 9:21). God is not wishing that any of His people perish (2 Peter 3:9). (Rom.9:11) For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, (12) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13) Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. Reconciliationists say that God unconditionally loves the whole world and could not fail to save it. They like to use this verse as proof. (Joh.3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. Yet, God clearly specifies what part of the world He loves here as “whosoever believeth”. Jesus disagreed with their interpretation of this verse. (Joh.14:21) He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him. (22) Judas (not Iscariot) saith unto him, Lord, what is come to pass that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? (23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (Joh.15:10) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (15:14) Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you. Here's even more proof from the Word: (Rom.9:13) Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. (Psa.5:5) The arrogant shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity. (Psa.11:5) Jehovah trieth the righteous; But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. (Pro.6:16-19) There are six things which Jehovah hateth; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him: (17) Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood; (18) A heart that deviseth wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief, (19) A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren. (Pro.8:17) I love them that love me; And those that seek me diligently shall find me. (Hos.9:15) All their wickedness is in Gilgal; for there I hated them: because of the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of my house; I will love them no more; all their princes are revolters. Friends, we cannot make God's love a worldly love. God would not be love if He permitted the wicked into His Kingdom to leaven the whole lump. God does not dwell in time and can, therefore, love by faith the elect whom He foreknew and foreordained. (Rom.9:11) for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, (12) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13) Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. (Psa. 11:5) Jehovah trieth the righteous; But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. God's people who live in sin will prove themselves called but not chosen, and He will love them no more. (Hos.9:15) All their wickedness is in Gilgal; for there I hated them: because of the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of my house; I will love them no more; all their princes are revolters. This is not traditional, but I hope I've made it clear. (1 Cor.15:22) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Ultimate reconciliationists use this verse to say that those in Adam, the whole natural man creation, and those in Christ, the whole spiritual man creation, are the same people, so therefore God will save all. However, the next verse narrows those “in Christ” to those who are His at His coming. (23) But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. As most know, when Jesus comes, He will eternally destroy the wicked who were obviously not in Him. (2 Thes.1:7) and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, (8) rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: (9) who shall suffer punishment, [even] eternal destruction from the face of the Lord....   PREDESTINED AND CHOSEN Let us see who the full measure of those in Christ are, and also if God ever planned to reconcile all of Adam's seed. “Predestine” means “to determine destiny before it happens”. “Foreordain”, which is the same Greek word, means “to ordain an event before it takes place”. (Eph.1:4) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: (5) having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. You who are manifesting sonship by bearing fruit have been chosen and are being drawn by God. (Rom.8:29) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained (predestined) [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. God foreknew and decreed all who come to the likeness of Jesus, but not the apostate. “Foreknew” here does not mean that He looked into the future and saw what we would be. “Foreknew” here means “to know before” and is not connected with actions or events, but persons. God knew these people before the foundation of the world because He does not dwell in time. God conceives and knows what He creates before He speaks it into existence, just as we conceive and design something first in our mind before we make it. “Knew” speaks of intimate knowledge; for instance, Adam knew Eve. Jesus will say to those who called Him Lord but do not do the will of the Father, (Mat.7:23) “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you (I.e.,from the foundation of the world): depart from me, ye that work iniquity”. To the foolish virgins who had not the oil of the Spirit, Jesus said, “I know you not”. The ones that God intimately knew He “foreordained” before the creation to be conformed to the image of Jesus. God is creating us through His gift of faith and grace and His Word in us. These are the people on the narrow road. This is grace. (Rom.8:30) and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. We see here that all who are foreordained will be called, justified, and glorified. They will not fall away but will bear the fruit of Christ. Are there others who are called but not foreordained? Let us see. (2 Tim.1:9) who saved us, and called us with a holy calling … Notice that only the saved are called. “Called” is from the Greek word “kaleo”, which means “to invite”. “Called” is an invitation given only to God's people (for more proof, read Hebrews 3:1; Hosea 11:1; 1 Timothy 6:11,12; Matthew 25:14; Romans 1:6,7) to partake of His heavenly benefits in Christ in order to bear fruit. Those who bear fruit 30-, 60-, or 100-fold will be proven to be the chosen, or picked. Naturally, if at harvest time you have no fruit, rotten fruit, or unripe fruit, you will not be picked. The called are the vineyard of God (Isaiah 5:7). The chosen are the much smaller percentage who bear fruit (verse 10). (Mat.22:14) For many are called, but few chosen (Greek: eklektos; “elect”). The “called” can fall, but the elect or chosen will not ultimately. (Hos.11:1) When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. (2) The more [the prophets] called them, the more they went from them .... The Lord saved those who ate the lamb and were baptized in the Red Sea. He then tried them in the wilderness to see who would be a believer in the midst of trials, and only those entered the Promised Land. Jude