Podcasts about his savior

Hi, I'm John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you're listening to Share Life Today. You know, it's unthinkable. It's February 1975, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. You leave a Gospel tract with a young gas station attendant you come across while you're filling your tank. He takes the tract, shoves you, gives you an earful; and while you're stammering for words, he walks away. Now, if you're someone who likes to hand out Gospel tracts, you've probably never had an experience quite like that, but I'll bet you've still wondered if the people you give these tracts to actually read them or they toss them. Hey, we all have. In fact, some people will argue that Gospel tracts simply don't work. But let's get back to the young gas station attendant. His name is Jeff, and forty years later, he reaches out to us to find the person who gave him that Gospel tract. Through it, he accepted Jesus as His Savior, and his life was forever changed. For a free online Gospel tract you can use wherever you go, visit our website at sharelife.today.

The Temple and PresenceActs 6:1-7:2a, 44-60"You were running well. What happened?"Galatians 5:7What prevents you from running well?Galatians 5:13-14Acts 6:1-7Acts 6:8-15Acts 7:44-60Acts 6:5, 8, 10"...Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit...""...Stephen, full of grace and power...""...they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit..."Stephen had faith in Jesus as His Savior.Through that faith, he was given the gift of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.Grace is being healed by Christ's unlimited, unmerited, unearnable love.What Christ had done in him, didn't end with Stephen, but grew into grace in his life.Faith got him started.Grace kept him growing.Power was the result.

“Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8 NLT) In the months following Jesus’ ascension, the church grew at an amazing rate. Jesus’ followers, emboldened by His resurrection, spread the Good News near and far. And people responded. Acts 2:41 tells us that after Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, “those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all” (NLT). The church was also trying a radical experiment in community living. “All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. . . . There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need” (Acts 4:32, 34–35 NLT). “But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food” (Acts 6:1 NLT). Jesus’ apostles had neither the time nor the training to deal with such matters. Their solution was to delegate the responsibilities to “seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3 NLT). The first person on their list was “Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit)” (verse 5 NLT). One day a group of Jewish men started a debate with Stephen, but quickly realized they were overmatched. Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke with His wisdom. The men got their revenge by persuading others to lie about Stephen and accuse him of slandering the temple and the law of Moses. Stephen was taken to the Jewish high council to answer the charges. Instead, Stephen launched into an epic sermon. He traced Israel’s relationship with God, starting with Abraham, who left his homeland for the land God promised him. God also promised Abraham that his descendants would fill the land but would also be oppressed as slaves in a foreign land for four hundred years. Stephen recounted how God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision and how He blessed Abraham’s descendants: Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve patriarchs of Israel. He explained how Joseph’s captivity in Egypt led to the slavery of the Jewish people for four hundred years. He also explained how Moses not only led them out of slavery but also prophesied the coming of the Messiah. Stephen ended his sermon by making the connection between their ancestors’ rejection of Moses and the prophets and the Jewish leaders’ rejection—and murder—of Jesus. Stephen spoke God’s truth boldly. He was prepared to sacrifice His life for His Savior. Acts 7:57–58 tells us that the Jewish leaders were so infuriated that they dragged Stephen out of the city and stoned him. Stephen became the first recorded Christian martyr. There’s a powerful lesson in his story for all believers. We may never be called to give our lives for Christ, but we should be prepared to sacrifice our comfort, security, pride, relationships, plans, priorities, and anything else we hold dear for His sake. Reflection question: Why is sacrifice an important part of our walk with Christ? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I wrestled in high school. It was my main sport. However, I went to high school overseas where wrestling was not a competitive sport at the high school level. As a result, our entire season was spent preparing for one tournament that put us up against all the American military schools scattered throughout Southeast Asia. Our wrestling coach was very big into conditioning. His assertion was that if we were better conditioned than our opponents, we could beat better and stronger wrestlers. As a result, we did a whole lotta running! And sprinting. And jump roping. Toward the end of the season, leading up to our one and only tournament, I would get real serious about getting ready. As part of my conditioning routine, I would get up at five, leave the house early, and run the final few miles to school, book bag and all. Honestly, its exhausting even remembering it. I don't even like running. And I didn't like it then. But I liked winning. And I really, really, really wanted to win. And to be known for winning. At that very same time in my life, I would have told you that God was the most important thing to me. Even more important than wrestling. But I was self-deceived. Because for the one, I would endure just about anything. And for the other…I would endure nothing. This week we continue our study of Peter's letter. I would encourage you to reread the first three chapters. What was Peter willing to endure in order to follow His Savior? We'll unpack Peter's perspective transformation in this message. Pastor Dr. Aaron Weisser

Because a disciple of Jesus has been set apart to God from this world, he is a sojourner whose life reflects His Savior, loving His enemies, and being kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Welcome to our listeners in northern Italy! A young man, a friend I met a few months ago, is moving this year with his family to southern Italy to reconnect with his heritage. We are sending him off in prayer to be our first listener in south Italy. Leaders in any endeavor know authority. They also know authority demands action. In Matthew 8, we see that a centurion needed only the word of the Lord of glory, Jesus the Messiah, His Savior, had answered his prayer. Our So What? When our Savior says "Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart," Luke 18:1 Our Faithful response is: "When Thou didst say, Seek My face, my heart said to Thee, "Thy face, O LORD, I shall seek." Psalm 27:8 "In the morning, O LORD, Thou wilt hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to Thee and eagerly watch." Psalm 5:3 You follow me. Brethren, let's pray for one another. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64 Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab. Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard. www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com freerangeprayer@gmail.com Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries Instagram: freerangeministries All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition. For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram Season 007 Episode 014

Think about a baby... what it can do and what it can't do. Now think of the God of all creation - why on earth would He choose for His Savior of the world to come into the world as a baby? As we get ready to celebrate Christmas - the advent of Jesus' birth, join Chip for the surprising, encouraging answer!Main Points Jesus' last night with His disciples: He cared for them - John 14:1-2 He gave them hope - John 14:3b He gave them purpose - John 14:3c-4 He told them the way - John 14:6 JESUS is: The WAY, the PATHWAY, the ROAD.... to eternal life with God. Jesus modeled 5 new paradigms to show us how to get on / stay on… ….the PATHWAY to eternal life with God: Jesus' Birth = New Life He modeled: Radical Humility Jesus' Family = Genuine Love He modeled: Radical Dependence Jesus' Journey = Personal Growth He modeled: Radical Obedience Jesus' Relationships = Lasting Greatness He modeled: Radical Service Jesus' Measure = Unquenchable Joy He modeled: Radical Generosity God's rescue plan for humanity was born - to BE the pathway back to Him. Proverbs 14:12 Matthew 7:14 Broadcast Resource Download Free MP3 Message Notes Year End Match Double Your Gift Today About Chip Ingram Chip Ingram’s passion is helping Christians really live like Christians. As a pastor, author, and teacher for more than three decades, Chip has helped believers around the world move from spiritual spectators to healthy, authentic disciples of Jesus by living out God’s truth in their lives and relationships in transformational ways. About Living on the Edge Living on the Edge exists to help Christians live like Christians. Established in 1995 as the radio ministry of pastor and author Chip Ingram, God has since grown it into a global discipleship ministry. Living on the Edge provides Biblical teaching and discipleship resources that challenge and equip spiritually hungry Christians all over the world to become mature disciples of Jesus. Connect 888-333-6003 Website Chip Ingram App Instagram Facebook Twitter Partner With Us Donate Online 888-333-6003

Think about a baby... what it can do and what it can't do. Now think of the God of all creation - why on earth would He choose for His Savior of the world to come into the world as a baby? As we get ready to celebrate Christmas - the advent of Jesus' birth, join Chip for the surprising, encouraging answer! Would you prayerfully consider partnering with Living on the Edge in our Year-End Match? Your gift today will be matched dollar-for-dollar, making exponentially greater Kingdom impact. Give Today. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/789/29

Hi, I'm John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you're listening to Share Life Today. You know, it's unthinkable. It's February 1975, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. You leave a Gospel tract with a young gas station attendant you come across while you're filling your tank. He takes the tract, shoves you, gives you an earful; and while you're stammering for words, he walks away. Now, if you're someone who likes to hand out Gospel tracts, you've probably never had an experience quite like that, but I'll bet you've still wondered if the people you give these tracts to actually read them or they toss them. Hey, we all have. In fact, some people will argue that Gospel tracts simply don't work. But let's get back to the young gas station attendant. His name is Jeff, and forty years later, he reaches out to us to find the person who gave him that Gospel tract. Through it, he accepted Jesus as His Savior, and his life was forever changed. For a free online Gospel tract you can use wherever you go, visit our website at www.sharelife.today.

GUEST: MARY JANE WHEATON, David's MomGod designed marriage to be between one man and one woman for life, for husband and wife to love each other, embrace mutually beneficial roles, and raise children to love and obey God. The family is the protective nest, a place of intended peace, that results in Godly individuals and thus God-fearing societies.If one had to state just one reason why our nation is awash in rampant dysfunction, false ideologies, violence, incarceration, drug use, sexual immorality, and all manner of other societal ills, the breakdown of the family would be at the top of the list. Divorce, children being raise by single parents, and hostility between members of the family are all-too-common today.Because the family is so important to God, it is under constant assault by Satan. America has changed so much over the last 60+ years, mostly in God-dishonoring ways. My 90-year-old mother has lived through this great cultural change. She and my dad, who went to be with His Savior and Lord last year, were blessed to be saved by God in their mid-20s. They took the Word of God seriously as it pertains to marriage, parenting, and discipleship.The good news is that in a shifting culture, Christians can thrive, whether married or single. My Mom joins us this Mother's Day weekend to describe what it was like to live through a time of great cultural change all the while standing firm on the truth of God's Word.--------------------------------LOOKING FOR A GRADUATION GIFT?University of Destruction by David WheatonHelp the student in your life be an Overcomer!  This book includes:The three Pillars of Peril students face in college: Sex, Drugs/Alcohol, and Humanism (secular or religious);A time-tested game plan for victory over these pitfalls based on improving your spiritual G.P.A.;The important difference between professing and possessing Christians;Practical advice on dating, friends, and choosing the right college;How to get back on course if you have gone astray.176 pgs, softcover

     At the moment of faith in Christ, we have eternal life. This is a fact, even if we don't fully understand it. In truth, most people will not understand what they have from God or find assurance of their salvation until they've studied God's Word and learned to live by faith. Doctrinal ignorance and/or false teaching will lead to fear and doubt. For those who have trusted Christ as their Savior, subsequent knowledge of God's Word and trust in it will yield assurance of their salvation. And, as one advances spiritually, there will also be a noticeable change within, and this too may provide a subjective assurance of salvation. Objective Assurance of Salvation      The Bible reveals God is absolutely righteous and set apart from all that is sinful (Psa 11:7; 99:9; Hab 1:13; 1 John 1:5) and He hates and condemns sin (Deut 25:16; Psa 5:5; 45:7; Prov 8:13; 15:9, 26; 20:9; Zech 8:17; Rom 1:18; Col 3:6; Heb 1:9). The problem for us is that all mankind is sinful (Gen 6:5; 8:21; 1 Ki 8:46; Psa 143:2; Eccl 7:20; Isa 59:2; 64:6; Jer 17:9; Rom 3:10; 3:23; Eph 2:1-2; 1 John 1:8, 10). Not only are we sinful, but our good works have no saving merit (Rom 4:4-5; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5). Our salvation was accomplished 100% by Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. Salvation is never what we do for God, but what He's done for us at the cross (Rom 5:8; 6:10; 1 Cor 15:3-4; 1 Pet 3:18). God offers to justify and save us freely as a gift, totally apart from any good works we may perform (Rom 3:24, 28, 4:5; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5; 1 Pet 3:18). God's salvation comes to us who have trusted in Christ as our Savior (John 3:15-18; 6:40; 10:28; 11:25; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 16:31; 1 John 5:12). Salvation means we have forgiveness of sins (Eph 1:7), the gift of righteousness (Rom 5:17; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9), eternal life (John 10:28), are part of the family of God (Gal 3:26; 1 John 3:1), are blessed with many spiritual blessings (Eph 1:3), and will never face condemnation (Rom 8:1, 33).      When we understand these truths by studying Scripture and accept them by faith, we have assurance of our salvation because we trust in God and His Word (Psa 119:160; John 17:17). The apostle Paul wrote, “I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day” (2 Tim 1:12). The apostle John wrote, “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life” (1 John 5:11-12). The assurance of salvation does not come by looking to ourselves, but to the One who saved us. John also wrote, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). Assurance of salvation is not a guessing game for those who have trusted in Jesus as their Savior, but is a confidence that is rooted in the revelation of God's Word. For those of us who have trusted in Jesus as our Savior—believing He died for our sins, was buried, and raised again on the third day—we have eternal life. According to Zane Hodges, “It should be said here that all true assurance of salvation and eternal life must rest on the ‘testimony of God,' for only that testimony has full reliability and solidity.”[1] What Calvinists and Arminians Generally Believe      Arminians are those who believe they are eternally secure in Christ, as long as they remain faithful in their walk with God. Like Catholics, they believe faith + works = salvation. They believe their salvation can be lost due to intentional, egregious, ongoing sin; therefore, they cannot have assurance of salvation because there's always the chance they may turn away from God and forfeit their salvation. This stands in contrast to the Calvinistic doctrine of perseverance of the saints, which teaches that those whom God has chosen will persevere in faith until the end.      Calvinists believe God gives His elect a special kind of faith that guarantees they will persevere to the end of their lives and be saved eternally; however, knowing they are among the elect is always a question in their minds that cannot be finally answered until they die. If they have persevered until the end, not having denied the Lord, and continued in good works, then they can know they were among the elect. If they fall into serious and prolonged sin, especially to the end of their lives, it strongly argues they were not among the elect who are said to persevere to the end. Kenneth D. Keathley notes, “Arminians know they are saved but are afraid they cannot keep it, while Calvinists know they cannot lose their salvation but are afraid they do not have it.”[2] Norman Geisler correctly notes: "Arminians and strong Calvinists have much in common on this issue. Both assert that professing believers living in gross, unrepentant sin are not truly saved. Both insist that a person cannot be living in serious sin at the end of his life if he is truly saved. And both maintain that no one living in grave sin can be sure of his salvation."[3]      Though Christians may, to some degree, advance spiritually by learning and living God's Word, and bear the fruit of the Spirit in their lives, this will never be consistent, because the taint of sin is also present in the life of every Christian, and this to varying degrees. Christians are never free from sin (1 John 1:8, 10), and God never promises to make us completely sinless during our time on earth, so consistency of performance is lacking. Because of our imperfect knowledge and imperfect life, our ability to analyze ourselves accurately will not always be consistent. John Walvoord notes: "The difficulty is that human experience may be far from a norm, may be inaccurately analyzed, and may be made the basis of an induction which in the last analysis is based only on fragmentary evidence…The only sure basis for salvation is the promise of God in the inspired Word of God which properly accepted by faith gives validity to assurance. One clear promise sustained by “Thus saith the Lord” is better than a thousand testimonies of human conviction without a specific ground. A proper doctrine of assurance of salvation is therefore inseparable from a belief in the inspired Word of God."[4]      The Word of God is the objective basis for what we believe, and our focus should always be on learning and living His Word so that we can expunge any false ideas and properly calibrate our thinking to align with His divine revelation. Jesus said we have “eternal life…and will never perish” (John 10:28); therefore, there is no danger of us losing our salvation, for there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1), and “Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies” (Rom 8:33). The matter of our eternal destiny was settled at the cross when Jesus paid the penalty for all our sins. And Jesus' work on the cross was perfectly applied to us at the moment we trusted in Him as our Savior.[5] Subjective Assurance of Salvation      Christians who are advancing spiritually may enjoy a subjective assurance of their salvation. Paul wrote, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom 8:16). According to William MacDonald, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with the believer's spirit that he is a member of God's family. He does it primarily through the Word of God. As a Christian reads the Bible, the Spirit confirms the truth that, because he has trusted the Savior, he is now a child of God.”[6] This experience is valid only for believers who are in submission to God (Rom 12:1-2), learning and living Scripture (2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2), walking by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38; 11:6), and advancing to spiritual maturity (Heb 6:1).      As believers, we have been “born again” (1 Pet 1:23), “made alive” spiritually (1 Cor 15:22), and are a “new creature” in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:17). At the moment of salvation, God the Holy Spirit indwells us and gives us a new nature that, for the first time in our lives, has the capacity and desire to obey God. Paul wrote of his new nature in Christ when he said, “I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man” (Rom 7:22). Since we have the Spirit within us, as well as new spiritual life, it is natural to expect there will be some change in attitude and behavior. The degree to which this change occurs, in part, depends on our staying positive to the Lord. According to John Walvoord adds: "The ground of assurance as stated in Scripture is something more than an intellectual comprehension of the theology of salvation and more than a conviction that the terms of salvation have been met. Scriptures make plain that there is a corresponding experience of transformation which attends the work of salvation in a believer. Some aspects of this are nonexperimental, but the new life in Christ is manifested in many ways. The believer in Christ possesses eternal life and a new divine nature which tends to change his whole viewpoint. He is indeed “a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new” (2 Cor 5:17). The believer in Christ is indwelt by the Spirit of God, which opens a whole new field of spiritual experience. He now knows what it is to have fellowship with his heavenly Father and with His Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. His eyes are opened to spiritual truth, and the Scriptures take on a true living character as the Spirit of God illuminates the written Word. He experiences a new relationship to other believers as he is bound to them by ties of love and common faith and life. The believer is relieved from the load of condemnation for sin and experiences hope and peace such as is impossible for the unbeliever. His experiences include deliverance from the power of sin and from opposition of Satan. He enters into the joy of intercessory prayer and experiences answers to prayer. The new life in Christ, therefore, provides a satisfying and Biblical new experience which is a confirming evidence of the fact of his salvation and a vital and true basis for assurance."[7]      As Christians, our assurance of eternal life is, first and foremost, based on the salvific work of Jesus on the cross (Acts 4:12; Rom 5:8; 1 Cor 15:3-4), and the revelation of Scripture that we, who have trusted in Christ as our Savior (Acts 4:12, 16:31), “may know that [we] have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). This assurance is objective and constant, because God's Word is sure and does not change. Dr. Steven R. Cook     [1] Zane Clark Hodges, The Epistle of John: Walking in the Light of God's Love (Irving, TX: Grace Evangelical Society, 1999), 228. [2] Kenneth D. Keathley, “Perseverance and Assurance of the Saints,” in Whosoever Will, ed. David L. Allen and Steve W Lemke (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2010). [3] Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology, Volume Three: Sin, Salvation (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2004), 302. [4] John F. Walvoord, “The Doctrine of Assurance in Contemporary Theology,” Bibliotheca Sacra 116 (1959): 198. [5] The Bible reveals that when we sin, we are walking in darkness and have broken fellowship with God (1 John 1:5-6), and stifled the work of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (Eph 4:30; 1 Th 5:19). If we continue in sin, or leave our sin unconfessed, we are in real danger of divine discipline from God (Psa 32:3-4; Heb 12:5-11; 1 John 5:16-17; cf. Dan 4:37), which can eventuate in physical death (1 John 5:16; cf., Lev 10:1-2; Acts 5:3-5; 1 Cor 11:30), and the loss of eternal rewards (1 Cor 3:10-15; 2 John 1:8). If we confess our sin directly to God, He will immediately forgive it and restore us to fellowship (1 John 1:9; cf. Psa 32:5). Being in fellowship with God means learning and living His Word (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2), walking by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38; 11:6), being honest with Him about our sin (1 John 1:8, 10), and coming before His “throne of grace” (Heb 4:16) in transparent humility and confessing it in order to be forgiven (1 John 1:9; cf. Heb. 4:16). God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins every time we confess them because of the atoning work of Christ who shed His blood on the cross for us (1 John 1:9; 2:1-2). [6] William MacDonald, Believer's Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1711. [7] John F. Walvoord, “The Doctrine of Assurance in Contemporary Theology,” Bibliotheca Sacra 116 (1959): 201–202.

Lesson 7 – By Following the Pattern of the Model, Human, Soul Winner Intro: Last week we learned how to win souls from the methods and message of Paul. This week we will learn why we win souls from the motives and ministry of Paul. There are two people that told us to follow them: Jesus Christ, Matthew 4:19; and the Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 11:1. When we follow them our life will never be the same. It cannot be the same! 1. Paul's manner of life is our model for soul winning. 2 Timothy 3:10 God chose him to be the pattern for the Christian life. 1 Timothy 1:16 Paul is also our pattern for evangelism. Acts 17:2; 1 Corinthians 9:22, 23 Paul gave his life to be a soul winner. Acts 26:19, 22; Philippians 3:7-8   2. Paul's motives are our model for soul winning. He won souls because of "agape" love = Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:14; Note: Paul knew Jesus died for all men to save them from hell. 2 Corinthians 5:15 It is because of Jesus' love that we are to be Ambassadors for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20 Paul was a winner of souls because he was a weeper for souls. Acts 20:31, Ref: Psalm 126:5-6 Paul won souls for the glory of His Savior. 1 Corinthians 1:29-31; Galatians 6:14; Philippians 1:20 3. Paul's Ministry is our model for soul winning. Paul considered soul winning the ministry. Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 1:17; 2 Timothy 4:5 Paul was entrusted with the gospel. 1 Timothy 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Paul was indebted to the gospel. Romans 1:14-15 Conclusion: Paul received the rewards for winning souls: He pleased his Lord. Acts 20:26; he had his crown of rejoicing. 1 Thessalonians 2:19; His reward was waiting in Heaven! 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Matthew 25:23

Since Psalm 36, the theme of waiting has been waiting in the background, so that it might arise in triumph in verse 1 of Psalm 40. In Psalm 38, David, amidst great pain and suffering, lied silently under the smarting rod of God, while waiting with expectation for His deliverance. David knew what it was like to wait, but his waiting always involved expectation. This idea is reflected in verse 1 of our Psalm. Though translated into English as, -I waited patiently,- the original Hebrew repeats the same verb in two constructs conveying the ideas of both endurance as well as expectation. As the Psalm opens, David is stuck, hopeless and helpless, enmeshed in the slime of a muddy pit. Though he can do nothing to help himself, he waits on the Lord with expectation- this is another way of saying that he believed or had faith in God. God meets his expectation in verse 2 by pulling him out of this pit and placing his foot firmly upon a rock. His peril is suddenly changed to safety and security.- -Seeing God has His Savior, David sings -a new song,- a -psalm of praise- -vs. 3-. His once mute mouth now extols the praises of God which serves to testify to others, that they too might trust the Lord. When God delivers us, we must not remain silent- let us praise Him and make His powerful deliverance, deeds and attributes known -in the great congregation- -vs. 10-. We need to talk to one another, both inside and outside the church, about our great God. Our common testimony is found in the Psalm's final verse 17- As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me.

Once you've tasted Vermont maple syrup, all the store brands taste like goo! So my ears picked up one night when NBC Nightly News started talking about the troubles that Vermont maple farmers were having that year. They focused on one farmer who lived on a farm where they've been mapling for eight generations! This farmer had known that the maple trees were ready to be tapped for their valuable sap during the first week of March. But recent weather changes had suddenly thrown that predictable harvest schedule into total confusion. The previous year, he and his son nearly lost a third of their normal maple sap because it was either too soon or too late to capture it. For all those eight generations, this family had used one time-honored method of tapping their maple trees; a spout on the tree and a bucket underneath. But there's this new technology, I guess, that enables a farmer to know when the sap is ready and to capture it in that brief window. But tubes and vacuums seemed pretty foreign to a man who'd known one way that worked all his life and for generations. But after all they lost that previous year, his son finally convinced him. His son's comment was, "It takes some coercion to get him to go along with new ideas, for sure." But the veteran farmer did it. The NBC News reporter identified why. He would do anything to keep the farm for his son. In the reporter's words, "Even if it means doing what he hates the most - changing his old ways." I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Cost of Not Changing." When the method you know, and the method you're comfortable with is costing you the harvest, you change or you lose the harvest. How can that lesson be lost on those of us who have joined Jesus in what He came to earth to do - seeking and saving the lost? Jesus actually called the work of bringing people to Him harvest. And honestly, there's a harvest many believers and many ministries may be losing because we hate to change. While North American Christians have built this massive Christian subculture, we've been losing our culture. And the lost people around us have changed dramatically. They don't know God's rules; they don't know God's Book; they don't know the religious words we use; they don't ever plan to go to any of our religious meetings. But in many cases, we're deciding what we'll do to reach them based on what we're comfortable doing; what we're used to. But since when does a rescuer decide what he's going to do based on what's comfortable for him? He does whatever he has to do to save that dying person, and it's seldom comfortable! Listen to God's greatest harvester, the Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:22, our word for today from the Word of God. He says, "I have become all things to all men that by all possible means I might save some." Just before this, he's told us that when he's with the Jews, he comes in a Jewish package; when he's with the Gentiles, he's as Gentile as God will allow him to be; when he's with those who need an uncomplicated presentation of Christ, he becomes what they need. All the time making sure he is never "ashamed of the Gospel of Christ" (Romans 1:16) as he said. And Paul followed a Savior who constantly changed the package and the presentation to break through to changing audiences. But Paul and His Savior never changed the product! They never compromised their message! Like that Vermont farmer, we're harvesting the same product, but we've got to be willing to change the way we get it as much as the harvest requires. So are you willing to change so we can bring in the harvest of lost lives? Will you, for example, learn to tell them about Jesus in their words like a missionary does in a foreign culture, and not just speak our Christianese? Are you willing to use the kind of program, the kind of music, the kind of package that speaks the language of the person you're trying to reach? Are you willing to reach them in locations where they're comfortable and maybe you're not? Are you willing to introduce the Gospel by starting with needs they care about? We might be talking change here; it's what we hate to do the most. But the cost of not changing is much higher than the cost of changing. Because that might be souls lost forever, maybe because we wouldn't change.

