Podcasts about his son

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260101dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Galatians 4:4-5 The Greatest Christmas Gift Many people assume Christmas is just a single day, December 25th, or perhaps two if you count Christmas Eve. But it is, in fact, a season of twelve days. Today is the eighth day of Christmas, and God has another present for you to unwrap: the greatest gift of all. This gift arrives “when the set time had fully come.” Not a moment too late or too soon, the gift came at a specific, perfect moment in history, precisely when it was most needed. The gift came from God, because “God sent.” He did all the work; all you do is receive it. What did he send? “His Son, born of a woman.” The eternal God took on human flesh and blood. He who had no beginning suddenly had a birthday, an age, a hometown, and a body confined to time and space. The One who fills heaven and earth humbled himself to dwell among us. This humbling involved being “born under law.” That means he placed himself beneath the very commandments he authored and lived a life of perfect obedience. Jesus wasn’t your Savior only for the six hours he spent on the cross; he spent thirty-three years before that fulfilling the law in your place, as your Substitute. Every commandment you break, he kept flawlessly for you. Why this perfect obedience? “To redeem those under the law.” That’s all of humanity, including you. We are all under God’s law and guilty of breaking it. So, Jesus kept that law for us and bore its punishment on the cross, buying our freedom from our slavery to sin. The glorious result? “That we might receive adoption to sonship.” That’s amazing! In his Son, God the Father has given you the greatest Christmas gift of all: He made you a member of his family. No longer a slave, you are now an heir of forgiveness, peace, comfort, hope, and the everlasting riches of heaven. Prayer: Son of God, thank you for being born under the law to redeem me and make me an heir of heaven. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

It's your choice to choose God or not, but I'm suggesting since you've tried everything and nothing has helped, why not try God!! The only way to God is through His Son, Jesus! I pray each of you be blessed and grow in leaps and bounds!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/relationships-and-relatable-life-chronicles--4126439/support.

In Genesis 3 we have the record of how sin first entered the world through the yielding to temptation by the first created humans - Adam and Eve. The Apostle Paul says also, that at this time death also first came to the Adamic creation as a result of sin - Romans 5verses12. Adam and Eve after their creation - Adam from the dust (Genesis 2verses7), and Eve from Adam's side during a God-induced sleep (2verses20-25) - the man unable to find a suitable partner from the lesser creation; and feeling first, lonely; then joyous with a compatible companion. Chapter 3 commences with an introduction to the snake, who at that era had great powers of observation; limited reasoning capacity; and the ability to talk. The snake suggested that Adam and Eve were being deceived and held back by the Elohim (God). And so, after seeing the fruit of the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" was attractive (pleasant to the eyes); it was good, and an excellent quality (good for food); and its clinching appeal - "a tree to be desired to make one wise" (the pride of life. Paul tells us in Philippians 2 that Adam and Eve grasped for equality with God - which thing our Lord Jesus Christ never did when tempted. The Apostle John tells us in his first letter chapter 2verses15-17 that all temptation and sin fall in one or more of these categories. Having sinned they were expelled from the garden; James tells us in chapter 1 the process of sin within every human mind - verses 13-15. Having disobeyed God, He the Almighty must in justice enforce the law He had given. Adam and Eve now had the sentence of death activated within them - this is called "mortality". What was possible before transgressing was now "a law within them" (Romans 7verses21-25) - i.e. now an inevitability. The human race now found that from this point forward all descendants from the first human parents found that sin cannot be overcome in their lives every time that each of us is subjected to temptation - Romans 6 tells us that they were bond slaves to sin. It required God to produce a Saviour, His Son, who although bearing the bias to sin within himself; this being the entail of the effects of Adam and Eve's first sin, would himself be sinless - though Jesus was of our identical nature (Hebrews 2verses12-18.

If you consider yourself a religious person, boy, have I got good news for you! Recent research indicates that those who consider themselves religious tend to have lower blood pressure than the rest of the population, they are less likely to be obese, to have cancer, to be hospitalized, and they have a 29% greater chance to live longer! And religious people (it says) tend to have lower rates of depression, less suicide, greater sexual satisfaction in their marriage, and overall a greater sense of well-being. What do you know, Jesus was right when He said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness" and "Blessed are the pure in heart" (Matthew 5:6, 8). Lots of good news if you're a religious person, and some very disturbing bad news. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Bad News About Being Religious." That bad news comes through loud and clear and it's in our word for today from the Word of God. It's in Matthew 7:21-23. Jesus is describing some horrible surprises when some religious folks stand before God. Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you.'" The unsettling bad news is this: some very religious people will be stopped at the gates of heaven! These are clearly people who know a lot about Jesus...who've done a lot of things in Jesus' name...who are, no doubt, considered to be Christians by the people who know them. Except for one thing - Jesus says, "I never knew you." Somehow, in the middle of lots of Christianity, it is possible to miss Christ. It's possible to be very religious, very involved with Christian things, and to miss Jesus and to miss heaven! How does this happen? Jesus said that what these people missed was "doing the will of my Father in heaven." Well, in John 6:40, Jesus tells us exactly what that is. "My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life." That's what God the Father wants. That's what He demands as the only way to get into heaven. It's not doing Christian things or believing Christian beliefs or observing Christian rituals. It's putting your total trust in His Son as your only hope of having eternal life. That's the problem with some of us church folks - we're actually counting on our Christianity, our church attendance, our spiritual track record as the thing that will make us right with God. But none of it can do that. That's why Jesus came. Your sins and mine carry a horrible, eternal death penalty in hell; one which can't be paid by any amount of human goodness, but only by Jesus' death on the cross. It may be that for all your years of being around Jesus, of agreeing with Jesus, you've never grabbed Jesus like a drowning person would grab a lifeguard. You've never told Him you're abandoning any trust you have in your religion or your goodness and you're putting your total trust in Him to be your rescuer from your sin. If you've never taken that step, if you're not sure you've taken that step that makes all the difference, would you do it today? "Jesus, I abandon all hope but You. I now come to you totally on the basis of your death on the cross and your resurrection. I turn from my sin to You controlling the rest of my life." I hope you move Him from your head to your heart today. You know what? I'd love to help you make that commitment to Christ and cross that line to belonging to Him. That's actually why our website is there. It's ANewStory.com. Would you go there today?

