Podcasts about his kingdom

Today's Promises: Ephesians 2:5-6 Have you ever considered that, as a believer, your spiritual position is already in heaven? In this episode, we'll discuss what it means to be seated with Christ in heavenly places.   Because of God's rich mercy and amazing grace, you have been made alive in Christ, raised with Him, and given a place with Him in His Kingdom. This truth changes everything. You are no longer defined by the struggles, fears, and uncertainties of this world. Through your union with Christ, you share in His victory over sin, Satan, and the powers of darkness.   Join us as we discover how living from your heavenly position brings confidence, peace, purpose, and direct access to God's presence every day. Learn why your true home is with Christ and how His finished work empowers you to live in freedom, victory, and hope today.

One of the most consistent characteristics of the people of God in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is that they listen to God. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson explains how, in order to hear what God is saying to us, we have to know Jesus of Nazareth as King and understand the nature of our position in His Kingdom. He shares that we need the humility to be learners—to have a listening posture and to intentionally invest our strength, our resources, our gifts, and our entire selves as a living sacrifice to our King. As Jesus is lifted up and given our reverence as our Lord, we will experience the presence of the Holy Spirit and hear the voice of our King.

Some parents think their children need to stay in the realm of non-fiction and realism to find success. Actually, pretend and imagination are a gift from God that help us embrace the realities of His Kingdom.

What if many of us learned more about avoiding sex than understanding it? In this episode of Married AF, we tackle one of the most controversial conversations in modern marriage, dating, and Christianity: purity culture. We unpack the viral statement, “She's told to cover up. He's never told to grow up,” and ask whether generations of people were handed shame instead of healthy relationship communication.We discuss how messages around sex, emotional intimacy, and love can shape marriage long after the wedding day. Some people grew up believing desire itself was bad. Others were taught that men simply cannot control themselves. We explore where those messages may have helped, where they may have caused damage, and how they continue affecting intimacy, marital issues, conflict resolution, and happiness inside relationships today.We also separate an important distinction: healthy boundaries are not the same thing as shame. Marriage advice often focuses on avoiding mistakes, but real marriage coaching should also teach connection, communication, emotional intimacy, and how couples can build a healthy understanding of sex within marriage.Whether you're newly married, dating, engaged, or have been married for decades, this conversation will challenge some assumptions and give practical support for building stronger relationship communication and deeper intimacy.In this episode:✔️ How purity culture shaped marriage expectations✔️ Why emotional intimacy affects physical intimacy✔️ The difference between boundaries and shame✔️ Marriage challenges couples rarely talk about✔️ Communication tools for healthier sex and connection✔️ Christian perspectives on love, marriage, and intimacy✔️ Practical marriage advice and supportMarriage is an adventure filled with challenges, growth, communication, conflict resolution, and learning how to love one another well. Sometimes the healthiest thing we can do is unlearn messages that were never helping us in the first place.

What role does the family play in advancing the Gospel? In this final episode of our three-part series on God's purpose for the family in the New Testament, Dr. Rob Rienow explores the launch of the early church and reveals how God designed the church and the home to work together for the sake of His Kingdom. Beginning in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost, Rob traces the biblical pattern of Gospel ministry: reaching you, your children, and the world. Along the way, he highlights God's calling for parents—especially fathers—to take spiritual leadership in the home and explains why family discipleship is essential to the mission of the church. Whether you are raising young children, investing in grandchildren, or carrying the burden of an adult child who is far from God, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical hope for your family. What You'll Learn in This Episode: - Why the Gospel is intended for you, your children, and the nations - How the early church partnered with families to advance the Kingdom of God - God's specific calling for fathers to lead their children spiritually - Why family discipleship begins in the home and is supported by the church - How parents and grandparents can continue encouraging faith in adult children - Biblical hope for families who are carrying the burden of prodigal children Featured Resources: Foundations of the Christian Family Video Bible Study — Discover God's design for marriage, parenting, family worship, and multigenerational faith through this 19-session video study. Learn more: https://visionaryfam.com/foundations Upcoming Visionary Family Events — Join Dr. Rob Rienow and the Visionary Family team at a conference or family event near you. View the schedule: https://visionaryfam.com/events Visionary Family Community — Connect with families who are committed to passing faith to the next generation. Receive encouragement, prayer support, and exclusive resources. Learn more: https://visionaryfam.com/community Need Prayer? If you are burdened for a child or grandchild, or simply need encouragement for your family, we'd love to pray for you. Contact us at podcast@visionaryfam.com to share a prayer request or schedule a prayer call with a member of our team. Love this episode? If Family Vision encourages your faith and strengthens your family, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share this episode with a friend. Your support helps more families discover God's vision for the home. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.

Send us Fan MailEvery child of God is a leader in something.  We are not empowered by the Holy Spirit to simply do nothing.  We act when He tells us to.  We go where He tells us to go and we do what He tells us to do.  But godly leadership and worldly leadership have differences and as believers, understanding we are leaders in His Kingdom here and now show prompt us to seek wisdom from Him to lead. 

GRACE CAPITAL CITY: "Reaching, raising, and releasing disciples for the glory of the King and the coming of His Kingdom."www.gracecapitalcity.com | @gracecapitalcitySunday Gatherings at 10 am | Miracle Theater | 535 8th St SE, Washington, DC  

What if you are more spiritually gifted than you realize? Scripture tells us that every believer is uniquely empowered by the Holy Spirit — not for personal status, but for the good of others and the building up of the Church. In this series, we'll explore how God distributes diverse gifts, calls us to humble service, shapes us into a unified body, and sends us out on mission for His Kingdom— equipping ordinary people for extraordinary impact. Join us as we discover and step boldly into the gifts God has given you. The Prayer Team would love to pray for you, let them know how by using this link: https://chathamchurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/914476 Announcements Hello Card: https://chathamchurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/976297 Online Giving: https://www.chathamchurch.org/give Looking for a Small Group?: https://www.chathamchurch.org/small-groups Interested in volunteering for a serving team? Contact Jessica: jessica.waldstein@chathamchurch.org Highlighted Events Upcoming events: https://www.chathamchurch.org/events Learn more about our Worship Multiplied here: https://www.chathamchurch.org/worship-multiplied Proposed Budget 2026-2027: Find more about our budget here - https://www.chathamchurch.org/budget New Service Times this Summer: Services at 9 and 10:30am (livestream will also be at 9am) Become a partner at our church: https://chathamchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3600830 Salvation Army Support Drive: Learn how you can help, click here - https://www.chathamchurch.org/events/event/414/salvation-army-support-drive/2026-05-24 Summer Better Courses: Find a way to grow, connect, and make the most of your summer - https://www.chathamchurch.org/summer-better Connect Website: https://www.chathamchurch.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chathamchurch Empowered: Spiritual Gifts for Kingdom Good Assessment that Covers General Skills, Gifts, and Talents: https://everygift.org/index.html Spiritual Gifts Assessments/Inventories: https://www.healthygrowingleaders.com/spiritual-gifts https://gifts.churchgrowth.org/spiritual-gifts-survey/ https://uniquelyyou.org/catalog/online-profiles/spiritual-gifts ($10 Fee)