Hi, I'm John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you're listening to Share Life Today. Recently, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Josue and his team comprised of pastors and lay people went into a village after being discipled in how they could share the Gospel. Josue was led by the Spirit to the home of Yusufu, who was a devout Muslim. As soon as Josue saw the black mark on his forehead, he wanted to ask his team members to pass the home by. But he felt the Spirit say, "Don't — enter in and share the Gospel with him." Yusufu welcomed them enthusiastically. As the team shared about Jesus, Yusufu began to argue back about Jesus' identity and divinity since Christ is viewed differently in the Muslim faith. However, the more they talked and showed him Scripture, the more he wanted to hear. And at the end of their time, Yusufu accepted Jesus as His Savior and thanked them for bringing him the true way to eternal life. To learn how you too can share your faith, visit our website at www.sharelife.today.

When the storms of life rage and the elements seem to beat us down, what do we do?  How do we weather them?  How do we find calm in the midst of the chaos? In this mini episode, Bryson looks at Matthew 14:22 - 33 when Peter boldy steps out of the boat in the middle of a raging storm and walks towards His Savior.   What does it take to have that kind of faith and how do we apply it to our lives today?   If you are searching for peace in the pain, calm in the chaos or faith in the fear, this episode is for you. We invite you to grab a pen, notebook and a cozy spot as we learn some important lifelong lessons from the carwash. https://shopcloverandbee.com/

Are you confident of what God's purpose is for you-- Listen to this message to hear of Paul's absolute confidence that even though he longs to be face-to-face with His Savior, Jesus Christ, he knows that his mission is to continue here on earth helping the Philippian believers to grow to spiritual maturity. Find out that one can only have this confidence when their focus is on learning about Jesus Christ by listening to messages about Him and studying God's Word. See how this leads to a life full of happiness and joy, no matter how difficult the circumstances.

Are you confident of what God's purpose is for you? Listen to this message to hear of Paul's absolute confidence that even though he longs to be face-to-face with His Savior, Jesus Christ, he knows that his mission is to continue here on earth helping the Philippian believers to grow to spiritual maturity. Find out that one can only have this confidence when their focus is on learning about Jesus Christ by listening to messages about Him and studying God's Word. See how this leads to a life full of happiness and joy, no matter how difficult the circumstances.

My grandmother had invited me to join her for a special event: the trip to the airport to pick up her brother, my uncle Barton. I feltgrown up accompanying Nanny to the airport, so I decided to wear my favorite outfit with my new navy-blue loafers for the occasion. But Uncle Barton's flight was delayed several times that day. As we waited, Nanny and I walked all around the small lobby area over and over during those hours..We also walked to the restroom, to get a snack, to look out windows... and still Uncle Barton didn't arrive. I needed to give my feet a break after my new shoes had rubbed blisters on them. So, I sat on a hard, plastic seat at the airport gate and took off my shoes. I felt so relieved to have the shoes off that I didn't mind the people staring at me. I was too uncomfortable to care..But as painful as the waiting seemed, it was worth it. Uncle Barton eventually arrived for his visit, and we headed home. I'd been willing to suffer through the miserable waiting because I knew we waited for something worthwhile..In the Old Testament, the prophet Micah noticed the troubles around him and yet still watched in hope for God, His Savior. He was looking forward to the coming of the One who would be the light of the world, who would shepherd His people with compassion, and who would make the way for us to be forgiven for all our wrongdoing (Micah 7:8, 14, 18-19). Today we know that Micah's words are fulfilled in Jesus: He is the Light of the World, our Shepherd who lavishes us with compassion. When we put our trust in Jesus, we have new life in Him—life marked by hope. We trust in the One who lived among us on earth, died on the cross, and then rose again so that we could be forgiven and brought near to God. We also trust in His promise to return and set things right. As God's children who live in a broken, messy world, we can watch for the Lord like Micah did. Even now, we can wait with confidence that Jesus our Savior will return and restore His creation—just as He promised. • Allison Wilson Lee.• Read Micah 7:1-7. What kinds of brokenness was Micah experiencing? What kinds of problems in your life or in the world around you cause you to long for Jesus to return? Jesus invites us to be honest with Him about all our pains and sorrows, knowing that He grieves with us and comforts us. Consider taking a moment to talk to Him now. (If you want to know more about what it means to know Jesus, check out our "Know Jesus" page.).But as for me, I watch in hope... for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7 (NIV)

Whatever plans we believe we have, know this: God has something better. Let us trust the plans of the sovereign God, for we can be certain that He will point us to His Savior and Son: our Immanuel. Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/preach-the-word/id1449859151?mt=2 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2aSveQvIs7SPHWB4UcmSUQ

On today's episode, you're going to hear from Seth Broadhurst. He currently serves on staff with Freedom in Christ USA as our National Director of Ministry Relationships. He's been married to his wife, Stacy, for 21 years and they have three children. Seth grew up attending church with his family, and trusted Jesus as His Savior on a youth retreat. After the death of a childhood friend, God ignited in Seth a passion to share the Gospel with others, and eventually, he became a church planter. While his drivenness helped him grow the church and see a lot of positive results, his identity soon became wrapped up in his success as a pastor and people's perception of him. Sundays were the hardest. If he felt like a sermon didn't go well or he didn't receive enough affirmation from others, he would wallow in shame and guilt for a few days. This went on for many years, until Seth stumbled upon Freedom in Christ material and had an encounter with God he'll never forget. As he embraced his identity in Christ and replaced lies with truth, he experienced freedom from the need to please people and be perfect, and his perspective on ministry radically changed. If you struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, or you work in ministry, we believe Seth's story will be an encouragement to you. EPISODE LINKS: To purchase The Steps to Freedom in Christ booklet: https://freedominchrist.com/new-thestepstofreedominchrist.aspx. Before going through The Steps to Freedom in Christ, we recommend going through one of these resources: Freedom in Christ Course, Restored, or Victory Over the Darkness and The Bondage Breaker. For details and to purchase: https://www.ficm.org/what-we-offer/our-discipleship-process/. Subscribe to Stories of Freedom on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts so that you never miss an episode! Learn more about Freedom in Christ Ministries USA and the discipleship resources we offer: www.ficm.org. For those outside the United States: www.freedominchrist.org. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedominchrist_usa/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freedominchrist.usa

Since the days of Adam, man has lived in opposition to the will of his Creator. Through the long suffering of God's grace, man still has the chance to accept Christ as His Savior and live with Him for ever. 

Today's Reading: Luke 1:39-56Daily Lectionary: Joshua 7:1-26; Acts 10:34-48 "For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy." (Luke 1:44) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Pebble-sized preborn Jesus makes His way to visit His cousin, His forerunner, the one who will make His paths straight. At Mary's arrival, the other bitty baby, John, hears her greeting. But certainly this was so much more than a simple " Hello." Certainly this greeting had all of the trappings of a teenage girl blathering out every last detail of the past few weeks as fast as she could: the angel Gabriel, Joseph's initial and then secondary response, her simple reply in faith. Surely these are the words that John hears.Baby John leaps for joy: a little baby leap with little baby legs, exuberantly kicking at the walls of his fleshy abode. At six months gestation, John is in the exact place that a person of his size should be, both physically and spiritually. It is there, in that place, that Jesus, His Savior comes to him. Imagine that: The salvific Word of God is so authoritative that it can produce faith in the heart of an unborn child, through the simple greeting of a woman who is merely recounting the events of the recent past. But it was in the recounting of these events that the proclamation of the Incarnation took place. God's plan of salvation, taking form in tangible ways and being spoken of in real time and space. It is through this proclamation that John and his mother are brought to faith. And it is this faith, this objective faith in the Incarnation God for the salvation of mankind, that John is going to proclaim to the nations 30 years removed from that first Gospel encounter. With tender words, John is going to speak words of comfort to the people of Jerusalem, to you and me. Our warfare is ended. Our iniquity is pardoned. Every crooked place is now straight, every hill brought low, every valley brought level, every obstacle taken away. The Savior is coming, even as a speckle-sized dot floating down Mary's fallopian tubes. That dot is God in the flesh. That dot is the Savior of the world. That dot is Jesus the Christ, and He has come that we might receive from His outstretched and crucified hands double for all our sins. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Almighty God, You chose the virgin Mary to be the mother of Your Son and made known through her Your gracious regard for the poor and lowly and despised. Grant that we may receive Your Word in humility and faith, and so be made one with Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Visitation)-Rev. Eli Lietzau is pastor of Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.Audio Reflections speaker: Rev. Duane BamschCome on an adventure with author Eric Eichinger as he unpacks the saga of Jesus' Hero Journey. You'll see how aspects of this journey are seen in popular stories, and how God used Jesus to create the most action-packed one with a real Savior for all. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

George and Martha Wilson watch Dennis run from trouble until he receives Jesus as His Savior. "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion," Proverbs 28:1. DDR1 #kids, #christiankids, #biblelessonsforkids, #storiesforkids, #storiesforchristiankids, #bedtimstoriesforkids, #fishbytes4kids, #roncarriewebb, #salvation, #bold, #boldasalion

George and Martha Wilson watch Dennis run from trouble until he receives Jesus as His Savior. "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion," Proverbs 28:1. DDR1 #kids, #christiankids, #biblelessonsforkids, #storiesforkids, #storiesforchristiankids, #bedtimstoriesforkids, #fishbytes4kids, #roncarriewebb, #salvation, #bold, #boldasalion

How great is your sin? How vast the emptiness of your hands? Your Lord fills you now with His forgiveness and life. Not a little, but an abundance! I forgive you all your sins, He said. And all means all. Not one left that you have to make up for. Not one left to weigh you down. Not one left to shame you or humiliate you or make you doubt. The cross has cancelled all your sin, so that you have the joy of forgiveness overflowing. So that when life has you wrung out and hung out to dry, you be here refreshed and raised again. And that's what happens to those seven disciples. From empty to filled, John calls out in joy to Peter, “It is the Lord!” And Peter, from sorrowful to joyful, jumps out of the boat to be with His Savior. And, I like to think, when Peter got to the shore, he gave Jesus a big, wet bear hug - which would have suited Jesus just fine, for that's how He likes us: soaking wet from living in the joyful waters of our baptism. Soaking wet from jumping into those waters every day, as every day we confess our sins and receive our Lord's forgiveness. As every day we are born again as children of God. As every day we remember and rejoice in the life and grace our Savior gives to us.-----Visit our website: https://www.trinitysheboygan.org/​​​​Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person!Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-ASupport the show (https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=Q3DGFDL4C44VY)

On January 20, 2022 my father finished his earthly race and slipped into the arms of His Savior. He fought a hard battle with Parkinson's Disease for the past thirty years and was faithful to his Lord until the very end. On this episode of the podcast I share about his home going and the legacy of faith he left behind. www.legacyhomeschoolreflections.com (For my Legacy book or the Scripture Writing Journals) https://youtu.be/nWq4vpMJp24 (This is the link for the Untitled Hymn. My father took his last breath right after the song ended.)

On a cold February night in 2007, a devoted father of four and a 17 year old drunk driver both faced life sentences. In one violent, devastating instant, both faced a drastically different future.But as Chris Williams sat in his demolished vehicle, staring at the car that had just caused the death of his wife, unborn baby, 11 year-old son and 9 year-old daughter, he committed to do something extraordinary: he would forgive.In this episode, Chris shares how choosing to forgive brought him closer to His Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Think about a baby... what it can do and what it can't do. Now think of the God of all creation - why on earth would He choose for His Savior of the world to come into the world as a baby? As we get ready to celebrate Christmas - the advent of Jesus' birth, join Chip for the surprising, encouraging answer!

David finds refuge in His Savior. LSB 633 – “At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing” · Text and tune – public domain · Setting © 1969 Concordia Publishing House, cph.org. Used by permission · Church/Singer – Zion Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4IRfyoBuQw --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rev-steve-andrews-jr/message

Many Christians have heard the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den. Inside that story is a reminder that even in the darkness, God is always there. We often search for ways to avoid dealing with trouble and tragedy, yet it is within the darkness of the lion's den that Daniel found His Savior. When we are in the den of darkness, we will realize then that God is using the darkness to shine forth his light to us and to the world. For more information about who we are visit: https://www.gardencitybmt.com

Seven, our assistant editor, turns ten today! We celebrate the anniversary and Seven's Big day. From feeling the presence of God in prayer to building his own prayer closet to the spontaneous prayer in the wonder of his creator and all His creation, the Little Big Kahuna continually displays a super-natural and dynamic experience with His Savior. May it ever be so, my Jesus. And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace, I'll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!" Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard www.frponprayer.com freerangeprayer@gmail.com Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries Instagram: freerangeministries All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition. For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com Our podcast art designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram Season 3 Episode 85

*Fun Fact: My dad, Doug in Episode 1, was willing to be my guinea pig for this podcast world, which meant he signed up for multiple recordings and my many learning curves. In true Dad fashion he sat patiently with me for hours as he shared on his favorite topic - Jesus! Happy Birthday to my Amazing Dad! October 21st would have been my Dad's 66th birthday earth-side, but God called him into full retirement (with full benefits) almost eight weeks ago. What a gift to have his story recorded in his voice. I pray, as my Dad did, that his story would bless you and draw you closer to His Savior (and now neighbor) Jesus.

Today we interview Jason, an 18-year-old young man.  He shares his God story and his journey as a young Christian.  Jason explains his transition in his faith from just believing in God to actually falling in love with His Savior.  Jason's transition began when he began reading his Bible and immersing himself in Christian podcasts and other social media influencers.  His testimony and journey will encourage you. For more information or to leave a comment about this episode or to ask questions, you can visit our website:  giveemheaven.lifeEngage with us on social media:  Instagram:  give_emheavenFacebook:  #giveemheavenwithscottandtina

One generation away from extinction    (Judges 2:6-13) A Lifetime of Faith (2:6) Here we are in the book of Judges. The twelve tribes are taking possession of their inheritance, conquering, fighting, and subduing foreign nations, and amid this chaos, we see them worshipping. This statement is a summary of history. Don't think of Israel having a worship experience; instead, think of worshippers.  The people were worshippers of Yahweh (covenant name) throughout Joshua's lifetime, Caleb, and the other elders. Let me speak to the elders for a moment. Never discount the impact that Yahweh can have in your life and through your life. What if, by your example of faithfulness, others continue in the faith. What if, by your perseverance, many who are hanging on to faith by a thread continue to fight the good fight? This is the Gospel power of a lifetime of dedication—long obedience in the same direction. Let's honor our elders (40 + years)- we don't celebrate your long life; we honor your long faith. A lifetime of faith is not easy, but it is worth it. This faith only happens when you see the Lord's great works and personally experience his saving and sustaining grace. It's one thing to hear about the great works of God, but it is another thing to see them firsthand. The testimony of lifetime faith is so profound that the entire nation of Israel worshipped the Lord throughout the life of Joshua. Be a Joshua today! Be an elder of lifetime faith! A Generational Faith (2:8) We know that Joshua did not live forever, although it might have felt that way. Joshua lived to the ripe old age of 110—the number of fulfillment in the model of Joseph. After his burial, something unique happens. Now the book of Judges is in the canonical order that God ordained, but not necessarily chronologically. Verse 1:1 follows 2:9. After his death, the Israelites inquire (a good start) of the Lord, “who will be the first to fight for us?” They petition because they witnessed Joshua inquiring of the Lord. “Who?” is a natural question. Joshua is dead, and you are watching the passing of the baton of faith from one generation to another. However, they ask the wrong question. The new generation is looking for a personalitywhen they need a Person—the One true God. So, dear brother, your help is in the name of the Lord, not in the name of your favorite spiritual hero. Not surprisingly, Judah is given the task. Judah, the first to receive the blessing of Jacob, was the largest of the clans—described as a lion. It was from Judah that one day King David would arise and ultimately the more excellent David, Jesus the Messiah. Now back to Joshua 2:10. Linking 1:1 with 2:10, the phrase after them expresses the passing of generational faith. After them, another generation arose who did not know the Lord or his works for Israel. Keep in mind that only sixty-seven years have passed since their coming out of Egypt. So, of course, they knew about the works He had done! Here is the grave danger of generational faith. The people knew Joshua but did not know His Savior. Personality-driven faith is a dangerous and shallow hope.  If your faith is dependent upon a person, it's not authentic faith. How often do we hear, “my grandfather was a pastor, my mom played piano for ages, my uncle led worship.” God does not have spiritual grandchildren, and mamaw's faith will not save you! Faith in the One true God must be yours. Did Joshua do something wrong? Of course not, but Judges is a reminder that Christianity is always one generation away from extinction. We must pass our faith to the next generation, but we cannot force them to take hold of the promises of eternal life. So pass on what is most important: prayer, not preferences, truth, not ritualistic traditions, love for the Messiah, not love for the good old days. What are you passing on?  What are you known for? Every person who has ever lived is passing down something to the next generations. Give them Jesus. A Cultural Faith (2:11) If lifetime faith is strong and generational faith shaky, cultural faith is doomed from the start. Israel's moral decay manifests itself only two verses after Joshua's graveside. The people did what was evil.  Most don't set out to do evil; it's just who we are. There is no one righteous, not even one! Evil is the concluding summation of their lives, but the root of evil begins with worship. We all worship something or someone. Worship, at its core, is giving attention and adoration to what you love. For Israel, they worshipped the gods of Baal. I have experienced the statues of Baal up close and personally in museums throughout Israel, and never once was I tempted to bow down and pay homage to these primitive stone carvings. Why? Because they are not part of my culture. Baal was the Canaanite thunderstorm and fertility god. The Old Testament gives evidence that Baal had a strong attraction for the Israelite farmers. Why? Because the Canaanites were successful farmers. Essentially, Israel believed that if they reoriented their lives like their culture, they would also experience success. For the westerner, the God of Baal is void of many temptations. But the gods of our culture remain. Money—one day, I will have enough not to rely on anyone else. Whether rich or poor, we rely upon God alone day and night.  You can't be rich enough not to depend on your Creator. Identity—the god of being true to yourself as the highest good. “Your truth is your truth.” When in reality, we are created in His image. Your identity is broken until you embrace your image. Sex – We live in a culture that is obsessed with sex and sexuality. A world that teaches if you are in love, it's ok to have sexual relations. Or you are defined by your sexual preferences. The Biblical sexual ethic guards intimacy within the boundaries of marriage, one man and one woman. This is where intimacy flourishes. Do not bow down to the gods of your culture. And they abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt… Following the gods of culture and bowing down to the climate of your day only leads away from the glory of Christ and abandonment to Yahweh. It's the age old story of Adam desiring to “be like God,” rejected the Lord's way, the days of Noah were filled where every heart was desperately evil, in the days of Jesus, the crowd crucified the world's only perfect person, and in the last days, all nations will gather against the Lord in the final battle of Armageddon. From the Garden the world is daily walking away not toward the ways of Life. You will always follow what you love. But there is another cultural idol far more deceitful than the gods of Baal. That is the god of cultural Christianity. A mindset that places one's eternal security in heritage (baptism or 1st communion) and a generic deity (big man in the sky) rather than the redemptive work of Jesus Christ (from the Unsaved Christian, 18). Cultural faith makes it easy to abandon the Lord because you never really know Him. You hear about what God has done for others, but Jesus never changed your life. It's the fatal poison of knowing the language of Christianity without loving the Savior. It's the thought that you are moral person, go to church on Easter, help your neighbors,  and one day God will understand. A cultural faith will never save; it only leaves you empty and damned for an eternal hell away from a Holy God. Israel knew Joshua, but they did not know the Lord or what He had done. So What? In a race, if you want to win, you have to pass the baton: giving or receiving. Lifetime- Can it be said of you that others worshipped the Lord throughout your lifetime? Never underestimate the power of a lifetime of devotion to Jesus. After the death- Have you personally experienced the saving grace of Jesus, or are you living on someone else's faith? Maybe you feel like the new generation who knew not the Lord or His works. Yet, you can experience his love today through faith in Jesus Christ. Is today the first day you grab the baton of faith? Baal or Yahweh-- Are you a cultural worshipper? Are you seeking success as it looks in the eyes of others? Are you a cultural Christian, content to know about the Father but not get close enough for Him to change your life? Do you know the language of Christianity, but have never personally experience His redemptive love? As much as it depends on you, will others know Jesus?

The Conspiracy and Politics V. 1-12 Note: The plot from 2 years ago is still in play e.g. "kill Paul". The Sanhedrin is now in on the plot Festus refused the request to let Paul go to Jerusalem and told the leaders to press their charges in Caesarea In Caesarea, the Jews stood around Paul and brought many charges against him, but could not prove any of them Paul's defense was simple and straight to the point v. 8 Festus wanted to do the Jew a favor so he asked Paul if he was willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there before Festus Paul affirms his not guilty plea and asks as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar After conferring with the council, Festus the order to go before Caesar Paul knew that the Lord wanted him to go to Rome (Acts 23:11) Paul's only interest was that the person and work of Jesus Christ would be glorified through this very difficult time This took the case completely out of the hands of the Jews and this made them even more angry The Consultation v. 13-22 Now Festus had another problem e.g. on what legitimate charges does he bring Paul before Nero King Herod Agrippa and Herod's sister came to pay respects to Festus Festus used this visit as an opportunity to discuss Paul's case with Agrippa Festus recaps the case Festus wanted Paul's accuses to face him Festus said there was no crime after a hearing, but it was a dispute about their own religion about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive Agrippa agreed to heard the matter himself The Findings Thus Far v.23-27 The very next day, with much pomp King Agrippa and Bernice entered the audience room with high ranking military officials and the prominent men of the city. Festus briefly outlines the case v. 24 Festus says Paul has done nothing to deserve death Festus wants to specify charges against Paul and is asking for Agrippa's help Note: Jesus told Paul many years before that he would share the gospel with Gentiles and kings (Acts 9:15) Agrippa was an expert in Jewish matters Paul's Defense 26:1-29 Paul acknowledges Agrippa's expertise in the Jewish customs and controversies and pleas with Agrippa to listen to Paul's defense patiently The honest testimony of a man saved by God's grace Paul's life was transparent even from his childhood in his own country and Jerusalem Paul is a Pharisee e.g. conformed to strictest sect of Judaism v. 4-8 Paul states that he is on trial now because of what God has promised his ancestors The promise of the Messiah The resurrection e.g. the God raises the dead Paul persecuted the church v.9 He fully opposed the name of Jesus of Nazareth v. 9-11 Paul saw the light v. 12-14 Paul asks a key question, "Who are you Lord?" He recounts his encounter with Jesus His commission The transforming gospel of Jesus' love and grace Salvation by faith alone Paul was transformed by grace and lovingly obedient to His Savior v. 15-23 Transformed by grace, not conformed From persecutor to a loving servant of Christ He preached the simple gospel of faith and repentance God has been with Paul to this very day Paul answers Festus' interruption Paul said the truth and his faith is reasonable v. 25 Even the king knows that this is a reasonable faith This was all done with complete transparency Paul asks Agrippa a key question "King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? The king's answer and Paul's heart v. 28-32 Agrippa asks a question Paul's reply show his heart and motives His desire that everyone respond to the gospel of Christ Agrippa's conclusion v. 30-32 Closing: As you and I share the gospel, there will be people who oppose the message and Christ. It could be a family member, friend, educator, and others. We must remember: Christ died for sinners All sinner need a Savior A Christian worldview will class with all other worldviews Suffering is part of serving Christ View an adversary through Jesus' eyes...a sinner in need of a Savior So, this morning I ask you, what do you think of Paul's testimony? What will your response be to such a great salvation made possible through the Person and works of Jesus Christ? Perhaps this morning, we needed a refresher of what a great Savior we have

Download Psalm 108-114 We are in the Wisdom Stream and reading from the New Century Version. 7streamsmethod.com | @7StreamsMethod | @serenatravis | #7Stream | Donate Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis Lord YOU ARE GOOD and good all the time.  We thank you and pledge ourselves to you because of who you are.  Amen. 108 - This is a battle song.  Armies throughout history have used songs to rouse up the soldiers and put them in a forward, positive spirit.  If anyone noticed, some of this is reminiscent to Psalm 57, and 60. The illustrations within here are effective linking parts of the country with parts of armor and other aspects of battle. This makes it a catchy Psalm to teach to any age. It again covers an entire gamut and range of emotions. David is a man after God's heart and to be that he bears his own. 109 - This is one of the cursing Psalms, seemingly related to Psalm 35.  David wants this one sung and remembered.  He really has it in for those who have come against him.  He spares no one in wishing those who fight him, God, Israel, Jerusalem, the proper Hebrew faith - David wants them to suffer and be removed in every way. He wants the enemies of God to be halted, their children neutralized.  Their families are bad, their ancestors were bad, they ARE bad, their children are going to be bad so "get rid of 'em God!" David is praying.  Pentecost and the HOly Spirit coming so to see that all saved has made prayers like this something that we aren't to be praying (p-r-e-y-i-n-g) for/upon people.  But again, these agonizing sentiments are foisted at David and he is running to God with them. It's, again, a good lesson. 110 - This is prophecy of Christ Jesus. No other one could be referred to in history or future but the Christ told of in 110. This is historical and theological.  This Psalm is quoted in Matthew 22, Acts 2, Hebrews 1 & 5. Fascinating that David is spurred along in the Spirit and inspired to pen this 1,000 years before His Savior; HIS king arrives to eternally reign. This is a boundless discussion without end.  Just amazing. 111 -  The LORD God is majestic, honorable, righteous, loving, just, faithful, true, holy and eternal in all of these attributes.  This one is worth memorizing and reciting throughout life. 112 - The prior Psalm is all the attributes of God. This Psalm is the attributes of those whose souls are fixed upon God, upon being with God, and being touched by God.  The blessings of God fall upon them too.  The similarity gets our attention.  Those who love God act like Him. This is marvelous.  In short, realize 111 and you'll live 112. 113 - This Psalm and 114 were sung at the beginning of the Passover meal.  They are songs bursting with joy and good sentiments and truths about God's goodness and compassion and magnificent care for us.  It is Psalms like this that are used in worship at family gatherings that have made the Hebrews such an enduring culture for 4,000 years. 114- This Psalm, is also sung at the beginning of the Passover meal. It hearkens back to the Exodus and the events bringing the Israelites to the Promised Land.  The symbolism and word pictures add flare and intrigue. You can see even a child's mind racing with imagination while singing this through with the rest of the family.  This keeps God's saving nature at the forefront of people's thinking. It also keeps the Israelites remembering who it is that grants them everything they have and are. God and his mighty hand that serves and protects are the issue here.