Our Election in Christ (1) (audio) David Eells 12/31/25 I'm going to talk to you today about our election in Christ. There is much false teaching and many misconceptions in Christianity about the doctrine of predestination, which includes calling and election, yet it's actually been a general power in my life to understand it. It's given me more faith in the Lord and more fear of the Lord. Much of the church, especially in America, rejects and even fights against it. Predestination is opposed by the Armenian doctrine or the “freewillers,” as they are called, but when you look around, you don't see the free will that people say that they have because everybody is serving something. Jesus said in (Mat.12:30) He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. So you are either serving Him or you are serving the devil. (Psa.51:5 KJV) Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Someone who is bound in sin is not free to make a godly choice; the ability to do that comes from God Himself and it's a gift. (Joh.15:16) Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. Although experientially it does seem to us that we chose Him, that just lets you know how easy it is for God to put His will in you. (Joh.15:19) If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. You see, not only did He choose us, but in effect, He didn't choose someone else. Out of the whole world, He chose us. Several years ago, I heard something that has really stayed with me. I was listening to a lady talking to her adopted son, and she was trying to explain this to him. She said, “Most moms and dads don't have much of a choice. They just have to settle for what they get. But we chose you; out of all that we knew, we chose you.” That's the way it is between God and us. He didn't just settle for what came along. God knows how this universe goes on the way it does, and He foreknows the end of it. He's the God (Rom.4:17) … who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were. And He tells us, (Isa.46:9) … for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; (10) declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. He chose us and He put His will in us. He chose us for what we will be; He chose us for what we will become by the grace of God. It was not the will of man that caused us to come to Jesus, it was the will of God. Paul writes (Php.2:13) … it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. And He's been doing that since before our Christian beginning. (Joh.1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he the right (The Greek word there is exousia and it means “authority.”) to become children of God, [even] to them that believe on his name. You need to have authority to become a child of God, and only God gives authority to everyone who believes on His name because faith is a gift of God. (Joh.1:13) Who were born, not of blood (Our new birth is not like the Israelites, who had to be born into a family who made them a part of the Covenant.), nor of the will of the flesh.... Now, nothing in our flesh causes us to come to God. (Rom.8:7) Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be. Our flesh is the enemy of God, and you would never choose to come to God, especially when you were totally bound in sin. The only One who could set you free is Jesus. (Joh.8:36) If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Back to (Joh.1:13) Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. This choice to come to God was no part of man; it came from God. God put a holy choice in an unholy person. If we had gone on doing our own will, our will would have always led to sin and to never serving anyone else but ourselves. It was God who reached in from the outside and put a will in us to come to Him. Romans 9 is one of the most avoided chapters in the Bible because of all the false teaching coming from the pulpits. People read Romans 9 with their preconceived ideas from their religion, so they can't understand it. If you drop all that and just read what it says, you will be able to understand it. (Rom.9:6) But [it is] not as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel (The same thing can be said about the Church.): (7) neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. (8) That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. (Rom.9:9) For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. (10) And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac– (11) for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, (12) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13) Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. Before any of their works Jacob was chosen. The doctrine of Arminianism says that God foreknows the future, and He predestines according to what He foreknows is going to happen or what we will do in the future. This is ridiculous when you think about it. If it was foreknown to happen anyway, why would He have to predestine it? “Predestine” or “foreordain” are two translations of the same Greek word proorizo, which means “to decide the destiny before it comes; to ordain the destiny before it comes to pass.” It doesn't mean that God looked ahead and saw what was going to happen and who would do good. Salvation would have been by works. Truly, God already knows what's going to happen because He does not dwell in time. Jacob didn't always do good but God chose him for what He would make out of him. Remember, God speaks the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). (Rom.8:29) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained (or “predestined”) [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. That means those whom He knew before the creation, He ordained at that point, so it's not because of their works. It's not based on whether they had done anything good or bad as we just saw. I did a diligent search when I first discovered this in the Scriptures. I decided I was going to be open-minded, and I was going to see what the Bible really had to say about the subject. I wanted to see why God chose me. So I searched and I searched for the reason why God chose me above someone else and I found out, (Eph.2:3) Among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. You see, there is no reason, physically speaking, why God would choose one person over another. I discovered that one “dirt” is just as good as the next “dirt.” It's not the dirt that counts; it's what you are sowing in it. God is interested in creating the spiritual man, which has nothing to do with your old life. The new life is born-again from above and that's the spiritual man. The spiritual man, who is created in the likeness of Christ, is born of the Word. He's born from above and has nothing to do with the old nature. I was looking for a reason why God would choose me above someone else and found there is no reason. (Rom.9:21) Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? God claims the right to make whatever vessel He wants out of this same lump of clay. That means there was no difference in our natural life that caused God to choose us above anybody else. (Rom.9:14) What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15) For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. (16) So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy. After we are born again, I think God spends a lot of time teaching us that it's not by our willpower. We try to save ourselves by our willpower and it doesn't work. We eventually learn that we are to walk by faith, or we won't receive what we're looking for. Some people think grace starts after you choose God, but it starts before you choose God. Otherwise, you wouldn't choose God. (Eph.2:8) For by grace (This is the Greek word charis and it means “unmerited [or unearned] favor.”) have ye been saved.... It's not that you are saved but that you have been saved. The ancient manuscripts and the Numeric text both say this, but the KJV says, “are saved.” No, you were saved, and it was by grace. (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God. So, since we were saved by grace and it's a gift of God, that doesn't give us a reason to look down on anyone else, does it? And it doesn't give us a reason to condemn anyone in the world. It's strictly a gift from God and this gift is given to us (Eph.2:5) Even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.... When Christ was resurrected is when He “made us alive together with Christ.” (5) … (by grace have ye been saved), (6) and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly [places,] in Christ Jesus: (7) that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (And now, we are the benefactors of this grace that was given in Christ 2,000 years ago. The people who were saved, were saved 2,000 years ago. People who are manifesting salvation now were saved then.): (8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; (9) not of works, that no man should glory. Nobody will be able to brag about this salvation. We are depending upon God now as much as we were then. We have to cry out to God to give us grace to be obedient and to serve Him. He says in (Joh.15:4) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them. God prepared the works of His Chosen. God wrote your name in the Book of Life from before the foundation of the world (Psalm 69:28; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 20:12). Manifestly, it's being written in the Book of Life when you come to God, but your name was written from before the foundation of the world, just as God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.” (Eph.1:4) Even as he chose (This is the Greek verb eklego of the noun eklektos and it means “I pick out for myself, choose, elect, select.”) us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love. God chose us in Him and that means He didn't choose all. Some of you are probably asking, “But what about the ‘calling'?” I was told that God's call goes out to the whole earth to bring people to Christ. Well, that's just not true. I looked up every verse in the New Testament about “calling,” and that word is not used that way at all. (2Ti.1:9) Who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal. Notice it says here, “who saved us, and called us.” According to the doctrines of most religions, we are called and then saved; however, this invitation is to Christians only. The Greek word for “called” here is kaleo and it means “invitation.” We see in the parables of Jesus that only His people are kaleo, or “invited,” to partake of the Marriage Feast (Matthew 22:1-14; Revelation 19:9). Every place in the Bible where the word kaleo is used, everyone who was called came to Christ. They were already a Christian. When we go out and call (or invite) people through the Gospel to come to Christ, some accept and some don't, and we're finding out that those who accept are those who have His calling and the others do not. (Eph.1:18) Having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. So He saved us, then He called us and we're going to see that all the called are not necessarily going to be chosen, but all the elect will be chosen. (Mat.22:14) For many are called, but few chosen. The word “chosen” there is the same Greek word used above; it's the word eklektos, and it means “elect.” The difference between the called and the elect is that all of the elect are called, but not all of the called are the elect. Those who are saved have an invitation to partake of all of Jesus. As Christians, we are called to partake of His body and blood, which is His nature, His character and His power. The world cannot partake of that invitation; it's not even extended to them because this invitation is a Covenant offering. (Rom.10:20) And Isaiah is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I became manifest unto them that asked not of me. That shows the power of God because we did not seek Him. That shows we were not seeking Him when we found Him. It was Jesus Who came for His lost sheep. (Luk.19:10) For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost. We were the lost sheep. Think about the conversion of Apostle Paul on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1-30), You say, “God can save anybody!” God went to extremes in order to make Paul His child and His emissary to the world. Truly, God can save anybody He wants to, and He will. We didn't seek Him and the Gentiles didn't seek Him. (1Co.4:6) Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not [to go] beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other. (7) For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it? Why should we be puffed up about our salvation? What do we have that we didn't receive? Nothing. We think that we chose Christ. Some people look upon the lost and wonder why they cannot understand what's being said. They're thinking, “Why won't the lost be reasonable?” In a way, they're condemning the lost because they don't realize that only by the grace and mercy of God did they receive what they have. When you understand that you can't convert anybody by your works, you know to first go to God. By your works, you can fill up churches, but you can't convert anybody that way. Salvation is a gift from God. (Rom.11:35) Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? Everything comes from Him. There is nothing that God is ever going to owe anybody. (36) For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him [be] the glory for ever. Amen. Everything came from Him and everything is going back to Him. It didn't come from us and this takes away all room for pride. The first choice we made for God, the first desire we had for God, didn't come from us. It came from Him, and He can put