Pastor Rick Warren once said, “The way you store up treasure in heaven is by investing in getting people there.” That's a powerful statement—and it raises an important question: What does it really mean to store up treasure in heaven? Jesus speaks directly to this in Matthew 6:20, where He says, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” That word “treasure” is striking. In Greek, the word is thēsauros—the same root from which we get the word “treasury.” It describes something stored safely for the future. But Jesus isn't describing a spiritual savings account filled with gold and silver. He's pointing to the lasting fruit of a life lived in alignment with God's Kingdom. Notice that Jesus doesn't say, “Don't have treasure.” He says, “Store your treasure in heaven.” In other words, what we invest in God's purposes today carries eternal significance. What Are Eternal Rewards? In 1 Timothy 6:18–19, Paul writes that believers are “to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” That final phrase matters: “that which is truly life.” The reward is not merely something we receive later. It is the fullness of life that comes from walking in step with Christ—now and forever. The early church understood this well. Augustine wrote in The City of God, “God Himself, who is the author of virtue, shall there be its reward, for as there is nothing greater or better, He has promised Himself.” In other words, the greatest reward of eternity is not something we possess, but Someone we know. That is the heart of eternal rewards: deeper fellowship with God, fuller participation in His Kingdom, and the joy of seeing His work unfold through our lives. Money Reveals What We Treasure This is where our finances come in. Jesus often connected money to an eternal perspective because it reveals what we value. When we give generously, serve faithfully, and steward wisely, we are investing in something that lasts beyond the temporary. We are declaring that our hope is not in wealth, comfort, or control, but in God Himself. In Luke 16:11, Jesus says, “If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” In other words, how we manage earthly resources reflects whether our hearts are ready for something far greater. Every act of generosity, every decision to trust God rather than money, every sacrifice made for His Kingdom becomes part of a story that continues into eternity. God's Rewards Are Gifts of Grace Here's the beautiful truth: God's rewards are never wages. They are gifts. Scripture does not teach that we earn God's favor through generosity or faithful stewardship. Rather, God rewards His people because He is generous in grace. He chooses to reward the very faithfulness He produces in us. That reveals something remarkable about our Father. No matter what we have or do not have in this world, because we belong to Him, He promises to entrust us with the true riches of His Kingdom. That is what it means to store up treasure in heaven. Instead of investing everything in what is temporary, we place our lives, our resources, and our trust into the hands of the One who is the very source of heaven and earth. It's not about building a spiritual portfolio. It's about orienting our hearts toward God Himself. Living Today in Light of Eternity Life with God has never been about accumulating more. It has always been about knowing Him, trusting Him, and sharing in His purposes. So the real question is not, “What do I get in heaven?” The better question is, “How can I live today in light of eternity?” Because one day, every faithful steward will hear the words Jesus spoke in Matthew 25:21—words that will fill every believer's heart with awe and joy: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.” A Resource to Help You Live with Eternal Perspective If you've ever wondered how to live with that kind of eternal perspective day by day, we walk through it in our new devotional, Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship. It's designed to help you view every part of your financial life—saving, giving, planning, and investing—through the lens of eternity as you learn to treasure Christ above all else. You can pick up your copy today, or place a bulk order for your church or small group, at FaithFi.com/Shop. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I have an old individual retirement account that was purchased in 1987 and matured in 1990. I've been receiving letters from agencies offering to help me cash it out for a fee, but I still have the original receipt. What's the best way to access the money? Can I transfer it to another traditional IRA or convert it to a Roth? I'm calling on behalf of my daughter about my two-year-old granddaughter. They'd like to set aside about $1,000 a year until she's 18 or 20, but they're unsure whether to use a 529 in case she doesn't attend college. They also want to be careful about putting money directly in the child's name. What's the best way to invest and structure this? I have about $4,300 in debt, including $4,000 on a credit card. What's the best way to handle it—should I use a balance transfer card or take a loan from my 401(k)? I have about $1,000 of extra margin each month. My emergency fund is fully funded, and I've paid off all consumer debt except my home. Should I use that extra money to invest more, give more, or pay down my mortgage faster? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) The Treasure Principle, Revised and Updated: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving by Randy Alcorn Christian Credit Counselors (CCC) Sound Mind Investing (SMI) Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find 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.

Read OnlineEarly in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Mark 11:20–21The prophets often used the image of a barren fig tree to symbolize Israel's fruitless spirituality (cf. Hosea 9:10; Jeremiah 8:13). Though they were God's chosen people, with whom God established His Covenant, time and moral decay led to a fruitless spirituality. Despite their outward observance of the Law, their hearts were far from God.In today's Gospel, Jesus was hungry as He left Bethany and journeyed toward Jerusalem. Along the way, He saw a fig tree from a distance with leaves, so He went to it to pick a fig to eat, but He found none. He immediately said to the tree, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” (Mark 11:14). This was a prophetic action. The green tree symbolized the outward appearance of the people of Israel and especially the religious leaders, who appeared righteous but bore no fruit of genuine faith, repentance, or divinely inspired charity.After arriving at the Temple in Jerusalem, Jesus drove out those buying and selling, overturning the tables of the moneychangers who were desecrating the sacredness of the Temple. As He did so, He recalled the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah: “Is it not written: ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples'? But you have made it a den of thieves” (Mark 11:17; cf. Isaiah 56:7; Jeremiah 7:11). Just as the barren fig tree symbolized fruitless spirituality, the cleansing of the temple revealed the corruption of worship that failed to honor God. Both acts were prophetic judgments against the emptiness of external religiosity, warning that God desires not outward appearances but true worship and spiritual fruitfulness from the heart.The next morning, on their way back to Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples passed by the fig tree Jesus had cursed. To their amazement, it had “withered to its roots.” This sign of judgment sparked a conversation between Jesus and His disciples in which He taught them about the connection between faith, prayer, and forgiveness: “Have faith in God…I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours…When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance…” (Mark 11:22; 24–25). Faith in God, combined with humble prayer and forgiveness, is the key to spiritual fruitfulness.Jesus' prophetic action and teaching on prayer and forgiveness ring as true for us today as they did for the people of Israel. Like a green fig tree that bears no fruit, we can fall into the trap of being more concerned about our outward appearance of religiosity than about true prayer and worship that is fruitful for the Kingdom of God.We are the temples Jesus wants to cleanse today. Just as Jesus cast out corruption from the temple, so must we allow Him to cast out the sin and spiritual barriers within us that hinder true worship. Forgiveness is an essential part of this cleansing, as it removes the obstacles that block our prayers and relationships with God. True prayer flows from faith that trusts completely in God's power and from hearts that forgive without reservation. When our focus shifts from self-interest to the love of God and service of others, our lives become fruitful for the Kingdom.Reflect today on your soul as the new temple Jesus wants to cleanse. There is incredible potential for each one of us to bear an abundance of good fruit for His Kingdom. Begin by forgiving everyone from your heart. Then, approach prayer with faith that trusts God's providence and seeks His will. Let your worship be sincere—not for appearances or routine, but out of love for God and a desire for His Kingdom to grow. Fidelity to prayer and forgiveness will transform your life into one of fruitfulness and grace, leading you to the abundant life of His Kingdom. My Lord, the source of all abundant good fruit, You desire to cleanse my soul of every sin and obstacle that hinders true worship. You call me to a life of deep prayer, grounded in faith and forgiveness. Purify me, and use me to bear an abundance of good fruit for Your Kingdom. Make me a pure and holy child of true worship. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: The Accursed Fig Tree by James TissotSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

The last chapters of Revelation give us a glimpse of a new heaven and a new earth. God will purify this earth to usher in His Kingdom, free from crime, fear, and pain. Soberly, how you live now proves if you belong there. If we love and obey God here, we will in eternity; if we love sin now, we will not magically desire His Kingdom later.

Hi, I'm John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you're listening to Share Life Today. Jim Sanders, Executive Vice President of Ambassador Advertising, shared a powerful quote. “I love the quote from the new chairman of Home Depot, who coming on board, met with all his senior staff, and they were all talking about how wonderful it used to be, how the glory days. And he said, when your memories exceed your dreams, the end is near. And I added the corollary—when your dreams exceed your memories, the future is bright.” What a great quote! You know, it's good to look back and remember God's faithfulness. The stories of what He's done encourage us and build our faith. But we can't stay there. God's mission moves forward — and there are still so many who need to hear the Gospel. So let's thank God for His faithfulness yesterday and keep working for His Kingdom today. Let's keep sharing the Greatest News. To watch the full interview with Jim Sanders, visit ShareLife.Today.

What if the biggest problem in your marriage isn't the argument… but the way you argue? In this episode of Married AF, we celebrate a huge milestone, 500,000 downloads, and then dive straight into one of the most important relationship communication conversations we've ever had: why so many couples are trying to win arguments instead of understanding each other.We break down the hidden communication habits quietly damaging marriages, emotional intimacy, dating relationships, friendships, and even faith conversations. From shutting down emotionally to mentally preparing your comeback while your spouse is still talking, we unpack why modern conflict resolution feels more exhausting than productive and what healthy communication actually looks like.We also walk through five practical tools for better marriage communication and healthier relationships:How to stop treating conversations like competitionsWhy undistracted presence changes everythingThe power of asking better questionsHow to find common ground even during disagreementWhy grace and truth matter in every hard conversationIf you're struggling with marital issues, emotional disconnect, intimacy challenges, recurring fights, or feeling unheard in your relationship, this episode offers practical marriage advice and support you can actually use. Whether you're newly married, dating, navigating relationship challenges, or simply trying to communicate better with the people you love, this conversation will challenge the way you think about conflict, happiness, love, and connection.This episode is packed with:Marriage adviceRelationship communicationConflict resolution toolsChristian marriage coachingEmotional intimacy insightsCommunication strategiesDating and newlywed adviceBiblical perspectives on relationships and ChristianityPractical support for healthier marriagesBecause sometimes the strongest marriages aren't the ones that never fight… they're the ones that learn how to fight without destroying each other.