In this episode, Chris Rives, Jeremy Meyer and Geoff Van De Merwe discuss Geoff's participation in the re|engage program at Grace church and the life change that took place in his marriage, family, and walk with the Lord. Share, listen and then discuss the Episode 9 Study Questions (https://bit.ly/2WOauJZ) in a one on one conversation or with a group of men. APPLICATION What are some ways you have seen God work in your life through participation in re|engage, Re:Gen, a Men's Roundtable study, or another ministry area of the church? What is one thing you learned about yourself through this process? What did you learn about God? When did you first realize your need for God? What changes took place in your life after you made this decision? What evidence do you see in your life of how God is changing you and stretching you? How can you be “deliberate in your steps?” What would this look like on a practical level? KEY POINTS Geoff and his wife began attending Grace Church with the hopes of helping their children and providing a positive environment for them. While not believers themselves, they had seen the benefit Grace Forge ministry had in their oldest son's life and they wanted to get their family plugged into a church. They heard about the re|engage ministry on their first visit and decided to attend the following week. With their marriage in crisis, they were instantly met with compassion and acceptance. Their current ways of thinking and relating to one another were challenged and they began to break down walls of resentment and anger. Through their experience in re|engage, Geoff and his wife, Emily, also became aware of their need for God and made the decision to begin a personal relationship with Christ. Up until this point, Geoff had seen Jesus as a good man and teacher. He was now able to see Jesus as His Savior and take steps to depend on God and release control. This decision spurred Geoff to begin reading his Bible, talking to God on a regular basis, and taking small steps to restore his relationship with his wife and reconnect with his family. The combination of participating in re|engage and deciding to follow Christ led to tremendous life change. Geoff was able to lay down his anger and release the turmoil he had been keeping inside. He learned about the concept of “staying in your circle,” a principle discussed in re|engage, and began taking responsibility rather than blaming his wife for the problems in their marriage. As he and his wife began to function as one unit, with God in the center, they began talking more and fighting less. They were able to use this energy to pour into their children's lives and into their relationship. Geoff saw his marriage and family transformed. Geoff's story reveals the importance of being deliberate in our decision making and the way we lead our lives. By avoiding passivity, depending on God, and seeking what God would have us to do in every situation, we can move towards the abundant life God has for us. SCRIPTURE For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34 (ESV) We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) RESOURCES MENTIONED Learn more about the re|engage ministry at Grace Church by visiting: gracechurchsc.org/connect/pastoral-care/re-engage Unoffendable Book: LINK Have questions? Email us at: menofgrace@gracechurchsc.org

Have you ever been ostracized? Have you had someone lie about you, run you down behind your back, and try to get people to turn against you? That's what happened to Stephen in Acts 7. He was a man full of faith and the grace of God and all he did was preach about Jesus and work miracles. He did absolutely nothing wrong and yet by the end of this chapter, he would be stoned to death! Why? Because some Jews from a synagogue wanted to debate him and have a Bible study and when they couldn't hang with Stephen they got jealous and went to the Sanhedrin and told them a bunch of lies. Stephen was called in for questioning and as he was talking to the Sanhedrin they didn't like what he was saying so they put their hands over their ears, started yelling to drown out his words, they dragged him outside of the city, and stoned him to death. As Stephen was dying he looks up and see Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father! And just like His Savior, Stephen asks Jesus to forgive these men. Someone may have ostracized us for whatever reason, however, if we want to be like Jesus, we must forgive.

If I were Peter, this event would probably be the most important moment of my life. Peter was the most bold and outspoken of the apostles, but that moment at Jesus' trial when he denied knowing Jesus must have surely been hanging over his head. Three times he denied. What does Jesus do here? He asks Peter to affirm three times that he loves him. No mention of the failure, just an opportunity for redemption. Peter seizes it. This is the first time John records Peter talking to Peter since the resurrection, and he leaps out of the boat to get to Jesus, even though they're not far from shore. Jesus restores him. When Peter was later in prison and facing execution, I bet it was this moment that played in his mind. His Savior let him come back, but only for Peter's sake. Jesus never stopped believing in him.

If you feel led to help support my ministry I lovingly refer to as "The Little Green Pasture." Click here: PayPal: http://paypal.me/joanstahl Please prayerfully consider becoming a ministry partner: Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/joaniestahl There are so many Believers that have a difficult person they care about they have labored in prayer for decades. Yet there has never been the slightest change in them. In fact they become angrier, and more bitter. They have even taken the abuse from the person they have spent years in prayer for. The human aspect is exhaustion especially where there has been mocking, scorning and abuse. Yet, prayer continues though it be a life of longsuffering. The thought of them dying without Christ is worse than another day, or another 20 years of their abuse. The love of Jesus Christ is the power behind the choice to push through. There are many times temptation comes in to give up. This is not a demerit mark on some score card God has on everyone. Sometimes God wants us to rest to regain strength, and to pray again. True prayer for the ungodly is long and hard, but is has eternal reward for the person they prayed for, and for themselves when they meet together in heavenly places. The two malefactors which were on opposite sides of Jesus on His cross, were standing on the edge of eternity. Think about it, the only two human beings in earthly and eternal history who died along side their Savior. Yet only one saw Him as Savior, for he called Him "Lord." His eyes were opened to see Jesus as His Savior, yet the other one did not. One railed on Him saying "Save thyself and us!" The other one said, "We deserve what we are getting," which is true heart contrition and repentance. That dying man was able to look into the face of his brutalized Savior and say, "Remember me when thou art come into they kingdom," and Jesus said, Today ye shall be with Me in paradise," where he is today with Christ in glory. We cannot tell who will come to Christ at their final breaths of earthly mortal life. Only Jesus knows. Jesus Christ died for both men condemned to die, and only one went into heaven with Him. Both were given the same opportunity, the same as Judas or Ananias and Sapphira, but their choices purchased for them an eternity they will never escape from. A Christ-less eternity. Do not give up praying for those you love no matter what it looks like. The last act of the Lord on earth before death was forgiveness to filthy criminals legally condemned to die an ignominious, cursed death. Though it does not say it in the word, I somehow believe that even in Jesus' final moments of earthly life, perhaps He was praying to His Father to open the eyes of the worst, filthy criminals legally condemned to die. Two people whom I am certain had family members who gave up on them long ago. I believe our Father in heaven answered those prayers. For "no man can say Jesus Christ is Lord but by the Holy Spirit." Never give up. Jesus said He would "see the travail of His soul and be satisfied." Amen, never give up praying for the hardest of them, and let the Savior of the World do the rest, He wants them in heaven more than we do. Shalom. Contact: Email: jsfieldnotes@gmail.com Website: www.joaniestahl.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/joanie-stahl/support

Think about a baby... what it can do and what it can't do. Now think of the God of all creation - why on earth would He choose for His Savior of the world to come into the world as a baby? As we get ready to celebrate Christmas - the advent of Jesus' birth, join Chip for the surprising, encouraging answer!

On December 21st the church remembers the Apostle Thomas. Thomas has received the unfortunate nickname "Doubting Thomas" because of his reaction to the word of Christ's resurrection. Join us in this episode as we dig into the Bible and the deeper character of Thomas, which reveals one who was not a faithless doubter, but one who was honest in his faith. We will consider the proper relationship between evidence and faith and look at what that faith moved Thomas to do out of love for His Savior and in concern for his fellow man. Truly, a wonderful example for us all!

Meet Danny Cox. A dynamic man with a dynamic story. From his self proclaimed highway to hell that led him to his highway to heaven, hear him tell how riches, drugs and then prison brought him to His Savior.

In this message we close out the narrative that John gives on the Former Blind Beggars life and how he meets Jesus, His Savior face to face.

Click Here to Listen to the other parts in the seriesCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 1) - A Call to AdventCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 2) - Being StillCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 3) - Introducing Your Kids to the SaviorCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 4) - His Savior NamesCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 5) - Remembering Christ at ChristmasFamilyLife Today® Radio Transcript  References to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. Remembering Christ at Christmas Guests:                      Dennis and Barbara Rainey and Laura Rainey Dries    From the series:       Celebrating Advent (Day 5 of 5)Air date:                     December 2, 2016  Bob: The season of Advent is a time for us to be thinking about when Jesus came and about the fact that He is coming again. Here's Barbara Rainey.  Barbara: We know that when He came—His first advent—when He came and was born as a baby in a manger, He came to serve us, He came to redeem us, and He came to deliver us. He was still King in all eternity, but He didn't walk on earth as the King. He walked on earth as a Servant and as a Savior; but someday, He will come back. There will be a second advent of Jesus Christ. And when He comes back again, He will come back as King of kings and Lord of lords.  Bob: This is FamilyLife Today for Friday, December 2nd. Our host is the President of FamilyLife®, Dennis Rainey. I'm Bob Lepine. In the songs we sing during this part of the year, in our traditions, and even in how we decorate our homes, there's an opportunity for us to be making spiritual statements and reminding ourselves and others of the reason for this season. We'll explore that more today. Stay with us.  1:00 And welcome to FamilyLife Today. Thanks for joining us on the Friday edition. Here it is December. I always think of December as a good time just for reflection—although, typically, not the first part of December. Usually, it's the end of December when you have a few minutes to catch your breath and kind of reflect on what the year has been. Usually, the first part of the month, you've got— Dennis: It's a sprint.  Bob: —you've just got so much going on. But this has been a great year for us, at FamilyLife. We've been celebrating our 40th anniversary as a ministry this year. It has been fun for us to take some time and just look back on how we've seen God at work in this ministry for four decades.  Dennis: And I was recently looking back on how God worked in the past 12 months.  2.00 Bob, you know, we impacted a record number of people—18.8 million visited our website; listened to FamilyLife Today / Real FamilyLife®; have been to an Art of Marriage® / a Weekend to Remember® event; bought Passport2Purity®. We're making an impact in the most important institution in our country. I believe that mission is the mission of the hour.  If you believe it as well, could I challenge you, here at yearend, to stand with us with a generous gift to keep FamilyLife Today coming on strong on this station to make a difference in the marriages and families in your community?  You may be investing in another family who is raising the son or daughter who marries your son or daughter. So, why don't you participate with us in this mission of strengthening the most basic unit of our nation, the family?—and doing it—listen to me— 3.00 —doing it around the person of Jesus Christ and the truth of the Bible. I believe this is needed, now, as never before.  Bob: You can make a donation by going, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com; or call us to make a donation at 1-800-FL-TODAY; or you can mail your donation to FamilyLife Today. Our address is PO Box 7111, Little Rock, AR; and our zip code is 72223.  Now, this Sunday is going to be—actually, it's going to be the first Sunday in December, but it's the second Sunday in the Advent season. You know, Christmas is on a Sunday this year.  Dennis: That's right.  Bob: Will your church cancel, or will they have services?  Do you know?   Dennis: That's a good question!   Barbara: I don't know.  Bob: It's always hard to know what to do, because Christmas morning is such a family time. There are so many traditions that to try to say, “Okay; we want to go to church too,” just feels out of the normal rhythm—I mean, I get that.  4.00 Dennis: Yes; and I'm thinking of one child in our family who—if I would have said, “You know, we're all just going to get cleaned up and go to church first before we get about celebrating Christmas,”— Bob: Yes?   Dennis: —I think this child—she might have completely split in half. [Laughter]   Bob: Disinherited herself from the family— Barbara: Yes; she would have.  Bob: —and said, “I'm joining somebody else's family for this Christmas.”   Dennis: In fact, she's out in the production area of our studio here—Laura. We've asked Laura to come in here, recently, a couple of times. So, Laura, would you come into the studio and just explain how difficult it was for you to wait—the concept of waiting?   Bob: And while you're coming in—and Laura, welcome, by the way—welcome back into the studio. While you are coming in, can we just acknowledge that there might be a heredity link to Laura's impatience that, maybe, somebody—[Laughter] Dennis: Now, why would we want to meddle in that stuff?   5.00 Bob: Barbara, would you like to explain why there might have been a heredity link to this?  [Laughter] Do you know anybody else who might have gotten impatient around Christmastime?   Barbara: It wasn't me. [Laughter]  I know that!  Laura: Who it was? Barbara: Maybe, that's it—maybe, it's being the youngest in the family; because I was the firstborn. My mother remembers this—I hoarded my presents / I kept them to the side. I opened them very slowly, because I wanted it to last all day long. But Dennis was not that way.  Bob: I wasn't either—I was the last born. So, I was the one who thought 5.30 was the appropriate time to go open presents on Christmas morning.  Laura: Absolutely.  Bob: Right?   Dennis: Before the sun was up?   Bob: Well, you know me—morning time is not my— Dennis: Oh, yes.  Bob: —favorite time; but on Christmas morning— Barbara: It was your favorite time!   Bob: —it was a whole different deal. So, getting up early on Christmas, I was all about that as well.  Dennis: There are going to be some people, though, who listen to what we're talking about here—they are going to say, “You guys—you are heretics that you wouldn't go to church on Christmas morning.”  6.00 Laura, would you just comment on what that would have done to you if I'd had said. “Okay; Laura, let's go to church. You can wait another two hours to open the presents”?   Laura: I probably would have cried; because I cried already whenever my older siblings would tease me and be like. “I've got to take a shower,” “I've got to dry my hair,”… Barbara: Because they were teenagers when you were five.  Laura: Yes; “We've got to eat breakfast.”   Bob: So, is there—was there an imposed start time?  [Laughter] Did you have a time you had to stay in bed until?   Laura: Oh, I'm sure that we did. I don't remember exactly what time it was, but I'm fairly certain I was the first one knocking on my parents' door.  Bob: Did you have a routine for going to the tree?  Did everybody have to go together?   Laura: We did. Well, we switched it up every single year. It depended on whatever Dad—his creativity.  Bob: Whatever he came up with.  Laura: Whatever he came up with. And so, one year, it would be—youngest to oldest—which was always my favorite because I got to see in—I got to look around the living room. I tried not to peek, but it was really hard.  7.00 My little five-year-old heart couldn't handle it. One year, it was oldest to youngest; and that was traumatic. Then, boys wind up first and then girls. You know, he got creative with it.  Dennis: I think what God was doing, though, Laura, was—He was preparing you to wait until you were 31 to get married.  Barbara: Oh, maybe, that's it!  [Laughter] Laura: Maybe, that's what He was doing.  Dennis: He was building the discipline in you.  Laura: If only I knew, back in the day, that's what was happening.  Dennis: She's celebrating this Christmas with her new love-of-her-life, Josh. They'll undoubtedly come visit us, Bob—I would think they'll come visit us.  Bob: So, that's a question. “Where are you celebrating Christmas?  Have you worked it out yet?”   Laura: We have. We spent Thanksgiving with my mom's family at the farm. Then, this year, we will spend Christmas with his family; but we—his family celebrates Christmas Eve. So, Christmas Eve is the time where we exchange gifts and have a delicious dinner.  8.00 Little Rock's not too far away. So, we might just hop on I-40 on Christmas morning and pop over to see my parents.  Bob: Or just drive over Christmas Eve night, because you can leave at midnight. [Laughter]   Laura: Right; exactly. Yes! We could be Santa.  Dennis: You could be there, waiting on the steps— Laura: That's right!   Dennis: —to open presents.  Barbara: Yes; you and Josh could get in line. That would be a new twist.  Laura: Matching PJ's. [Laughter]  Can't wait!   Dennis: Well, we're laughing about these traditions, but Barbara has created a new tradition for families to help them bring the reality of Jesus Christ into your Christmas celebration. She's created a number of Adorenaments®. They're ornaments that are all based upon the names of Christ.  The first year was His Christmas names from Luke, Chapter 2, and Isaiah. The second year was His royal names—we're going to talk about that in a moment. The third year was His Savior names. The fourth year—the names of Christ in some of the most widely-used languages around the world.  9.00 And this year, your new Adorenaments are, actually, not metal—these are globes. They are actually heavy as well.  Barbara: Yes; they are round globes, and they have the continents on them so it looks like the planet, earth. On each one of the four globes is a name of Christ that reminds us why He came to earth when He was born in Bethlehem.  One of them says, “Jesus is the Light of the World.”  One of them says, “Jesus is the Messenger,” because He came to bring us the message of good news. One of them says, “Jesus is the Son,” because He came and was born as the Son of God. And the fourth one is “Jesus is the Word.”  We learn in John that Jesus is the Word, and He came to dwell among us. So, each of those four names tell us something about why Jesus came and was born in a manger in Bethlehem for us, who live on planet earth.  Bob: I mentioned that this Sunday is the second Sunday in the Advent season.  10.00 Some churches will address Advent / others don't. Advent really just means “coming.”  It's about a period of waiting and anticipation for the coming of Jesus. Christmas is referred to as His first advent,— Barbara: That's right.  Bob: —because there is a second advent coming.  Barbara: There will be a second advent. That's really what this set of ornaments—this set of names that we're going to talk about today—is all about. It's about Jesus as our King. We know that when He came—His first advent—when He came and was born as a baby in a manger, He came to serve us; He came to redeem us; He came to deliver us. He was still King in all eternity, but He didn't walk on earth as the King. He walked on earth as a Servant and as a Savior.  But someday, as you referred to, He will come back. There will be a second advent of Jesus Christ. And when He comes back again, He will come back as King— 11.00 —King of kings and Lord of lords.  And the ornaments that we are talking about today are a series of crowns—they are seven crowns—and each of them has one of his royal names on them. We, as believers, need to look forward to that. Just as we have a sense of anticipation—that we were talking about earlier—in the month of December, looking forward to Christmas Day as a remembrance of His first advent—God wants us to live with a sense of anticipation, every day of our lives, as we think about His coming back again.  And when He comes back again, He will not come as a baby. He will come as a King, and that's what these ornaments help us remember.  Dennis: And I've just pulled out two that Barbara rushed by, because these are just powerful names—King of kings, Lord of lords. It's only used two times in Scripture. This is not a casual name that was given to Christ. The Apostle Paul used it as he wrote to Timothy, and the Apostle John wrote about it in the Book of Revelation. 12.00 Now, I want you to just, again, think about that title—King of kings / all tens of thousands of those kings who lived and died. This King came; He died; He rose again from the grave; and He's coming back. There is a second advent that will be spectacular.  Bob: Well, if you live in a kingdom, the king is the one with supreme authority. Whatever the king says goes. If Jesus is the King of kings, then, His authority trumps all other authority. We talked earlier this year, on FamilyLife Today, about the fact that we do live as citizens of a different kingdom—the kingdom of heaven. Jesus is the King. Our allegiance—before our allegiance to our country or to our family, even—our highest allegiance goes to the kingdom of heaven.  Barbara: That's right.  13.00 That's why it is good for us to remember, at Christmas, that Jesus is a King. He is our King, and He owns us if we belong to Him. We owe Him our allegiance and our loyalty. Remembering that He is a King—and didn't just come as a baby—but He is coming back as a King is good for us to focus on at Christmas when we think about all of the different names of Jesus Christ. There are names that refer to Him and His royalty as the King. It's good for us to remember that.  Dennis: And if you want to read—I bet you, as a listener, haven't been spending much time here—but if you want to read a spectacular setting that occurs near the end of the Book of Revelation, go to Chapter 19 and look at, beginning at verse 11, where there is a rider on a white horse. And this is the place where the title, King of kings and Lord of lords, comes out.  14.00 It's basically a battle between God and evil—it's the final battle. It is Jesus Christ who is on the white horse, coming to conquer. He is not—as Barbara said—He is not the Suffering Servant who came to be the Lamb—on this particular occasion, He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords; and He is coming to take over. It's spectacular.  It says in verse 16, “On the robe and on His thigh, He has a name written, King of kings, Lord of lords.”  I think the key question is. “Do you know Him?  Do you know the King?  Do you have a relationship with Him?”  This is going to happen—this is more real than this studio that we are broadcasting from. It's more real than the car you're sitting in; or the house that you're listening to this radio broadcast in; or walking, listening, as you take a walk, on your device.  15.00 This is sure and certain. This will become reality.  Bob: We have an experience that we both have shared, but we didn't share it together. I remember being in New York, back in the 1980s. I was there during the Christmas season and there on a Sunday. I got tickets to go see the Radio City Christmas Pageant. It was the last show of the night, and they still had some tickets available. One ticket—that's all I needed. I went to see it, and it was fun—it's like a big variety show, like the old TV variety shows.  But I was surprised—and you had the same experience—I was surprised there was a spiritual element to this Christmas pageant at Radio City Music Hall in New York City that I thought. “Oh! They know what this is really all about.”   Barbara: Yes; Dennis and I went for the first time— 16.00 —I don't know—was it the ‘80s, or was it the ‘90s?   Dennis: I don't remember.  Barbara: We went and got tickets, and we thought the same thing that you did. We thought. “This is entertaining. This is beautiful. It's lavish / it's amazing—it's fun.” Then, it turned on a dime, when there was a pause in the action on stage and the lights dimmed. All of a sudden, they began to display a nativity scene—a live nativity scene. In came the shepherds and in came the—and they had real sheep—and in came Mary and Joseph. They had the stable scene; and then, down the aisles came a procession with camels, and the kings, and their servants.  We were—I remember I was just as stunned as you were. We were wide-eyed, because we had no idea that this was a part of the program. They went down the aisle, and the music was appropriate. The lighting and all of this— Bob: I thought I was at church for a minute.  Barbara: Yes; it felt like church!   Bob: Yes!   Barbara: I couldn't believe we were in New York City, watching this amazing display of the Christmas story in front of us with live animals— 17.00 —I mean, it was spectacular.  Dennis: And at some point, after they made the turn—I don't remember exactly how it started—but they began to read a poem called One Solitary Life. And I just remember it was a powerful, emotional moment—that, here, in the most powerful city in the world, people were going to stop / they were going to recognize who Christ is. And this show, which was to entertain the wealthy, the powerful, and the elite—people from all walks of life—recognized the Savior.  I hadn't read this in a while—I pulled it up, online; and I read it. I just want to read it to our listeners, just to remind you of the power of our King.  He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village, where he worked in a carpenter's shop until he was thirty when public opinion turned against him.  18.00He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never went to college. He never visited a big city. He never travelled more than two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He did none of those things usually associated with greatness. He had no credentials but himself. He was only thirty-three. His friends ran away. One of them denied him. He was turned over to his enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing, the only property he had on earth.  19.00 When he was dead, he was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Nineteen centuries have come and gone; and today, Jesus is the central figure of the human race and the leader of mankind's progress. All the armies that have ever marched, all the navies that have ever sailed, all the parliaments that have ever sat, all the kings that have ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of mankind on earth as powerfully as that One Solitary Life. Bob: The Christmas season is all about—not just the birth of Jesus— 20.00 —but the coming of Jesus and the reason for His coming—His redemptive work / the message of the gospel—ultimately, the cross and the resurrection. And that's what we're hoping all of us will keep at the forefront of our holiday celebration over the next few weeks.  I want to, again, encourage you—if you've not seen the work that Barbara Rainey has been doing in creating ornaments that can hang on your tree that proclaim the names of Jesus, go to FamilyLifeToday.com. This year's set of ornaments—four globe-shaped ornaments—that talk about Jesus as the Son, the Messenger, the Word, and the Light. And of course, we have previous sets available as well. We have 30 ornaments total, and you can see them all when you go to FamilyLifeToday.com. You can order from us online, or you can call 1-800-FL-TODAY to order. Again, it's 1-800-“F” as in family, “L” as in life, and then, the word, “TODAY.”   21.00 By the way, if you have the FamilyLife Today mobile app on your smartphone or on your tablet, that app is going to have some special content loaded into it. I think it already does have some devotionals and some ways that you can engage people in conversation during the holiday season to have conversations about Jesus at Christmastime. If you don't already have the app, it is free. Go to your app store and download it. It gives you instant access to FamilyLife Today anytime you'd like to listen. Past editions of the program are available, as well, along with special content like we're featuring this month that's all about Christmas. Again, get the FamilyLife app when you go to your app store and download it to your device.  Now, this weekend, we've got two Weekend to Remember® getaways taking place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania / Albany, New York. We've got hundreds of couples getting ready to kick off a fun, romantic weekend together. Then, next weekend, we wrap up the fall with getaways in Charleston, South Carolina, and out in the Valley of the Sun— 22.00 —in Phoenix, Arizona. And of course, we'll start up our Weekend to Remember getaway season just before Valentine's Day in February. Please pray for the couples who are attending the getaways this weekend. And if you'd like to give a getaway gift certificate as a Christmas gift, go to FamilyLifeToday.com. More information is available there.  And finally, don't forget the matching-gift opportunity that we're hoping to take advantage of during the month of December. All month long, we've asked our friend, Michelle Hill, to keep tabs on our matching gift and let us know each day how we're doing in terms of being able to take advantage of this matching-gift offer. And she is here today with details of the match and an update on how we're doing. Michelle?   Michelle: Hey, Bob. Well, we are just getting started; but I'm pretty excited because we are already receiving our first matched donations.  23.00 As I said yesterday, those gifts are being effectively tripled from that matching-gift fund of $1.25 million.  Now, just in case folks missed it, let me just explain it again. Say you give $10 to FamilyLife. Well, that's great / that's awesome; because there is $20 added to your 10. Your $10 becomes a $30-contribution to FamilyLife. And the bottom line—when you give, the benefit to FamilyLife is effectively tripled.  Bob: Thanks, Michelle. We look forward to your updates throughout December. And if you can help with a donation today, go online at FamilyLifeToday.com; or call 1-800-FL-TODAY; or mail your donation to FamilyLife Today at PO Box 7111, Little Rock, AR; our zip code is 72223.  With that, we hope you have a great weekend. Hope you and your family are able to worship together in your local church this weekend.  24.00 And I hope you can join us on Monday when we're going to hear from a number of Christian leaders about how they'd do life differently if they were doing it all over again—and a number of other interesting questions—that our friend, John Gauger, asked these Christian leaders. We'll be hearing from people like Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, Tim Keller, Joni Eareckson Tada, Tony Evans, and others. It should be an interesting program. I hope you can tune in for it.  I want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, along with our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine. We will see you back Monday for another edition of FamilyLife Today.  FamilyLife Today is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.  Copyright © FamilyLife. All rights reserved. www.FamilyLife.com    