warned the called of this very thing. (Jud.1) Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are called ... (5) Now I desire to put you in remembrance, though ye know all things once for all, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. Notice that the called were saved, but some did not continue in faith to bear fruit and were destroyed. Friends, God is not looking for what we loosely call “Christians”, but believers or disciples, as they were called. Jesus gave us very clear examples of His servants who are called but do not come and partake in order to bear fruit. Jesus shared a parable in which a king made a marriage feast for His son. (Mat.22:3) … and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden (Greek: “called”) to the marriage feast: and they would not come. They were full of excuses (a farm, merchandise, a new wife, etc.). (Mat.22:8) Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy. Even one who appeared to come did not have on a wedding garment, which implies putting on Christ (Romans 13:14) or putting on righteous acts (Revelation 19:8). (Mat.22:13) Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. (14) For many are called, but few chosen. A few of the called are chosen or elect because they bear fruit. (Mat.25:14) For [it is] as [when] a man, going into another country, called his own servants (Greek: “bondservants”), and delivered unto them his goods. (15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey. Obviously, the man who went away was the Lord, and His bondservants are His people. Two of these example servants brought forth fruit of the talent given them (Matthew 25:20-22), but one buried his in the earth (used his talent for the earthly, Matthew 25:24,25). When our Lord returns, He will say, “And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth” (Mat.25:30). The apostle Paul, who said of himself that he was called in Galatians 1:6, also said, “But I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected” (That's the Greek word for “reprobated”) (1 Cor.9:27). There is much more proof that the saved and the called can fall. Some good examples are 2 Peter 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:11,12; Hebrews 3:1,6,12,14, and Romans 11:1-7,19-23. Friend, you probably know if you are called, but are you chosen? You must be diligent in your walk of faith to prove this with fruit. (2Pe.1:10) Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election (“choosing”) sure: for if ye do these things (the attributes of Christ listed in verses 5-7), ye shall never stumble: (11) for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God, at the cross, has already given us everything that we need to bear fruit through faith. (3) Seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; (4) whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust. Faith in the promises through the midst of trials will give us the fruit. The called have the power and the opportunity. The called and the chosen, or foreordained, use the power by faith and take the opportunity. The only ones who will ultimately be with the Lord are identified in this verse. (Rev.17:14) These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings; and they [also shall overcome] that are with him, called and chosen and faithful. Notice that the called who are chosen will be faithful. I did not make these verses up; they are the Word of God. Those who have eyes and ears will see and understand, but the rest will justify their religion and ignore the Scriptures. Before time and the future, God sovereignly spoke the end from the beginning, bringing these things into existence in time. Some would argue, “How could God make a promise to all of His called and then not keep it for those who do not bear fruit?” The answer is that every promise in the Bible is useless until someone walks by faith in it. Our part of the covenant is faith; God's part is power and salvation. We can break the covenant through unbelief. (Num.14:11) And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have wrought among them? (12) I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a nation greater and mightier than they. Notice that God is saying this to His own people who did not believe that He would disinherit them. Lest any believe that God cannot make a promise and then take it back when they do not walk in faith, pay attention to this: (Num.14:23) surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that despised me see it. (30) surely ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware that I would make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. (34) and ye shall know my alienation (Hebrew: “revoking of my promise”). Unless we mix faith with God's promises, they are void. (Heb.4:2) For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they (God's people): but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. Many Israelites walked in sin and were disinherited and blotted out of God's book. (Exo.32:33) And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. The same is true of the Christians who do not overcome sin. Notice what the Lord said to the church. (Rev.3:5) He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life... They will be rejected from the body of Christ. (Rev.3:16) So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Many of God's people, Israel, were broken off because of unbelief, and Christians who were grafted in but do not walk by faith will be too. (Rom.11:20) Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: (21) for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. (22) Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. Those who are still grafted in at the end are called “all Israel”… (26) and so all Israel shall be saved... Those who are still in the Book of Life, still grafted in, are the elect (Greek: “chosen”). (Rom.11:2) God did not cast off his people, which he foreknew ... (5) Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election (Greek: “chosen”) of grace. A remnant is the ones who are left. Notice that they are foreknown and chosen. Sovereign God will have those who are truly His. Abiding in Christ is where salvation is. Some say God gave us the gift of eternal life so He cannot take it back. In Galatians 3:16, we are told, “To Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many, but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ”. So the promises were given to Christ, not to us individually. The only way the promises are ours is if we abide in Christ. Abiding in Christ is bearing fruit (John 15:1-6), walking as he walked (1 John 2:3-6), believing the same teachings given by Jesus and the apostles (1 John 2:24; Jude 3; Matthew 28:20), not adding or subtracting from the Word (Revelation 