that in anyone. This takes away all reason for pride because it's totally, 100% by God's grace. A good example is (Psa.65:4) Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach [unto thee,] That he may dwell in thy courts.... The choice comes from God first. He causes us to approach unto Him and dwell in His courts. Salvation from the curse in every form has already been given to us by faith. We need to pray to God to give us the grace to be what we need to be. (Joh.10:16) And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring (Notice that Jesus is talking about doing this in the future. These sheep weren't saved yet because He said, “I must bring.”), and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. In the days ahead, we are going to see that one flock and one shepherd, but when we study Ezekiel 34, we find that the Lord talks about how His flock was spoiled by shepherds who were doing their own will. (Eze.34:2) Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel (a type of the Church), prophesy, and say unto them, even to the shepherds, Thus saith the Lord God: Woe unto the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the sheep? (3) Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill the fatlings; but ye feed not the sheep. (4) The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought back that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with rigor have ye ruled over them. The Lord says that He is going to take all those fruitless shepherds away, and He, Himself, has promised to personally be the Shepherd of His flock. (Eze.34:11) For thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. (12) As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will deliver them out of all places whither they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. (13) And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited places of the country. (14) I will feed them with good pasture; and upon the mountains of the height of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie down in a good fold; and on fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. (15) I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. (16) I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but the fat and the strong I will destroy; I will feed them in justice. So, the Lord is going to have physical shepherds to do this. They will be men who are vessels through whom the Spirit of the Lord is going to flow, and they will not be doing their own will. In that way, God is going to have one flock and one shepherd. But the point I want you to see here is that when Jesus says, “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold,” these are people in the future who are going to come because they were given to Him back then; you belonged to Jesus back then. (2Ti.1:9) Who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal. Some people think, “Okay, I'm predestined and there's nothing I have to worry about. I can just sit back and take it easy.” They are justifying their doctrine of “once saved, always saved.” They don't understand that God has methods to predestine. He uses those methods to predestine, and if you ignore His methods, you will not be predestined. Calvin and Luther, the people who made predestination famous, were accused of believing “once saved, always saved,” but that's not what they believed. They taught God's methods of predestination and here's one of them: Jesus said, (Joh.10:26) But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep. The people who didn't believe Jesus were not His sheep. (27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.... Jesus' sheep have ears to hear. They hear and they follow, and the rest do not. If you teach only what Jesus taught, you will be able to recognize those who are His sheep and those who are not. Those who do not hear are the self-willed. They're going to be like the son of perdition who sits in the temple of God. (2Th.2:3) Let no man beguile you in any wise: for [it will not be,] except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, (4) he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God. He is his own God for he does his own will. We've seen that here with the Unleavened Bread Bible Studies. Some people have their own ideas and as long as we adhered to the Scriptures, they just left, which needed to happen. If it wasn't that way, a little leaven would leaven the whole lump (1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9). Jesus said, (Luk.12:51) Think ye that I am come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division. And the way He came to bring division was to use the Word like a sword. (Eph.6:17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And so He says, (Joh.10:27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (28) and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. You probably recognize that verse the “once saved, always saved” crowd uses to justify their doctrine, but Jesus is talking about His sheep. “No one shall snatch them out of my hand” and no one can snatch them out of His hand. These are the elect; they are the chosen of God. It's not possible for them to be snatched out His hand because they hear and they follow. (Jas.1:18) Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. By His will, not our will, He brought us forth by the Word of truth. His method is to give you the gift of ears to hear the Word of truth (Deuteronomy 29:4; Matthew 13:15; Romans 11:8; etc.) In the latter days of Israel, having ears to hear is what separated those Israelites who were going into the New Testament from those who would not. And in these latter days of the Gentile Church, having ears to hear is once again separating between those who are going to go on with God and those who do not belong to God. Those who are not part of the elect are going to be drawn aside. (Joh.8:31) Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him ... (43) Why do ye not understand my speech? It's amazing to me how sometimes people just can't understand you when you are saying something very simple, but if they have ears to hear, they understand, and if they don't have ears to hear, they can't understand. Now, sometimes, because of someone's age in the Lord, their understanding may not be very deep; however, anyone who knows God should be able to understand the basic principles. (Joh.8:43) Why do ye not understand my speech? [Even] because ye cannot hear my word. They didn't have the gift of ears to hear. (44) Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do.... I've learned that most people have a blockage for why they don't hear. I know because it's happened to me when I was young and had a false doctrine. To the extent that someone clings to a pet doctrine, to that extent they won't hear and they won't believe anything that challenges their doctrine. Then also there can be a bigger blockage. (47) He that is of God heareth the words of God: for this cause ye hear [them] not, because ye are not of God. That's how God divides between the sheep. People who don't hear the Word of God, people who don't put the Word of God before their own thinking and their own religion, they are not of God. That's how Jesus discovered who was of God, and it's still the same today. Jesus says in (Joh.13:17) If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them. (18) I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen (This is again the Greek eklego, which is the verb of the noun eklektos, and it means “I pick out for myself; choose, elect.”): but that the scripture may be fulfilled: He that eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me. Jesus knew whom He had chosen, and He knew Judas was going to fall away. Judas was “called,” kaleo, but he was not “elect,” eklektos. (Joh.6:70) Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil? (71) Now he spake of Judas [the son] of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that should betray him, [being] one of the twelve. Jesus understood that Judas was a son of the devil, yet He chose him to walk among the 12. (Joh.13:18) I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen.... He went on to explain that He was not speaking of Judas, who never had ears to hear. (Joh.6:63) It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life. (64) But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him. (65) And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father. Let me point out to you that it's not who receives the call and starts out with you who is chosen; it's who is still with you at the end. (2Jn.7) For many deceivers are gone forth into the world.... John is talking about leaving Christianity. (1Jn.2:18) Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour. (19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they went out,] that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. “They” here is referring to antichrists. The Beast is antichrist in the world, but antichrist in the Church is this son of perdition. (2Jn.7) For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, [even] they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. (8) Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward. (9) Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. So it's not “he who began with you” who is chosen; it's “he that abideth in the teaching.” Some people say they love the Word and seem very eager to study the Word, but there comes a point where they decide not to go any deeper, usually because it comes against their flesh. You know, lost people like knowledge. They like knowing things that other people don't know because it gives them a reason to be puffed up. The son of perdition likes knowledge, but when it comes to knowledge that demands a change in their life, that's where those people start filtering out, as the Bible says: (1Jn.2:19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they went out,] that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. (2Jn.9) Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. “He that abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God.” This is saying you have to be obedient to have the Father and the Son. Antichrist are those who go out from among you and are denying the Father and the Son because they are not obedient to the Word. Remember that Jesus said, (Joh.14:15) If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. (23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. That's not a promise to those who are disobedient or to those who start out and don't finish the course. That's a promise to those who endure until the end. (Mat.24:13) But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. (1Co.1:23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness; (24) but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. People who are called understand the wisdom of the Gospel, but to the rest, it's foolishness and a stumblingblock. You may preach the Gospel to somebody today, and they won't come, but they might come later on because the right foundation was finally laid and the right timing has finally come. Just because someone doesn't accept the Gospel today doesn't mean that they're forever lost but only the called are going to come. Only the called have salvation. A good example of that is, (26) For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called:].... It's not many who are called to begin with. The calling is not to all. The calling is internal; the calling is a gift from God to those who are saved. The Bible never says all are called. Everything in this world was created for the purpose of manifesting sons of God and everything that Paul did was toward that purpose. He said in (2Ti.2:10) Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. God called His Son out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1), but then He tried Him in the wilderness to find out who was going to go on to the Promised Land. Those who went on into the Promised Land were God's elect. His whole purpose was for the elect, not for those who fell away in the wilderness. You see, God's grace has been given to all those who are called, but it's the elect among the called who are going to take advantage of it and that's the difference. Paul dealt with many, but everything he did was for the few, the elect. God used Paul to fulfill His purpose. (Joh.6:37) All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. You will know those who the Father gave to Jesus because they shall come to Jesus. This is very interesting because the phrase “come to me” is used many places in Scripture. Jesus told the Jews in (Joh.5:39) Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me; (40) and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life. That was obvious about most of the Jews then, who totally rejected everything that Jesus said. And it's obvious about those people today who reject everything that Jesus said, but did you know that some of those people who walked with Jesus, even as disciples, wouldn't come to Him? (Joh.6:66) Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Notice: 666. Only Father can cause a person to come to Jesus: (Joh.6:39) And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. (40) For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (44) No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. It's not possible for anyone to come unto Jesus, except the Father draws them. It is possible for them to come to church and to believe many doctrines. They can go to an altar and accept Jesus as their Savior, even though we don't see anything in the Scriptures about that. But people will not come unto Jesus unless they are drawn by God.