Click Here to Listen to the other parts in the seriesHow Pinterest Stole Christmas (Part 1) - Putting Christ FirstHow Pinterest Stole Christmas (Part 2) - Making Jesus Our FocusFamilyLife Today® Radio Transcript  References to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. Putting Christ First Guest:                         Barbara Rainey                    From the series:       How Pinterest Stole Christmas (Day 1 of 2)Air date:                     December 1, 2014     Bob: Let's be honest. The Christmas season can be overwhelming; can't it? Barbara Rainey remembers, as she was raising her children, all of the expectations she placed on herself—expectations about gift-giving. Barbara: I wanted to say, “Thank you,” to the people that delivered our mail. I wanted to say, “Thank you,” to their piano teacher, and the list went on and on. I was imposing a standard on myself—and it was probably all skewed up and all wrong. I was, at some level, looking for affirmation from people; or, at some level, I was probably looking for someone to give me a pat on the back that I was the best mom in the world—I don't know. So, I'm often my worst enemy. I think a lot of women are like that. We're often our own worst enemy. We have expectations of ourself that God does not have of us. Bob: This is FamilyLife Today for Monday, December 1st. Our host is the President of FamilyLife®, Dennis Rainey, and I'm Bob Lepine. We'll talk today about making the holiday season a little more manageable.  1:00 It all starts by having your priorities straight. Stay tuned. And welcome to FamilyLife Today. Thanks for joining us on the Monday edition. You know, you get to the end of the Thanksgiving celebration—the weekend is over—and you feel like, [big sigh] “I can take a breath.” Dennis: And then you turn the calendar— Bob: That's right! Dennis: --and it's upon you—the Christmas rush! Bob: “I can't stop for anything!”  Dennis: It would be interesting to have a stress meter, especially on young moms who are really trying to make Christmas the holiday of holidays during the year. Bob: Maybe it's an Ever Thine Home® product you can create—a stress meter. [Laughter] Dennis: Barbara joins us on FamilyLife Today. Welcome back to the broadcast, Sweetheart. Barbara: Thanks. Glad to be here. Bob: This season of the year—Thanksgiving/Christmas—this is your favorite time of the year. Barbara: It is. Bob: And it's also a time of the year that you always dread. Barbara: It's the craziest; yes. 2:00 Bob: For most moms, they feel a burden during this season to want to pull off a great family holiday thing. That burden can just punch them in the gut; can't it? Barbara: Well, it makes it impossible. It's truly impossible to create the kind of Christmas that can be imagined. Most moms and women imagine creating something that's truly memorable, and it's meaningful, and it touches our lives. We get up in the morning—we're full of energy—we play carols, and we bake cookies, and we take them to our neighbors. We do something for the postman and for all the teachers. We just have a desire to do all of that, and it's just overwhelming. I ended up, every year, feeling like a failure in so many ways. Bob: And now you're blaming Pinterest® for the whole thing; right? Barbara: Well, I didn't—I just stop and think, “What would it have been like had I had Pinterest?”— 3:00 —because I'm thinking it was bad enough with my own expectations that I put on myself to make Christmas memorable for my kids and to do all these things that, in my mind, would communicate love to all these people in our lives. If I had had Pinterest, I don't know what would have happened to me—I would have had a nervous breakdown—I don't know. Dennis: A million of your closest friends would have taken their images of what they're doing, and you would have compared what you're doing unfavorably. Barbara: Oh, for sure I would have. Of course, I would have because all women do that—we always are comparing our homes, and our kids, and our clothes, and our yards, and our everything with other women. From a distance, we always fall short—so, at Christmas, it's no different.  I would have gotten on Pinterest, ostensibly, to look for some really cool ideas because there are recipes, and decorating ideas, and crafts—you name it—it's on Pinterest. I would have gotten on, looking for those things, thinking, “This is going to help me,” when, in fact, it probably would have squashed me and killed me. 4:00 Dennis: So, you've taken all of your theological background/your gift in art, and you have designed something else for moms to do? Barbara: Well, the reason—yes, I have. [Laughter] Yes, now that you put it that way. But here's the deal—I think what we women—because it's not just young moms / because I feel the same thing today, although to a lesser degree, because I don't have kids—but I think what we women want to do is: We feel a desire, and I think it's a good desire, to make the holidays—our Christian holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter—to make them meaningful because we know that there is great, deep, eternal meaning in the incarnation of Christ and His resurrection at Easter. So, because we know that, we think: “Okay, if I bake all these cookies…” or “If I give all these gifts…” or “If I decorate my house so that it's really, really special with lots of lights, it will make it meaningful.”  5:00 Obviously, it is different from our everyday, normal routine. But you can't find meaning in the superficial. I think we get confused, as women, thinking that adding all these things—these exterior things—is going to impart meaning / it's going to make something special. Well, maybe it does make it special, at a certain level; but it doesn't connect us to the eternal. I think that's what we're longing for in our hearts—is to be connected to the eternal. Bob: When we were raising our kids, we'd come to this season of the year—and here were the things that we kind of had to juggle—we had family traditions that really had no spiritual significance at all. Barbara: Yes—but we don't want to let them go. Bob: No.  Barbara: “We can't give up Mom's cookie recipe or Grandma's whatever.” Bob: For us—fajitas on Christmas Eve were a big deal. Barbara: That's right. Bob: Now, you get nothing spiritual out of fajitas; but that was important. Dennis: Yes—now wait a second. [Laughter] That's an important part of the holiday. 6:00 Bob: Then we had all of the kids' school stuff going on—whether it's a Christmas pageant, or the church cantata, or those things. Then we had all of the business or social—the small group Christmas party, the FamilyLife Christmas party that's going on, the teen Christmas party—so we had all of that happening. By the time you loaded everything into the schedule, the opportunity to do anything meaningful and spiritual with the family—there was just no time left. Barbara: And it's not just time—there's no energy left. There's no emotional energy or the ability to infuse it with life. I think we get so depleted, emotionally and spiritually, because we're investing so much in these activities and in these physical manifestations of our celebration. 7:00 Dennis: And what I wish our listeners had some idea of—is the amount of time Barbara has prayed, worked, and labored over these resources to teach your children to make Christ the center of the Christmas holidays—just to see the care she has gone to, not only in the beautiful artistic design, but in the research that is done. Some of our listeners know that a couple years ago you started designing Adorenaments® as a way to make the Christmas tree declare Christ. Barbara: Right. Dennis: Adorenaments were the names of Christ. The first year, it was the Christmas names; and then the second year were His royal names. Our listeners have responded. We get comments, all the time, from people coming up, saying, “You've helped us put Christ back into Christmas and have turned our Christmas tree into a tool to declare Christ to our friends, our family members, our neighbors.”  8:00 Now, this year, you've taken it another step further. You've created a third set of seven Adorenaments that declare His Savior names. Explain why you chose the Savior names. Barbara: Well, you can't separate Christmas from Easter because, when Jesus came to earth, He was born to die. We don't think about that at Christmas—we like the sweet baby in the manger, we like the angels, we like all the things that have been woven into the story that make us feel really good—but we have to remember that He didn't come just to make us feel good. He came to redeem us, and that redemption meant His life. It meant He had to suffer and die on the cross for us in order to purchase us back to a relationship with Him and the Father.  So, while I was really excited about doing Jesus' Christmas names, which are the names from Isaiah and the Luke story in Luke— 9:00 —and while I loved doing His royal names, which are the names etched into crowns like King of kings and Lord of lords and Lion of Judah—there is something about the Savior names that are indispensable in understanding who Christ is. I'm really excited about His Savior names this year because there are seven of His names that represent His salvation work for us. Each one is on a different shape of a cross—so even though we don't tend to associate the cross with Christmas—they have to go together. So, as a family, one of the things that you can do to impart that meaning / those moments of spiritual depth or discussion in your family is to talk about the names of Christ, during the month of December, as you're hanging your tree. Or you could read the little book as part of devotions or before school. There are a host of different ways you can do it.  10:00 I think what women are longing for—in all of the things that they see on Pinterest, and the things that they see in magazines, and that they talk about with their friends—is they want that meaning. They want to put Christ back in Christmas. They just don't know how to do that. Bob: Dennis talked about the prayer that you put into this and the hours that you've worked on this. You really had, as I see it, two objectives in mind. One was that you wanted to give moms and dads something that—as you said, they're exhausted / they're overwhelmed—this is something that they don't have to spend a lot of time preparing for. Barbara: That's right. Bob: It's kind of a turn-key spiritual opportunity for the family that's already built into activity you're going to be doing. Barbara: That's right. Bob: You're going to be trimming the Christmas tree—so here's a way to bring some spiritual sense to what you're doing. And then you wanted it to be really pretty. You wanted it—[Laughter] Barbara: Bob, you know me well, now! Yes, I wanted it to be very pretty. 11:00 Bob: And I have to tell you—I have really thought the ornaments in past years were beautiful—these are my favorites—the ones you've done this year. You've said they're crosses, but they're just really elegant-looking. I love what you've done with the ornaments in this year. Barbara: Well, thanks, I appreciate that. I'm encouraged to hear you say that, but I'm hearing that from lots and lots of people. Everyone who sees them says, “They're my favorite.” I think it's because we know and understand that the cross is central to our faith. So, when we see the cross done beautifully, it elevates and adds elegance to the truth of the Scripture. I just think that helps us worship because God is a beautiful God. Bob: And we should just say—if folks are interested in seeing—because it's hard to describe these on radio—but folks can go to EverThineHome.com and they can see exactly what we're talking about. They can see the ornaments and how they're available. Part of what you're hoping is—that when they come down from the Christmas tree, they'll get put back up around the home a few months later; right? 12:00 Barbara: Yes. We're actually creating some stands. You can purchase, if you want to, a set of three stands. You can take your favorite three crosses and put them on the stands, and put them on a shelf or on your fireplace mantel, and leave them up all year long. Dennis: And I'm going to add my voice to both of you and say this is my favorite too. The reason is, they're not only beautiful, but the names are powerful names. Every time I think about what you've done, Sweetheart, I think about—I really do—I think about this a lot—from Philippians 2, it says, “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him”—that's Jesus—“the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  13:00 The name of Jesus is really important—it tells us about the God-Man. It tells us what He came to do. The thing that really is—I just think is really fun about this is—you've not just chosen any cross—you've chosen seven crosses from distinct periods of history, and many of them are from different continents. Barbara: As I started looking at the different kinds of cross shapes, I realized that there are different crosses from different cultures. For instance, one of the crosses that I ended up using is called the Coptic cross. The Coptic cross is and has been used by the Coptic Christians, who live in Egypt, for almost since the time of Christ. It's been around for centuries, and it has a distinct shape—it's always been that shape—and that's a symbol, to them, of their faith in Christ. There's also the Ethiopian cross, which is also a part of that culture and has been a part of that culture for centuries.  14:00 It was fun to find these different historical crosses because I think it reminds us that Christianity is an international faith—it's not just an American western faith—we get so narrow in our thinking. These crosses open our eyes to see that there are people, all around the world, who believe in Christ and who follow Him. They have different symbols—all forms of the cross—and we can be united around that. Bob: So, the devotional book that comes with the set of seven, not only talks about the name that is on the cross, but it also talks about the design of the cross and gives parents an opportunity, with their kids, to talk about the attributes of Jesus—but also to talk about the universality of the Christian faith—and the fact that we have brothers and sisters who live in Egypt, and who live in Ethiopia, and who live in places, all around the world, and worship the Savior. 15:00 Barbara: Right. I just think: “What a wonderful opportunity for families to be able to talk about these things,” because that's essentially what I longed for when I was a mom, raising our kids—when Dennis and I were parenting, full-time. I wanted something that would help me communicate biblical truth to my kids at Christmas, and I couldn't find anything.  We read the Luke 2 story. Sometimes, our kids acted it out; but I just wanted more than that. That's a part of the reason that I'm really excited about this because moms can look at all the things on their list—they can look at the cookies, and the Christmas cards, and the gifts, and all of that stuff—and decide, “What is really most important?” If at the top of your list, you say, “Teaching my kids about Christ in the month of December,” some of those other things on your list might have to go. In the long run, if you teach your kids about Christ at Christmas—if you read the stories of His names—His Savior names, or His Christmas names, or His royal names—you will have done the most important thing in the month of December.  16:00 If you don't get the cookies done, no one's going to remember. If you don't get that last whatever, nobody's going to really remember. But your kids might remember some of what they heard about Jesus, and that's worth more than any of the traditions you're trying to keep. Bob: So, if you're sitting down with a young mom, and she's saying, “I'm already starting to feel overwhelmed by the season,”— Barbara: And they are. Bob: —you would coach her to kind of list the priorities and figure out: “What are the essential ones?” and “What are the ones you can throw overboard if you need to?” Barbara: Yes. It's like my friend, Lysa TerKeurst, says in her book, The Best Yes, it's: “What is the most important? What are the things that would please God the most?” Learning about Him is going to be the most important thing—that's going to be the activity or the event that is going to be the most lasting in your family. So, you put those things that are the most important at the top. You make sure those happen, even if some of the other things that you really care about, emotionally—like making Mom's Christmas cookies or whatever it is that you care about emotionally— 17:00 —those things you say, “Okay, God, I'm willing to let those go.” Bob: But it could be that the kids, in terms of what they're begging you for, is not “Let's sit down and do devotions around the names of Jesus.” It's, “Let's make the Christmas cookies.” Barbara: But there are things that moms put on their list that their kids aren't begging for because, see, one of the things I like so much about Lysa's book is—she said, “I'm often my own worst enemy.” There were lots of things that were on my list that my kids weren't begging me for. Bob: Like what? Barbara: Well, I mentioned, earlier, taking gifts to all these people. Why I felt like I needed to do that I don't know, but I wanted to take some kind of meaningful gift to all of my kids' teachers. We had six—so we had a lot of teachers. I wanted to say, “Thank you,” to the people that delivered our mail. I wanted to say, “Thank you,” to their piano teacher—the list went on and on. I was imposing a standard on myself, and it was probably all skewed up and all wrong. 18:00 I was, at some level, looking for affirmation from people; or, at some level, I was probably looking for someone to give me a pat on the back that I was the best mom in the world—I don't know. I just know that I was putting expectations on myself—I was putting them on myself. My husband wasn't putting them on me. My kids weren't saying, “Oh, Mom, we have to take gifts to all these people.” They were saying, “We've got to make Grandma's cookies,” but they weren't saying all those other things. So, I'm often my own worst enemy. I think a lot of women are like that—we're often our own worst enemy. We have expectations of ourself that God does not have of us. Bob: Today, you just send the kids to school with some ornaments that they've gotten— Barbara: I would. I would, absolutely I would. I would give them each an ornament. I would buy a set of seven—and I would divide that set up—and I would put it in a card or something. That's another reason why I have done these ornaments is because they make great gifts. Dennis: What I would want a mom to hear—in fact, I would charge the moms, who are listening:  19:00 “You need to decide what really matters and what really counts. It doesn't matter if it made your kids' top ten list or not.” Bob: Yes. Dennis: If you have a sense of wanting to pass on spiritual truth and guide them in making discoveries about Jesus Christ, and helping your husband look good, because what you can do is—give him this book, which is called A Son is Given. It has all the information about all seven of the crosses. You can read this in less than five minutes. This is not some lengthy theological education, but you can make a big deal out of these seven this year.  For those who have the previous two sets of seven—the Christmas names and the royal names—if you wanted to—now again, I'm not trying to heap this on anybody—but if you wanted to, you could take 21 days, throughout the month of December, and begin the process of making your tree declare the One who made Christmas famous and giving your kids an introduction to Him.  20:00 We've actually had kids come to faith in Christ through the discussion that occurs around what these Adorenaments mean. Barbara: If you do have the previous sets, and you have read the book to your children, chances are they're not going to remember a tenth of it. So, you might as well read it again. Then that rereading every year can become a new tradition that's a very meaningful tradition—that will make a lasting impact on your kids' lives. Dennis: When we celebrate the names of Christ, increasingly, as I grow older, His name is above every name, and His name will be the name that causes every knee to bow. So, why not go ahead and introduce your kids to Christ? Maybe they will trust Him as Savior/Redeemer— Barbara: This Christmas. Dennis: —yes, this Christmas. 21:00 Bob: Again, I think the best thing for listeners to do is to see what we've been talking about. Go to EverThineHome.com—EverThineHome.com—and you can see all seven of the new ornaments that Barbara has designed—the new Adorenaments that are His Savior names. You can also see His Christmas names and His royal names from past years and other resources that Barbara has been designing for Christmas. Again, the website is EverThineHome.com.  I know a lot of people today are doing some internet shopping because this is—what do they call it?—Cyber Monday; right? Our team put some specials together, over at FamilyLifeToday.com. If you go to our website, FamilyLifeToday.com, and you click the button in the upper left-hand corner, that says, “GO DEEPER,” you'll see a box for the Cyber Monday event. I think some of the Adorenaments are included in the Cyber Monday sale.  22:00 So, again, go to FamilyLifeToday.com for more information about the Cyber Monday event. You can also find out more about the Adorenaments at FamilyLifeToday.com or, online, at EverThineHome.com. Now, as we've talked today about getting your priorities in alignment during the Christmas season, I hope that you will consider one of your priorities, between now and the end of the year, just asking the Lord to direct your steps as it relates to yearend giving. I know for Mary Ann and me, one of the things we do, during the month of December, is we spend time reflecting on how God has been at work in our lives over the last 12 months. We often make yearend donations to ministries that God has used in a significant way to encourage us, or to equip us, or to help us grow in the previous 12 months.  If FamilyLife Today is one of those ministries, can we ask you to consider making a yearend contribution in support of all we're doing here?  23:00 The month of December is a significant month for us. In fact, more than half the money we need to operate, as a ministry, comes in during the month of December. So, this month determines a lot about what ministry is going to look like in the next 12 months for us. We've had some friends of the ministry who are aware of that dynamic. They came to us recently and said: “We'd like to provide matching funds. We will match every donation that comes in, during the month of December, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, up to a total of $2,000,000.” Of course, we want to do all we can do, as a ministry, to try to take full advantage of their generosity and of this matching-gift fund. Would you consider going to our website today? Go to FamilyLifeToday.com. Click the button in the upper right-hand corner. You can make an online donation that way. Or you can call 1-800-FL-TODAY to make the donation over the phone.  24:00 Or if you'd like to mail your donation to us, our mailing address is PO Box 7111, Little Rock, AR; and our zip code is 72223. Let me just say, “Thanks,” in advance, for whatever you're able to do in support of the ministry of FamilyLife Today during the month of December. And I hope you can join us back tomorrow. Barbara Rainey will be here again. We'll continue talking about how you can have the right priorities during the holiday season. Hope you can be here for that. I want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, along with our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine. We will see you back next time for another edition of FamilyLife Today.  FamilyLife Today is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.  Copyright © FamilyLife. All rights reserved. www.FamilyLife.com    