22:18,19), not walking in sin (1 John 3:5,6), and keeping his commandments (1 John 3:24). In Christ is the only place we can claim the gift of eternal life. (1Jn.5:11) ... God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. God does not have to take His gift back; His people walk out of it. (1 Cor.6:18) ... Every sin that a man doeth is without the body ... When you walk in willful sin, you are not abiding in His body, for in him is no sin (1Jn.3:5). (6) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not … For instance, fornication, whether spiritual or physical, takes away the members of Christ and makes them members of a harlot (1 Corinthians 6:15,18). Only Christ and those abiding in Him are chosen. (Eph. 1:4) Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world... Only Christ and those abiding in Him are going to heaven. (Joh.3:13) And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven... Jesus Christ is the Manna from heaven, the Word, Who takes up residence in those who love Him; this is the fruit that God is coming to choose. By this time, I am sure some are thinking that they do not measure up. We must first abide in Christ by faith accepting the gospel report that “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me” (Gal.2:20). Those who walk by faith that they are dead to sin and Christ now lives in them are accounted as righteous until God uses that faith to manifest righteousness in them. (Gal.3:6) Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. Amen. Next, I'd like to share with you a couple of testimonies from our website of people who received the revelation of the error in their thinking concerning their own salvation.   Coming Judgment on the Lukewarm Sandy - 01/15/2014 I had a dream that thousands of demons entered my bedroom, then jumped on me while I was in bed, devouring my flesh. I was totally paralyzed. I repeatedly shouted out, “You must flee, in the name of Jesus!” These demons continued to attack me. There was total darkness -- no Jesus. It was HORRIFYING. I felt as though I was in the pits of hell, and this is where my soul is going if I don't change my ways. Then I was whisked away, and I was standing in front of a large cross. From the center of the cross, a bright light was shining. I heard the Lord say to me, “Come to the cross. I did not hear or respond to your cries because you are not abiding in Me. Horrific evil is here, and more is coming, and if you do not abide in Me, you will be devoured. I will not hear nor respond to your cries, if you do not abide in me, and you will not be able to fight off this evil in your own strength”.  Then I was whisked back to my bed, where the demons were devouring me again. I was once again paralyzed. I breathed on them, saying, “Jesus”, and they eventually all fled. I woke up with tears streaming down my face, crying out to the Lord. Now, here is what is so IRONIC: I considered myself to be a born-again, saved Christian! Over the past few years, I've started to walk in the ways of the world, thinking it is okay because ‘I know the Lord loves me; I am a good person and I am saved.' How many other Christians are thinking in the same way? How many other Christians are not truly saved? I turned away from Jesus in my walk. It was a slow and subtle turning away, convincing myself all along the way that I can walk my walk, give the Lord ‘courtesy prayer' and everything will be okay. I WAS SO WRONG.  Thank You, LORD, for Your warning, as horrifying as it was. Thank You, LORD, for giving me another chance to make You Lord of my life.   My Salvation and Deliverance from Satanic Music James Austin - 07/08/2008 When I was a child and up to the age of 15, I had gone to some Baptist and Methodist churches off and on. I had even been what I believed at the time to be saved and baptized. I never really placed importance in my salvation as most Christians at the time. I was scared about hell, so I thought if I got saved, then I would go to heaven and still do whatever I wanted. When I was about 16, I cared only about the world and gave God no attention at all. I was associating with people who weren't Christian and listening to music that wasn't Godly. I began to stop believing that there was a God and didn't care if He even existed. A year and a half ago, I was up late one night and I had nothing to do and I started thinking about life and the world and I felt a sudden loneliness and sadness, and I looked up and said, “God, if You are real and Your Word is true, then help me; I want to know the truth.” I don't think it was even two weeks and God led a brother I work with by the name of Nehemiah to me to inquire about carpooling with me. By this time, I had forgotten about what I had asked God. I was still listening to satanic music and living very worldly. The first week he rode with me to work, I didn't play any music because I began to feel ashamed and did not want people to know which music I listened to. At this time, I didn't know Nehemiah was a Christian. A few weeks later, someone else with whom we were carpooling informed me that Nehemiah was a Christian. Then I really felt low and inadequate to be around him. One day, I was looking at some space nebula and stuff, and I saw what looked like Jesus' face in one of these objects in space. Then I started thinking about God even more. I asked Nehemiah one day about it, and we began talking, and he told me some things the Bible spoke of. Then, after about two weeks of talking and debating with him, he led me to your website, and I started reading and listening to some of your stuff and became very fearful of where I was headed. That morning when I got home from work, I cried to God to forgive me and save me. I confessed to so many evil things I had done and wept, and then felt a peace come over me. I have been reading and listening to your programs and teachings ever since, and I feel the Holy Spirit every time I do. God began to work in me, and I bought your “Sovereign God” book and an ASV Bible. Now I have the New Testament on audio, and I only have the desire to listen to music that glorifies God, and I listen and read the Word of God. I have lost the desire to watch all TV programs because I can now see the sinful nature of TV and how TV glorifies sin. I believe God has saved me and He also healed me from plantar fasciitis (a painful tendon injury) by faith alone. Glory to God! God Bless you, brothers and sisters. I don't listen to evil music, and I feel better inside. God has really changed me. Thank you! I had sent an email about my wife a while ago, but I couldn't remember if I had ever given my testimony to you. My wife is still an unbeliever, but I continue to pray for her salvation. I believe that one day God, in some way, will also save her.