15 And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us.Et factum est, ut discesserunt ab eis angeli in caelum : pastores loquebantur ad invicem : Transeamus usque Bethlehem, et videamus hoc verbum, quod factum est, quod Dominus ostendit nobis. 16 And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.Et venerunt festinantes : et invenerunt Mariam, et Joseph, et infantem positum in praesepio. 17 And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child.Videntes autem cognoverunt de verbo, quod dictum erat illis de puero hoc. 18 And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.Et omnes qui audierunt, mirati sunt : et de his quae dicta erant a pastoribus ad ipsos. 19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.Maria autem conservabat omnia verba haec, conferens in corde suo. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.Et reversi sunt pastores glorificantes et laudantes Deum in omnibus quae audierant et viderant, sicut dictum est ad illos.Let us go with the shepherds to the infant Jesus; the Lord manifested to these shepherds the incarnation of His Son. Let us go with haste and adore Him in the crib.

Isaiah 40-55 | Salvation Comes Through God's Servant - God reveals His plan to send His Son to comfort and save His people to encourage them beyong their current circumstances.Message by Anthony Webb, Pastor Ariah Park Baptist Church

New beginnings in Christ aren’t just inspirational ideas—they’re biblical promises rooted in spiritual renewal, freedom from sin, and transformation through Jesus. Drawing from Ephesians 4:20–24, this devotional explores what God says about new beginnings, reminding believers that faith in Christ creates a new identity, a renewed mind, and a real opportunity to leave the old life behind. Highlights Scripture teaches that salvation in Christ creates a new self, not a slightly improved version of the old one. God offers new mercies every morning, providing forgiveness, restoration, and fresh opportunity. Sin, trauma, and unhealthy patterns do not have the final word—renewal through Christ is possible. Change may feel difficult or impossible, but God supplies the strength to walk in newness of life. New beginnings require belief, trust, and intentional steps rooted in God’s truth. Choosing God’s promises over fear allows spiritual growth and lasting transformation. Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: What God Says about New Beginnings By Aaron D’Anthony Brown Bible Reading:“But that is not how you came to know Christ, assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.” (Ephesians 4:20-24, CSB) There’s plenty to appreciate about new things, like the smell of a new car or the feel of new clothes. This is all the more true of a new marriage or a newborn baby. Newness in life can be and often is good and exciting. Yet, while we can usually appreciate new material things or relationships, we don’t always show the same gratitude toward the newness found in God. The newness that is God. Perhaps that is because we don’t fully fathom what He says about new beginnings. Scripture tells us how the Lord creates within us a “new self,” and how He offers “new mercies” every morning. He takes off the shackles of sin that once defined us and helps us become better image-bearers of His Son. The old self was corrupted, but the new self was created in His righteousness. If our faith in Jesus Christ makes us new, then we don’t have to be like our old selves. Whatever sinful habits or unhealthy relationships or trauma that once seemed permanent can be undone. A new beginning is possible. Chances are, on an intellectual level, we believe in the new beginning because we know that change is possible. Yet, another part of us says that change is hard. And oftentimes not just hard, but seemingly impossible. That’s when we have to remember, “I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). If God makes us new and grants us the power to walk in that newness, then we should ask ourselves, “Why aren’t we?” Fear? Laziness? Ignorance? If we are new, then we are not stuck in the old. We can grow. We can embrace a new beginning. After reading Scripture and understanding that God makes us new, the next step is figuring out how to apply this knowledge to our lives. Intersecting Faith & Life: Here are a few ways you can apply God’s new beginnings to your life starting today: Thank God for new mercies. Today doesn’t have to be like yesterday, and tomorrow doesn’t have to be like today. If God grants us new mercies, we would be foolish not to accept them. That means mercy in the form of forgiveness, mercy in the form of a chance to right our wrongs, mercy in the form of seeing another day. The average life expectancy for Americans may be around 80, but no day is guaranteed. That should caution us to make the most of each day we are given. Not using it as an opportunity to serve the flesh or our old way of being, but striving to be something better, someone new. Thank God that His mercies are new every morning and make wise use of them. Thank God for new opportunities. With every new day comes an opportunity to do something different. Maybe yesterday brought a contentious argument with a spouse or a relapse in addiction, but today doesn’t have to follow the same pattern. Today can be different, because the past does not predict the future. We often see new beginnings as impossible until we’re in them, but paradoxically, not believing in the new beginning prevents us from reaching it in the first place. Recall and thank God for the new opportunities He has given you in the past, whether in relationships, jobs, or financial security. Remember those past blessings and use them to encourage yourself today. If a new beginning was possible before, indeed it can happen again. Be encouraged that you are new. Understanding that you have been and are being made new every day will feel hard to believe some days, but we have to press forward. Newness means something to God, and He delights in His children growing in the likeness of His Son. The sinful part of you may say that isn’t true, but if you have to ask yourself, “Do I want to believe sin, or do I want to believe God?” Which would you pick? If you pick God, then choose to embrace your new beginning today. Further Reading (and Listening): Jeremiah 29:11 2 Corinthians 5:17 Isaiah 43:18-19 “God Gave Us A Future” by Marvin Winans & The Perfected Praise Choir “Sunday is Coming” by Phil Wickham Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