Click Here to Listen to the other parts in the seriesCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 1) - A Call to AdventCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 2) - Being StillCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 3) - Introducing Your Kids to the SaviorCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 4) - His Savior NamesCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 5) - Remembering Christ at ChristmasFamilyLife Today® Radio Transcript  References to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. His Savior Names Guests:                      Dennis and Barbara Rainey and Laura Rainey Dries                From the series:       Celebrating Advent (Day 4 of 5)Air date:                     December 1, 2016______________________________________________________________________________ Bob:  The Christmas season gives all of us the opportunity to be talking more easily and more comfortably with friends or family members about who Jesus is. Here's Barbara Rainey. Barbara:  This good friend of ours had the great privilege of leading his son to Christ as a result of focusing on the names of Christ at Christmas. I think that's what God is calling all of us to do. He's calling all of us to settle things and make things right with Him. Christmas is a wonderful time to do that, because we're naturally thinking about Jesus being born in Bethlehem. It's a perfect opportunity for moms and dads to help your kids understand what a decision for Christ looks like and why that's the most important decision they'll ever make. Bob:  This is FamilyLife Today for Thursday, December 1st. Our host is the President of FamilyLife®, Dennis Rainey, and I'm Bob Lepine.  1:00 Are you thinking, and planning, and strategizing about ways you could take advantage of spiritual opportunities in your family or among your friends during the holiday season? We'll talk more about that today. Stay with us. And welcome to FamilyLife Today. Thanks for joining us on the Thursday edition. It's actually the first day of December. This is the first day of the last month of the year, and the last month we'll be celebrating our 40th anniversary as a ministry. Dennis:  You're exactly right. It's been a great year to celebrate 40 years. FamilyLife has been, for 40 years, the Proud Sponsor of Anniversaries™—not ours—yours. I read a great letter recently, Bob, from a couple, whom you mentioned, congratulating them on their 70th. Bob:  That was great—back in August; yes. Dennis:  Seventy years of marriage—just a great letter of how their friends at church heard it and they thought: “You guys are famous! You're on FamilyLife Today!” [Laughter]  2:00 Well, 70 years deserves a celebration; and you know what? There's another season that demands celebration as well—that's Christmas. We want to help you do a better job of doing that. Before we talk about how we're going to help you celebrate Christmas—Bob, in our family, when I was growing up, we had a time when the family would come together around the dinner table and we'd say, “There's something important we need to talk about.” It didn't happen many times but enough times that I knew, as a young lad, this was important.  You know what? We're at a table here—kind of a dinner table of sorts. I'm asking the listener to scoot up a chair and just listen as I invite you to become a part of FamilyLife's mission. We need you. We need you to stand with us as we stand alongside you—as a single person, married, parent, grandparent—with God's blueprints for marriage and family.  3:00 This ministry's made possible—our mission of supporting families—is made possible by folks like you. As you slide the chair up to the table, maybe you can slide your checkbook out on the table and write a check; because that's what makes this broadcast possible. I just want folks to know we believe this is the mission of the hour for our country, and we need you to stand with us if you believe that as well. Bob:  And there is a significant incentive right now. If you're able to help with a donation, there's a matching gift that has been made available to us, here at FamilyLife. We've asked our friend, Michelle Hill, to be our matching-gift monitor throughout the month of December. Can you give us the details on how the matching gift is working? Michelle:  Sure, Bob. Here's how it works—first of all, the matching fund is $1.25 million. When listeners make a donation in December, their donation is actually going to be tripled by money drawn from this matching-gift fund.  4:00 Let's say somebody gives $50. Well, we're able to draw $100 from the matching fund so that the total gift becomes $150. I'll keep tabs on how things are going throughout the month; and of course, keep you up to date! Bob:  Well, we will check in with you regularly throughout the month. We'd love to have you join us in the work of FamilyLife. Go to FamilyLifeToday.com—make a donation online; or call 1-800-FL-TODAY to make a yearend donation. Or you can mail your donation to FamilyLife Today at PO Box 7111, Little Rock, AR; our zip code is 72223. We hope to hear from you, here, between now and the end of the year. Dennis:  We sure do. I just want to remind you: “Christmas is about family. It's about love; and it's about giving, because ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.'”  5:00 Early in our marriage—I'll never forget—Barbara came to me and she said: “You know, I am just kind of sick and tired of the messages of the culture. How can we train our children to be more about gift giving than gift receiving?” We put our heads together—we started asking people. I don't know who shared it with us, but somebody—it wasn't us—originated the idea that, instead of lining up all your presents that you're going to open for yourself / instead, line up all your presents that you want to give to others. In fact, I'm looking out to the audience that's out there listening to us tape this program right now— Bob:  A small audience—we have about five or six— Dennis:  It's not— Bob:  And we have your wife Barbara joining us again today. Barbara—welcome back to FamilyLife Today.   Barbara:  Thank you. Bob:  But we do have a studio audience that includes your daughter, Laura. 6:00 Dennis:  Come on back in here, Laura, into the studio. Share with our audience what you used to think about as you used to have to get all your gifts that you were going to give rather than all of the gifts that you were going to get. Laura:  Well, honestly, it just changed the perspective between my siblings. It became kind of like a game of who's going to get to give first and, “Which gift am I most excited about giving?” I just remember thinking: “Oh, I know Ashley is going to love this. I can't wait to give her this gift!” It just changed the perspective. Instead of thinking, “Oh, I wonder what's in that box for me,”—[it was]—“I hope they like what's in this box for them.” Bob:  Okay; but I heard a story about an awful, terrible Christmas— Laura:  Oh! Yes! Bob:  —where everybody—you know what I'm talking about? Laura:  This is amazing. I hope this is the one you're talking about! Bob:  Is it the hair dryer story? Laura:  Yes! It had nothing to do with me, which makes it even a lot better; right? [Laughter] Dennis:  Some of our regular listeners have heard this before; but it is worth revisiting, because this is a Rainey classic right here. 7:00 Laura:  Well, Samuel, my older brother, came up with it; because one year, my older sister, Rebecca, said all she wanted for Christmas was a hair dryer. Barbara:  All she wanted— Laura:  “The one thing— Barbara:  —the one thing. Laura:  —“I need this year, guys, from all of you is a hair dryer.” So Samuel thought: “Perfect! We'll all get her hair dryers.” [Laughter] So we all got a hair dryer. Maybe he went to WalMart®; I can't remember. Barbara:  No; he and I went—Samuel and I went to K-Mart®. We bought six hair dryers. I kept the receipt, because I knew we'd be returning five. Laura:  Yes. Barbara:  But when we walked out of there, we giggled and we laughed—it was so much fun. Laura:  So, it was just a large prank. It turned Christmas morning into something that we all thought was hilarious. Lots of tears after about the third or fourth hair dryer that Rebecca opened [Laughter]:  “Did you guys not talk to each other? What happened?! How did you do this all together?” We all thought it was great; and then, it was not funny to Rebecca at all. Bob:  Were there some backup presents in the— Laura:  Oh, absolutely. We all had backup presents. Bob:  So you didn't just stick her with six hair dryers.  Laura:  —and say, “Good luck!”—right. [Laughter] Bob:  And it wasn't your favorite Christmas; huh? 8:00 Laura:  No; I don't think so. Dennis:  But the point is—we wanted our family to focus on gift giving—because, really, Christmas is about God giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to come and be our Savior.  What Barbara's been working on for families for the past, really, five years is to help you, as a family, know how to best celebrate Christmas and what God was trying to communicate through His Son Jesus Christ. She's done that through a series of ornaments that she's calling Adorenaments®, all around the song, O Come Let Us Adore Him. You've now created 30 different, unique ornaments that are beautiful, but also meaningful, around the names of Christ. 9:00 Barbara:  Yes; we have. It's been a great privilege to be able to create these and to help families make their Christmas tree about Jesus instead of your Christmas tree looking like Santa Clauses, and reindeers, and all kinds of things that have nothing to do with Christmas—not that those things are bad—but those of us, who worship Christ—our Christmas tree should say something about Jesus. Our trees should say something about the reason for the season, which is His coming to earth, as you said in John 3:16, to save us and to redeem us. Dennis:  And one of the things that Barbara did in our family was—every Christmas Eve, she would wrap up an ornament. She would give each of the kids an ornament that she had bought a year earlier, after they went on sale the day after Christmas. Barbara:  True. Dennis:  It really is true—that's how she did it. They were really beautiful ornaments, but none of them—I don't think a single one of them—had much to do with the real reason for Christmas. Barbara:  Well, if I could have found some, that would be what I would have purchased for our kids. One of our daughters collected angels; so I tried to find her angel ornaments every year—  10:00 —that was sort of close to the Christmas story. But there weren't too many to be found that were actually about the reason for Christmas; so I bought other things for our kids for Christmas / for their ornaments. Bob:  Do you remember any of the ornaments you got? Laura:  Oh yes. I just opened them a couple days ago. I couldn't wait! I was so excited to decorate the tree. Bob:  Because this is your first—this is your first married Christmas. Laura:  Right; it is. Bob:  Any of Josh's old ornaments on the tree? Barbara:  I don't know if he has any. [Laughter] Laura: I don't know if he has any. Dennis:  A single guy with ornaments, Bob? Bob:  I had a box of ornaments that my mom gave me. I mean, you gave your boys ornaments; right? Barbara:  Our sons have their ornaments that I gave them when they were growing up; yes. Bob:  And do they still show up on their tree? Do you know? Barbara:  I don't know—yes; Samuel's do, because I've seen his several years. I don't know about Ben's. I'm sure they're there—I just haven't noticed them. Bob:  You'd better ask Josh if he has any ornaments. Laura:  I think he probably left them in the attic—he was embarrassed. [Laughter] If he has any, we'll incorporate them in. 11:00 Actually, I have—like Mom said earlier—she gave us a different ornament every year and truly continued on. I still—well, I'm probably not going to get one this year—she's cutting me off now that I'm married. Barbara:  Now that she's married. [Laughter] Laura:  It's all downhill from here! Dennis:  Josh can get you an ornament.  But what you've done, Barbara, is—you've created now five different sets of ornaments. The first year, there were seven names—they're metal names of Christ from Luke, Chapter 2, and Isaiah. The second year was His royal names—these are in the shape of a crown. The third year, His Savior names—we'll talk about them in just a moment—they're in the form of crosses / different crosses from different eras in history. The next year, you had the name of Jesus—that we mentioned earlier—in the various languages throughout the world. Then, this year, you've created globes—which are his Advent names—that are meant to be used at Christmas to help people lead up toward Christmas Day. 12:00 Barbara:  Yes; and you can use any of these ornaments as sort of an advent for your family if you want to. You could hang one ornament each day of the month of December if you wanted to; or you can use just the globes, and you hang those out once each week, leading up to Christmas. There are lots of different things you can do; but by focusing on the names of Christ, no matter which set it is, it helps you remember and focus on the real meaning for Christmas, which is that Christ came to redeem us. Bob:  With five different sets that you've created, do you have a favorite set? Barbara:  Oh, that's a hard question. Dennis:  That's a tough one. Bob:  I know.  Laura: Yes; you do.  Bob: Which is your kids— Barbara:  I do? Laura:  Yes; of course! Bob:  Which one? Laura:  The crowns are her favorite. Bob:  Are they your [Barbara's] favorite? Laura:  I think they are.  Barbara:  It's hard to say. I mean, I really don't know that I can say. I do love the crowns, because I love the idea of Jesus being the King. You know, we don't see Him as King like we will someday when He comes back—so I do love that. But I have to say I love the crosses, because the crosses remind us— 13:00 Dennis:  Now wait a second! That was going to be mine. Barbara:  Well, it can be yours too. [Laughter] Dennis:  I like the crosses, too; because they speak of His purpose—of why He came to save His people from their sins. Each cross is a different cross from a different era in history, and I just think they're magnificent and beautiful.  Bob, what about you? Do you have a favorite? Bob:  I'm partial to the crosses too. I hate to kind of weigh in with the majority here; but the crosses have always been my favorite, because the cross is the centerpiece of our faith that points us to the gospel and what Jesus came to earth for. We tend to think of Christmas being about a manger, and Easter being about a cross; but we need to remember the cross at Christmas as well. Barbara:  They were one in Jesus' mind—I mean, He came for the purpose of dying for us. When you look at it from God's perspective, they're inseparable, even though we celebrate them at two different times of the year. Dennis:  We skipped over Laura. Barbara:  We did; I know. Dennis:  We didn't ask her what her favorite— Bob:  Do you have a favorite set, Laura? 14:00 Laura:  Well, up until this year, the Christmas names were my favorite; but I do love the globes. I think they're different, and they're unique—I love the colors. They really stand out on the Christmas tree. I think it just presents a really neat opportunity—for people who come into your home—aside from all the other ones / they also present the opportunity—but to speak of the reason why Jesus came in an incredibly tangible way is a unique opportunity. Bob:  We are describing these. We ought to point listeners to our website if they'd like to see the globes versus the crosses versus the crowns versus all of the different designs you've done over the years. You can go to FamilyLifeToday.com and click the link for the Adorenaments to see each of the 30 ornaments that Barbara has designed over the years. Dennis:  I was looking forward to asking my wife this question, because I'm not sure I know the answer to it. Bob:  Okay. Dennis:  Why did you pick the Savior names for the third year to help celebrate Christmas? I'm looking at these names, and I just want to mention them— 15:00 —just kind of puts it in context here: Anointed One, Chief Cornerstone, Great High Priest, Lamb of God, Mediator, Messiah, and Redeemer. Why did you pick His Savior names? Barbara:  When I was starting to create these ornaments, I was in conversations with a bunch of different people around the office. I remember one day—because there are over 300 names of Christ—so where do you start? I mean, that's a long list of names. I was mulling all this over in my mind. One day, I was talking to Bob; and Bob said, “Okay; if you could only do three sets of Jesus' names, which ones would you do?”  I knew right away what that would be. I would do His Christmas names, because they're the names we know the best. I would do His royal names, because those are His names that we will know better when He comes back; and then we had to have His Savior names.  16:00 That's why I did those three sets first, because it was sort of—it was a challenge / it was a charge from Bob: “If you could only do three, which three would you do?” So that's why we did those three first. Bob:  I had no idea. Barbara:  You didn't know you— Bob:  I didn't know. Barbara:  —had that kind of influence. [Laughter] Dennis:  See, I didn't know the answer to the question. The next question is: “Why did you pick these crosses from different eras in history?” I'm holding the Savior's name here, Mediator, and it's the Saint Thomas cross. Barbara:  I did not know when we started working on His Savior names that there were so many different types of crosses. The Saint Thomas cross was developed by the Armenian people. Armenia is an area in eastern Turkey. It's said that Thomas, the disciple, went to Armenia after the resurrection of Christ—that he was the one who went east to take the gospel to people—so they created this cross.   17:00 It has a dove on the top to signify the Holy Spirit, who comes to dwell within us; and they named the cross after the disciple Thomas. I did not know that; and I thought, “Well, what a cool story!” So each one of these crosses has a similar story—why it was created, who designed it, what the name is, and why it became important in the history of Christendom throughout the last 2,000 years. Dennis:  So what's the story behind the cross that bears the name, Messiah? It's called the anchor cross. Bob:  I knew he was going to ask about it—he loves the anchor cross. Dennis: I do. Barbara:  It is his favorite. When we were talking about favorites—it's his favorite. Barbara:  Oh, it's yours, too, Laura? Laura:  Yes. Barbara:  Why is it your favorite? Laura:  Well, when people buy His Savior names—you can read this in the book—but it's my favorite because, in the book, it says the promise of Messiah is a message of hope. If you keep going [reading] down, it says the anchor cross has symbolized hope since the early days of the church. I think around Christmastime, it's such a happy and a celebratory time; but it can also be a really hard time for a lot of people. 18:00 Barbara:  Yes. Laura:  It can be a time where you've lost a loved one; and so you're reminded, around that time, of someone that's missing in your life—or something that you would like to have / if you longed to be married or if you've longed to have children and you can't. It can be a hard time of year, around Christmas. I think that's why I love the Messiah ornament. Barbara:  That's why we put the name, Messiah, on the anchor cross; because there's the verse in Hebrews 6—and it says, “We have this hope, this sure and steadfast hope that is the anchor of our soul.” The idea that Jesus is our anchor—that when everything around us feels like it's giving way / when we're caught in some kind of a tempest, or a trial, or a really difficult time—we can be confident that Jesus is with us, that He will never leave us or forsake us, and that our faith in Him has been likened to an anchor. So we put the name, Messiah, on the anchor cross. 19:00 Dennis:  We don't have time to look at all the names here; but the one we have to talk about, if we're going to talk about Savior names, is Redeemer. This is the Celtic cross. The word, Redeemer, is used 141 times in Scripture. It's used 13 times in the Book of Isaiah, where it foretells the coming of Jesus Christ. He came to be our Savior/our Messiah, but He also came to redeem us.  I was thinking, as I was reflecting on that name, of the illustration given of a man who was standing before a judge, guilty. The judge declared him guilty and told him what his penalty would be. At that point, he got up, pushed back from the chair, took his robe off, pulled out his checkbook, walked around in front of the judge's bench, and wrote out the check, “Paid in full.” That's what our Redeemer did.  20:00 He came to do what you can't do for yourself.  If you're listening to us today, and you don't know—the Redeemer, the Messiah, the One who is the chief Cornerstone, the Anointed One, the One who is the Savior of the world—then you just simply need to cry out and say to Him, “Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner!” There was another person who cried out that prayer—he was in the process of dying on a cross. He was one of the criminals that was executed next to Christ on the day that Christ was crucified. Jesus turned to him and said, “Surely, you will be with Me today in paradise.”  You know what? If you cry out to Jesus Christ / surrender your life to Him, He will hear your prayer. He will meet you where you are in the middle of your mess, and He will redeem you. He will be your Messiah. He will become your anchor in the storm. 21:00 Bob:  We have on our website, at FamilyLifeToday.com, a tab that says, “Two Ways to Live.” I'd encourage listeners to go and click that tab and look at what's presented there, because there are only two ways to live. There is the God-centered way of living, and then there is the man-centered way of living. Each of us decides which path we're going to walk on. Again, go to FamilyLifeToday.com. Click the tab that says, “Two Ways to Live.” As you read it, ask yourself the question: “Who or what am I living for? What's my life really all about?” While you're on our website at FamilyLifeToday.com, take a look at the resources Barbara has been working on that we've talked some about today—the ornaments that have been created in past years to hang on your Christmas tree to proclaim the names of Jesus during the Christmas season—and the new set of ornaments, His Advent names.  22:00 These are four globe-shaped ornaments that have four different names for Jesus—Jesus is the Son, the Messenger, the Word, and the Light—corresponding verses on each ornament. You can order any of the ornaments in the collection when you go to FamilyLifeToday.com; or you can call to order at 1-800-FL-TODAY—1-800-358-6329—that's 1-800-“F” as in family, “L” as in life, and then the word, “TODAY.” And for those of you who have the FamilyLife mobile app—some of you, I know, listen to this program using the app—we're starting to include some devotional material for the month of December in the app / some Advent devotions; some questions you can use to prompt spiritual discussions during the holiday season, with friends or family members—or your children, for that matter—ways to talk about Christ during Christmas. You'll find it all on the FamilyLife app, and the app is free.  23:00 Simply go to your app store to download it. Of course, FamilyLife Today is available on the app every day. It's easy to tune in that way. I want to say, “Happy anniversary!” today to Pastor Jason and Lady Charita Spruill, who live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was just up in Philadelphia for our Weekend to Remember® getaway recently—had a great weekend with listeners who came out for the getaway. The Spruills are celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary today. They listen to FamilyLife Today on WFIL. We want to say: “Happy anniversary to you guys! Hope you have a great celebration.” We're all about anniversaries, here at FamilyLife. We've been helping couples celebrate more anniversaries for 40 years now. We want to thank those of you who partner with us to make this ministry possible. We mentioned earlier the matching gift that is available during the month of December. We hope you'll consider a yearend contribution to this ministry. You can give, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com; or you can call 1-800-FL-TODAY to give.  24:00 Or you can mail your donation to FamilyLife Today at PO Box 7111, Little Rock, AR; our zip code is 72223. Now, tomorrow, Barbara Rainey is going to be back with us again. We're going to continue our conversation about how we make Jesus the issue at Christmas and how we make sure that He doesn't get cluttered out. Hope you can tune in for that. I want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, along with our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine. We will see you back next time for another edition of FamilyLife Today.  FamilyLife Today is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.______________________________________________________________________________ Copyright © FamilyLife. All rights reserved. www.FamilyLife.com    

Click Here to Listen to the other parts in the seriesCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 1) - A Call to AdventCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 2) - Being StillCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 3) - Introducing Your Kids to the SaviorCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 4) - His Savior NamesCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 5) - Remembering Christ at ChristmasFamilyLife Today® Radio Transcript  References to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. Introduce Your Kids to the Savior Guests:                      Dennis and Barbara Rainey                       From the series:       Celebrating Advent (Day 3 of 5)Air date:                     November 30, 2016______________________________________________________________________________ Bob: Many parents would love for their family to have a more spiritual / a more Christ-centered focus during the Christmas season. But there's not a lot that points us in that direction. Here's Barbara Rainey. Barbara: As we were raising our children, I noticed that there was very little available, even then—and that was 20 years ago—that helped us, as a family / helped Dennis and me turn our kids' attention to Jesus at the Christmas holiday. I wanted to do that—I wanted to help my kids appreciate Christmas for what it was really all about. And yet, I couldn't find things that helped me engage my kids in conversations about it. I couldn't find things, other than a Nativity scene or two, that we had that would help us turn our attention, and help us turn our kids' attention, to the meaning of Christmas. 1:00 Bob: This is FamilyLife Today for Wednesday, November 30th. Our host is the President of FamilyLife®, Dennis Rainey, and I'm Bob Lepine. What can we be doing, as moms and dads, to be pointing our children in a more Christ-centered direction as we get ready to celebrate Christmas? We're going to explore that today. Stay with us. And welcome to FamilyLife Today. Thanks for joining us on the Wednesday edition. I'm going to have to get a new mailbox I think. I mean— Dennis: Too many catalogues? Bob: Yes; stop and think: “How much meaningful mail do you get in a year these days? I go out to the mailbox every day to see what's in the mailbox. How many days is it just junk?” Barbara: Most of the days. Bob: Most days it's just junk mail. Every once in a while, there's a lovely letter from FamilyLife—so we have that / we always get that—and open that first thing; but most of the time, it's just junk.  2:00 Well, you get to Christmastime— Dennis: I just wrote you a note, Bob—I just thanked you. You should be getting it here pretty soon. Bob: Well, I'll keep my eyes open for it. Thank you. [Laughter] Barbara: Yes; thank you notes are nice to get. Dennis: A handwritten note is really valuable today. Bob: Those are nice and rare.  So, now, at Christmastime, there is not enough room in the mailbox for all of the catalogues / for all of the—just all of the stuff / all of the junk that everybody wants us to buy. I'm just telling them, “Don't send them to me anymore, because I'm not buying your stuff; okay?” I'm just trying to tell them— Barbara: They don't believe it, though. Bob: I guess they don't; no. Dennis: Barbara joins us on FamilyLife Today. Welcome back, Sweetheart. Barbara: Thank you. Dennis: She had me actually go to the garbage the other day, Bob, and fish out of the garbage a magazine that she said captured really what is the message / what has become the message of Christmas this season. Barbara: I did; because I didn't want the magazine / didn't need it— 3:00 —so I pitched it. Then I started thinking about the messages that that magazine was communicating to me at Christmas. This one came in the mail the other day. On the cover, it says, “385 Ways to Dazzle Family and Friends.” [Laughter] I thought, “Well, first of all, who has time for 385 ways, number one; and secondly, is it really about dazzling your family and friends?” I just thought: “Oh my gosh! We have really—we have really changed.” Bob: This is all about Christmas—you're supposed to do all of this— Barbara: This whole catalogue— Dennis: It's a new advent—385 steps / 385 ways—[Laughter] Bob: So, did you read any of them? Barbara: Well, I flipped through it; and of course, it's multiple choice—you don't have to do all 385. They want you to have lots of options. Bob: That's a good thing; yes. Barbara: One of them said, “Take a bow as you reveal the spectacular cake.” Another one said, “Show them you love them by giving one of these handmade gifts to everyone on your list.” [Laughter] I'm thinking, “Even if you just chose one of those, it's overwhelming, all by itself.” 4:00 Bob: I can do the bow; but I'm just thinking, “My friends and family are not going to be dazzled when I take a bow.” Barbara: No; no. [Laughter] Dennis: It is all the wrong message, though. Barbara: Yes; it is. Dennis: What we want to do is—I don't know that we want to dazzle. I think we want to refocus—a little bit like a camera—bring back the focus to Christmas and what it's all about and help families celebrate Jesus Christ. Barbara: Actually, I think dazzle might be a good word. I think what we want is—we want to be dazzled by the incarnation—the fact that Jesus actually came to the planet to rescue us when we didn't deserve it / we didn't even know that we needed it. And yet, the Father sent Him, and He willingly obeyed and came. I think that, in and of itself, is something to be dazzled by. It's not about us being the focus—us being the center of attention / us being the one who's wowing people—we need to be wowed by the Christmas story and what Jesus came to do for us. 5:00 Dennis: And if we don't lead it—if parents don't lead it, men/women, moms/dads, grandmas and grandpas—don't lead out in re-establishing the reason for Christmas and what it ought to be about, the world will send us another message. Bob: Yes; in fact, the message is pretty clear at Christmastime. Very little of it is about the spiritual significance of the holiday. Barbara: That's right. Bob: Most of it's about the commercial significance of the holiday. Barbara: Yes; it is. All you have to do is go into any store that carries a lot of Christmas decorations—ornaments, or things you can put on your tree, or things you can put up around your house—and if you look hard, you will find very, very little about Jesus—about His coming to earth / about the Christmas story. You'll find plenty of things—a plethora of things—about Santa and reindeer, and elf on a shelf, and on, and on, and on it goes. The volume of things associated with Christmas today is overwhelmingly not about the Christmas story. 6:00 Bob: This is actually what got you started, a few years back, thinking, “I want to start creating things that people can put in their home that will refocus them, at Christmastime, on the reason we're celebrating Christmas.” Barbara: As we were raising our children, I noticed that there was very little available even then—and that was 20 years ago—that helped us, as a family / helped Dennis and me turn our kids' attention to Jesus at the Christmas holiday. I wanted to do that—I wanted to help my kids appreciate Christmas for what it was really all about. And yet, I couldn't find things that helped me engage my kids in conversations about it. I couldn't find things, other than a Nativity scene or two, that we had that would help us turn our attention, and help us turn our kids' attention, to the meaning of Christmas. Dennis: And I was glad she finally got a chance to put some feet under some ideas she had had—that she'd been talking about, Bob, for probably 25 years as we raised our kids.  7:00 She would talk about this repeatedly: “Why doesn't someone create meaningful objects that call us to worship, that are well done, and have our Christmas trees and our decor in our homes be about Jesus Christ, in a contemporary way that will pass on the truth about Jesus Christ to the next generation?”  What she did—she began to do a study of the names of Christ that are mentioned in Scripture. You know, you don't really pause and take a step back and think, “How important a name is,” but I just want to read what the Apostle Paul says in Philippians, Chapter 2 [verse 9]—he says, “Therefore God has highly exalted Him,”—that is Christ—“and has bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven, and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 8:00 Christmas is about the incarnation of the One, whose name—someday, every knee will bow—not just a few, but every knee will bow. What Barbara did—because she's both an artist and a student of the Bible—she began to set out to create a line of ornaments, calling them Adorenaments®, after the song, O Come Let Us Adore Him. She created the Christmas names from Luke, Chapter 2 and Isaiah. She created His royal names from the Psalms and from Revelation. She created His Savior names in the form of crosses. All of these were designed to be durable and to be passed on to the next generation to declare who Jesus is. This year, she's created globes. They're globes that declare four names of Christ around Advent—His first coming—that help families, I think, regain their focus back on why we celebrate Christmas. 9:00 Bob: These globes are round ornaments. We think of ornaments as globes most often, but this is the first year you've done anything with a round shape. Barbara: Right. And they're literally globes—that have the continents of the earth on them; and then written, on the globe, is a name of Christ: “Jesus is the Light of the World,” or “Jesus is the Messenger”; and then there's also a verse on the globe, too, to help us understand why He came to our planet. Bob: And is this all you have on your tree at home—are these ornaments? Barbara: It is. I have some small balls that are plain, that don't have anything on them. All of our kids are out of the nest. When they left, we boxed up all their ornaments that they collected, when they were growing up, and gave them to the kids. If we still had our children at home, we would probably have a mix of different kinds of things, plus all of the Adorenaments on our tree. Since it's just Dennis and me now, that's what we have on our tree—is just the names of Christ. 10:00 Bob: Does your home feel different because your tree has these ornaments on them rather than a mixture? Barbara: I don't know if it feels different, but I like looking at it. Our daughter-in-law, Marsha Kay, told me last year, at Christmas, that she puts up a little bit smaller tree in their living room—it doesn't have a really high ceiling—so it's probably just an average six-foot tree. She only puts the Adorenaments on there that I've given her through the years. She said: “I love to go in that living room and sit there, all by myself, and just stare at that tree. I call it my Jesus tree.” She said, “It helps me remember what Christmas is about.” They put up another tree in their main room, where their TV is, and where they gather as a family—it's a larger room. That's the tree that the kids decorate—that's where they put their school ornaments, and the ones they make, and the ones they've collected. That's more of an all-purpose tree. But I just love the way she described it—she called it her Jesus tree. I just thought: “That's really exactly what it is.  11:00 “It's having a place, at Christmas, that proclaims who He is and what He came to do. That reminds us, as a family / those of us who live in that house—or people who come to visit—reminds us what the holiday is all about.” Dennis: And I think many times we underestimate the power of a name. Barbara: Yes. Dennis: If you think how the first coming of Christ—His first advent—was described when the angel of the Lord appeared to Mary, announcing that she was going to have a baby, and told her what to call Him. Let me just read this from Luke, Chapter 1: “The angel said to Mary, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.'” And he goes on to promise that Jesus would save the people from their sins. 12:00 The name, Jesus, actually means “God saves.” So the incarnation is God's statement to humanity, “I'm finally going to bring to pass that which I promised, all the way back to Genesis, Chapter 3, when Adam and Eve sinned,” and He promised that there would be a Redeemer. Bob: Well, and last year, you took that name, Jesus, and made ornaments in five languages. Barbara: Five different languages. Bob: And it was just the name of Jesus in the alphabet and the language of—I think it was Spanish; it was Russian; Mandarin— Barbara: Chinese Mandarin. Bob: —Hebrew— Barbara: Hebrew and Arabic. Bob: And that's the declaration that “God saves.” When you talk about other names of Jesus, you're talking about titles like “Son of the Most High,” which the angel mentioned to Mary. Barbara: Yes. Bob: So each year, you've been doing different titles. In that sense, they are names / they're descriptors of who Jesus is. 13:00 Barbara: Correct; yes. And every one of the names that's given to Jesus / that we read about in the Bible helps us understand more of who He is / more of what He came to do for us.  You know, we're so used to, as people, having one or maybe two names, or three names if you have a middle name. We think in really small terms when it comes to names for people. But when you think about the fact that Jesus has, as some scholars say, as many as 300 names or titles given to Him in the Bible, it tells us that He is much, much different than we are. There is much to learn about Him and much to worship. As we learn what these different names are—and then learn what they mean and learn why they're important—for instance, the verse we know so well at Christmas from Isaiah: “He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace”—each one of those four names that were prophesied about Christ tell us something different about His character / tell us something different about who He is and what He can do for us. 14:00 Just think about the title, Prince of Peace. How badly do we need peace in our world? We need it every year. Every year, at Christmas, we all feel the need for peace—peace in our families, peace in our hearts, peace between people groups, between nations—and Jesus came to give us that peace. He came to be the Prince of Peace. When we understand more about His names, we understand more about Him. Therefore, we want to worship Him for all that He is to us and for us. Dennis: And I love the attention to detail that Barbara has created here around these names. The one she's talking about here—Prince of Peace—you can see that, Bob, it's resting on a bed of straw, which is representative of the humble circumstances of Jesus being born in a manger.  15:00 As you were talking about Prince of Peace, Barbara—yes, we need it for the world—but you also mentioned there are a lot of homes that need peace this Christmas season. It may be that a family pulls this out and reads what you've written about what it means that Jesus was the Prince of Peace—that He personally came to give us peace with God—but also peace with one another. I think families today need to resolve issues / need to resolve conflict. It may be that, as you pull this Adorenament out of the package and hang it on your tree, maybe you and your children can pray: “Lord, would the Prince of Peace come to our family this Christmas season? Would You heal some of the conflict, the lack of peace, the hurt, the anger? And would You turn our home into a place where the Savior, not only visits, but where He reigns as the Prince of Peace?” 16:00 Barbara: And there isn't a family anywhere that doesn't need that. Every family needs help in conflict resolution, and ever family needs peace. That would be a great application for any family to pray this year at Christmas. Bob: You have written something about pretty much each of these ornaments you've created over the years; right?— Barbara: Right. Bob: —whether it's a devotional or some kind of a thought / an essay. Your desire is that the ornament would trigger deeper thinking about the name. What you've written is designed to help prod us in that direction as well. Barbara: Yes; it is. The idea is—and these can be used in all kinds of different ways—people are infinitely creative. But one of the ideas would be to hang an ornament—and we're talking, right now, mostly about His Christmas names, which is the first set—one idea is to hang one ornament each day for a week.  17:00 You could decorate your tree before or after Thanksgiving like you normally do; and then, get these names and hang them once each day, for the week leading up to Christmas, to help prepare your hearts to worship and to welcome Him on Christmas morning. A way to do that is—each set comes with this small book—so you could hang the ornament on the tree. Then somebody in the family reads the short story. It takes a couple of minutes, at the most, to read it. It helps us understand who Jesus is with this name that you're hanging on the tree. Dennis: Yes. I'm looking at the name, Emmanuel, which you write about in your book here—another one of the Christmas names, from Matthew, Chapter 1:23—it says, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel.” Well, that name means “God with us.” He's ever-present with us. You go on to talk about how Jesus, not only came in terms of the incarnation to planet earth; but again, He came to take up residence in each person's life.  18:00 I think a lot of parents are wondering, “How do I share my faith in Christ with my kids?” Well, these Adorenaments give you a way to introduce your child to the One who is called the Savior; the One who is Emmanuel; the One who is the Prince of Peace. You actually have, in the back of this booklet around the Christmas names, a prayer that a child can pray to commit his life, or her life, to Jesus Christ. Barbara: We have a really good friend who actually works here in our office. The year these ornaments came out, he did exactly what we're talking about. They hung the ornaments on the tree, one by one, and read the stories that accompanied each name. He told us that year that one of the names triggered some questions in his son's heart. His son started asking his dad: “So, what about this? What does that mean about me?” And his dad answered his questions. It was the right time for his son to want to receive Christ.  19:00 This man—this good friend of ours—had the great privilege of leading his son to Christ as a result of focusing on the names of Christ at Christmas. I think that's what God is calling all of us to do. He's calling all of us to make decisions. He's calling all of us to settle things and make things right with Him. Christmas is a wonderful time to do that, because we're naturally thinking about Jesus being born in Bethlehem. It's a perfect opportunity for moms and dads to help your kids understand what a decision for Christ looks like and why that's the most important decision they'll ever make. Dennis: As parents, we are commanded, back in Deuteronomy, Chapter 6, to pass on our faith / our love for Christ to our children, and to talk of it when we rise up, when we go by the way, when we lie down. We're to be talking to our children; in essence, training them in the Bible and about who God is.  20:00 It's really a foreshadowing of the Great Commission, a command that Jesus gave over in Matthew 28:19 and 20, where He commanded us to make disciples, to teach them to obey all that He has commanded us. You and I, as parents, are commanded to instruct our children in the ways of God from His Word. That can come about around the holiday of Christmas; which frankly, just sets you up, as a parent, to be able to talk about: “Why do we celebrate this season? Why is it so important?” “Well, it's about Jesus Christ, who wasn't just another man. He is the Savior / He is the Prince of Peace,” and to use this holiday as the great privilege and opportunity to introduce your children to that Savior. Bob: At this point, you have created 30 different ornament designs. The ones for this year are the globes we've talked about. In past years, they've been different designs / different shapes.  21:00 If somebody goes to our website, FamilyLifeToday.com, they can actually see all 30 of the ornaments you've created and order whatever ornaments they'd like to—have their tree covered with names of Christ—all over the tree. Again, go to FamilyLifeToday.com to see the ornaments Barbara has created, including the new set for this year—His advent names—the four globes that talk about Jesus as the Son, the Messenger, the Word, and the Light. The website is FamilyLifeToday.com; or you can call to order any of the Adorenaments at 1-800-FL-TODAY—1-800-358-6329—that's 1-800-“F” as in family, “L” as in life, and then the word “TODAY.”,By the way, in our FamilyLife app, we're including devotionals and ideas for celebrating the Advent season—ways that you can engage others in conversation about Christ during the Advent season.  22:00 If you don't currently have the FamilyLife app, it's free. Go to your app store, and you can download it. Look for this Advent content that we're starting to include in the app. Again, the app is free; and you can download it when you go to your app store. It was 31 years ago today that Tim and Angela Childress became husband and wife. Tim and Angela live here in Little Rock. They are associate staff, here at FamilyLife. We want to say, “Congratulations!” to the Childresses today as they celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary. And “Congratulations!” to you, as well, if it's your wedding anniversary. Anniversaries matter. Here, at FamilyLife, we've been celebrating our 40th anniversary, all year long; and we've been doing it by reflecting on how God has used this ministry in the lives of so many couples, who are still celebrating anniversaries because of how God worked through FamilyLife to strengthen their marriage.  That's what you're supporting when you support this ministry—you're helping to strengthen marriages and families.  23:00 You're helping couples to thrive and families to flourish. We want to say, “Thank you for your partnership with us, and your investment in the tens of thousands of couples and families we're talking to every day on this program, and who we're reaching through our website, our events, and our resources.” If you can help with a donation today, we'd love to say, “Thank you,” by sending you a resource that you can use with your children during the Christmas season. These are ornaments that are designed for preschool and early elementary-aged children. They're colorful, and they're great for kids to understand more about who Jesus is at Christmastime. We'll send you “The Twelve Names of Christmas” ornament set when you make a donation today. Go to FamilyLifeToday.com to donate online; or call 1-800-FL-TODAY to make your donation; or you can request “The Twelve Names of Christmas” when you mail your donation to FamilyLife Today at PO Box 7111, Little Rock, AR; our zip code is 72223. 24:00 Now, tomorrow, we're going to talk more about some of the names the Bible uses for Jesus and see what we can learn about who He is by understanding His names. Hope you can tune in for that. I want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, along with our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine. We will see you back next time for another edition of FamilyLife Today.  FamilyLife Today is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.______________________________________________________________________________ Copyright © FamilyLife. All rights reserved. www.FamilyLife.com    