A @Christadelphians Video: [Inspiring]In this outstanding and thought-provoking episode of the Watchman Report, we delve into a major geopolitical shift that is quietly reshaping the world order: Europe's move towards strategic independence from America. As headlines from February 2026 report that European leaders are preparing for a future without the US as its ultimate security guarantor, we ask the question—what does this mean for the student of Bible prophecy?This is an insightful and revealing exposition of Ezekiel 38 and Revelation 17, exploring how current events are aligning with the prophetic stage. We examine the ancient nations of Magog, Meshech, Tubal, and Gomer, using the historical writings of Josephus to identify them with modern-day Russia and Europe. The video lays out a wonderful, scriptural framework showing how a Russian-led European confederacy is set to emerge in the latter days, standing apart from the Anglo-Saxon maritime powers of Tarshish (Britain) and her young lions (the United States).Join us for this inspirational study as we connect the dots between today's headlines and the sure word of prophecy, pointing towards the ultimate intervention of God and the establishment of His Kingdom.*Chapters:*00:00 - Introduction: The Shifting Alliances in Europe01:52 - News Headlines: Europe Prepares for Life Without US Backing03:26 - The Prophetic Significance: Ezekiel 38 and the Latter Days04:55 - Identifying the Nations: Josephus and the Scythians07:00 - The Prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal: The Russian Connection08:39 - Gomer and his Bands: Identifying Western Europe09:52 - Revelation 17: The Ten Kings and European Unity11:25 - The Merchants of Tarshish: Britain, America, and the Young Lions13:28 - The Direction of Travel: Setting the Stage for Prophecy15:05 - Conclusion: Moving Towards God's Kingdom*Bible Verses Referenced:*

In this message, Pastor Chris invites Dr. Betsy Stalcup, the director and founder of Healing Center International, to join him for a conversation about the work of the Holy Spirit and why  God's work  at Pentecost is so important for all who seek to follow Jesus.GRACE CAPITAL CITY: "Reaching, raising, and releasing disciples for the glory of the King and the coming of His Kingdom."www.gracecapitalcity.com | @gracecapitalcitySunday Gatherings at 10 am | Miracle Theater | 535 8th St SE, Washington, DC  

When we let God have our whole lives, He transforms us just like planting a seed in the ground produces a new plant. God wants to use us to multiply His Kingdom but we must first give ourselves to Him to plant as He pleases.

By David Jones - So often, when we think of Pentecost, we immediately think of Acts 2 and the founding of the Church by the giving of the Holy Spirit, but this was not the first time God made covenant with power and fire. God first established His Kingdom with the Children of Israel at Mr. Sinai. as a theocracy

By Ken Loucks - Pentecost points to the calling of the firstfruits, but the question is what actually makes a firstfruit different from everyone else. It is not natural talent, ability, intelligence, or personal worthiness—it is the heart God is preparing for service in His Kingdom. Christ's Beatitudes show the

May 21, 2026Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - 1st PetitionDaily Lectionary: Numbers 16:41-17:13; Numbers 18:1-19:22; Luke 20:1-18“God's name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also.” (The Small Catechism, The Lord's Prayer- First Petition)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.What's in a name? What is a name? It's a label. It's the way in which we are known. It carries with it our reputation, an impression of our character. A new teacher may think they know you because they know your older sibling who came before you, and assume you will be the same because you share the same last name. A name is more than a word used to get our attention; it carries with it our very identity. Yahweh, God, and Father are all names by which we know God. They are holy, like nothing else. He is like no one else. He is not like other “gods.” He is gracious, merciful, compassionate, and forgiving. He desires and makes possible your forgiveness by sending His own Son, the second Person of God, being of the same substance, the same stuff, God Himself to die for you. What God does that? What God sacrifices Himself to save His people? Your God does. He is not like other “gods.”He is not like us, though, either. We are frail, weak, and prone to making mistakes and failures. We are imperfect, unholy sinners who drag His name through the mud. He is perfect, righteous, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. Yet He becomes like us, flesh of our flesh and bone of our bones, born of woman, born under the law, born under the consequence of sin and death. He is like us in every way, even tempted as we are, but without sin. Though He is not without death. Through faith, that death is for you, that forgiveness is for you. God is for you. He is your God, and you are His.So He puts His name on you. In the waters of Holy Baptism, the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is put on you. You are labeled. You are marked. You are known; your character and identity are in Him. You are not your weakness, your frailty, your mistakes, or your sins. They have no part with you anymore. Leave them behind, dead on the cross, buried in the tomb, drowned in the waters of your Baptism. You are Christian. You are forgiven. God, our Father, knows you because He knows Christ. So He knows, and you may know, that just as Christ is risen from the dead, so, too, shall you rise each day new and eternally new to live in His Kingdom. After all, His name, your name, is on it.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Our Father, hallowed be Thy name. O holy God, keep me holy today and to life everlasting in Your name. Amen.Rev. Brett Simek, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD.

Day 141 — The Treasure and the Pearl

What are the biggest financial questions people keep asking—and are we answering them the right way? The questions we wrestle with about money often reveal something deeper. They expose our fears, our hopes, and what we truly believe about God's provision. That's why financial wisdom must go beyond spreadsheets and strategies. It must address the heart. Sharon Epps, president of Kingdom Advisors, joins us to unpack what financial advisors across the country are hearing from their clients. While the seasons of life may vary, many of the same questions keep surfacing—and those questions often reveal concerns that go deeper than dollars and cents. The Questions People Keep Asking As Kingdom Advisors stays connected with financial professionals across the country, certain questions continue to surface. According to Sharon, three of the most common are: How much is enough? How do I prepare the next steward? How do I give intentionally? Each question involves real financial decisions, but each one also reveals something about the heart. They are not merely questions about money. They are questions about security, legacy, generosity, and trust. How Much Is Enough? At first glance, “How much is enough?” sounds like a numbers question. People want to know how much they should save, how much they need for retirement, or how much margin they need to feel secure. But beneath the question is often a deeper concern: Will I be okay? Will my family be okay? That's why a purely financial answer can fall short. A typical financial plan may focus mainly on accumulation—building as much as possible to create a sense of safety. Saving wisely is important, but from a biblical perspective, accumulation alone cannot provide lasting peace. A stewardship approach asks a different question. It still considers the numbers, but it also recognizes that God is our provider. Enough is not merely a financial target. It is also a posture of the heart shaped by contentment, trust, and faithfulness. Preparing the Next Steward Another question many people ask is, “How do I prepare the next steward?” This often becomes urgent as people approach retirement or begin thinking about estate planning. But Sharon points out that preparing the next steward should not be delayed until later in life. It is something we should consider throughout our lifetime. That's because stewardship is not only about passing on wealth. It is about passing on wisdom, values, and a vision for faithfulness. Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children.” While that certainly can include financial inheritance, it should not be limited to money. A truly meaningful inheritance includes biblical wisdom, godly character, and a clear understanding of how to steward resources. As Ron Blue has often said, estate planning is incomplete if it only focuses on wealth transfer. The greater goal is the transfer of wisdom before wealth. Giving Intentionally The third question Sharon says advisors frequently hear is, “How do I give intentionally?” This question moves generosity beyond impulse or obligation. It invites us to think carefully about how God may be calling us to use what He has entrusted to us for His Kingdom. Intentional giving requires prayer, planning, and a willingness to align our resources with our deepest convictions. It asks not simply, “How much can I give?” but “How can my giving reflect God's generosity and advance His purposes?” A Resource for Deeper Stewardship These recurring questions helped inspire FaithFi's new Field Guides—practical resources designed to help people work through major financial questions with both technical clarity and biblical wisdom. The first Field Guide, How Much Money Is Enough?, helps readers think carefully about contentment, provision, and defining “enough” through a biblical lens. Because the questions we ask about money often point to deeper matters of the heart, we need more than financial information. We need wisdom rooted in God's Word. To receive a copy of the first FaithFi Field Guide, How Much Money Is Enough?, become a FaithFi Partner by supporting the ministry at $35 a month or $400 a year. Learn more at FaithFi.com/Give. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: In my divorce, I was awarded my ex-husband's tax-deferred savings plan. It was originally $14,000 and grew to about $17,000 before being transferred to another bank. In 2020, when I tried to access the money, the bank said they couldn't find it in their system and suggested it might be in storage records. They still haven't located it. What steps can I take to recover those funds? I'm 56, a state employee, and about to take early retirement. I'll have healthcare covered, a pension of about $1,400 a month, and I'm moving into a private-sector job that pays more than I make now. My only debts are a $148,000 mortgage at 6% and an $11,000 home equity line at 7%. Should I invest the pension for retirement in about 10 years, or use it to pay down debt? I'm turning 65 in June. I received a Social Security letter stating that if I respond between December 1, 2025, and June 1, 2026, my claim would start at age 64½, backdated to December, rather than age 65. Since I didn't start this process, why would they begin my benefits at 64½ rather than letting me claim at 65? My wife recently left a job after 30 years and is starting with a new company. We're considering rolling her old retirement plan into an IRA at Schwab, but she wonders whether the money will grow more slowly if it's split between an IRA and her new employer's plan. Does retirement money need to be in one account to ‘grow together,' or is it fine to keep it in separate accounts? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) SSA.gov (Social Security Administration) National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find 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.