With December 25th behind us on the calendar what do we do with Christmas? Where did all the tidings of Joy, giving to those in need, and the desire for more Jesus go? Christmas is a way, not a day, it is Yahweh! Today, on Like It Matters Radio, Mr. Black wants to encourage listeners to stay in the Christmas Spirit. Christmas is a WAY, not a DAY, it is YAHWEH! People need HOPE and HEAT no matter the time of year. We live in a dark, bitter, and self-absorbed world. There are wars, and death, there are marriages and divorces, there is sickness and health. There are good people doing bad things, and there are healthy people taking their lives because of feelings of despair. Helpless and Hopeless, war ravaging our families, our communities and our countries. God sent His Son to HEAL and to SAVE. As followers of Jesus, we get to be his hands and his feet, throughout the year, not just December 24-25 of each year. On today’s Hour of Power, Mr. Black will be joined by Michael Johnson President of the Slavic Gospel Association, with a focus on the children of Ukraine. Listeners today will be inspired and will be entertained, but they will also be called to stay in the Christmas Spirit and to bring some Heat and Hope to the children of Ukraine, to our fellow citizens and to our families! Enjoy today’s Inspiration, Education and Application as Mr. Black encourages listeners to stay in the Christmas Spirit and remember: Christmas is NOT a day, it is a WAY, it is YAHWEH! Be sure to Like and Follow us on our facebook page!www.facebook.com/limradio Instagram @likeitmattersradioTwitter @likeitmatters Get daily inspiration from our blog www.wayofwarrior.blog Learn about our non profit work at www.givelikeitmatters.com Check out our training website www.LikeItMatters.Net Always available online at www.likeitmattersradio.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The only meaning, the true logos, is God. The true logos is what we believe as Christians, the baby Jesus. He is the logos made flesh. That is what we celebrate, that that is the profound meaning. That is a foundation meaning for everything in our lives. God loves us so much that He did not just send a messenger, He sent His very self, His Son. (Read more…) Here is my homily from the Christmas Day Mass. I hope you can enjoy it.

Sermon Summary: “Who Hijacked Christmas?”   Christians Reclaimed Christmas The sermon explains that Christmas was not stolen from Christianity—Christians intentionally reclaimed it. Long before Christ, pagan cultures celebrated the winter solstice with fleshly festivals. Believers stepped into that moment and redirected the season to focus on God sending His Son. Rather than abandoning the season, the church redeemed it for truth. The Birth Matters Because the Resurrection Matters While the resurrection is the greatest event in history, the birth had to happen first. Christmas is celebrated not because of a date on the calendar, but because without the birth there is no cross, no empty tomb, and no salvation. Celebrating Christ's birth honors the beginning of God's redemptive plan. Defending the Virgin Birth A central emphasis of the sermon is the virgin birth. Jesus was not merely born—He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. This supernatural conception is essential to Christianity. If Jesus is not born of a virgin, He is not the Son of God and Christianity becomes just another religion. The church historically elevated Christmas to defend this truth when it came under attack. Jesus Is the Good Shepherd and God's Gift Through John 10 and the illustration of the candy cane, the sermon teaches that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. The red represents His blood, the white His purity, and the shepherd's staff His care and protection. Jesus came to give abundant life and eternal life. Celebration Is Biblical Just as Israel celebrated God's miracles (such as Hanukkah), believers are encouraged to celebrate God's greatest miracle—Jesus Christ. Celebration does not equal compromise. Giving gifts reflects God's nature, because God loved and gave first. Materialism is a heart issue, not a Christmas issue. The Unseen Became Seen The sermon highlights that Christmas marks the moment when the unseen God became visible. Jesus stepped into human history, walked in our shoes, suffered, and redeemed humanity. His coming proves God did not abandon a fallen world but entered it to save it. Stand for Christ in Every Season Believers are called to stand boldly for Jesus—not just at Christmas, but in every moment of life. The world is imperfect, but Christians are light in darkness, using every opportunity to point others to Christ rather than withdrawing from culture. The Greatest Gift Still Offered The message concludes by reminding listeners that Jesus is still healing, delivering, restoring, and saving. He is the Anointed One who sets captives free. Christmas ultimately declares that God sent His Son as a ransom, offering forgiveness, healing, and eternal life to all who believe.     This sermon explains that Christians did not lose Christmas—they redeemed it. While many cultures celebrated pagan festivals around the winter solstice, believers intentionally reclaimed the season to celebrate the greatest gift ever given: Jesus Christ. Though Jesus was likely not born in December, the timing does not diminish the meaning. The focus is on why we celebrate, not the calendar date. The message emphasizes that the birth of Jesus is essential, because without the birth there could be no death, resurrection, or salvation. Christmas matters because it defends the virgin birth, which confirms Jesus as the only begotten Son of God, distinct from every other religious leader. If the virgin birth is denied, Christianity collapses into just another religion. Using Scripture from Isaiah, Luke, and John, the sermon highlights Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the Anointed One (Messiah), and God's help sent into the world. His supernatural conception, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection reveal that the unseen God became seen in human form. The sermon challenges believers not to abandon Christmas because of materialism or cultural misuse. A fallen world will always distort good things, but that does not negate truth. Instead, Christians are called to stand up in every moment—holidays, workplaces, families, and culture—to proclaim Christ. The message closes with a call to endurance and bold faith, urging believers to let God heal their wounds, stop focusing on imperfections, and consistently testify that Jesus is the Son of God, born of a virgin, crucified, resurrected, and still saving today. Christmas is not about traditions—it is about celebrating God's greatest gift to humanity.

In this Christmas teaching, Francis Chan invites us to slow down and truly adore Jesus. To not just believe in Him, but respond to the God who first came after us. Reflecting on the meaning of ”Emmanuel, God with us,” Francis explains how God has always been the initiator: creating humanity, pursuing us after the fall, dwelling among His people, sending His Son, and ultimately placing His Spirit within us. From the garden to the manger to the indwelling Holy Spirit, the story of Christmas is the story of a God who wants to be with us. This message reframes prayer, worship, and even repentance, not as efforts to earn God's attention, but as responses to His mercy, grace, and relentless love. As we celebrate Christmas, we're reminded that God is near, He is knocking, and He longs to pour His love into our hearts.