In this lesson, Pastor Dale teaches on the law (or principle) of "first things" discussing, in particular, the importance of believers placing the things of God first in their lives. Every breakthrough in the Kingdom is activated by a spiritual law, and the law of first things is no exception. Whenever we intentionally put God first, we reap a great harvest. However, withholding from the Lord by NOT giving Him first place hinders His work in our lives. When we prioritize God and the things of His Kingdom, we set ourselves in position to receive the fullness of His blessing.

Here is the sermon for Sunday, December 7, 2025Theme for the sermon: “King Jesus makes us a part of His Kingdom.”The Scripture readings for today are:First Lesson: Isaiah 11: 1 – 10Second Lesson: Romans 15: 4 - 13Gospel: Matthew 3: 1 – 12Sermon Text: Isaiah 11: 1 – 10Thank you for joining us in worship!You may donate by going to this link: https://www.fountoflife.com/giving

Have you ever wondered why God seems to choose the most unlikely people for His biggest assignments?In this powerful message from Luke Chapter 1, Pastor Mike dives into the story of Mary of Nazareth to uncover three life-changing truths about how God works in your life, especially when you feel too small, unqualified, or overwhelmed by your circumstances.If you are feeling overlooked or facing an impossible situation, this sermon is for you!In This Sermon, You Will Discover:God Chooses the Unlikely: From Abraham and Sarah to Mary and the village of Nazareth, the Bible shows that if you feel too small for God to use, you already qualify! God delights in using the weak and lowly for His Kingdom purposes.God Speaks the Impossible into Existence: When God speaks, reality rearranges itself. He is a specialist at taking shattered relationships and impossible situations and making them new again. His favorite workshop is the place where human possibility ends and divine power begins.God's Power Is Not Minimized by Messy: Your broken marriage, your child's addiction, your shame, or your past sins cannot dismantle God's power to heal and make your life white as snow.God is definitely at work in your life circumstance. Like Mary, will you choose to believe?Scripture Focus: Luke 1:26-38Connect with Us: http://www.palmharvest.com  / palmharvest  

Today’s Topics: Father Raymond of the Blessed Sacrament joins Terry 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel – Luke 1:26-38 – The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of David his father, and He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of His Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the Child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Memorial of Saint Saint , pray for us! Bishop Sheen quote of the day

Authentic ministry starts with a servant’s mindset, and Christians searching for purpose will find it in action—zeal for good works is a mark of discipleship, not a pastoral job description. John 12:26 frames service as the pathway to honor from the Father, reminding believers that following Christ means stepping into everyday ministry, wherever life places your feet. Highlights Ministry simply means “to serve,” and every follower of Christ is called into it. Jesus modeled servant leadership as the Servant King—service is imitation before function. The call isn’t to become a pastor, but to live like Jesus. Daily surrender (“die daily”) is less dramatic and more incremental—small yeses, repeated. Excuses shrink when identity grows: you serve because you are His, not to become enough. Service is worship when done in the Spirit’s power, not self-reliant hustle mode. Zealous good works expand your reach for God’s Kingdom—overflow comes after outpour. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: Zealous for Good Works By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26, ESV). “Ministry” is from the Greek word diakoneo, meaning “to serve.” At my church, our elders believe that every member of God’s Church is a minister, so obviously that would mean that every believer is called to serve- serve Jesus and serve His Body. Jesus was the servant of all. In fact, He was the Servant King. Christ shares in the gospel of John the importance of serving and following Him as He serves others. “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26, ESV). Jesus asks us as Christians to lay our lives down continually, denying our wants and desires, or as the Apostle Paul said to do, “die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). Do we know how to do that? Intersecting Life & Faith: It is human nature to seek after what our hearts and flesh crave, but we do not have to give in to that kind of nature, for we have a new nature in Christ Jesus (Colossians 3:10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:24). Some people have wrong thoughts about God and service, perhaps believing their service doesn’t matter because others have it taken care of. Or perhaps they see pastors as the ones who are qualified for service and ministry, so they don’t need to join in. But we are all priests to our God (1 Peter 2:9)! When we put our hands to the plow, so to speak, in ministry, we are worshiping God. Those who are saved by Christ will eagerly and joyfully serve Christ and His people. We have been clothed in Christ’s righteousness to match Him and follow Him. What clothes are you wearing- the world’s or Christ’s? No matter the excuse or wrong thinking regarding ministry and service, we can ask God to help us see the importance of serving the Lord and others. The Holy Spirit empowers us to set aside our selfishness and learn how to be selfless like Jesus, preferring others above ourselves. That kind of lifestyle starts in the mind, in the way we think, as we learn to think of ourselves less and look for ways to put others first. The Lord promises that the Father will honor the one who serves Christ by serving His people. As we learn to prefer others above ourselves, the Lord fills us with His love to the overflow to reach more people for His Kingdom. He will give us zeal for ministry. God is selfless, humble, gracious, and merciful, and as His children, He asks us to follow His example. We cannot do that in our own strength. The Holy Spirit will empower you, and with His grace, to be able to deny your own desires and selfish ambitions. We need God’s help to prefer others above ourselves. God’s Word transforms our minds so that we can learn how to think less of ourselves and seek to serve God and His people. Let us ask God to help us value the call to serve so we can look more like Him, ministering to whoever He puts in front of our path. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Christmas marks the coming of God's promised King, Jesus, who began His eternal Kingdom. We now live in hope of His return and join His mission to expand His Kingdom.