Growing In God Podcast Program Number: GIG #302 Categories: Kingdom of God Air Date: 5/20/2026   Title: The Colony From Heaven   Web Description: If you feel like your world has been turned upside down, then you are just like the disciples of Yeshua (Jesus). After the Passover, everything they thought they knew was gone. But by Pentecost they understood what the Lord had actually spoken to them, and they were prepared to be that to the world. And God will remove your past conditioning to prepare you to move forward as His ambassadors to this world.   Show Notes: Between Passover and Pentecost, the disciples of Yeshua (Jesus) went through a time of deep preparation. They were thrown into turmoil and confusion as their concepts about Yeshua's purpose were turned upside down. Yeshua had told them plainly what would happen, but they had to go through a time of transition until they were able to understand and move in what the Lord had shown them. We too have been in a transition where we are coming to understand and move in what God has shown us.   For the disciples, Pentecost was a completion of the old things and a launching pad into a whole new day. And we have the same experience in Christ. We go through a transition that seems like turmoil and confusion. But we come out of that with an understanding of God's Word and an ability to move forward. Pentecost means that the past is not something we are stuck in but something that has prepared us to be God's representatives to the earth. We have a purpose to fulfill. The Lord has placed us here for a reason. We are His ambassadors.   We may live here on earth, but our citizenship is in heaven. We have been transplanted here from heaven; we are a colony of the Kingdom. As ambassadors of Christ, we still reside in the Kingdom that we represent. As a colony from the Kingdom of Heaven, we are an exact replica of that Kingdom on the earth. We are a manifestation of the Lord's government, ways, thoughts, morality, miracles, and everything else about His Kingdom. Therefore, we leave the past behind and press on toward the goal of our high calling in Christ.   Key Verses:   •       Philippians 3:1–14. "Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal." •       Philippians 3:15–21. "Our citizenship is in heaven." •       Ephesians 3:19. "Be filled up to all the fullness of God." •       2 Corinthians 5:20. "We are ambassadors for Christ." •       John 18:36. "Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world.'" •       John 15:18–19. "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you." •       John 17:14–15. "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. … Keep them from the evil one."   Quotes:   •       "You can't go back and make everything right that was wrong. You just rejoice in God and know that He's moving you forward. So let's all start by just rejoicing in the Lord." •       "Don't confuse the future with the past. Don't try to recreate what we had in the past, what we did in the past, who you were in the past, what we were in the past together." •       "We are to have the experience of the life of Christ filling us. We are to be filled, as Christ was, to all the fullness of God in this day, in this life. And we're to have that so living in us that we're able to impart it to others."   Takeaways:   1.    The process of God taking us out of everything we have known in the past seems difficult. But He does that so we can understand and walk in what we were unable to understand or walk in before. 2.    Let us be like Paul and say that all we gained in the past is loss in comparison to the fullness that God has called us to walk in. We leave everything of the past in the past and keep moving forward. 3.    You are a colony of the Kingdom of Heaven. You are the picture of the Kingdom that God is wanting to bring forth on this earth. You are the ambassadors of that Kingdom and the ones who impart that Kingdom to the people of this world.  

Salvation is not just eternity with God...it is submissive, humble discipleship, here and now, with Christ as Lord and making more disciples for His Kingdom and Glory! Share. Make it a great day in the Love & Lordship of Christ (Luke 9:23)!

As a follower of Christ you have dual citizenship. Don't ever make the mistake of prioritizing your earthly citizenship above your citizenship in His Kingdom! Share. Make it a great day in the Love & Lordship of Christ (Philippians 3:20)!

In Acts 2, Peter stands before the crowds in Jerusalem and boldly declares that Jesus is both Lord and Christ. The same Jesus who was crucified has risen from the dead, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and now calls people everywhere to repent, believe, and publicly identify with Him. This message confronts every heart with the same question: What is keeping you from bowing the knee to Jesus? Whether you've resisted surrendering an area of your life to God, struggled with doubt, or kept your faith private and comfortable, this passage reminds us that following Jesus is more than intellectual agreement. Christ calls us to repentance, obedience, and wholehearted submission to His rule and reign. The good news is that His kingship is not oppressive—it is good, life-giving, and full of mercy for all who call upon His name. In this verse-by-verse study of Acts 2:22–41, Curtis Henry walks through Peter's sermon at Pentecost and the birth of the Church's witness in Jerusalem. Peter first proclaims the truth about Jesus: that His miracles authenticated Him as the Messiah, His crucifixion happened according to God's sovereign plan, and His resurrection proved that death could not hold Him. Peter then turns to the Scriptures, showing how King David prophetically pointed forward to the resurrection and exaltation of Christ. Finally, the sermon culminates in a clear invitation: repent, be baptized, and publicly identify with Jesus as Lord and Savior. This passage points us directly to the hope of the gospel. Jesus Christ died for sinners, rose again in victory, and now offers forgiveness and new life to all who trust in Him. Repentance is not merely feeling bad for sin—it is a change of mind that leads to surrendering ourselves to Christ. Baptism becomes the outward declaration that we now belong to Jesus and His Kingdom. We'd love to invite you to join us at Harvest Church in Arroyo Grande as we grow together in God's Word, worship Jesus, and build authentic Christian community. Whether you're exploring faith, returning to church, or looking for a church family committed to Scripture-centered teaching, we would love to welcome you. Service times: Sundays at 9am & 11am. Harvest Church is committed to Bible teaching, expository preaching, and verse-by-verse study through the Scriptures so people can grow in following Jesus and living under His lordship. For more information about our church, ministries, and upcoming gatherings, visit www.agharvest.org.

Day 138 — The Parable of the Mustard Seed

During Student Takeover Weekend, student Caden challenged the church to boldly share the hope of Jesus with the people around them and reminded us that the Gospel was never meant to be kept to ourselves. Through Scripture, personal stories, and practical encouragement, he showed that sharing our faith is less about having all the perfect answers and more about loving people enough to point them to Christ. Caden emphasized that every believer has a role in God's mission and that ordinary conversations can have an eternal impact when we are willing to step out in faith. He encouraged listeners to overcome fear, trust the Holy Spirit, and live with urgency in a world full of people searching for hope and truth. Ultimately, the message was a powerful reminder that God can use anyone—regardless of age or experience—to make a difference for His Kingdom.

This Next Gen Sunday sermon used Ezekiel 37's Valley of Dry Bones to teach that no person or generation is too far gone for God to restore. The speakers connected modern struggles like anxiety, brokenness, and searching for fulfillment apart from God with Israel's spiritual condition, emphasizing that true life comes through God's Word, obedience, and the Holy Spirit. Through stories like Lazarus and David, they challenged the church to see purpose and destiny in the next generation instead of failure, declaring that God still sees “an exceedingly great army” rising up for His Kingdom.