Advent Week 4: Love has been God's story from the beginning. From the moment of creation, God's love was part of the fabric of our world. His love turned the world inside out when He sent His Son to live among us—the God of the universe to be born in a stable, to die on the cross, and to rise again from the grave. It took love to disrupt and overturn the power of death and evil.Support the show

Jesus came to show us what God is like. His humble birth was not just a miracle—it was the climactic fulfillment of what God had been revealing for centuries. Throughout the Old Testament, God unveiled His character and purposes at key moments in Israel's story, pointing forward to the ultimate revelation in His Son.In this Advent series, we'll explore three of those foundational stories and discover how they find their fullness in the coming of Jesus—“the radiance of the glory of God” (Hebrews 1:3).Join us as we prepare our hearts for Christmas by seeing Christ through the lens of God's unfolding story of revelation and redemption.This final week's message GOD IS MORE HUMBLE THAN YOU THINK comes out of Luke 2:1-21.Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.rittmangrace.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rittman Grace Brethren Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rittmangrace⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RittmanGrace⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaXPiaa4z3iZMA4DkCihtHg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rittmangbc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Our Relationship with God Is Based Solely on Our Relationship with God, and He Desires to Have a Relationship with Each of Us MESSAGE SUMMARY: We may have a Godly father and mother, but our relationship with God is not based on their relationship with God; it is solely our relationship with God. God has given us covenants as a way to build our relationships. The people of Israel found out quickly that when they desired to live their lives apart from God that they brought disaster upon their lives. God is a covenant God. He will bless us if we obey Him; but if we disobey him, it leaves us to the consequences of our sin.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Exodus 19:5-6; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32; Nehemiah 9:26-32; Acts 3:22-26. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “A Christmas Message” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/    DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB 

This message is from our "God Gave" series.John 3:16 reveals a God who loved first, offering His Son so the world could know Him personally. In this series, we'll see salvation as a gift we receive through faith. We'll explore God's generous love and how it shapes our response as we give our first and best back to Him in gratitude and devotion.Crosspoint City is one church in multiple locations and we exist to relentlessly pursue those far from God to help them know and follow Jesus. To help support this mission and work, visit https://mycpcc.com/giveSTAY CONNECTED:Facebook: https://mycpcc.com/facebookInstagram: https://mycpcc.com/instagramTiktok: https://mycpcc.com/tiktok

What does it truly mean to say, “God is love”? Let's explore the depth of God's agape love—a love that's unconditional, sacrificial, and self-giving. God's love isn't merely an emotion but an action, most clearly revealed through the gift of His Son. As recipients of such overwhelming grace, we're called to imitate God's love by laying aside selfishness, extending forgiveness, and demonstrating Christlike love to one another. When we love as He has loved us, we can change the world.

This Sabbath Sunday, we invite you to join us online only as Pastor Preston concludes The Arrival series with a powerful message titled You Are Worth It All.At Liberty Church, we observe Sabbath Sundays as a way to intentionally create space for rest — giving our staff and volunteers time to be refreshed, spend meaningful time with their families, and enjoy the gift of Sabbath. While our teams rest, we gather online as one church family to reflect, worship, and receive from God.As we close this season of Advent and Christmas, we're reminded that the Christmas story is the greatest love story ever told — a Father who gave His Son, a Son who gave His life, and a love that was never meant to condemn, but to save. This message centers on the unshakable truth that we are the ones He loves, and because of that, we are worth it all.

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

This Sabbath Sunday, we invite you to join us online only as Pastor Preston concludes The Arrival series with a powerful message titled You Are Worth It All.At Liberty Church, we observe Sabbath Sundays as a way to intentionally create space for rest — giving our staff and volunteers time to be refreshed, spend meaningful time with their families, and enjoy the gift of Sabbath. While our teams rest, we gather online as one church family to reflect, worship, and receive from God.As we close this season of Advent and Christmas, we're reminded that the Christmas story is the greatest love story ever told — a Father who gave His Son, a Son who gave His life, and a love that was never meant to condemn, but to save. This message centers on the unshakable truth that we are the ones He loves, and because of that, we are worth it all.

In this Christmas Eve message from our From Ruin to Redemption: The Gospel According to Isaiah series, Pastor Bob Erbig walks through Isaiah 62:1–5 to address the tension many of us feel during the holidays—why life often feels heavier than the picture we present to the world. Isaiah speaks to people who appear faithful on the outside but feel forgotten, weary, or desolate on the inside, and announces the good news of Christmas: God has broken the silence. Through the birth of Jesus Christ, God steps into real darkness, gives His people a new name, and declares His delight over them. This message reminds us that Christmas is not about curated images or perfect lives, but about a God who enters our brokenness, speaks hope into silence, and invites us into a restored relationship through His Son.Christmas is not proof that life is perfect—it is proof that God has come near, broken the silence, and given us hope in the darkness.