Tom Logue - December 7th 2025 The blessing of God flows to the needy, the humble, and the childlike who come to Jesus. This week, Tom continues our King and His Kingdom series in Matthew 19:13–15, where parents bring their children to Jesus for Him to lay His hands on them and pray. Drawing deeply from Scripture, Tom teaches on the biblical pattern of laying on of hands—how throughout the Bible God transfers wisdom, healing, empowerment, spiritual gifts, and the Holy Spirit through ordinary people who make themselves available. He challenges us not to decline the blessing God wants to give because we avoid the means through which He gives it. Tom also unpacks the difference between childishness and childlikeness: childishness is impulsive, self-focused, prideful, and tantrum-prone—while childlikeness is marked by humility, dependence, awe, wonder, trust, and quick forgiveness. Jesus says the kingdom belongs to people like this. We were made for the kingdom the way fish were made for water; when we exit it through pride or self-reliance, we spiritually suffocate under anxiety, fear, bitterness, or despair. But Jesus wants the needy to come to Him—He delights to bless, touch, heal, and restore His children. Tom calls every listener—parent, youth, child, and spiritually suffocating adult—to come back into God's presence, receive blessing, and breathe again. Learn more about our church: https://restoredtemecula.church Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restoredtemecula  and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restoredtemecula #Matthew19 #ChildlikeFaith #Blessing #LayingOnOfHands #Prayer #KingAndHisKingdom #RestoredTemecula Share this message with someone who needs to hear it. Chapters (00:00:00) - Wonders of Restored Church(00:00:53) - Advent Season 2018(00:03:29) - King and His Kingdom(00:04:13) - Jesus at the Temple(00:06:51) - Lay on of Hands in the Bible(00:10:47) - Paul's Blessing Through the Lay on of Hands(00:15:27) - Jesus' Blessings for You(00:15:59) - Tony Evans: Blessing is the Ability to Enjoy God's Grace(00:21:13) - Bringing Your Kids Into God's Presence(00:25:41) - Pastoral Counsel to Young People(00:31:12) - What Makes Kids So Childlike(00:34:22) - The Child's Love for God(00:38:39) - Needy People in the Kingdom of Heaven(00:42:07) - 7 Reasons You're Not in the Kingdom of God(00:46:36) - Welcome Back, Satan(00:47:07) - Jesus Wants the Needy to Come to Him for Blessing(00:53:03) - The Parents Bringing the Parents to Jesus

A Day Is Coming – Part 2 MESSAGE SUMMARY: We are 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”. In the book of Isaiah, Isaiah 24 through Isaiah 26 presents prophesies regarding the future about 600 years before the birth of Jesus. More specifically, Isaiah 24:1-13 describes the destruction of the world resulting from the sinful acts of God's people. However, Isaiah 24:14-16 describes a period of joy and hope in the world. As in the time of Isaiah, we should not give credence to the prophesies, by fellow humans today, of the world's destruction and/or a specific date for Jesus' ”second coming” {arrival}. Jesus told us both not to be “anxious” about those things that we cannot control and that “no one knows the day and the hour” of His return (i. e. Jesus “second coming”). Rather, in this season of Advent, we recognize the hope brought to the world by God's grace and His gift of Jesus. Our hope is built upon Jesus' birth, death on the cross, and His Resurrection all providing us with the means for our Redemption, Salvation, and our Eternal Life. However, there will be a day when Jesus returns again to earth (i. e. Jesus' “second coming”) on a day that cannot be predicted by humans. Jesus' “second coming” will establish His Kingdom and a new Heaven. Therefore, even though we do not know the when of Jesus' “second coming” we haves God's promise of the what Jesus' “second coming” will mean. We need not fear the “second coming”. The “second coming” is a promise by God and should lead us, in this season of Advent, to renew our preparation in hope and not fear and anxiety. We have God's promise that nothing can separate us from His love, as the Apostle John tells us in 1 John 4:16-19: “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us." We do not want to get so wrapped up in the details of Jesus' “second coming” so that, like the First Century Jews, we miss Jesus. One certainty, in Jesus' “second coming”, is our “Judgement”. Jesus' “second coming” will “arrive”, but we have nothing to fear if we are ready. We are “ready” by living lives of Faithfulness to the Gospel and through Repentance. Is there something in your life with which you have not dealt with in Repentance? If so, you are not “ready”. We must be willing to follow Jesus and to respond to those things He asks of us. The Apostle John tell us in Revelation 22:20-21: “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The Grace of Lord Jesus be with all. Amen”. Do you want to be ready for Jesus' “second coming”? If so, are you ready?   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 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):  Isaiah 24:1-16; Romans 8:38-39; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19; 1 John 4:16-19; Revelation 20:4; Matthew 25:31-32; Johnb5:24; 1 Corinthians 11:28-32; Romans 11:25-27; Luke 1:31-33; Hebrews 1:8; Hebrews 10:37-39; Revelation 22:20-21. (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 – “God, the Father, Is Spirit; Jesus Followers Must Worship the Father in Spirit and Truth with Reality and Honesty and Not a Façade”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Pastor Ryan continues through the series in the gospel of Matthew titled "The King & His Kingdom" as he preaches a message titled "Are You Prepared for His Return? The Parable of the Ten Virgins" during this Sunday morning service.