Tom Logue - May 17th 2026 Jesus is not just part of life—He is the cornerstone holding everything together. In this message from Matthew 21, we continue through our series The King & His Kingdom as Jesus tells the parable of the vineyard owner—a sobering and powerful parable directed at the religious leaders who had rejected God's authority and refused to honor Him with what He entrusted to them. Jesus describes a landowner who plants a vineyard, entrusts it to tenant farmers, and sends servants to collect fruit from it. But instead of honoring the owner, the tenants reject, beat, and kill the servants—and eventually even kill the owner's son. Through this parable, Jesus exposes the failure of the religious leaders of Israel. God entrusted them with His people, His city, and His kingdom, but instead of stewarding those things faithfully, they used them for themselves. They rejected the prophets God sent to call them to repentance, and now they were rejecting the Son Himself. But this message doesn't stop with them—it confronts us too. At the center of this sermon is a deeply practical and challenging truth: we are stewards, not owners. Everything we have has been entrusted to us by God—our bodies, our relationships, our time, our finances, our gifts, and even the message of the gospel itself. The question is not whether we have these things, but whether we are stewarding them in a way that honors the One they belong to. This message challenges us to take honest inventory of our lives. Are we stewarding our bodies well? Are our relationships healthy? Are we using our time wisely in light of eternity? Are we serving God with our money, or being mastered by it? And are we faithfully sharing the gospel that has the power to save and transform lives? The sermon also explores the biblical call to generosity and tithing—not as religious obligation alone, but as an act of worship and trust. Ultimately, Jesus is worthy not just of leftovers or percentages, but wholehearted devotion. Like Mary of Bethany breaking the alabaster jar at Jesus' feet, we are invited to become worshippers who “break the bottle” because Jesus gave everything for us. And at the center of it all stands Jesus Himself. Quoting Psalm 118, Jesus reveals that He is the cornerstone rejected by the builders. Remove the cornerstone, and everything falls apart. But when our lives are built upon Him, everything else finds its proper place. This message is an invitation to stop living like owners and begin living like faithful stewards—people who surrender every part of life to Jesus, the true King and cornerstone of it all. Learn more about our church: https://restoredtemecula.churchFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restoredtemeculaand Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restoredtemecula #Matthew21 #Stewardship #JesusIsKing #Cornerstone #ChristianLiving #Generosity #Gospel #RestoredTemecula Share this message with someone who needs to hear it. Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome Home: Restored Church(00:00:30) - Matthew(00:01:30) - Holy Spirit Prayers for the Church(00:04:32) - Read the Parable of the Vineyard Owner(00:05:22) - Jesus' Parables in Matthew 21(00:08:28) - Parable 8: Elements of the Parable(00:09:02) - Jesus Parable of the Vineyard(00:14:23) - Jesus' Words on the Kingdom of God(00:18:47) - We're Stewards of What God Entrusts to Us(00:20:03) - Some Things That God Entrusts to Us(00:25:26) - Take a Look at Your Relationships(00:28:11) - How Are You Using Your Time?(00:32:47) - God Entrusts Us With Money(00:37:15) - The Biblical Principle of Tithing(00:40:34) - Tithing is a Test(00:45:46) - Why Mary Broke the Bottle for Jesus(00:50:26) - Follow Jesus With Your Finances(00:51:01) - Ways of Steward of the Gospel(00:56:22) - Are You Rejecting the Cornerstone of Life?(01:01:33) - He's so Patient With SINners!(01:08:03) - All God's People(01:09:35) - Prayers for the Day

In this message, Minister Alex Ehly teaches through John 2:1–12 and the miracle at the wedding in Cana, where Jesus turns water into wine. But this story is about far more than a miracle at a wedding feast. It's about Jesus stepping into emptiness, shame, chaos, exhaustion, and spiritual dryness… and revealing the glory of God by making something entirely new.As the wine runs out and the celebration begins to collapse, Jesus transforms ceremonial purification water into the best wine of the feast, revealing that He did not come merely to patch up religion, but to bring a better Kingdom, deeper joy, and lasting hope. This message explores how Jesus still meets people in moments where life feels empty, uncertain, or broken — and how what looks like chaos to us becomes a canvas for His Kingdom.If you feel spiritually exhausted, emotionally drained, overwhelmed by suffering, or uncertain about what God is doing in your life, this teaching offers hope that Jesus still brings new wine out of crushing seasons.

In the Parable of the Wheat and Tares, Jesus teaches that both good and evil will exist together until the final judgment. The sermon reminds believers that good seed produces good fruit, evil seed produces evil fruit, and God alone will judge rightly in His timing. Christians are called to trust God, remain patient, and continue faithfully following Him until His Kingdom is fully revealed.

"I Once Was Blind": Humility and Spiritual Sight St. John 9:1-38 In this homily on the healing of the man born blind, Father Anthony reflects on how Christ not only gives sight, but gradually heals the whole person. Though baptism opens our eyes to the truth of God and His Kingdom, we still struggle to see clearly through the distortions of pride, fear, anger, and self-justification. The path to true spiritual sight is therefore not certainty or condemnation, but humility, repentance, patience, and trust in the One who already reigns over the world. Enjoy the show! --- Today's Gospel shows us two very important things about the Christ to whom we have given our lives: that He has compassion for human suffering, and that He has the power to heal it. The man in today's Gospel was not born partially blind. He was born completely blind. And Christ gives him sight so that we may trust not only His love for us, but His power to remake us and remake the world. Saint John tells us why these signs were given: "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, you may have life in His name." The miracles are not spectacles. They are revelations. They show us who Christ is, and they show us what He desires to do with us. There is also a symbolic meaning to this miracle, and here we should remember the words of the Lord from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew: "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light." Now, growing up in Georgia, every time I hear this Gospel, I hear that hymn: "I once was blind, but now I see." And that is true for us. That is why that hymn resonates so deeply within our souls. Through baptism and chrismation, through union with Christ, through life in His Church, we have been given new eyes. For the first time, glory to God, we begin to see reality as it truly is. We begin to see God not as an abstraction, but as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We begin to see that life has meaning, that even suffering can become holy, that love is stronger even than death, and that the Cross is not defeat but victory. But we also know something else. Even after receiving sight, glory to God for opening our eyes, we do not yet see clearly. As Saint Paul says, we still see "through a mirror dimly." And like the man healed in stages, sometimes we only "see men like trees walking." Why? Because salvation is not magic. The Lord does not simply wave away every wound, every distortion, every habit of pride and fear the moment we come to Him. Yes, baptism gives us eyes, but the healing of the whole person takes time. Our minds were created to resonate, to be in harmony with God, but sin twists the strings out of tune. And alas, we do not only suffer from our own sins; we inherit confusion from a world that itself has forgotten how to see clearly. And so we live in a very difficult place. We have received sight. We have seen the light. But we are still learning how to see. Worse than this, we are learning alongside other people whose vision is also wounded. The world tells us that confidence is clarity, that loudness is wisdom, that certainty is discernment. But often it is the opposite that is true. As Proverbs warns us: "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." The proud man thinks he sees everything so clearly, but the humble man knows that he still needs healing. And this is where today's Gospel becomes painfully relevant to us. When we recognize that our sight is imperfect, humility teaches us to move carefully. How quickly we assume we understand another person's motives. How quickly we justify our own anger. How quickly we become certain that we are right and others are blind. But the fathers warn us: the blind cannot heal blindness, and if the blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch. This is why humility is so important. Humility, unlike the world tries to tell us, is not weakness. Humility does not involve pretending that evil is good. Humility is not refusing to act when action is needed. Humility is the recognition that our own vision is still being healed. Humility acts as the pause that short-circuits the line between fallen instinct and sinful action: the pause between offense and judgment, the pause that protects us from self-justification and allows us time for repentance. Humility says: "I may not understand this completely." "My passions may be distorting what I see." "My fears may be speaking louder than wisdom." "My ego may be disguising itself as righteousness." Along with humility comes another necessary thing: trust. Because one of the hardest things for us is accepting that redemption does not depend upon our control. We are not the saviors of the world. Christ already reigns over the world. We feel pressure to judge every situation perfectly, to interpret every motive, to solve every conflict, to prove ourselves good and righteous. But God knows us. He does not require omniscience from us. What does He require? We hear it again and again in the Gospel of Saint John: He requires faithfulness. The Lord who opened the eyes of the blind man is still at work healing His people. How is this healing accomplished? He has given us the means of healing: prayer, scripture, confession, communion, acts of mercy, holy friendships, holy marriage, parish life shaped by patience, forbearance, and love. And over time, this healing gains traction. Little by little, the light grows clearer. Little by little, our vision is healed. Little by little, the knots of pride, fear, anger, and confusion are loosened. And as this healing takes place within us, the parish itself becomes a place of light: a place unlike the world, where people are not devoured by judgment; a place where people are not moved by manipulation; a place where weakness is met with patience; a place where vulnerability is met with gentleness; a place where repentance and true change are possible; a place where Christ is visible. The Lord has given us eyes. Once we were blind, but now we begin to see. What do we see? We see the Lord's mercy. We see the Lord's Cross. We see the Lord's love for mankind. We see, glory to God, the path of salvation. And now along that way, the work of healing continues: not through pride, not through condemnation, not through the illusion of our own righteousness, but through humility, patience, repentance, and trust in God. May the Lord who opened the eyes of the man born blind also heal the vision of our hearts, so that we may learn to see ourselves, one another, and the whole world in the light of His love. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Stan explored the purpose of the Gospels and revealed that the center of the Gospel is Jesus Himself. Every miracle, healing, act of kindness, and deliverance points to one truth: Jesus is King, carrying all authority, power, grace, and mercy. The Gospels are not just biographies or theological books; they are invitations into a relationship with Jesus and participation in His Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is not only about going to heaven one day, but about heaven breaking into earth now through transformed lives, healing, freedom, and the rule of Jesus in every area of life. Ultimately, the sermon asks the central question of the Gospels: who is Jesus to you, and why does that matter?