Click Here to Listen to the other parts in the seriesCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 1) - A Call to AdventCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 2) - Being StillCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 3) - Introducing Your Kids to the SaviorCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 4) - His Savior NamesCelebrating Advent with Laura Rainey Dries (Part 5) - Remembering Christ at ChristmasFamilyLife Today® Radio Transcript  References to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. A Call to Advent Guests:                      Dennis and Barbara Rainey                       From the series:       Celebrating Advent (Day 1 of 5)Air date:                     November 28, 2016  Bob: Does your church or does your family do anything to celebrate the Advent season?  Are you even familiar with what Advent is?  Here's Barbara Rainey.  Barbara: The term, “advent,” just means Jesus' coming—it means the time when He came to earth / He left heaven. The Book of John tells us He was sent by God—He left heaven, and He came to earth. He became a baby, as we all know in the story, and was born and lived and gave His life for us. But the time—those weeks leading up to Christmas—years ago, in the Middle Ages or somewhere in there, the church fathers met and decided that this would be a good time to help people prepare their hearts to celebrate and to worship when Christmas Day actually came.  I think it's a great concept because, in our culture today, we don't wait very well, we do not celebrate very well, and we don't mark the days very well.  1:00 I think there is some benefit—especially for families—to mark those Sundays of Advent with, even, a ten-minute gathering. Get together before bed time, if you have to—or after breakfast or whenever it works—and just think together about what this season is all about. The whole idea of Advent is preparing your heart to worship and to appropriately celebrate the gift of Christ.  Bob: This is FamilyLife Today for Monday, November 28th. Our host is the President of FamilyLife®, Dennis Rainey. I'm Bob Lepine. We have a great opportunity, over the next four weeks, to prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of Jesus' coming. We'll talk about that today. Stay with us.  2:00 And welcome to FamilyLife Today. Thanks for joining us on the Monday edition. I just—I'm wondering: “Do you guys have, at your house, somebody who comes through—like at the end of the weekend after Thanksgiving—and says: ‘Okay; we've got to do a major shift here!  We've got to take all the Thanksgiving stuff down'?”   Dennis: You're looking at him. [Laughter] My martyr meter is going off right now. [Laughter]   Barbara: There's not that much Thanksgiving stuff to take down; mind you.  Dennis: There really isn't; but I'm going to tell you—the Christmas—we have it out in a little storage shed. I'm not saying it's a lot, but we hire an 18-wheeler to move the 200 feet from our storage shed up to our back door. [Laughter]   Bob: You had to put an addition on the storage shed—didn't you?—just to handle more Christmas stuff over the years?  [Laughter]   Barbara: You guys are terrible!   Dennis: We are terrible.  Barbara: You are, because it's so not true.  Bob: But the truth is that— Dennis: Barbara—you know, here is the thing, Bob—this is a paradox of life.  Bob: Yes?   3:00 Dennis: Barbara says her favorite holiday is Thanksgiving.  Bob: And by the way, Barbara is joining us again today. Welcome back to FamilyLife Today.  Dennis: Welcome back, Sweetheart.  Barbara: Thank you. Bob: So, Thanksgiving, which we've just completed—your favorite holiday; right?   Barbara: Yes; and the rest of the sentence is?   Dennis: Why are there boxes of Christmas gear that we bring in?   Barbara: Because there is so much more available to purchase, and to display, and to decorate with for Christmas than there is for Thanksgiving.  Dennis: Especially since you created Ever Thine Home®.  Barbara: That's part of it too.  Dennis: You have declared the reason for the season, both at Thanksgiving and at Christmas— Barbara: So, part of— Dennis: —and at Valentine's, and at Easter.  Barbara: —and Easter. Part of the reason— Dennis: —and the Fourth of July!  [Laughter]   Barbara: Part of the reason we have more at Christmas now is because we have all the old stuff—all the old Santa, snowmen / things have nothing to do with Jesus—stuff that I haven't gotten rid of yet.  Dennis: You know what I think?—[whispering]—they could disappear.  Barbara: They could.  Dennis: [Whispering] They might—they might vanish.  Barbara: But we've replaced them with all the new things about Jesus.  Bob: If you see an extra trash can out at the curb tonight when you go home—[Laughter] 4:00 Barbara: I'll know what it is; yes! [Laughter]   Bob: —you will know— Dennis: It may be my body!  [Laughter]   Bob: —you will know that your husband has decided to edit some of your Christmas decorations.  Dennis: This could be the end of me! [Laughter]  No; we have a good time with it—I really enjoy the season. We do pull it out, and there is a transition. There's not that much gear that comes down from Thanksgiving / there is a good amount that comes up to celebrate Christmas.  Bob: Well, I've been to your home at Christmastime. I just love—there is a red vinyl record that you've had up— Barbara: You like my old records?   Bob: I love the old records.  Barbara: I do too.  Bob: You knew that would be something that I would gravitate toward.  Barbara: Yes.  Bob: But what is it? I don't know if it's Joy to the World. What is it?  Do you remember?   Barbara: Well, it may be Hark!  The Herald Angels Sing; but I have three of these old records left from my childhood. We had stacks of them that my brother and I used to play on our little record player. For some reason, I ended up with these three— 5:00 —two are red and one is a 78 [RPM]—which nobody knows what that is anymore except you [Bob]. One is a 78, and it's yellow. I put those up on little plate stands every year at Christmas. They are just some of my favorite things that I put out every year at Christmas.  Bob: Okay; well, I have to be honest with you—since we have become empty-nesters at our house, we've had the conversation of “Can we just kind of scale back the home decorating?”   Barbara: Oh, yes.  Bob: It was one thing when the kids were home— Barbara: Right.  Bob: —and you really wanted to create an atmosphere.  Barbara: Right. Dennis: Have your kids let you have it for doing that?   Bob: Well, I mean, they only show up for a few days; and you can endure that. [Laughter] I'm just curious: “Have you thought about scaling back since it's just the two of you now?”   Barbara: Yes; we have scaled back. In fact, when we did some remodeling on our house a few years ago, I didn't even put up a full-sized tree / it wasn't even a fresh tree—I had a smaller tree that was a table-top tree. When I got that and I set it up, I heard in my head the words that I said to myself when I was a young wife:  6:00 “I will never do a table-top tree like all these old people that I know.”  [Laughter]  All of a sudden, I thought: “Oh my gosh!  I'm one of those. [Laughter] What has happened to me?”   Dennis: You're not an old person; trust me.  Bob: But you have scaled back?   Barbara: We have scaled back; yes.  Bob: Because Dennis makes it sound like it's just getting bigger and bigger every year.  Barbara: It is not getting bigger and bigger every year. So, sorry, dear; I disagree.  Dennis: There you have it—another great illustration ruined by an eye-witness.  Bob: Here's what has happened at your home—and we talked about this earlier. Some the old decorations that were festive have been replaced by decorations that are more purposeful.  Barbara: Correct; yes.  Bob: And this is something that I know—over the last five years / maybe longer than that—has become a real burden for you.  Barbara: Well, I've wanted to find Christmas decorations—whether it was ornaments or other kinds of things that I could put out at Christmas—   7:00 —for 20 years, I've been looking for things that were about Christ, other than a Nativity set, which we had a couple of, and we put those up every year. Other than a Nativity set of some kind, it was very hard to find anything to hang on a Christmas tree that was about Jesus.  Now, that I've started creating these Christmas ornaments that are about Jesus, called Adorenaments®, that's what my tree is covered with now. I don't put up all the other ones that we used to put up when the kids were at home. We don't have Santas, and reindeer, and snowmen, and footballs, and all of that stuff on our tree anymore—partly because the kids are gone.  If the kids were still home and little, and they wanted to hang those ornaments, we would hang them; but I would also put up ornaments about Christ, because Christmas is about Jesus. I want anyone who comes in our home—and those of us who live in our home—to be reminded every day, during the month of December, that what we are celebrating is about Jesus Christ—it's about His birth / it's about His incarnation.  8:00 It's not about all this extra stuff, and I want that to be preeminent in our home.  Bob: Some of our listeners will know that we are in a season—that, on the church calendar, is an official season. In fact, some listeners, this week at church, will have lit a candle as part of the worship service around an Advent wreath.  Barbara: That's right.  Bob: They are marking out Advent as a season. I know other listeners are going, “I thought Advent was something that the church down the street did, and we don't do it,”—it's a foreign term for them.  This is something that you've kind of dug into and said: “What's the history of Advent?” and “Why has the church marked out this season in advance of Christmas?”  What have you found?   Barbara: Well, the term, “advent,” just means Jesus' coming—it means the time when He came to earth / He left heaven. The Book of John tells us He was sent by God—He left heaven, and He came to earth. He became a baby, as we all know in the story, and was born and, then, lived and gave His life for us.  9:00 But the time—those weeks leading up to Christmas—years ago, in the Middle Ages or somewhere in there, the church fathers met and decided that this would be a good time to help people prepare their hearts to celebrate and to worship when Christmas Day actually came.  I think it's a great concept because, in our culture today, we don't wait very well, we do not celebrate very well, and we don't mark the days very well. I think there is some benefit—especially for families—to mark those Sundays of Advent with, even, a ten- minute gathering. Get together before bed time, if you have to—or after breakfast or whenever it works—and just think together about what this season is all about. We've got some ways that we want to tell you about that we think that you could do that, but the whole idea of Advent is preparing your heart to worship and to appropriately celebrate the gift of Christ.  10:00 Dennis: Advent can be celebrated on each Sunday, leading up to Christmas, as it is this year. It's already started—people begin to celebrate Advent, thinking about the coming of Christ.  It's also celebrated on a daily basis, leading up to Christmas Eve—and, then, Christmas morning—where the arrival of the Christ-child and the celebration of Him coming and physically visiting the planet can be talked about, as a family, and what that meant for us, as individuals; us, as a family; and also our world.  Bob: We're encouraging listeners to be intentional and purposeful during the Christmas season this year. We've got some suggestions we've been sending out to folks and will be sending out during the Advent season. You can go to our website, FamilyLifeToday.com, to find out how you can get these emails or these text messages sent to you during the season so that your family can be more purposeful, more focused, more intentional during this season of the year.  I remember—when I was growing up, we had an Advent calendar— 11:00 —different one every year—that we would get out. Each day on the calendar was covered up with something. As a child, I either got to tear off the piece of cardboard to show what was behind the date or I got to flip something over and see what was revealed—always something hidden that is revealed each day. That's part of what we are remembering during the Advent season—is that there is expectation—there is something hidden that is about to be revealed. Each day of Advent, we're expectant / we're anticipating.  There was one calendar that we got one year, where there was a piece of chocolate behind every day. That got attention paid to it. Trust me!  Every day at breakfast— Dennis: You've never forgotten it.  Bob: That's right. [Laughter] Barbara: It was your favorite; right?   Bob: Yes; of course!   Dennis: And we had one, when we were raising little children, that was kind of a— Barbara: It was felt.  Dennis: —it was felt. You pulled out an ornament—a candy cane / a Santa Claus—again, it was not centered on Christ as you would think it would be as an Advent calendar.  12:00 I'm just listening to Barbara talk about this, Bob—over 25 years ago, she began to look around and to search for ways that were about Christ in helping us celebrate His advent/His coming to the plant—but also, things that were beautiful, that were elegant, that weren't just plastic but were heirlooms that could be passed on to future generations.  Bob: You started with the Christmas tree, and this is your fifth year to make ornaments for trees?   Barbara: That's correct.  Bob: Back, five years ago, you came up with a set of seven ornaments that were all around the Christmas names of Jesus.  Barbara: That's right.  Bob: The next year, you did His royal names— Barbara: Correct.  Bob: —in the shape of crowns. The year after that, you did His Savior names that were all in crosses—   Barbara: Correct.  Dennis: —different crosses from different eras in church history.  Bob: Last year, you took the name of Jesus and you had it in different languages with the different alphabets from those languages.  13:00 Barbara: Yes. Bob: This year, you've got a new set of ornaments?   Barbara: We do. We have a new set. We've titled these “His Advent Names,” appropriately, because these ornaments—there are four of them this year—they are all round, and they're all globes. You see the continents of the world on these globes; and then, each one has a name of Christ. Then, on the other side of the globe, it has the verse where that name is found in the Bible. The focus of this set of ornaments is that He came to earth. We visually created globes to remind us that Jesus came to earth for us; and then, these are some names that are associated with His advent.  Bob: And what are the four names you used this year?    Barbara: The four names are “Jesus is the Light” / He came to be the light of the world—“Jesus is the Son” / “For God so loved the world that He gave His Son…”—“Jesus is the Word” / “For the word became flesh and dwelt among us,” / that's all about His birth in the manger.  14:00 And then, the last one is “The Messenger”; and it's about Jesus coming to bring good news and to tell us who God is.  Dennis: Everybody who has seen these—and seen the others that Barbara created—say these are their favorites / that the globes that feature the names of Christ really are spectacular and also, again, call attention to the reason why He came to the planet.  I just think it's important, Bob, as we hang these ornaments on our trees, to bring our children / our grandchildren into the experience and talk about—not just hang the globe or hang the name on the tree, but to talk about: “What does that mean?”  You could literally take all 25 of these ornaments that Barbara has created over all—His Christmas names, His Royal names, His Savior names, and now, His Advent names—you could turn your Christmas tree—over the next, well, almost 24/25 days—into an Advent Christmas tree. One day after another, hang one of these on your tree and talk about the name of Christ— 15:00 —and introduce your children or, as a couple, talk about, “How is Jesus the Light of the World?”   Bob: And radio really doesn't do justice to these. Again, I'll encourage listeners to go to FamliyLifeToday.com, where they can see what you've created. If folks are interested in ordering, they can order from us, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com.  This is not something you guys have done throughout your marriage. In fact, Advent—you kind of didn't pay attention to Advent until your kids were grown; right?   Barbara: Well, I paid attention to it when we were raising our kids, but I didn't know what to do with it; because I was too busy—and school parties—you know, there were just too many things going on during the month of December. I think every mom, listening, would say the same thing. It's a very, very busy season—we want to do all those things with our kids, and we want to do gifts for all these people, and we wear ourselves out.  16:00 So, even though I wanted to do Advent, I didn't know of an easy way to do it. The times that I tried it, we only did one Sunday; and then, we never finished. I felt like a failure, and I didn't like feeling like a failure. I just thought: “Well, forget that. We won't do Advent in our house, because it's just too hard to pull it off.”   But I do think that Advent is worth practicing, even if you only do it once. That's what I didn't understand when I was a mom—that doing something—even just doing one time—is better than nothing. I think that's my encouragement to moms and to women is: “Even if you just do one Sunday / even if you do one something, it's better than nothing.” I think that makes it valuable, because you're being intentional. You're creating some moments of meaning with your family if you try to make a pause in your life—take a timeout from your busyness—to reflect on who Christ is and what He came to do.  Dennis: I think the significance of this is way underestimated.  17:00 You know, over in Philippians 2, it talks about—someday, at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father. I think we underestimate that these names—and interestingly, how many names in your study did you find in the Scriptures were the names of Christ?   Barbara: Some scholars say over 300. I don't know—I've not counted them—but there are a lot more names than any of us have.  Dennis: Well, these 25 names that she's illustrating with these Adorenaments—these are powerful names that give parents practical ways to teach your children about who God is—talking about how Jesus is the Light of the World / how He is the Word—and how they need the Word today; how they need to have a guide / how they need to have a direction for their lives. If they don't, they're going to be obedient to the world and going to conform to the world. So, because Christ came, He showed us what a straight line really is.  Bob: And some listeners, I know, are thinking, “I've heard about Advent, but our church doesn't do that.” 18:00 They feel like, maybe, there is something just strange about it; because it's unfamiliar. What would you say to them?   Barbara: Well, I would say familiarity doesn't always mean that is right. I think that just because it's different doesn't mean that it's something that you shouldn't do. There is value in taking some time, as a family—or even just as a husband and wife if you don't have kids yet—to talk about the names of Christ, and to talk about who He is, and why He came. That's what Advent is all about—it's preparing your heart.  I think anytime we can pause and prepare our heart to welcome Him / to give Him worship, we're going to be better for it. It may be a little different than something you've heard of, but just think of what the word [Advent] means—it just means preparing for His coming.  Bob: Explain for listeners what the benefits are of taking time out to focus on Jesus during the Advent season.  19:00 Barbara: The whole purpose for Advent—the reason that the church fathers came up with this idea, back in the Middle Ages, was to encourage people, who were believers in Christ, to prepare their hearts for Christmas Day. It's a way to anticipate His coming / it's a way to look forward to celebrating the birth of Christ on Christmas Day. When we practice Advent today, it's essentially the same thing—it's a way to mark the time, but it's also a way to build anticipation.  I think there are some real benefits for families. The first one is—it teaches us to be patient. We are not a patient people in this culture—our children aren't patient / we're not patient—we're so used to everything being readily available whenever we want it. If you mark Advent—and you can only open one little box, and you have to wait a whole week for the next one—it teaches us, as people, to be patient. That is a good quality / it's a good attribute.  20:00 Another benefit, I think, for celebrating or marking the days of Advent is that it helps us to pause and reflect about who Christ is. Another is that it builds anticipation—when we're anticipating, we are believing. I think that's really, really good for us.  Reason number four is that Advent encourages eternal decisions; because I think, when we take the time to think about Jesus and why He came to earth, it naturally makes us go, “Oh; do I know Him?”  As moms and dads, it's a great opportunity for you to say to your kids, “Do you know Jesus?”  Advent is a way for us to pause in the middle of the busy season and take advantage of Advent—it helps us have those conversations. It may lead to the most important decision you or one of your kids will ever make.  Bob: Well, and I know, at our house—especially when our kids were younger—there was a lot of anticipation and expectation during the Christmas season / during the Advent season— 21:00 —but it was expectation and anticipation around, “What am I getting on Christmas morning?”   Dennis: Yes; of course.  Bob: Not a whole lot of expectation or anticipation around celebrating the birth of Jesus— Barbara: Right.  Bob: —or having a Christ-centered focus. That's where you are trying to redirect— Barbara: Correct.  Bob: —our attention with the resources you're creating and all that you've been working on.  I'd encourage listeners to go to our website to see the new set of Adorenaments—the globes that you've created this year / His Advent names. There are four of them; and you can see them at FamilyLifeToday.com, along with some of the ornaments from past years as well.  If you've got the FamilyLife app on your iPhone or on your Android phone, we're building into the app this year some devotionals you can do together, as a family—ways to talk about Christ during the Christmas season—some questions that you can ask one another at the dinner table just to get conversation going around more spiritual themes.  22:00 If you don't have the FamilyLife app, you can download it from your app store and look for the Christmas content that is included in the app this year.  Once again, if you'd like to see the resources Barbara has been working on over the last year, go to FamilyLifeToday.com. You can order the new Adorenaments from us there; or you can call to order at 1-800-FL-TODAY—1-800-358-6329. That's 1-800-“F” as in family, “L” as in life, and then the word, “TODAY.”   Today is a special day for Glen and Shawn Solberg—who live here in Little Rock and, until recently, were coworkers of ours, here at FamilyLife—they are celebrating 24 years together as husband and wife: “Happy anniversary!” to the Solbergs.  We've been all about anniversaries this year because it's really tied to the mission of this ministry.  23:00 We want to see more couples celebrate more anniversaries, year in and year out. We want to effectively develop godly marriages and families, who change the world, one home at a time.  When you support the work of FamilyLife, it is couples—like the Solbergs—you're supporting. Together, we are providing practical biblical help and hope for husbands and wives, moms and dads, all around the world. We're grateful for those of you who partner with us in this ministry. In fact, tomorrow is Giving Tuesday—it's a time when, in advance of Christmas, a lot of people decide to make yearend contributions to ministries and other non-profit organizations.  Maybe today, you could talk about making a donation—a yearend donation—to FamilyLife. Tomorrow, on Giving Tuesday, you can go online at FamilyLifeToday.com to make a donation; or call 1-800-FL-TODAY, donate over the phone; or write to us with your donation.  24:00 Our mailing address is FamilyLife Today at PO Box 7111, Little Rock, AR; our zip code is 72223.  Now, tomorrow, we're going to talk more about how, as a family, we can help ourselves and help our children be more focused on what Christmas really is all about. Hope you can tune in. Barbara Rainey is going to be back with us, and I hope you will be as well.  I want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, along with our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine. We will see you back next time for another edition of FamilyLife Today.  FamilyLife Today is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.   Copyright © FamilyLife. All rights reserved. www.FamilyLife.com    

(2Kgs.19:9-11,14-21,31-36;   Ps.48:2-4,9-11;   Mt.7:6,12-14) “I will shield and save this city for my own sake, and for the sake of my servant David.” Brothers and sisters, “renowned is He as a stronghold,” the Lord our God.  And faithfully does He watch over His chosen one. Our psalmist proclaims, “Great is the Lord and wholly to be praised in the city of our God.”  He extols the glory of Mount Zion, of Jerusalem, “the city of the great King,” for the blessings of God upon it.  Here is His temple and so here it is we “ponder [His] kindness”; here it is we take refuge, finding “the narrow gate” that leads to Him and to His salvation. In our first reading today the Lord gives evidence of the way in which He protects His children; He reveals that He will not “give what is holy to dogs or toss [His] pearls before swine.”  The king of Assyria has indeed “laid waste the nations and their lands,” including the Northern Kingdom of Israel.  He has acted with seemingly invincible power, and now he has come to the Lord's chosen city to destroy it as well.  And though this Jerusalem, where His temple does dwell, and the chosen tribes of Judah (through whom His Savior shall come) shall not be protected forever… though this earthly tent shall so soon be ransacked and taken into exile itself, today the Lord shows how His promise, His covenant with them, will never be taken away.  Though the temple's walls be one day destroyed, His spiritual kingdom, His New Jerusalem is eternally blessed in heaven. Hezekiah indeed “enter[s] through the narrow gate” of prayer.  Taking the threatening letter from Sennacherib in his hand, “he [goes] up to the temple of the Lord, and spreading it out before Him, he pray[s] in the Lord's presence.”  He calls out, “O Lord, our God, save us from the power of this man, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God.”  And the Lord listens.  He takes pity on His “virgin daughter Zion… for out of Jerusalem shall come a remnant, and from Mount Zion, survivors.”  And by the hand of the Lord the king of Assyria is turned back. Brothers and sisters, “Jerusalem will not be handed over” to the king of this world.  Upon His Church His blessed protection remains.  Through Judah and David, the king whose city is Jerusalem, Jesus has come – the Lord's promise is fulfilled and the remnant now does thrive.  Here is the Temple not made by human hands; here is the narrow gate through whom all must enter paradise… here is “the joy of all the earth,” God's “holy mountain” in our midst; and on His heights and in these walls, we are shielded and saved forever. ******* O LORD, if we enter through the narrow gate, we shall come into your presence, and you shall always fight for us. YHWH, how shall we find our way to your holy City, on which your protection rests, which shall always be saved from the violence of this world?  No kingdom can conquer your Church; in her let us make our home. On your holy mountain, the fairest of heights, let us find our place, O LORD.  To your Temple let us come, stretching out our arms in prayer.  And you shall listen to our pleas, and your help will be with us quickly – you will be our stronghold.  And so, we will praise you forever, for you teach us the way that leads to your House; in your heavenly kingdom we shall ever remain. O LORD, let us be holy as you are holy, as all your children are holy.  Let us be as those who walk the narrow path to you, who find joy in the difficulties present there.  Dwelling in faith we shall not fear the threats of the mighty, for you who are above all are our shield and guide.