Today's special End-of-Year Holy Communion Service was powerfully themed Communion of Reassurance. Pastor Femi Paul led the church in prayers anchored in Luke 2, where the angel appeared to the shepherds and reassured them in the midst of fear with joyful and destiny-altering news. We were reminded that reassurance is God's response to human fear: His way of calming hearts, restoring confidence, and announcing hope. Just as the shepherds were told “Do not be afraid,” this communion came as a divine reminder that God is present, active, and speaking peace into every situation. Through prophecy and prayer, it was declared that this Communion of Reassurance speaks clearly over our lives: everything is going to be alright, things are getting better, nothing will go wrong, and help is guaranteed. Drawing strength from Romans 8:32, we were assured that if God freely gave His Son, there is nothing good He will withhold from us. This communion sealed God's commitment to carry us through, to help us finish well, and to step confidently into what lies ahead - reassured, strengthened, and at peace. Confesssion: Father, I receive Your reassurance today. Fear has no place in my heart, for You are with me. I declare that I will not be stranded, confused, or abandoned. Help rises for me on every side, and my path is secure. As I partake of this communion, I step into peace, confidence, and a better tomorrow. Everything is working out for my good, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have you ever made one too many mistakes? You know, you get to a point where you think, That's it! God must be done with me? Well, Abraham was a man of faith who made plenty of mistakes along the way. Yet God seemed to overlook, even o compensate for them. Why was that?   Life Changing Moments As we travel through life we all kind of experience these moments and often they are seemingly insignificant events that in fact, turn out to change the whole course of our lives. It's amazing when you think about it! We all have a plan for our lives but there are things just around the next corner or just over the next rise that can change everything – good things and bad things, happy things and sad things. Some people think, "Well, it's all a matter of chance." Well, I don't believe in chance. I remember a brochure that changed my life. I was attending a little church – I had not long become a Christian and it was a Sunday service like every other Sunday. At the end of the service I walked to the back of the little church and I saw a brochure for a particular Bible College, Tabor College in Sydney. It wasn't a particularly attractive brochure or a well designed brochure – I picked it up and that was a defining moment – I took it home, I read about this ministry degree, I prayed and I felt this incredibly strong tug in my heart. Now in my mind I am thinking, "There's no way. You know Berni, you have been a Christian for five minutes" but in my heart I knew. So I rang them, I applied, I went to see the Principal, I felt like such a fraud. "They are never going to accept me." They did! And there I learned so much but also, by chance again, I came into contact with my predecessor in this ministry; the former CEO of Christianityworks and one thing led to another. And today I'm doing what I am doing because I picked up that little brochure at the back of the church. Now I had no idea that morning that something would happen that would change the course of my life. This week we are starting a new series on Christianityworks, it's called "Defining Moments". It's really exciting! I want to look at this from a different perspective; from God's perspective. See when we look back on our lives most of us can pick three or four, maybe half a dozen defining moments – those little things that seemed to change the whole course of our lives. Now, sure we can see them from our natural human perspective – after all, we are people; we're human, but if we do that I think we miss the point. I want to look at some defining moments in the lives of four people in the Bible – Abraham, Joseph, David and Josiah over the next four weeks and we are starting today with Abraham. I want to see if we can discover how God reaches into our lives with miracles - great and small to define the very course of our lives because God does have a plan. Psalm 139, verse 16, says: Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In Your book were written all the days that were formed for me when none of them as yet existed. And when we at least expect it, and even despite what you and I do or fail to do, His plan is worked out through His grace for His glory. God brings those defining moments. Let's start with Abraham - the man with whom God's engagement of His chosen people began. He was living comfortably in a place called Ur, east of Israel – of course Israel didn't exist back then. Ur was the land of the Chaldeans, later it was called Babylon – it's just south of modern day Baghdad. And he travelled with his father up to Haran and then God called him to leave his comfort and follow this really crazy, absolutely incredulous promise. Let's pick it up – if you have got a Bible, grab it; open it up at Genesis chapter 12. We are going to look at the story of Abraham – it's too much to look at it all in one programme but we are going to have a look at part of his story. Genesis chapter 12, beginning at verse 1: Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. So Abram when as the Lord had told him and Lot when with him. Abram was seventy five years old when he departed form Haran." Seventy five years old! "He and Sarai his wife and they were childless." You see, you have to remember, in the Old Testament, blessing; God's blessing, you knew you had it when you had lots of land and lots of children. They had neither, so they didn't have God's blessing on their lives. Now the word "Abram" means "exalted father". So even his name was a joke, but still he went, off into the never never, based on what – some intangible, crazy call from God? Remember Abram had no Bible; he had no Scriptures to reveal who God was. He had no church tradition, or Jewish tradition – nothing like that. All the other nations had their gods; idols – they worshipped them, they believed all sorts of weird and wonderful things but Abram put his faith; he put his whole life and all his possessions in this God who came up with this incredulous promise. How did God say this to Abram - through an audible voice, a dream, a vision, a whisper of the Spirit in his heart? We don't know but he just heard the call and he trusted in the promises of God and off he went, into the blue yonder. Now God's plan A, remember, is to bless Abram with land and children – impossible of course! Oozes fantasy, not faith – could never happen. And then begins Abram's comedy of errors – pretty tragic actually. We don't have time to look at them all today but we are going to look at some of them. It's a journey where Abram and Sarai his wife, made plenty of mistakes along the way. Take Lot for instance, his nephew – if you look at Genesis chapter 12 again, did God tell Abram to take Lot with him? Not at all – it was Abram's idea. No doubt, this was plan B for Abram. "Well, if God doesn't come through on this promise of a son, at least I'll have a relative to be my heir" and Lot…..Lot causes him all sorts of grief. Let's have a look – Genesis chapter 13, verse 5: Now Lot who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents so that the land couldn't support both of them living together, for their possessions were so great that they could not live together. And there was strife between the herders of Abram's stock and the herders of Lot's stock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites lived in the land. Then Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me – between your herders and my herders for we are kindred. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I'll go to the right; of you take the right hand, then I will go to the left." Lot looked about him and saw the plain of the Jordan that was well watered everywhere like this garden of the Lord; like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar - this was before the Lord had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. So Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan and Lot eastward thus he separated from Abram. Gee, plan B worked really well for Abram didn't it? Obviously God didn't know what He was promising Abram and needed a back up! And look how it turned out! Strife, separation and then Abram gave away the best half of the Promised Land. And if you read on in chapter 14, Abram risks his life and God's plan because he has to fight a battle to save Lot's life. Lot was not part of plan A and in chapter 19 of Genesis (we won't go there for now for time reasons) but he ends up sleeping with his own daughters and fathers the Moabites and the Ammonites; both nations that became enemies of Israel. Huh – well done Abram! God obviously needed your help!!   Who Can Blame Him? Well, who can blame Abram? He is in his late seventies now on a journey to nowhere and Sarai is no spring chicken either, I have to tell you. And God gives him this utterly incongruous, impossible promise and Abram is aching inside. "God, what are You doing?"  Can you relate to that? I can! Let's have a look at the defining moment in Abram's journey. It begins in Genesis chapter 15, verse 1: After these things the Word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Don't be afraid, Abram, I am your shield. Your reward shall be very great." But Abram said, "Lord God, what will You give me for I continue childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer, son of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no offspring and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir." But the Word of the Lord came to him, "This man shall not be your heir. No one but a son coming from your very own body shall be your heir." God brought him outside and said, "Look toward the heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then the Lord said to him, "So shall your descendants be!" And Abram believed the Lord and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. I reckon this is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible. Is Abram a man of faith? Absolutely! But he is struggling – he has tried everything he can do in his own strength and he can't make this promise from God happen and time is marching on. So through his doubt, he ends up with plan C or D or whatever he is up to. How does God respond – with rebuke, with punishment, with discipline? God brought him outside and said, "Look toward the heaven and count the start, if you are able to count them." Then God said "So will your descendants be! Isn't it beautiful? You know, the Milky Way when you get away from the smog and the lights of the city is just the most awesome thing – there are so many stars out there – it almost looks like clouds. Trillions of stars – this is the love of God! And he believed the Lord and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. Abram's faith meant that God's righteousness became part of who he was. It's a theme the Apostle Paul picks up in Romans chapter 4 and in Galatians chapter 3 in the New Testament, much later. See I struggle with the rose coloured glasses that Paul and others in the New Testament use to look back on Abraham. They paint him as this paragon of virtue; this great man of faith. Hebrews chapter 11, beginning at verse 8: By faith Abraham, when he was called to go to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he didn't know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the Promised Land like a stranger in a foreign country, for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith Abraham, even though he was past age and Sarah herself was barren, was enabled to become a father. That's great but what about all of Abraham blunders? What about his lack of faith? He goes to God and says to God, "What will You give me? What will You show me? I can't see it – I'm losing hope." See, Abraham was human – Abraham had human failures and he made mistakes just like you and me - but the answer is in what we just read in Genesis. How is it that despite all of Abraham's blunders and doubts, God's plan still came to fruition? Because Abraham: "believed the Lord and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness." Abraham believed – he didn't do it perfectly – but he believed and this was counted by God as righteousness. The righteousness of God when we believe, He forgives our sins – He forgets them. "As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us." You see, that's why in the New Testament it doesn't talk about Abraham's mistakes because God has forgiven them and they are not relevant. That's how God deals with Abraham's human failings. This is the defining moment in Abraham's journey: he believed the Lord and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. This night that was like any other; he was in his tent; he was struggling; he was praying; he was saying, 'God, what are you doing?' And God just touches him and brings him outside and says, "Look up at the stars; as many as are there so numerous will be your descendants." It's not about what Abraham did or didn't do. The defining moment is about God's grace! And come and look with me exactly how imperfectly Abraham believed. Come and see with me how human and frail his faith actually is. He is credited with righteousness – God speaks to him and right on the back of that, just two verses later, in Genesis chapter 15, verse 8, begins this: But he said "O Lord, God, how am I to know I shall possess it?" And God said to him, "Bring Me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtle dove and a young pigeon." He brought God all those things and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other but he did not cut the birds in two. And when the birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abraham drove them away. As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abraham and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Know this for certain that your offspring shall be aliens in a land that is not theirs and they shall be slaves there and they shall be oppressed there for four hundred years but I will bring judgement on the nation that they serve and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for you yourself, you shall go with your ancestors in peace and you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." When the sun had gone down and it was dark, and a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day (listen to this) On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, saying, "To your descendants I give this land – from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates and the land of the Kenites and the Kenizzites and the Kadmonites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Raphaim and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Girgashites and the Jebusites." See, in the face of further doubt from Abraham, God gives him this vision and he makes an unbreakable promise; a covenant; a promise from God Himself to Abraham.   The Last Laugh Just as well, this covenant from God was an unbreakable promise because what happens next, after the stars thing and the vision and the promise, would have been the final straw for me if I had been God. Have a look at the next Now Sarai, Abram's wife, bore him no children. She had an Egyptian slave girl whose name was Hagar and Sarai said to Abram, "You see the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go into my slave girl; it may be that I shall obtain children by her." Abram listened to the voice of his wife Sarai, so after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar the Egyptian; her slave girl and gave her to her husband Abraham as a wife. He went into Hagar and she conceived and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, "May the wrong done to me be on you. I gave my slave girl to you to embrace and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the Lord judge between you and me." Ok, men had more than one wife in those days but people haven't changed that much. Wives, how happy would you be with this outcome? Your husband sleeping with a slave girl and then all of a sudden the slave girl is pregnant. Can you see how perverted this is? And the son that Hagar bore was Ishmail and he became the father of the Arab world! Gee, that worked out brilliantly, didn't it? And so Abram, left to his own devices would have lurched from one blunder to the next but now the bit that really gets me about this story, is the ending. Both Abram and Sarai get to the point – I mean this has been going on for years now; decades where they just end up laughing at God's promises. I mean they are so ridiculous; they are so impossible – have a look – Abram first in Genesis chapter 17, verse 15: God said to Abram, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai anymore but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her and she will give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her." Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah who is ninety years old bear a child?" And Abraham said to God, "O that Ishmail might live in Your sight." And God said, "No, but your wife Sarah shall bear you a son and you shall name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him." And then Sarah's turn next! God appears to Abraham in the form of three men and those men said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." Then one of them said, "I will surely return to you in due season and your wife Sarah shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance, behind them. Now Abraham and Sarah, they were old and advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, "After I have grown old and my husband is old, shall I have the pleasure?" See, can you blame Abraham and Sarah for laughing at God? I mean if you don't laugh you will cry. It has been twenty five years – they headed away on this fool's errand into the blue yonder. Abraham is over a hundred – Sarah is over ninety – come on God, what do You think You are doing? But let's see how it ends! Genesis chapter 21: The Lord dealt with Sarah just as He had said and the Lord did for Sarah as He had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken. Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah had borne. Do you know what the word "Isaac" means? It means "he laughs" – you see God had the last laugh! They both laughed at God's promises and God gives them a son called Isaac and God has the last laugh! It's the laughter of God's grace. And when you look back on this journey, what was the defining moment? See, what you and I want to look at is say: "What do I have to do….what do I have to do? What do I have to do to get God's favour?" Isn't that what we are always thinking? And you look at all of Abraham's blunders and you see all the mistakes he made but in his heart he believed and it was reckoned unto him by God as righteousness. His faith trumped his failures! Let me say that again ... Abraham's faith trumped his failures! People came to Jesus years later and they said, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" And Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God: that you believe in the One whom He has sent." Do you get it? The defining moment for Abraham was God's gracious, loving, powerful, impossible, unbreakable, ridiculous, only God could ever do it, take it forever….promise. And in his heart Abraham believed. That's the bit that God saw and took and used and blessed Abraham through. That's why the New Testament writers can completely ignore the failures of Abraham because God….God had forgotten them a long time ago. God had decided to overlook them a long time ago. Abraham was not a perfect man – Abraham was human just like you and me. You make blunders in your life; I make blunders in my life. What does God look at? He looks at whether we put our trust in Him through Jesus Christ. God not only forgave Abraham and Sarah but He cleaned up their mess along the way so that His plan would be fulfilled and realised for His glory. Look again at the defining moment in Abraham's life…Genesis chapter 15, verses 5 and 6: God brought Abraham outside and said, "Look up toward the heaven. Count the stars if you are able to count them." Then God said to him, "So shall your descendants be. And Abraham believed the Lord and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. What do I have to do to do the works of God? To believe in the One whom He sent; His Son, Jesus Christ!