Join us as Dillon Neely concludes our sermon series, “Strong Disciples,” with a powerful message on biblical stewardship, discipleship, and living fully surrendered to Jesus Christ. In this final week of the series, Pastor Dillon teaches how followers of Jesus are called to faithfully steward their time, money, talents, and lives for the glory of God and the advancement of His Kingdom.Centered around Ephesians 5:15-17, this sermon challenges believers to “make the best use of the time” God has given them by living with wisdom, purpose, generosity, and eternal perspective. Through practical biblical teaching and gospel-centered encouragement, this message will help you learn how to faithfully steward every area of your life for God's Kingdom.Whether you're struggling with financial stress, distractions, or simply wanting to grow deeper in your walk with Jesus, this sermon will encourage and equip you to honor God with your time, treasure, and life.SUBSCRIBE and get the latest messages: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVIzzCy3Z9Zsk0GwAH-yJ7g?sub_confirmation=1Watch this:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5De6-FwIKq4&t=1sTo support this ministry and help us continue to reach people click here: http://kingschurchkc.com/giveWe are a movement for all people to find and follow Jesus Christ.——Stay ConnectedWebsite: www.kingschurchkc.comKings Church Facebook: Facebook.com/kingschurchkcKings Church Instagram: Instagram.com/kingschurchkc#kingschurch #faith #Christianity #kansascity #onlinechurch #churchonline #hope #churchesinkansascity

Isaiah 56:1-12 ; Isaiah 57:1-21 Introduction Isaiah has given us some glimpses into the glorious future promised to God's people Glorious rule of Christ in His Kingdom to fulfil His promises Wonder of perfection in eternity with God He's not finished with those descriptions - more still to come These…

On Sunday, we continued our Pentecost series with a teaching from one of our elders, Pete Donor.   In Acts 1v6-8, the disciples ask Jesus when He will restore the kingdom, but He redirects them away from control and speculation toward surrender and mission.   Instead of giving them timelines, He promises the Holy Spirit, who will empower them to live as witnesses of His Kingdom everywhere they go.   Holy alignment happens when we stop centering our own plans and start trusting the Father's timing, allowing the Spirit to shape both our lives and our purpose around Jesus.

The Readings for Today's Homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051426-AscensionOn Ascension Thursday, Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC, reflected on the Church's hopeful anticipation of Christ's return after the Resurrection and Ascension. He emphasized that Christ remains with us daily through the Eucharist, uniting the Church as one body journeying together toward His Kingdom. He explained the ancient Christian tradition of facing East during prayer, and the celebration of the Mass as a symbol of looking toward Christ, the true focus of worship. The priest is not meant to be the center of attention; rather, all are called to look beyond human weakness and keep their eyes fixed on Jesus. Through this shared orientation toward God, the Church continues to always follow Christ in the right direction with faith and hope. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this heartfelt episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, co-hosts Melissa Bearden and Natalie Ambrose open an honest, encouraging conversation about what it means to walk in vocational ministry as a woman—especially in the midst of motherhood. Whether your work happens inside the home, within the Church, or out in the world, this episode reminds you that your calling is deeply seen, eternally significant, and worthy of intentional stewardship.  Melissa shares her personal journey from serving in women's and children's ministry to stepping into a full-time vocational role—offering a powerful glimpse into how God often weaves together passion, gifting, and season to shape a calling. Together, Melissa and Natalie explore the evolving language around "career" versus "vocation," encouraging listeners to release identity tied to titles and instead embrace the sacred spaces God has entrusted to them.  As the conversation unfolds, the realities of ministry life come into focus—its unpredictability, emotional weight, and the constant pull to give more. Through the Raising Godly Girls Minute, listeners are reminded that even Jesus modeled the necessity of stepping away to rest, pray, and reconnect with the Father. For the woman in ministry, Sabbath isn't optional—it's essential.  This episode also offers practical, Biblical encouragement for maintaining joy and sustainability in your work. From rejecting the "just a mom" mindset to modeling integrity and dependence on Christ, Melissa and Natalie challenge working moms to reframe their daily efforts as acts of worship. And perhaps most importantly, they remind us that our daughters are watching—learning how to approach work, calling, and faith by the example we set.  No matter your season, this conversation will meet you with grace, truth, and a renewed vision for what it means to serve the Lord through your work.  Three Things to Remember:  God uses us in every corner of His Kingdom—both inside and outside the home.   Sabbath rest is not optional; it is essential for a sustainable life of ministry.   Lasting joy in your work flows from a life of integrity and alignment with God's truth.   Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:  Psalm 77   Romans 12:15   Mark 2:27   Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.   Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.        

What does it look like to build more than buildings — to build a life, business, and legacy on a solid foundation of faith?In this inspiring episode, Jeff Knox of the Sterling Real Estate Group and Owner of Bill Lake Homes & Modulars shares his journey into real estate development, lessons learned through entrepreneurship, and the principles that have guided him through highs and lows of business. From humble beginnings to building impactful projects, Jeff opens up about the mindset, discipline, leadership, and vision required to thrive in the world of real estate.More importantly, Jeff shares how his relationship with Jesus Christ became the true foundation beneath it all — shaping the way he leads, serves others, and approaches kingdom impact through business. This conversation dives into what it means to be a “tentmaker” entrepreneur: pursuing excellence in your profession while using your platform to share God's love and advance His Kingdom.Grounded in the truth of Matthew 7:24–25 — building on the rock instead of the sand — this episode is filled with wisdom for entrepreneurs, leaders, dreamers, and anyone seeking to build something meaningful that lasts.Topics include:Jeff's journey into real estate developmentKey principles for long-term success in businessEntrepreneurship, leadership, and perseveranceFaith in the marketplaceKingdom building through businessServing others through real estate and relationshipsBuilding your life on a firm spiritual foundationWhether you are in business, real estate, ministry, or simply seeking purpose in your calling, this episode will challenge and encourage you to build with vision, integrity, and faith.Check out Sterling Real Estate Group: https://www.sterling518.com/Bill Lake Homes: https://www.billlakehomes.com/Follow us on social media @ef3lifehttps://www.ef3life.com/#podcast #realestate #homes #building #landdevelopment #business #entrepreneur #faith #god #christianbusiness #jesus #love #joy #inspiration #rock

For a handful of generations now, there has been a tremendous falling away in the American Church. Now, it's our watch. Will we impact the next generations in a way that blesses them and draws them closer to the Lord? In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses the generational impacts of listening to and obeying God, and he shares some tangible things we can do to make a difference in the lives of those around us. Being in God's Word regularly tunes our ears to His voice, and understanding our roles as ambassadors to His Kingdom develops our faith. What we do is more impactful than what we say, so let's stop simply talking about the truth we know and start living it out.

We have a very interesting program in store for you today on Light on the Hill as we move on to chapter twenty in our study through the book of Revelation. After the rapture of the church, the seven-year Tribulation, and return of Christ, we're told that Jesus will reign in His Kingdom. The cool thing is, if you're a believer, you'll rule and reign with Christ! What will that be like and when will it occur? Pastor James Kaddis provides some answers. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1459/29?v=20251111