(2Kgs.19:9-11,14-21,31-36;   Ps.48:2-4,9-11;   Mt.7:6,12-14) “I will shield and save this city for my own sake, and for the sake of my servant David.” Brothers and sisters, “renowned is He as a stronghold,” the Lord our God.  And faithfully does He watch over His chosen one. Our psalmist proclaims, “Great is the Lord and wholly to be praised in the city of our God.”  He extols the glory of Mount Zion, of Jerusalem, “the city of the great King,” for the blessings of God upon it.  Here is His temple and so here it is we “ponder [His] kindness”; here it is we take refuge, finding “the narrow gate” that leads to Him and to His salvation. In our first reading today the Lord gives evidence of the way in which He protects His children; He reveals that He will not “give what is holy to dogs or toss [His] pearls before swine.”  The king of Assyria has indeed “laid waste the nations and their lands,” including the Northern Kingdom of Israel.  He has acted with seemingly invincible power, and now he has come to the Lord's chosen city to destroy it as well.  And though this Jerusalem, where His temple does dwell, and the chosen tribes of Judah (through whom His Savior shall come) shall not be protected forever… though this earthly tent shall so soon be ransacked and taken into exile itself, today the Lord shows how His promise, His covenant with them, will never be taken away.  Though the temple's walls be one day destroyed, His spiritual kingdom, His New Jerusalem is eternally blessed in heaven. Hezekiah indeed “enter[s] through the narrow gate” of prayer.  Taking the threatening letter from Sennacherib in his hand, “he [goes] up to the temple of the Lord, and spreading it out before Him, he pray[s] in the Lord's presence.”  He calls out, “O Lord, our God, save us from the power of this man, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God.”  And the Lord listens.  He takes pity on His “virgin daughter Zion… for out of Jerusalem shall come a remnant, and from Mount Zion, survivors.”  And by the hand of the Lord the king of Assyria is turned back. Brothers and sisters, “Jerusalem will not be handed over” to the king of this world.  Upon His Church His blessed protection remains.  Through Judah and David, the king whose city is Jerusalem, Jesus has come – the Lord's promise is fulfilled and the remnant now does thrive.  Here is the Temple not made by human hands; here is the narrow gate through whom all must enter paradise… here is “the joy of all the earth,” God's “holy mountain” in our midst; and on His heights and in these walls, we are shielded and saved forever. ******* O LORD, if we enter through the narrow gate, we shall come into your presence, and you shall always fight for us. YHWH, how shall we find our way to your holy City, on which your protection rests, which shall always be saved from the violence of this world?  No kingdom can conquer your Church; in her let us make our home. On your holy mountain, the fairest of heights, let us find our place, O LORD.  To your Temple let us come, stretching out our arms in prayer.  And you shall listen to our pleas, and your help will be with us quickly – you will be our stronghold.  And so, we will praise you forever, for you teach us the way that leads to your House; in your heavenly kingdom we shall ever remain. O LORD, let us be holy as you are holy, as all your children are holy.  Let us be as those who walk the narrow path to you, who find joy in the difficulties present there.  Dwelling in faith we shall not fear the threats of the mighty, for you who are above all are our shield and guide.

The sovereignty of God is humbling to the human nature of mankind. Realization and recognition of the sovereignty of God can be the basis of much needed peace, joy, confidence, and relief as He is known as He is. His authority and control with full power make certain His plans and purposes are being accomplished according to His perfect will. God has chosen to provide salvation for some out of the entire mass of humanity, all of which are sinful, undeserving, and helpless. He is not obligated to save any but has chosen according to His good purpose, for His glory, to do so. All who are not chosen will get no less than the punishment they deserve by their choice of having rejected His word and the work of His Savior. Those who hear the gospel and reject it are naturally being hardened against God and unless He chooses to intervene, will suffer the consequences of their will that opposed God's. Those who seek Him will be received by Him because He will have first given that desire to do so.

Receive and Listen to your words Matt 10: 14The biblical tennis match volleys back to the New Testament.What is the one thing the Lord credits? The Bible uses some different language to describe it. Faith, Belief, and receiving His Kingdom, His Savior, His Righteousness, in short: HIM.Abraham did it and we are to walk in his footsteps.That is the call to the people who hear the Apostles' message. There is no plan B. It is about faith, or Sodom comes back into the picture. Listen as we go back to the New Testament for a call to faith and receiving.

April Stutzman shares from Live Facebook Video of people who Encounter God's Glory Stories into their personal lives and this episode is with Munday Martin. A little about Munday, Munday and Jennifer Martin are the founders of Contagious Love International. They are prophetic healing evangelists based in Nashville, TN. Munday was radically saved in 1999 just after he encountered Jesus in the middle of the night during an open vision while living in addictions to drugs in college. After this incredible encounter, Munday gave his life to the Lord and was called into a global impacting ministry to the nations with a ravished love for His Savior. About Munday and Jennifer: Munday and Jennifer are committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to America and the nations, equipping a supernatural Jesus generation who will manifest miraculous lives to impact communities and culture. Munday and Jennifer both minister and preach in the Glory, blazing a trail of reformation, miracles, healings, signs and wonders, and intense outbreaks of the glory of God in churches, conferences, crusades, and the streets in the US and the nations, leading many into the fullness of God. Contact Info: https://www.contagiousloveintl.com/ Please rate, write a review and like this podcast because it would mean a lot to us. April's Ministry Page: Kingdom Flame Ministry http://www.kingdomflameministries.com Live Recorded Video Link Below: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXoI2CxV0L8VzXsQePiGq4Q Please contact us through email if you have been blessed, healed, or experience deliverance on this episode. Email: glory.stories@yahoo.com Blessing all, April --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/glorystories/message

This week on -Encounter God's Truth,- we begin a tribute to our Bible teacher, Dr. John Whitcomb, who went home to be with His Savior on February 5, 2020, at the age of 95.--We know that Dr. Whitcomb is in heaven, although we still certainly miss him here. He leaves behind a large, loving family-and friends all over the world who have been deeply impacted by his rich legacy of teaching the Bible and theology for just shy of 70 years.--On today's program, host Wayne Shepherd takes us back to our very first broadcast to remind us why Dr. Whitcomb decided to launch a national radio ministry in 2011-at age 87.--Then we will go back to the July 5, 2011, episode of -Worldview Weekend Radio,- where Dr. Whitcomb completed the first of his more than 100 interviews with Brannon Howse. We are grateful for Brannon's permission to bring you this audio, in which Dr. Whitcomb introduces his life story and testimony. They go on to discuss the subjects of creation and the flood.--Dr. Whitcomb believed and taught that God's Word is true from the beginning to the end, as you will hear in this program-the first of a short series done in tribute to him. Whitcomb Ministries invites you to share this important and encouraging broadcast.

A reader wrote recently that he had a deep fear of dying in spite of the fact that he’d accepted Christ as His Savior. I won’t bore you with the details, but I’ve had numerous near-death occasions in my life, and can unequivocally say that I do not fear death in the least, even when confronted with it. So, what is the difference between us? Since we are both followers of Christ, intellectually we should understand what happens to us when we take our last breath? . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/index.php/2020/02/are-you-afraid-of-your-shadow/

A reader wrote recently that he had a deep fear of dying in spite of the fact that he’d accepted Christ as His Savior. I won’t bore you with the details, but I’ve had numerous near-death occasions in my life, and can unequivocally say that I do not fear death in the least, even when confronted with it. So, what is the difference between us? Since we are both followers of Christ, intellectually we should understand what happens to us when we take our last breath? . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/index.php/2020/02/are-you-afraid-of-your-shadow/

In this episode we talk with Cameron about his mission trip to Rwanda. We discuss the motivation behind the step of faith and the we get a glimpse into the life of a young man who traveled halfway around the world to be used by God. To say that Ernest, Jason and I are impressed with Cameron's faith in His Savior is an understatement. This is the first of three episodes highlighting Cameron's journey to Rwanda. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/like-mindedmen/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/like-mindedmen/support

Feb. 2, 2020 - The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 2 gives us the story of St. Simeon receiving Jesus into his arms in the Holy Temple. God told St. Simeon that he would not die until he had seen His Savior. When He received Christ our God into his arms his soul was overwhelmed and he lifted up what we know as the Song of St. Simeon (Nunc Dimittis), a great song of praise to God that salvation had come to him and a prophecy that this child would bring light to the Gentiles. Today we look at St. Simeon's posture and find that, if it becomes our own, we will also lift up great praise from the experience of Christ our Salvation in our own lives.

Chip and Denny welcome the music of Walt Mills this week on The Gospel Jubilee.Go to: https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/21821627/download.mp3Tune in and be blessed by the anointed music and worship that characterize Walt Mills ministry and why his music continues to touch the hearts of individualsall over the world. Well respected for the quality of music he ministers, and with his country Gospel style voice, one can tell as Walt Mills sings, he is singing from hisheart out of his love for the Lord. Born in Dallas Texas, Walt Mills received Christ as His Savior on June 9, 1954.By the very next year he was preaching the Gospel and sharing Christ in song and Word.From March 1959 when Walt entered full-time evangelistic work, he has continued to travel throughout the United States and foreign countries presentingthe Good News.  Millions have seen his popular television program, "Revival In The Land Today"each week on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, as well as being heard on world wide radio. The music and worship that characterize Walt Mills ministry continues to touch the hearts of individuals all over the world.  He has his own unique styleand with his soulful voice he presents a message in song that gets right down into your spirit.  The freedom of worship in his music brings the listenerto a place of hope and encouragement resulting in life changes.With his songs consistently on the charts, Walt has recorded such great Gospel hits as, "I've Got A feeling" which was number one for three months and remained on the charts for two years.  This song was nominated for a Dove Award. His many accomplishments include:Mr. ICGMA of 1993 (International Country Gospel Music Association)Artist of the Decade in 1993ICGMA Hall of Fame in 1993Texas Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame ICGMA Top Television Personality in 1995Although these prestigious awards were give to Walt as a country Gospel artist, his projects present music in a style that reaches people of all ages -from the toddler to those in their senior years and all in between.  Regardless of your music preference, you will find something in Walt Mills recordingsthat will touch your heart.If you have an Echo you can say, Alexa, tell Spreaker to play The Gospel JubileeIf you have never used Spreaker, say, Alexa, enable Spreaker.You can also catch The Gospel Jubilee every Saturday evening at 7:00 and every Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 CDT on Praise Radio.Go to: praiseradio.netPlaylist:Artists Name - Song Title - Album Name01. The Old Paths - O what a happy morning - Stay02. Master's Voice - Another one like Him - Walk Worthy03. The Carolina Boys Quartet - I'm traveling on - Take A Stand04. Walt Mills - I've got a feeling - Running On With Victory05. Walt Mills - It ain't new - Still Going Strong06. Heart 2 Heart - When revival comes to town - Pray07. Jim & Melissa Brady - Legacy - The Legacy Goes On08. The Kingdom Heirs - Holy, Holy is what the angels sing - Everything In Between09. Hannah Webb - Church bells - it's A Journey10. Final Harvest - He whispers sweet peace - Never Alone11. the Gaither Vocal Band - Goin' up yonder - Good Things Take Time12. Walt Mills - Quiet time - Still Going Strong13. Walt Mills - Read Romans Ten and Nine - This Joy I Feel14. Walt Mills - Down at Joel's Place - Still Going Strong15. The Perrys - It never gets old - Keep Movin' Along16. The Lore Family - I've got a really good feeling - Hidden Blessings17. Legacy Five - Love pure love - Pure Love18. Greater Vision - That blind man was me - You've Arrived19. Austin & Ethan Whisnant - I lean on You Lord - Live For You today20. The Mark Trammell Quartet - He pilots my ship - Great Moments21. The Wisecarvers - Jesus to me - Silhouette22. Walt Mills - Rockkin' the gates of Hell - Heaven Will Be My HomeSend your request to:request@gatewayfortheblind.comor call 636-428-1500

Peter heard the voice of His Savior, friend and Messiah, Jesus to get out of the boat and walk on water to Him. Peter had to make a choice to listen or allow the fear to control him.

Message Notes Christmas is a culmination of God's "going to do it anyway" plan. God used imperfect people to orchestrate the perfect story - the Christmas story. READY OR NOT. BELIEVE IT OR NOT. HERE I COME. Because God loves us, He ALWAYS fulfills His Word despite our weaknesses, doubts, and second-guessing. Mary based her response on her confidence in the source of the information; not on her ability to understand God's plan. God sent His Savior into the world to save us from our sins because He loves us!!! Scripture Luke 1; Luke 2; John 1:29-34

My wife's grandfather was an example of faithfulness to the Lord in the military and then as a church planter for decades. Seldom recognized for his service to the Lord, he was a quiet, humble man who worked in the fields for His Savior. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ben-everson/support

April Stutzman shares from Live Facebook Video of people who Encounter God's Glory Stories into their personal lives and this episode is with Jennifer Munday. A little about Jennifer Munday and Jennifer Martin are the founders of Contagious Love International. They are prophetic healing evangelists based in Nashville, TN. Munday was radically saved in 1999 just after he encountered Jesus in the middle of the night during an open vision while living in addictions to drugs in college. After this incredible encounter, Munday gave his life to the Lord and was called into a global impacting ministry to the nations with a ravished love for His Savior. Munday and Jennifer are committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to America and the nations, equipping a supernatural Jesus generation who will manifest miraculous lives to impact communities and culture. Munday and Jennifer both minister and preach in the Glory, blazing a trail of reformation, miracles, healings, signs and wonders, and intense outbreaks of the glory of God in churches, conferences, crusades, and the streets in the US and the nations, leading many into the fullness of God. Contact Info:615-732-5213 info@contagiousloveintl.com Do us a bigfavor: Please rate, write a review and like this podcast because it would mean a lot to us. April's Ministry Page: Kingdom Flame Ministry http://www.kingdomflameministries.com Live Recorded Video Link Below: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXoI2CxV0L8VzXsQePiGq4Q Please contact us through email if you have been blessed, healed, or experience deliverance on this episode. Email: glory.stories@yahoo.com Blessing all, April --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/glorystories/message

We may wonder how anyone could praise the Lord in hardship, persecution, and in prison. Yet, it is clear that your attitude in your circumstances determines your latitude in your circumstances. Have you ever thought that prison could be a blessing? If you had told that to Paul and Silas early in the evening hours, they might have laughed at you. But, when the midnight hour rolled around they discovered what a glorious place prison could be. I would like for us to look into this text in the Bible and talk about the thought, Joy In The Prison. You may not get all the answers you would like to have, but if you will listen to the Holy Spirit as Rev. Augustine Aggrey preaches, He (the Holy Spirit) will teach you about the availability and power of joy in your prison experience. Despite hardship, persecution, and prison, Paul found unending joy in His Savior. You can too, if you will only find your heart’s delight in the person of Jesus. God Bless You.

What an awkward conversation! And yet, it was probably one of the most important ones that Peter had with His Savior.

They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery. And the apostle Paul would say that the imitation of Christ is the greatest form of sanctification. To be like Christ was his greatest desire and his life’s passion. He was so confident in his determination to follow Christ’s example, that he confidently challenged others to step in line behind him. He was not afraid to offer himself as a reliable role model for Christlike behavior. But the secret to Paul’s confidence was his unwavering determination to follow the example of Jesus Himself. Paul lived in lockstep with His Savior, doing everything he could to follow in His footsteps and model not only His behavior but His perspective on life. Paul wasn’t bragging when he said, “Imitate me,” he was simply inviting others to join him in his imitation of Christ.  

Hello everyone welcome to Reaching Out Radio where we are reaching out to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ sharing the Gospel and the message of the cross into the nations. Tonight we are excited to welcome an amazing talented man of God to share in a personal interview with us, Pastor Lelsie Peters. Biography Leslie Peters is a gifted vocalist and pianist and also plays the guitar. He is also the Pastor of Harvest Celebration Church, a Spirit-Filled church located in Northridge, a suburb of Los Angeles in California. His passion for music was ignited when his father bought him a guitar at the age of 10. A couple of years later his dad also bought a piano and youngLeslie immediately started learning to play. He taught himself to read music and reads very fluently today. He has been influenced by the piano styles of Andrae Crouch, Leon Patillo and several others.   Songwriting has now become a lifestyle to him and provides him with the opportunity to express his love for His Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. He also writes to encourage the Body of Christ and to stir up believers to reach the last days harvest. He leads worship from behind his keyboard at church and his passion for playing keys has never waned. He has just released his debut CD, "Send Me.” Leslie is rooted in Christian R&B and contemporary gospel music. Hope you can join us for tonights broadcast we know you will be blessed! Thanks for your continued prayers and support God bless you!!

God gave in the Bible the Exact Day, Exact Sign and The Exact Praise that would Identify His Messiah, His Savior. Join our host of This Week In The Word, Dr. Ed Hill as he teaches from Mark 11.

God gave in the Bible the Exact Day, Exact Sign and The Exact Praise that would Identify His Messiah, His Savior. Join our host of This Week In The Word, Dr. Ed Hill as he teaches from Mark 11.

The Son Doesn’t Pay - 1/20/2018 It is believed that just Peter and Jesus are involved, and that Jesus takes this opportunity to reveal more of His divinity to Peter. Matthew 17:24-27 Now, this tax was established back in Exodus when God told Moses to take a census and to collect money for the temple. Exodus 30:11-16 This was a reminder of the atonement, a ransom for their souls. And so, this “temple tax” that was taken was a reminder of what God had done in their lives. How does that tie in to today’s passage? How can one make an atonement… if He is without sin? How could our atoning sacrifice, the One who paid our ransom, be expected to pay? So, we have this situation, where Peter is asked by the temple tax collectors, if Jesus pays His taxes, and Peter says… “Yes.” Peter has this encounter and then walks into the house, presumably to tell Jesus what took place. And Jesus in His omniscience… knowing what just took place, speaks before Peter can get started. Verse 25 Jesus is confirming the confession that His friend had made just a short time ago. Matthew 16:16 Jesus is not obligated to pay anything because He is the Son! And The Son Doesn’t Pay! Who pays tribute to the king? Not the sons. Who is this temple tax for? The KING! God… the Father… Jesus the Son of God is not obligated to pay taxes or tributes to the temple of God! Jesus assures his friend… “it’s all good… we are going to pay the tax...” What a better way to pay a divine tribute, a temple tribute, than by doing so in a divine fashion. Now, Peter could have puffed up and told Jesus… “Don’t tell me how to fish!” But he didn’t. His Lord and His Savior told Him to do something crazy and He did it. That obedience only comes from time spent in the presence of Jesus Christ! Trusting and believing that He is the Son of God! How would you respond? Do you trust Jesus enough, that you will do whatever He asks you to do? Do you trust Jesus? Do you trust Jesus like Peter did? Do you believe in Jesus like Peter did? Do you receive Jesus like Peter did? John 1:12

The shepherds were terrified as the darkness of the night was interrupted with a chorus of angels. Their mundane insignificant lives were interrupted by the greatest announcement in the history of the universe. God was sending His Savior into the world and they were among the first to know. Christmas is the announcement of the greatest news. God loves you so much that He sent His Son for you.

Click here to link directly to the audio file.**********I recently attended a memorial service for a friend of mine. The pastor gave a wonderfully passionate message about how this friend believed in Jesus as His Savior. The room was packed. This friend lived in a way that made his faith real to those of us who knew him. My friend didn't struggle with sharing his faith. In fact, I don't think he even thought much about the need to share. He simply lived his faith in a way that made words almost completely unnecessary. I think that's why so many people were at this man's memorial service.My friend wasn't all that great of a communicator. He wasn't all that versed on the intricacies of Biblical interpretation. He wasn't all that polished and perfect. What he might have lacked in the skills we sometimes attribute to great evangelists, he more than made up for with his life. I've said it two times before. I'm going to say it again. This man lived his faith. The fact that he lived his faith turned out to be more powerful of a witness than any words one might use to describe his faith.As the pastor spoke of my friend to the group that knew him so very well, he used one of the most recognizable verses in the Bible. This pastor quoted the following...For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)The pastor went on to talk about how my friend lived this verse. He focused on two words that really struck me. The pastor said that my friend believed into Jesus. If you go back and check the verse we just read you won't see the word "into." Our reading says "believe in", not believe into. The pastor went on to teach that the original language should have been translated "believe into". He then went on to talk about how it is easy to believe in. Believing into is something totally different.To explain what he meant by that, he pointed to the podium in front of him. He said that it is easy to believe in the podium. You can see it. You can touch it. We so often simply think the proof our senses is enough when it comes to belief. Trusting our senses so completely is such a failed strategy in life.The pastor then did something really amazing. He climbed up on the podium and hung on. He pointed out that believing into is different than believing in. He needed a faith and understanding that that podium would hold his weight in order to believe into the podium. That faith and understanding allowed the pastor to shift from the goodness of believing in the podium to the greatness of believing into that same podium. The pastor told us that our friend believed into Jesus rather than just settling to believe in Him. That's why this simple man had such impact on the lives of so many of us in that room that amazing day. His faith came from believing into something, not just believing in that same thing.My friend believed into Jesus. He trusted that Jesus could hold the weight of his life. He understood the love Christ has for Him is worth all the hell this world happened to throw at him and his family. His belief into Christ made it easy for him to share his faith by simply living his life.My friend's identity as God's Child was something that he believed into. His job wasn't ever going to catapult this man to greatness. His accomplishments weren't never going to amount anything important enough to fill a room full of people weeping over this man's death. This friend did more than believe in who He was. He lived in the faith of believing into what Christ says about him. That kind of life changes the world. His life changed mine and a lot of other folks sitting in that room that day.It made me think about how I approach my life. Do I just believe in or am I also someone who believes into who I am? I'm not sure this man would have been able to see the difference in his life were he sitting in that room listening to this same sermon. I would be willing to bet that he thought himself falling short of believing into who he was just as profoundly as I feel at this moment.Maybe God made it that way. Maybe we just can see the impact our identity is having in real time. Maybe it is through the lives of a room full of people who were changed by a life of one who believed into Jesus that this man could have seen the proof needed. Maybe that proof is best seen from heaven looking down.All I know is something changed for me this day. I don't know if I will ever be able to prove I'm believing into who I am or not on this side of heaven. What I can do is to know that there is a difference between just believing in my victor status and believing into that same status. I want the best for my life. That best is when I choose to believe into who God says I am rather than just believing in the identity God has given me. How do I do that? I think it is like tying to tie your shoe. You just do it. Somehow you learned how to tie your shoe. Now it is like a secondary function in your life. Trying to put into words how you do it is almost impossible. Though it is hard to describe how it is done, you just know how to do it. Such is the way I think it is when it comes to believing into who we are. Today, I think I came into contact with the fact that I just know how to believe into. Whether I can describe it fully or be able to prove that I am doing so to the fullest might not be something all that easy for me to do. All I know is that I can believe into. Judging from this room full of people at this man's memorial service, I think that realizing that we can believe into has a power to change many, many lives. I hope today's presentation opened your eyes to something different. I pray that you see how much power there is in letting your life rest in the belief into something bigger than yourself. It is when we believe into who we are as God's Child that I think this world becomes something completely different. Let who you are be founded and supported by the love God has for you. Then the challenges of this world might not be as impacting is they are when we choose to simply believe in who we are. 