Pastor Ryan continues through the series in the gospel of Matthew titled "The King & His Kingdom" as he preaches a message titled "Are You Working in View of His Coming?" during this Sunday evening service.

Have you ever wondered how your everyday skills could be used for God's glory? In this inspiring episode of Faith Fueled Woman, Kristin Fitch sits down with Dan Parr, a voice-over artist who followed a divine nudge to make the Bible more accessible for everyone.What started as a simple act of reading Scripture in a small group became a calling that changed Dan's life—and continues to touch others. He shares how faith, persistence, and obedience turned his creative talent into a ministry that helps people connect with God's Word in a fresh, relatable way.Together, Kristin and Dan unpack how God equips each of us with unique abilities and opportunities to serve. This episode will encourage you to listen for God's prompts, trust His timing, and take the next faithful step—even when it feels small.Key TakeawaysYour gifts have purpose. God designed each of us with talents meant to serve His Kingdom, no matter how ordinary they may seem.Small obedience leads to big impact. Dan's journey shows that one “yes” can open doors to ministry and transformation.Faith and creativity go hand-in-hand. Using our skills for God's glory allows us to reach others in ways words alone can't.Accessible faith matters. Making Scripture relatable helps more people encounter God's truth.Encouragement fuels calling. The support of family, mentors, and community can strengthen us to keep pursuing God's assignments.Connect with Dan Parr https://www.parrdanmevoices.com/ or Learn More about the Easy to Understand, Read Bible here.Download My Free Joyful Living Devotional: https://kristinfitch.com/devotionalReady to take your first step towards a more joyful, faith-filled life? Download our Reignite Your Passion Workbook and start living with purpose today!What to feel more energized in midlife? Grab my 5 Day Energy Reset Jump Start Guide here.Ready to work with Kristin to make a shift in your life? Click here to get started.faith fueled woman • Christian podcast for women • using your gifts for God • spiritual gifts in action • calling and purpose • Christian inspiration stories • faith and creativity • hearing God's call • obedience and faith • Bible accessibility project • everyday faith stories • Christian women encouragement • living out God's purpose • faith at work • discovering your calling

Craig and Arkansas friend Misty Hubbard trace their journey from “vote harder” conservatism to No King but Christ. They talk about propaganda, “paid patriotism,” online Christian rage, compassion that crosses borders, and why the solution isn't a better party but a deeper allegiance to Jesus and His Kingdom. How Mike Gaddy shattered Misty's sense of civic religion, with the haunting question “When have you ever voted yourself more free?”, and what happens when your faith starts sounding more like a campaign ad than the Sermon on the Mount.  In the end, this isn't a call to find a better party; it's an invitation to step out of the culture war and into small, local communities where people quietly learn to look, and love, more like Jesus. What's Inside this Episode: How “vote harder” patriotism discipled them more than Jesus The path Misty took that broke her founding myths and civic religion Propaganda, “paid patriotism,” and how getting back to Jesus expands compassion Online Christian rage vs. everyday kindness at work (and what Jesus has to say about it) Why the solution isn't apathy, but deeper allegiance to Christ's Kingdom Power and importance of small, local groups (like Misty's in Russellville) as quiet deprogramming from empire

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!Tired of surface-level hot takes during Advent? We press pause on the news cycle and dive into Scripture's living architecture—how David, Solomon, Isaiah, and John converge to reveal a Kingdom that isn't just future hope but present reality. We walk through the liturgical calendar's wisdom, the shock of John's “hour,” and the way Cana's stone jars unlock Exodus, Numbers, and a new creation pattern. Along the way we confront a popular error: the idea that Christ hasn't yet established His Kingdom. If the Gospel announces “the Kingdom is at hand,” then the Church is not a holding pattern—it's the King's reign made visible in Word, sacrament, and a Eucharistic temple.We explore Marian typology without sentimentality: Jeremiah's hidden ark, the overshadowing glory cloud, and why reverence for Mary clarifies, rather than distracts from, the Incarnation. We trace the branch from Jesse through Nazareth, the bread of the presence through David to the Eucharist, and Nathaniel's fig tree across the prophets. Typology isn't trivia; it's how Scripture trains our eyes to see Christ fulfilling every promise. And because grace aims at real life, we talk about family prayer, small rituals that carry children through hard years, and the demanding joy of fatherhood as priestly leadership—authority as sacrifice, not dominance.If you've felt disoriented by church conflicts or exhausted by constant outrage, Advent offers a better way: return to the story, receive the King, and let the calendar shape your days. Come hear how heaven “colonizes” earth through the Church, why obedience grows from grace, and how the Kingdom breaks into ordinary homes through beauty, memory, and the sacraments. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review to help more listeners find thoughtful, faith-filled conversations that spark real devotion.Support the showTake advantage of great Catholic red wines by heading over to https://recusantcellars.com/ and using code "BASED" for 10% off at checkout!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon

As we align the Gregorian calendar with the Hebrew month of Kislev, God is positioning His people for a powerful transition into 2026. Kislev is the month of dreams, hope, angelic activity, and destiny fulfillment. In this timely prophetic word, we explore:What God is doing in December 2025The biblical meaning of 12 — Government, order & completionThe significance of Kislev: Dreams, destiny encounters, and supernatural activityHanukkah: The miracle oil and eight days of new beginningsTorah readings from Genesis 32–36: Jacob's wrestling and name changeHow to align with your scrolls of destiny before entering 2026Understanding spiritual warfare as confirmation of callingReceiving a new level of power and identity for the days aheadThis message releases prophetic insight into how God uses both the Hebrew calendar and the earth's calendar to advance His Kingdom through you. December is a divine setup — a month of stretching, faith-building, supernatural provision, and Governmental ALIGNMENT.Key Prophetic Dates:• Dec 1–8 — New beginnings, destiny tests & affirmation• Dec 12 (12/12) — A governmental stamp from Heaven• Dec 14–22 — Hanukkah: Miracle oil & new beginnings• Dec 25 — Global celebration of Christ• Entering January — First-fruits faith & promotionThis is a season where dreams reveal destiny, where faith rises, and where God gives you a new name, new authority, and a new level of Kingdom power. Your wrestling will lead to your promotion.PRAYER DECLARATION:“Lord, increase my faith, reveal my new name, and establish Your government in my life as I step boldly into 2026.”Books & ResourcesJoin Ascend Classes — FREE impartation & activation monthlyMonday December 22 at 10 am and 6 pm est http://bit.ly/4gfRKXmIn USA get your copy of my new book "Cracking the Time Code" to defeat delay and secure God's promises https://www.candicesmithyman.com/shop/p/preorder-cracking-the-time-code-step-into-supernatural-acceleration-stop-cycles-of-delay-and-secure-gods-promises-todaySign up for “Kingdom Wealth Strategies” for a 6 month COACHING in how to increase prosperity - excellent for marketplace ministry leaders and thoseWanting to dig deeper into God's plan for wealth and prosperous living.https://dream-mentors-transformational-life-coaching.teachable.com/l/pdp/kingdom-wealth-strategies-class-prophetic-communityGet your copy of “365 Prophetic Revelations from the Hebrew Calendar”Www.candicesmithyman.com or out of USA go to https://amzn.to/4aQYoR0https://amzn.to/4aQYoR0

In this follow-up to Thursday's broadcast, Morning Manna returns once more to Jesus' paired kingdom parables—the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:44–46). Part 2 deepens the focus on the seeker's joy, the totality of the exchange, and the holy urgency that marks those who recognize the surpassing worth of Christ and His Kingdom. Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart revisit the themes of discovery, evaluation, and decisive surrender, showing how genuine disciples gladly release all lesser things to gain the one treasure that cannot fade. Teachers: Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart You can partner with us by visiting FaithandValues.com, calling 1-888-519-4935, or by mail at PO Box 399 Vero Beach, FL 32961. MEGA FIRE reveals the ancient recurring cycles of war and economic collapse that have shaped history for 600 years. These patterns predict America is now entering its most dangerous period since World War II. Get your copy today! www.megafire.world Get high-quality emergency preparedness food today from American Reserves! www.AmericanReserves.com It's the Final Day! The day Jesus Christ bursts into our dimension of time, space, and matter. Now available in eBook and audio formats! Order Final Day from Amazon today! www.Amazon.com/Final-Day Apple users, you can download the audio version on Apple Books! www.books.apple.com/final-day Purchase the 4-part DVD set or start streaming Sacrificing Liberty today. www.Sacrificingliberty.com

Read Online“I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”  Luke 21:3–4We must all see ourselves as this poor widow by offering our “whole livelihood” to Christ. Everything we have is a gift from God, and it must be offered back to God, sacrificially, as our gift to Him. The material offering made by this poor widow was two small coins worth very little. The truth is that even if you were the richest person in the world and donated all that you had to God, it would greatly pale in comparison to the gift given to us by our Lord. We are all poor in the big picture of God's grace and His Kingdom. The most any one of us can offer is symbolized by these two small coins.As you look at your own life, how willing are you to give everything you have to our Lord for His glory and service? The only appropriate “offering” we are called to give to our Lord is the “sacrifice” of our entire life. This spiritual truth is something very difficult for those who are very wealthy in the things of this world. Material wealth offers an easy way to live in comfort. Money can provide every modern convenience, entertainment, fun, worldly security and much of what this world has to offer. But money cannot buy fulfillment. It cannot satisfy us in the truest sense. This is why many people who live very luxurious lives are not truly happy.Happiness is found in sacrifice. Specifically, it is found in sacrificial love by which we dedicate everything