The diversity of life on this planet is astonishing, good, bad, beautiful, painful. Our world is a place of blessing, and it's also a struggle for a lot of people. Each of us has a whole batch of issues to deal with every day, ranging from physical challenges to emotional needs. And a fascinating element in all this is how we see contentment. What is it?Where is it found? Is it lasting?Matthew 6:32–33 says, “For the pagans run after all these things and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them but seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” Our old friend balance is so important. In every aspect of our lives, we should have a goal of keeping steady. Solomon spoke to this in Proverbs 30, when he asked God to give him not too much or too little. He reasoned that if he had great wealth, he might forget God. If he was in poverty, he might be inclined to steal. This effort to find balance is the heart of finding contentment. God is the ultimate source, and He gives us the capacity to be content, using Scripture as our guide. And as usual, God has a comprehensive plan for you, especially in the area of contentment.Notice what Proverbs 14:30 says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” The actor Chris Tucker discovered all this after the huge success of “Rush Hour” and other projects. But he became a Christian, and now he's selective in what he does, and he keeps it clean and real. It's been estimated that since he turned to faith, Tucker has turned down a hundred million in projects. What's his take on all that? He says, “But I've got a hundred million great experiences.” Whether you're hard-charging and ambitious or you're simply neglecting the pursuit of peace in your life, you're damaging your spiritual health.Finding spiritual harmony makes you a complete person. Anything short of that, you're flying with a broken wing. Bottom line is, if you look at all the verses in the Bible that speak to being truly content, you'll quickly understand that Christ is the answer. Let's pray, Father, you've provided the only way to true peace and contentment, and we thank You for that. Help us to keep this in front of us every day as we seek to live life well and abundantly, in Jesus' name, amen.Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done Introduction In this message, Coleton walks through one of the most important lines in the Lord's Prayer: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” — Matthew 6:10 Jesus is not giving His followers empty religious words to repeat. He is teaching them how to partner with God in the renewal of the world. This prayer is not passive resignation. It is an invitation into participation with God. Coleton structures the sermon around three major questions: What is Jesus telling us to ask for? Why doesn't God just do it without our prayers? What does this mean for our prayers practically? Throughout the message, Coleton emphasizes a central truth: prayer matters because God has chosen to work through the prayers of His people. 1. What Is Jesus Telling Us to Ask For? We Are Asking for God's Kingdom and God's Will Coleton explains that Jesus teaches us to pray for two connected realities: God's Kingdom to come God's will to be done These cannot be separated. God's Kingdom is the place where God's will is actually happening. Coleton uses a quote from Dallas Willard to explain this idea clearly: “God's own ‘kingdom,' or ‘rule,' is the range of His effective will, where what He wants done is done.” — Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy The sermon explains that every person has a small “kingdom” — a sphere where their choices shape reality. God's Kingdom is the sphere where His desires, purposes, goodness, and authority reign completely. So when Jesus teaches us to pray, “Your kingdom come,” He is teaching us to pray: Let more of what God wants happen here. Let more of heaven invade earth. Let the qualities of God's reign spread into places where they are absent. Coleton says we see the qualities of God's Kingdom most clearly in Jesus. When Jesus walked the earth, He announced: “The Kingdom of God has come upon you.” Then He demonstrated what that Kingdom looked like. Coleton walks through example after example from the Gospels: Abundance Where There Was Scarcity John 2 Mark 6 Jesus multiplies provision and turns lack into overflowing abundance. Truth Where There Was Hypocrisy John 3 Matthew 23 Jesus exposes false religion and reveals truth that leads to life. Freedom Where There Was Bondage Mark 5 Jesus delivers people oppressed by evil and restores them to wholeness. Healing Where There Was Disease Matthew 8 Mark 5 The Kingdom of God pushes back sickness and brokenness. Restoration Where There Was Alienation John 4 Jesus restores dignity and relationship to the Samaritan woman. Hospitality Where There Was Hatred Luke 19 Jesus welcomes Zacchaeus when everyone else rejected him. Life Where There Was Death John 11 Jesus raises Lazarus and reveals that death does not get the final word. Hope Where There Was Despair Mark 5 Jesus enters impossible situations and brings hope again. Love Where There Was Hatred Acts 9 The Gospel transforms persecutors into followers of Jesus. Justice Where There Was Oppression Acts 16 God breaks chains and overturns systems of darkness. Coleton repeatedly reminds the church: When Jesus extended the Kingdom, He extended these qualities into people's lives. So praying “Your Kingdom come” means praying: Bring freedom here. Bring healing here. Bring justice here. Bring peace here. Bring restoration here. Bring hope here. This prayer is asking for the realities of heaven to invade earth. 2. Why Doesn't God Just Do It Without Our Prayers? This becomes the heart of the sermon. Coleton addresses a question many people quietly wrestle with: “If God is sovereign, why does prayer matter at all?” His answer is simple and profound: Because God has sovereignly chosen to work through people. God Has Always Worked Through Human Partnership Coleton goes back to Genesis. God did not need Adam and Eve to tend the garden. He could have done everything Himself. Yet He intentionally gave humanity responsibility, authority, and participation. God chose partnership. Coleton quotes Dallas Willard again: “We are meant to exercise our ‘rule' only in union with God, as He acts with us.” Human beings were designed to work alongside God in stewarding creation. Prayer is part of that design. Prayer Is Not an Afterthought — It Is Part of the Way God Ordered the World Coleton strongly emphasizes: God does not need intercessors. He chooses intercessors. He quotes Tyler Staton: “Prayer is the means by which we push back the curse that's infected the world and infected us.” This is one of the central ideas of the sermon: Prayer is how God has chosen for His Kingdom to advance. Coleton gives practical analogies: God could have nourished us without food — but He chose food. God could have sustained life without oxygen and blood — but He chose those means. God could have worked without prayer — but He chose prayer. Prayer is not magic. Prayer is partnership. Your Prayers Actually Matter Coleton passionately confronts the idea that prayer changes nothing. He says believing prayer does not matter fundamentally misunderstands how God designed the world. He points to passages showing the consequences of prayerlessness: We Miss Things When We Don't Pray 2 Chronicles 16:9 We Make Bad Decisions Without Seeking God Joshua 9:14 Some Things Do Not Happen Apart From Prayer Mark 9:29 Coleton makes an important clarification: This is not because God is angry or withholding. It is because this is the structure God established. He quotes Charles Spurgeon: “If you may have everything by asking, and nothing without asking, I beg you to see how absolutely vital prayer is.” Even Jesus intercedes now for believers. If prayer did not matter, Jesus would not still be praying. 3. What This Means for Our Prayers There Is Power in Your Praying Coleton wants believers to leave with confidence. Not confidence in themselves. Not confidence in perfect wording. Confidence that God has chosen to work through prayer. He says: Prayer works powerfully because God has set it up that way. Coleton quotes Skye Jethani: “We are active participants with God in the writing, directing, design, and action that unfolds.” Prayer is participation in God's work in the world. Because of that, believers should actually expect God to move when they pray. Leonard Ravenhill's quote drives this home: “You cannot estimate the power of prayer… because He has committed Himself to answer it.” 4. Practical Ways to Pray “Your Kingdom Come” Coleton closes the sermon with deeply practical guidance. Pray for Kingdom Qualities Where They Are Missing He encourages believers to look for brokenness and pray specifically for God's Kingdom to invade those places. Tyler Staton's quote summarizes this beautifully: “Ask for Jesus to come anywhere and everywhere you know God's kingdom of love and peace is lacking.” Examples: Pray for friends who do not know Jesus. Pray for healing. Pray for Memphis. Pray for injustice. Pray for broken families. Pray for mental and emotional struggles. Coleton encourages practices like: Prayer walks Prayer drives People watching and praying Using reminders like a “Pray for Memphis” hat Prayer becomes a lifestyle of seeing the world through the eyes of God's Kingdom. Pray the Promises of God Coleton teaches believers to pray Scripture because God is faithful to His promises. He quotes John Wesley: “The best we can say to God in prayer is, what he hath said to us.” He then walks through promises believers can pray confidently: Comfort “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4 Freedom and New Life “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 Peace Philippians 4:6–7 Greater Works John 14:12 Rest Matthew 11:28–29 Provision Matthew 6:33 Philippians 4:19 Malachi 3:10 Wisdom James 1:5 Restoration Joel 2:25–26 Isaiah 61:3–4 Strength 2 Corinthians 12:9 Isaiah 40:31 Coleton encourages believers to pray these promises boldly because they reveal God's heart and His Kingdom. Pray for the Things Jesus Did Coleton says the Gospels reveal what the Kingdom of God looks like. So believers should read about Jesus: healing, restoring, forgiving, freeing, reconciling, and pray for those same Kingdom realities to happen around them today. Trust God When Prayers Aren't Answered the Way You Want Coleton ends with honesty and pastoral wisdom. Not every prayer is answered the way we expect. Paul prayed for the “thorn in the flesh” to leave, but God said: “My grace is sufficient for you.” Sometimes God's Kingdom advances through weakness rather than the removal of suffering. Coleton reminds the church: The apostles experienced miracles. The apostles also experienced tragedy. Yet they never stopped believing in prayer. The call of the believer is not to understand everything perfectly, but to trust God in the mystery. Final Challenge Coleton closes by bringing everything back to one foundational truth: Prayer has power because this is how God designed the world to function. Just as: food satisfies hunger, water quenches thirst, oxygen sustains life, God has chosen prayer as one of the primary ways His Kingdom advances in the earth. Jesus teaches His followers to pray because prayer truly matters. Discipleship Group Questions When you hear the phrase “Your Kingdom come,” what do you naturally think about, and how did this message expand your understanding of it? Which “Kingdom quality” from Jesus' ministry (healing, restoration, justice, freedom, hope, etc.) do you most long to see break into your own life or your community right now? Why do you think God chose to work through human partnership and prayer instead of simply doing everything Himself? What keeps you from believing your prayers truly matter, and how did this sermon challenge that mindset? What is one practical way you can begin intentionally praying for God's Kingdom to come in Memphis, your family, your workplace, or your neighborhood this week? Culture of Gospel Share this with someone in your life who doesn't know Jesus What if prayer is not about escaping the world, but partnering with God to heal it? Jesus taught that God's Kingdom brings hope where there is despair, healing where there is brokenness, and love where there is hatred—and He invites ordinary people to become part of that renewal.  