A true transformation will manifest by us rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord in every area of our lives. Because we know that the God of the Universe keeps His promises, we can be at peace, because we are going to see the Lord at the end of our lives! We’re learning what a true transformation meant in the life of Nicodemus, a Pharisee ruler, who was told by Jesus that he needed to be born again. Nicodemus had quite a pedigree, but he didn’t have what really mattered – a belief in Jesus Christ as His Savior. John 3:16-21 Isaiah 64:6 Luis Palau Health Update --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/heidistjohn/support

"...(for I am) not seeking my own good, but the good of many, so that they may be saved." 1 For 10: 33 "Where is there a dungeon as dark as one's own heart, or a jailer as inexorable as the self?" asks Nathaniel Hawthorne in one of his tales. That is so true! But when a person becomes a Christian, all of that begins to change. He no longer lives in the "dungeon of the jailer". He no longer seeks his own good, but the good of others. And his ultimate burden--just like His Savior!--is for the lost!  Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA From his series on First Corinthians: To the Saints in Sin City

Introduction: The Wailing Wall If you were to visit Jerusalem today, you could see a place that's a great attraction to people. To some it is a tourist attraction, but to others (Jews especially) it is the focus of intense religious feeling, a place that really is somewhat like a Jewish shrine. It's called the "Wailing Wall," the western Wall of Herod's temple. It's what's left of the temple after it was destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans. For centuries, the Jews had no access to Jerusalem, it being under Muslim domination, but finally they were able to come in a regular pattern. And Jews come from all over the world. There is a picture on the cover of your bulletin, and they face those ancient stones, and they bob back and forth and they weep and they wail for the past. For blessings from God that they no longer experience. Now, 2,000 years ago, a man who was perhaps the preeminent Jew of his day, a Hebrew of Hebrews, the Apostle Paul, wept and wailed and mourned. But not for some past tragedy but for something far greater. He wept for a future tragedy that he saw, for his kinsman, his countrymen, fellow-Jews, because of their sins and their rejection of Jesus Christ, their only hope, their Lord, their Savior, their Messiah. And so Paul begins this section of Romans as we saw last week with an outpouring of personal grief over the status of the Jews. He says there in verse 1, "I speak the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit. I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish for I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, the Israelites." He is yearning for their salvation, and he speaks of that. He speaks of that with great intensity and great passion. We discussed that last week. I found it greatly challenging to myself because I didn't know if I ever experienced this kind of sorrow and sadness and anguish over the loss the way Paul did. And I have been praying and I'll continue to pray. You know, I think God gives us the desire of our heart, but the first thing he does is gives us that desire and then fulfills it. And for me, it's my desire to have this kind of sorrow and sadness and anguish over the lost that are around me that Paul displayed here. I. Recap: The Cause, Depth, and Authenticity of Paul’s Anguish And so we saw last time the cause of Paul's anguish. Every place he went, he began by preaching the Gospel to Jews, he went into synagogues, and the pattern was established again and again. He would reason with them from the Old Testament scriptures, he would try to prove from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah. What was so obvious to him was not obvious to them. There was a veil over their faces, over their minds, really, whenever they would consider the Scripture, whenever they would consider the Law of Moses. What Paul could see so clearly in prophecy, they just could not see. Israel is experiencing a hardening in part, and it brought him great grief, and they would then turn not just to be rejecters but persecutors. They would violently persecute him, they would chase him from place to place. And so Paul relates the cause of his anguish, that is Jewish lostness. They're rejecting the Gospel. He also talks about the depth of his anguish with overpowering emotion. He says, "I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish," and then he says an astonishing thing. He says, "I myself could wish to be cursed and cut off from Christ. I'm willing not only to not see Christ but willing eve to be cursed by Him for the sake of my fellow kinsmen." And then he has to give us a sense of the authenticity of his desire. He says, "I speak the truth in Christ. I'm not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit." Why does he use all these words, except that his attitude is unusual? His attitude really is supernatural. Nobody cares that much. Nobody cares that much. But Paul did. He said, "This is a desire that God has given me." We saw all that last time. II. The Shock of Paul’s Anguis­h But what we didn't discuss is the shock in Paul's anguish. Look at verses 4 and 5. There, he talked about what's really shocking about this whole situation with the Jews. He says, "They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption as sons. Theirs is the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them, from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised, amen." Contrary to All Expectations Now what Paul does is he goes through and he lists nine spiritual advantages that the Jews had, which makes what was happening in his day and which has continued now for 2,000 years all the more astonishing, contrary to all expectations. The Gentiles, having not in any way been racially or historically prepared to receive Christ as their Savior, are receiving Christ in huge numbers. You heard the account that Scott gave earlier, about what's happening in the nation that we're intending to reach out. Huge numbers from that country coming to faith in Christ. Large numbers. And it's been that way for 2,000 years. God's Spirit poured out on the Gentiles. The Gentiles coming in large number to embrace a Jewish Savior, to be grafted in as a wild branch into a naturally cultivated olive tree. This is the image Paul uses in Romans 11. It's contrary to anything you would expect, that that wild branch could actually start receiving nourishing sap and life-giving nutrients through this Jewish tree, that we could in effect the Jews, latter-day Jews, contrary to all expectations. But every bit as contrary to expectation is the opposite reaction by the Jews. What seems so obvious to us, that Isaiah 53 and that Daniel 7, and Psalm 22, and Psalm 16, and all of these passages point to Christ. Who else could they be pointing to? They just don't see it. It's amazing, really. They've been reading the scriptures all their lives, some of them, and they still don't see Christ in the most obvious places. It's incredible. Amazing Spiritual Advantages for Israelites And so what he does is he goes through and traces out these Old Testament advantages. They are inadequate for personal salvation. And if you don't understand that, you'll miss the whole point. All of these advantages that he describes are inadequate in and of themselves for personal salvation. Now each one of them could have been the grounds of faith, just like it was for Abram when he heard one promise of God and believed. Any of these could have been enough for saving faith. And it was for many of the remnant, the elect, and we'll talk about that. But for the nation as a whole, they were inadequate. The Israelites And what does he talk about? Well, first, he calls them "Israelites." They are of the nation of Israel. That name, of course, coming from the night that Jacob spent wrestling with the angel, you know, and the angel said, "Let me go," and he said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." That was the night he thought he was going to be slaughtered by his brother Esau who was riding down with 600 of his closest friends who all happened to be soldiers armed to the teeth, wanting to greet his brother and say hello to him. It was a tough night for Jacob. And that night, he got the name Israel, "he who struggles with God." And so that became kind of the national heritage as well. A nation that wrestles with God, they are the Israelites. The Adoption Secondly, he says that theirs is the adoption as sons, fascinating term and it has caused some to stumble. This is not the same as that eternal and individual personal adoption spoken of in the previous chapter (look back at Romans 8:14-15). And there it says, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." In other words, if you are being led by this in-dwelling Holy Spirit, being led by the Spirit God, you're a son of God. Next verse says, "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back again into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry, 'Abba Father.'" Now, let me tell you something. If this is the exact same thing over here in Romans 9, then you have a big problem, and so do I. Is it really possible to be individually, personally adopted by faith into the family of God and then later evicted from the family? If so, then God's Word has failed. That's the whole problem. That's why Paul's dealing with this. But this is not the adoption that I think Paul has in mind here. Rather there is more of a national big-picture adoption that God did for the Jews and spoke in that manner. You remember the time when God called Moses to go back to Pharaoh and say, "Let my people go," and there's a whole interchange where Moses does everything he can to get out of God's call in his life? Some of you are like that, I've been like that myself. Moses does not wanna go. But at one point, the Lord says, "Say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the Lord says. "Israel is my first-born son, and I told you, let my son go that he may worship me."'" That is the adoption that I think is in mind here in Romans 9, a national adoption. So also, Hosea 11:1 says, "When Israel was a child, I loved him and out of Egypt I called my Son." And you remember how the tenth plague, the most dreadful, the plague on the first-born. Basically God said, "You didn't let my first-born go, so I will kill your first-born." That's the connection there. Israel is God's first-born so. And then he says the same thing in Deuteronomy 1:31, "There you saw how the Lord your God carried you as a father carries his son. All the way you went until you reached this place." God basically picked up little Israel and put Israel up on His shoulders and carried them right to the Promised Land in a powerful way. That's the language used in Deuteronomy 1:31. But it's a national adoption. It's not individual adoption of individual Jews to personal relationship with God. The Glory Thirdly, he speaks of the glory. Again, this is not that personal glory that all of us will experience at the end of our salvation process, what we call "glorification." That's not what this is talking about. Theirs is the glorious, rather the outward and visible displays of glory that were part of Israel's heritage and history. For example, on Mount Sinai, in Exodus 24, it says when Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days, the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day, the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud. To the Israelites, the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. Then Moses entered the cloud as he went up on the mountain, he stayed on that mountain 40 days and 40 nights. Now, what happened inside that glory cloud, we'll talk about later in Romans 9, because that has to do with individual and personal salvation. But I'm saying that the nation as a whole got to watch that glory cloud come down on the mountain. They got to see it. It's extraordinary, you and I have never seen anything like it. And it happened again and again, in Israel's history, didn't it? It wasn't just at one time. For example, in Exodus 40, after they had built the tent of meeting, the tabernacle, and it says the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting, because the cloud had settled upon it and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And so there's this sense of immediacy, the presence of God. You could see a cloud, you could see the glory. Moses physically couldn't go in the tent because of the glory. What an incredible thing that was. What would have been like inside your heart to have been there that day, to see that manifestation of the glory of God, and to read stories about it future generations? To know that Israel had that experience? Or later in Israel's history, at the time of Solomon's temple dedication, 1 Kings 8:10-11, "When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud for the glory of the Lord filled the temple." That's what they came to call "the Shekinah glory," the glory of the presence of the Lord. And the Israelites saw it and they experienced it in some way. But may I say to you that standing there among the congregation and seeing that glory doesn't save your soul. As a matter of fact, in some cases, it might have even been the final day of your life. In Numbers 14, the people rebelled against Moses and Aaron and spoke angry words against God. They wanted to choose leaders and go back to back to Egypt and eat all those leeks and onions and have the good life they had back there in Egypt. You remember how it was making those bricks without the straw? Forgot about that part. But anyway, they just wanted to go back. They were willing to get rid of Moses and Aaron, and the glory of the Lord showed up that day. The glory of the Lord. But it was not a good thing for them. It says as the whole assembly talked about stoning them, then the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites. The Lord said to Moses, "How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me inspite of all the miraculous signs that I have performed among them? …Not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert, but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times, not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it." So just to have the experience of the glory didn't save your soul. The Covenants It also speaks here of the covenants. This refers to the pattern of covenants that God had made with Israel. For example, the covenant made with Abraham in which He said, "Through your offspring, all peoples on earth will be blessed…" and "I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore…" And "To your descendants I will give this land." This was a unilateral covenant made by God with Abraham. But it did not guarantee individual, personal salvation for all of Abraham's physical descendants. That's the very point of Romans 9, which we'll develop more when we get to verse 6, not all Israel are Israel. It didn't guarantee them salvation. Or the Mosaic Covenant, "If you obey Me and keep all My commandments, then I will preserve you in the land, and you will be my people and I will be your God." Problem with that covenant, that little word "if." "If you will obey Me and keep all of My commandments, then we will have this relationship." But they didn't, they couldn't keep that covenant. Or the Davidic covenant. "You will never lack a son," said God to David, "to sit on the throne. I will build the house of your son and his kingdom will never end." Again, unilateral covenant. God said, "This is something I will do." And He did in Christ, but it did not guarantee individual and personal salvation for all of the Israelites. But those covenants were forms of display of God's glory, of communication, redemptive history. There was ample opportunity for the Jews to improve them through personal faith. But they didn't. The Giving of the Law It also speaks of the giving of the law. Clearly, this refers to Law of Moses. This was a tremendous blessing, to have the laws of God given to them. To understand, like the psalmist says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my paths." "Oh, how I love Your law. I meditate on it all day long." It was a great gift to have the law of God. It says in Deuteronomy 4:8, "What other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?" What a wonderful body of laws it was. However, as you well know, simply having the law doesn't save your soul. Frankly, quite the opposite. The law actually condemned the Israelites because they did not keep it. Like it says in Romans 2:23, "You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?" There's no glory in having the law; there is glory in keeping the law, and they couldn't do it. Romans 3:20, "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law, rather through the law, we become conscious of sin." It's not salvation that comes through the law. My friends, if salvation could come through the law, then what did you need Christ for? Galatians 2:21 says precisely that, "If salvation could come by the law, then Christ died for nothing." But it couldn't come that way. The Worship He also mentions this worship, which Eric said accurately earlier refers to the sacrificial system, the temple worship. The fact that animal sacrifice were given day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year. Blood sacrifices. A great advantage for the Jews. Not because the blood of bulls and goats could take away sin, oh, they should have known it couldn't, but rather it was the clearest depiction of the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross you would ever have in history. The Jews got it day after day. What a great advantage. But did they take that advantage and improve it with faith? Did they believe the Gospel? No, they did not. David knew it, he said, "If offering bulls and goats could cleanse my sin, I would do it. You could have all of my bulls, if it could take away my sin with Bathsheba." The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart You will not despise. He knew that. Isaiah knew it when it said, "The multitude of your sacrifices, 'What are they to me?', says the Lord, 'I have more than enough of the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.'" I don't need this trampling of My courts, bringing these offerings endlessly. That's not what they were for. And so the sacrificial system did not guarantee personal salvation. As a matter of fact, in my opinion, if ever you think your ministry is hard, think about the ministry of the prophet Jeremiah. How would you like that ministry? "Okay, Jeremiah, here's your job. Why don't you go to downtown Jerusalem and as Nebuchadnezzar approaches with that huge army of his, I want you to tell them that Nebuchadnezzar's going to win, that he's going to destroy the temple, and that all of you people... Just a remnant of you, as a matter of fact, the rest will be slaughtered by the sword, famine, and plague, but the rest of you, the little remnant, the small few of you, the blessed ones, will get to go in exile to Babylon. Now go preach that, Jeremiah." And it's especially tough in that the Jews were trusting in the temple of the Lord. They were thinking, "God will never destroy this place." Well, now they're Jews standing wailing at the Wailing Wall as Herod's temple was destroyed. Well, that was just Herod The Great's temple, this was the temple, the Temple of Solomon, they thought God would never destroy it. Oh, how wrong they were. This is what the Lord said to Jeremiah, "Stand at the gate of the LORD's house and there proclaim this message: 'Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the LORD. This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, "This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!" Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, "We are safe"-- safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you?'" "But I am watching," says the Lord.'" Oh, there was no safety in that physical temple, God proved it when Nebuchadnezzar's soldiers destroyed it. But they had the temple worship and it was enough so that if they had improved it with faith, their souls would have been saved. But it did not guarantee individual salvation for the nation. The Promises And then it also speaks of the promises, God's made many promises to Israel throughout their history. It's really closely tied to the covenants. But then there are other promises like that He would restore them back in the promised land after 70 years and He did. In the time of Ezra and Nehemiah brought them back, God fulfilled that promise. He's fulfilled more promises than we can imagine. They show God a faithful God a promise keeping God. They have a heritage of promises made and kept, greatest of them of all is Jesus Himself. They have the promises, but you know those promises don't guarantee the salvation of everyone because you know the Israelites, they have to believe the promises personally, for themselves. Abraham believed the Lord and was credited him His righteousness. Without that individual personal faith in the promises, the promises made to the nation meant nothing for you, meant nothing. The Patriarchs And then finally he mentions the patriarchs, the example of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the immense spiritual advantage Godly heritage to these men. But let me tell you something, having Abraham or Isaac, or Jacob as your father didn't mean you were going to Heaven. Not at all. As a matter of fact, that's one of the major points that Paul is going to be making in Romans 9:6-13. Physical lineage from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not guarantee salvation. The Human Ancestry of the Christ The culmination of all of this though, the highest privilege ever, was the fact that God chose the Jews to bring His Savior into the world. That your Messiah, your Savior and mine is Jewish. Jewish ancestry. Do you find that humbling? You Gentiles, I'm a Gentile, it's humbling that God chose the Jews to bring His Son into the world and it is meant to be humbling. All of those nations on their high horses, all the Greeks and the Romans and the Babylonians with their great pride and they're great accomplishment. God didn't choose any of those nations. He chose the Jews. You think, well then Israel's up on their high horse. Well, that is the very point that Paul is going to make in Romans 9-11, how God gets Israel off their high horse, because God has bound all men over to disobedience in order that He may have mercy on them all. No one's on their high horse in front of God, not on Judgment Day. We are all humbled. What a great advantage that your nation, your little nation was chosen to be the physical avenue through which Jesus Christ would be born. The genealogy is Jewish from Abraham, through David to the Christ. It's a Jewish genealogy, and what a great advantage. But you know, for the Jews, it was no advantage to some degree, it was the stumbling but they couldn't get over. When Jesus went to preach in His home town in Matthew 13, He begins preaching and by this time, His ministry is well known, this is the second time coming to Nazareth. And began teaching the people in their synagogue and they were amazed, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" They said, "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't His mother's name Mary and are all His brothers with us James Joseph Simon and Judas and are all His sisters here with us too? Where then did this man get all these things?" Do you see the disdain? And Jesus said to them, "'Only in His home town and in His own house, is a prophet without honor,' and He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith." So the fact that Jesus was Jewish grew up in their home town actually in the end was the stumbling block, they couldn't get over. Notice by the way, here a strong statement of Christ's deity. Look at verse five, "Theirs the patriarchs," He says, "And from them is traced the human ancestry, the according to the flesh, ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever blessed, amen." Now, I know that there are other translations but I believe (and I'm not going to take you through all of the exegesis), but I believe that he's intending fully to give a strong statement of Christ deity here, to balance off the strong statement of His fleshly humanity through the genealogy. This physical one who took on human flesh and blood through the Jews is actually God over all blessed forever, amen. Now these are the advantages to the Jews. But let me tell you something, the key concept. None of these advantages, guaranteed individual salvation for every Jew, and that's why He weeps, that's why He cries, that's why He is in great anguish. The Status of Unbelieving Jews Now the beauty is each one of those comes to full fruition when you come to faith in Christ, you become a true Israelite like Nathaniel, a genuine Jew, even if you're a Gentile, grafted in, by faith, you receive the adoption as sons, individually and personally. Romans 8. You get the divine glory. And I don't just mean some kind of fiery thing coming down on a mountain or a temporary glowing thing inside a tent. You get to see the glory of God with your own eyes, Jew or Gentile, if you have faith in Jesus, you get that, you get the covenants, all of them wrapped up in this. "This is My blood, the blood of the New Covenant…" that's Jesus summing up everything in the New Covenant you get it all. You get the receiving of the law, not outside written on tablets of stone, but inside your heart by the Spirit, yearning to obey and fulfill the Law of God love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, love your neighbors, yourself, that's what you get inside you. Jew or Gentile, you get true worship, Jesus as your final sacrifice, you get to worship Philippians 3:3, "By the Spirit of God," you get to taste what it really feels like to worship by the Spirit of God, and you get the promises. How many of them? Well, 2 Corinthians 1:20 says that as many as are made, they're yours, you get them all. All of the promises are yes and amen in Christ. Jew or Gentile, you get them all, and the patriarchs you get to have Abraham as your in faith. Following in his footsteps, and you get Christ. Now, last time I talked about Paul's anguish, the fruit of his anguish, was not mere emotionalism in chapter 10:1, he says, "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved." We also get the outpouring of Paul's life, as city after city. He goes into any reasons with the Jews, puts up with their abuse he talks to them preaches to them, he shares with them. Now, let me ask you a question, what is the significance of that? Isn't it obvious that Jews need the gospel of Jesus Christ in order to go to Heaven? Now, why do I have to believe this? Because some people don't think it's true. Some people through interesting and elaborate and intricate theology think that Jews are fine as such, leave them alone, it's just maybe plan A and we're plan B. You just go along that way, and they're fine as they are, and we're coming in our way and in the end we'll meet, that is utterly false. If that is the case, why is Paul weeping? Why would he exchange his salvation? Why? It's because there's great danger for them. Listen to this, this is a statement from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops recently, this is what it says, "The command of the resurrected Christ in Matthew 28:19, to make disciples of all nations means that the church must bear witness in the world to the good news of Christ so as to prepare the world for the fullness of the Kingdom of God. However this evangelizing task no longer includes the wish to absorb the Jewish faith into Christianity and so end the distinctive witness of Jews to God in human history. Thus while the Catholic Church regards the saving act of Christ as central to the process of human salvation for all, it also acknowledges," listen, "that Jews already dwell in a saving covenant with God." Be horrified at this statement. Be horrified. If Jews already exist in a saving covenant with God, then what's Romans 9:1-5 about? What is the sorrow and the unceasing anguish about? Is it not clear that Paul feels passionately to the depth of his being that Jews must be evangelized, that you must share the gospel with Jewish people no matter what it costs? And what did it cost Paul? I think it cost him his life. Cost him his life. Old Testament blessings are limited. The list of those blessings, is not enough to save your soul. It's magnificent and wonderful, but it's not enough to save your soul. III. Application Now, what application can we take from Romans 9, especially four and five. Well, first of all, can I urge you to thank God that you're in a covenant with better promises than these? Thank God for the New Covenant, thank God that Jesus came to be mediator of a better covenant than all of these promises, as it says in Hebrews 7:22. Thank God, it says in Hebrews 8:6, "But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which He is mediator, is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises." We have a better covenant, we have better promises now better than these. Promises of the New Covenant are overwhelming and better. And you know why? Because they reach right into our souls, and they take out our heart of flesh and they give us a heart of stone, and they give us a heart of flesh, that we can obey. Other than that, it just stands on the outside. And do you really think you as a nation would have done any better than the Jews? I tell you no, but because of the blessings of the New Covenant, we have eternal life. So be thankful. But secondly, like Paul is going to say later in Romans 11, "Don't be arrogant but be afraid." Remember how he puts up the image of a healthy olive tree with all of this redemptive history and the sap flowing through in these natural branches, the branches are getting stripped off, stripped off and then these wild branches from who knows where are being grafted into this Jewish olive tree and sap is flowing up through them. And you will say, he says in Romans 11, "Branches were broken off so I could be grafted in," granted. Interesting, he says, "Granted." "But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you Gentiles, as a whole, you stand by faith, do not be arrogant but be afraid for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either." Now, what do I mean? It's not that we should say, "Hey we're in first place now, and there in the back," that's not it. Rather, realize what's happened to Israel, realize that because they rejected what God was doing, they stand in the present situation that they're in, and therefore, if today, you hear His voice, don't harden your heart, you individual Gentiles who call yourselves Christians, follow Jesus today, follow Him, walk with Him day by day, and serve Him. Thirdly, can I urge you to evangelize your children? Do you know that no one gets saved because they had a Jew for a father? And do you know that no one gets saved because they have a Christian for a father either? You understand what I'm saying? You Christian parents, you're bringing your children to church, praise God for that, praise God for that. The central purpose of your family should be the glory of God at this point when your children are growing, the glory of God in the conversion and discipleship of your children, that's your first greatest purpose. Evangelize your children. What benefit, what good would it be to gain the whole world and lose your family? So, you're out doing ministry do it, but don't assume just because they are kind of under the New Covenant blessings. Hebrews 6:4-6 lists how you can be enlightened, and taste the heavenly gift, and you can go through all these things and still be reprobate, you can still turn away. And can I speak to you children? You're coming here right now because your parents make you right? I hope you're coming also because you delight in the Word of God, because you delight to be here, because you want to be here, because there will come a time when you'll be out from under your parental authority, and you can be whatever you choose to be. You don't have to go to church then, but just having a Christian mommy and daddy doesn't get you to Heaven, you must repent. You must believe, you must follow yourself because you know if God didn't spare the Jews because they didn't believe, because of their heritage and their ancestry is not going to spare Gentile unbelievers either. Finally can I urge you to be active in prayer for and evangelism to Israel. Be willing to share the gospel with Jews. I was on a plane flight coming back from China and sitting next to a Jewish woman, and we introduced each other, and we started talking. I kind of felt sorry for her because she was in the window seat and I was in a middle seat and she was there with me for I guess about 10 hours. So, and when the conversation began, I started talking to her about Christian things, and she said "Oh I'm Jewish." Meaning, you don't need to talk to me about this. Shot it down, I said, "Oh great, I'm talking to the right person." It didn't end the conversation, that began the conversation. If you're ever going door to door, you're witnessing a coworker or a roommate or a classmate, or something and they say, "I'm Jewish," they think that ends the conversation. I'm telling you, it begins it. You have so much to work with, you have so much to work with. You have all of those prophecies. Say "Well have you ever read that vision of the Son of Man in Daniel 7? "The what?" "Well, let's look at it." And you can ask them about Isaiah 53. You start looking at it with them. It's not the end of the conversation, folks, it's the beginning of the conversation. And let me tell you something. God has His elect among the Jews, too, He says, "Has God rejected His people?" Romans 11 He says, "No, by no means, I'm an Israelite too." He's still saving Jews, but He saves them through the hearing and believing of the gospel. So can I urge you Gentiles, be like Paul, "My heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is their salvation." And then evangelize with courage and conviction. Don't let that be the stop when they tell you, "I'm Jewish," say, "Praise God. Let's go on and talk." And you'll see a fruitful harvest. I trust.