we are and all that we have to the sole purpose of the glory of God and the furtherment of His Kingdom. Sadly, when one is rich in the things of this world, it is easy to think that offering a portion of their wealth, such as a tithe, means that they can keep and use the rest any way they want. But that's not true. Giving of ourselves completely to God and to His service does not necessarily mean that we donate all of our money to the Church. But it does mean that we offer everything to God. For many, when this complete offering is done every day, God will lead them to use their material resources for the raising of their family, to take care of their basic needs, and, at times, to even enjoy various comforts in life. But the real question is whether or not you truly live as though all you have and all you are is God's and is to be used for His glory and the furtherment of His will.Reflect, today, upon this poor widow. She was greatly blessed to have very little. This made it easier for her to remain detached from money and other forms of material wealth. And in that detachment, she gave all to God. She entrusted all to Him, and Jesus noticed and praised her. Reflect upon our Lord's reaction to you and to the offering of your life to Him. If you are holding back from our Lord, then use the witness of this poor widow to inspire you to daily dedicate everything to the service of God in accord with His holy will.My wealthy Lord, Your riches are all that matter in life. You bestow the riches of eternal salvation and countless other graces upon those who have given all to You. I do give my life to You, dear Lord. I give all that I have and all that I am. Please receive the offering of my life and use me in accord with Your holy will. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: She Gave All She Had by Lawrence OP, license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Read Online“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 22:42–43What powerful words these were. As Jesus hung dying on the Cross for the salvation of the world, He hung between two thieves. These thieves represent all of us. One of them wanted Jesus to save His earthly life by coming down from the Cross and saving him at the same time. The other thief made a prayer for eternal life, asking Jesus to remember him when Jesus entered His Kingdom. To the latter, Jesus granted his request.Oftentimes we pray for earthly goods and pay little attention to eternal ones. Today, as we celebrate the last Sunday of the liturgical year, we celebrate the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. On this day, we are invited to pray this prayer with the good thief, acknowledging that we are sinners deserving death, but hoping and praying for mercy and a share in the Eternal Kingdom of God.Nothing makes the soul of our Lord more joyful than saving His children. He endured suffering and death out of love. He knew that His death would destroy our death if we cling to Him in hope. On the Cross, Jesus' gaze was on eternal, not earthly, redemption. He beheld the glorious throne that He mounted. It began with a cross but would end with glory, power and splendor beyond imagination. As we honor Jesus as the great and glorious King of the Universe, we are encouraged to invite Him to establish His kingship in our lives more fully. Though Jesus' permanent, lasting and visible Kingdom will be established only in the future when He returns at the end of time, His Kingdom must begin now.The Kingdom of God is established here and now every time you allow Him to exercise His kingship in your life. As a King, Jesus desires to order your life. He demands perfect submission of your will to Him. He demands complete obedience. And He demands that you embrace this kingship of His freely, of your own choosing. These are demands of perfect love that bring about a sharing in His eternal Kingdom. How well do you do this?Throughout our world, there are many forms of governments. Democracies are thought by many to be the best form of government because no one person is capable of being the perfect king. Therefore a democracy is more of a safeguard against tyranny and abusive leadership. But when it comes to the end of time, the governance of humanity will take place by a King—the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the only one Who is capable of governing humanity with justice and love. He is the only one under Whose leadership we will all flourish. He is the only one Who will be able to establish universal peace and harmony.Reflect, today, upon the glorious end of the world when our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, will return in splendor and majesty to judge the living and the dead and to establish His permanent and unending Kingdom. Though we are not able to comprehend what this Kingdom will be at this time, we must believe in it with faith and have supernatural hope that we will share in it. Reflect, especially, upon your mission to allow that Kingdom of grace and mercy to begin now, within the depths of your own soul. Surrender all to Him. Invite Him to reign over your thoughts, will, body and soul. Do not hesitate. Trust in this one and only glorious King Who is worthy of our total obedience. My Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, You and You alone are worthy of our total trust and surrender in all things. I do choose You as my King today. I join with the good thief and come to You with all my sin, praying that You will remember me when You come into Your glorious Kingdom. Jesus, I trust in You.  Mongolo1984, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.