Submission and surrender are two of the most misunderstood words in the Christian life - yet, at their core, they are the elements that make deep, lasting relationships possible. In this message from our Fear of God series, Pastor Holly explores how the call in Ephesians 5 for followers of Jesus to "submit to one another" is not about power or control, but about the kind of mutual honor that reflects the very nature of God. Because when we see God rightly, we know relationships are not elective - they are essential to living in the Kingdom of God. And understanding the difference impacts the way we show up in every relationship. GRACE CAPITAL CITY: "Reaching, raising, and releasing disciples for the glory of the King and the coming of His Kingdom."www.gracecapitalcity.com | @gracecapitalcitySunday Gatherings at 10 am | Miracle Theater | 535 8th St SE, Washington, DC  

Tom Logue - May 10th 2026 Jesus doesn't just invite good people into His kingdom—He invites broken people who are willing to repent and follow Him. In this message from May 10, we continue through Matthew 21 as Jesus confronts the religious leaders in the temple and tells a parable about two sons—one who says “no” but later obeys, and another who says “yes” but never follows through. At the center of this sermon is a sobering truth: words alone are not enough. Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of people who claim to honor God outwardly while resisting Him inwardly. Through this parable, He reveals that the kingdom of God is not entered through appearances, religious performance, or empty words—but through repentance and obedience. This message presses into the difference between saying the right things and actually surrendering our lives to God. True repentance is not just feeling bad or acknowledging sin—it is a real change of mind that leads to a changed life. Jesus makes it clear that obedience matters because it reveals what we actually believe and trust. The sermon also wrestles honestly with the reality of judgment, the fear of the Lord, and the danger of persistent, unrepentant hypocrisy. Yet even in these weighty truths, the beauty of the gospel shines brighter. Because there is a perfect Son. Where we fail, Jesus obeyed perfectly. Where we disobeyed, Jesus remained faithful. He lived the life we could never live and gave Himself for us so that sinners could be forgiven, restored, and welcomed into the kingdom of God. And that invitation is still open. No matter your past, your failures, your hypocrisy, or your shame—Jesus' message is simple: repent, trust Him, and “get in here.” The grace, forgiveness, joy, freedom, and love of God are available to anyone willing to turn toward Him. This message is both a warning and an invitation: don't settle for empty words when Jesus is offering you real life in His kingdom. Learn more about our church: https://restoredtemecula.church Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restoredtemecula and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restoredtemecula #Matthew21 #KingdomOfGod #Repentance #FollowingJesus #ChristianLiving #Gospel #RestoredTemecula #Sermon Share this message with someone who needs to hear it. Chapters (00:00:00) - Birthday Celebration for Our Pastor!(00:02:08) - Happy Mother's Day!(00:03:00) - The King and His Kingdom(00:03:54) - Born in an Intense Room(00:04:51) - God's Word Prayer(00:05:48) - Jesus' Run-in With Religious Leaders(00:10:13) - Jesus' Parable(00:15:51) - How I Learned To Say I Love My Wife(00:19:08) - Hypocritical Words Keep a Person From the Kingdom of God(00:25:16) - Repentance and Complicity(00:28:25) - The Secret to the Kingdom of God(00:33:19) - The Fear of Judgment(00:39:05) - Jesus Is the Perfect Son: The Kingdom of God(00:45:55) - There's No Sin So Great That You Can't Be Forgiven(00:50:56) - Being in the Kingdom of God(00:55:28) - Welcome to the Kingdom of God(00:58:58) - Praise to God!

This week Steve taught in Hebrews 10:1-26 about how we are to start living under the “good things” of the new covenant while still waiting for the coming of Jesus and the fullness of His Kingdom. 

Serving others in the middle of everyday exhaustion reflects the heart of Christ more than many weary moms realize. In The Gospel of Mark 9:35-37, Jesus redefines greatness by calling His followers to become servants of all and by welcoming children with love and honor. For overwhelmed mothers juggling homeschooling, deadlines, laundry, meals, and nonstop interruptions, this passage offers deep encouragement: caring for children is holy work that matters deeply to God. Highlights The Gospel of Mark 9:35-37 reveals that true greatness in God’s Kingdom is found in serving others. Motherhood is not separate from serving Jesus—it is one of the ways believers worship Him daily. Welcoming and loving children reflects Christ’s heart and honors God. God’s grace sustains moms through exhaustion, overwhelm, and constant responsibilities. Everyday moments with children create opportunities to share the Gospel naturally. Jesus sees the hidden sacrifices and faithful service of weary mothers. Choosing gratitude over complaint helps realign focus during difficult seasons. Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below: Take Our Survey! Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Encouragement for the Weary Mom By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “And He [Jesus] sat down and called the Twelve [disciples], and He said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all.’ And He took a little child and put him in the center of their group; and taking him in [His] arms, He said to them, ‘Whoever in My name and for My sake accepts and receives and welcomes one such child also accepts and receives and welcomes Me; and whoever so receives Me receives not only Me but Him Who sent Me’” (Mark 9:35-37, AMP). As a mom of four boys, my “quiet time” is not really quiet: it’s full of tiny distractions and interruptions from these little ones. Nap times are quite short, and to-do lists are quite long. My days seem to go by in the blink of an eye, and I’m often left exhausted, only getting the chance to pray “Help me, Lord” in between homeschooling, my writing deadlines, continuous snack requests, laundry loads, and diaper “loads.” Knowing very well that this season in life won’t last forever, I have learned to cast my cares upon the Lord and soak up the few moments I can in the word of God, because it is what I need to realign my focus when I’m tempted to complain. I know that His grace is sufficient, but it is easy for my heart to become overwhelmed. The other day, a passage in Mark 9 met this momma right among the blissful chaos with encouragement: “And He [Jesus] sat down and called the Twelve [disciples], and He said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all.’ And He took a little child and put him in the center of their group; and taking him in [His] arms, He said to them, ‘Whoever in My name and for My sake accepts and receives and welcomes one such child also accepts and receives and welcomes Me; and whoever so receives Me receives not only Me but Him Who sent Me’” (35-37, AMP). Intersecting Faith & Life: By putting my sons and my role as a mom and wife above my desires and my life’s goals, I have been serving Jesus this whole time! And if serving Jesus, worshiping Jesus! And if that wasn’t uplifting enough, Jesus calls out our service to children specifically in verses 36-37. When we welcome our children into our lives and make them feel loved and accepted every day, we are also welcoming them in the name of the Lord Jesus every day. Jesus compares being the servant of all, a high position in the Kingdom of God, to those who welcome children into their lives. What an honor! So to all my tired and overwhelmed mommas out there, take heart! Every time you embrace your child and serve your family, you are embracing Jesus and, even more so, your Heavenly Father, who is not going to leave you to raise your children alone! Let us welcome Him into our blissful chaos as we raise up our children to trust in Him and receive His love into their lives so that they may point others to Him and His Kingdom. Instead of becoming overwhelmed and stressed out, let us look for opportunities to praise God and give thanks that He would give us the privilege of embracing little ones every day. May we have eyes to see opportunities to share the Gospel with our children in everyday moments. God’s grace is available to us to give us the strength when we are feeling overwhelmed and weary. Let us be fervent in laying our lives down for the Lord in all that we say and in everything we do… laundry loads and all. Further Reading: Matthew 18:1-4 Philippians 2:3-7 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What did Jesus preach first when He began His ministry?Not religion. Not rituals. Not rules.He preached one powerful message:“The Kingdom of God is here.”In this eye opening message, The Kingdom is Here, we discover that the Kingdom of God is not just a future destination, it is God's rule, reign, and authority active in the lives of believers right now.Jesus didn't just teach about the Kingdom.He demonstrated it.He lived it.And He invites us to live from it every day.In this message, you'll learn:

What if today, we committed to operate our businesses from a philosophy of "It's not about WHAT we sell or HOW MUCH we sell, it's about the LIVES we TOUCH and CHANGE."  That's "God's way of doing business". And it's the exact OPPOSITE of everything we have been taught as professional business people. But isn't that always God's way? This counter-cultural philosophy is rooted in Matthew 6:33: But seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. What is the Lord asking YOU TO DO as a next step in seeking first HIS Kingdom in YOUR workplace? 

In this message, Pastor Chris unpacks the question of how living with a holy and righteous fear of God helps us live in true wisdom. GRACE CAPITAL CITY: "Reaching, raising, and releasing disciples for the glory of the King and the coming of His Kingdom."www.gracecapitalcity.com | @gracecapitalcitySunday Gatherings at 10 am | Miracle Theater | 535 8th St SE, Washington, DC