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. . . . If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43–48 NLT) Who was on your Christmas gift list this year? Usually, we give gifts to family and friends. We want to buy gifts for people we love and people we care about. We tend to give gifts to those who treat us well, people who are kind and considerate to us. And often we will give gifts in return for gifts that we have received. Some of us will even buy gifts for our pets. However, we generally don’t buy gifts for our enemies, do we? We don’t give a gift to the person who has slandered us in the past year. We don’t give a gift to the irate neighbor who never has a kind word to say. We don’t give a gift to someone who has tried to run us out of business. Nor do we send a gift to the thief who broke into our car last month. Yet that’s the standard to which the Lord calls us. In Matthew 5:43–48, Jesus said, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. . . . If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect” (NLT). How can the Lord hold us to such high expectations? “We love each other because he loved us first” (1 John 4:19 NLT). When God sent Jesus Christ, His Son, and gave us the ultimate gift, He gave it to us while we were still His enemies. The Bible tells us, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NKJV). We did nothing whatsoever to merit or deserve this gift. In fact, what we really deserve is judgment, because we all have sinned against God. We all have deliberately crossed that line. The amazing truth of Christmas is that, despite our sins, God sent His Son to save us. In that tiny manger in Bethlehem, He gave us a gift that we don’t deserve—but that we can be thankful for every day of our lives. Reflection question: This Christmas season, how can you show love to someone you don’t get along with? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christmas often finds us tired, burdened, and carrying quiet fears beneath the lights and songs. In this Christmas Eve message from Luke 2, we hear the angel's announcement spoken straight into the darkness: “Do not be afraid.” Discover how true joy doesn't come from changed circumstances, but from God's gracious action—sending His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, Messiah, and Lord. Into real fear, God brings peace. Into real darkness, God sends light.Mission Church — www.missionlasvegas.com

In a world full of uncertainty and danger, God's protection is never absent. In this sermon, we see how God guarded His purposes—and His Son—through warning, guidance, and faithful obedience. From dreams that redirected wise men to a family's flight into Egypt, this passage reminds us that God is always at work behind the scenes, even when the road ahead feels unclear.This message explores how divine protection doesn't always mean the absence of trouble, but the presence of God's guidance, faithfulness, and ultimate plan. As Joseph listens, obeys, and trusts, we are invited to do the same in our own lives.Be encouraged, challenged, and reminded that God is still protecting, guiding, and fulfilling His purposes today.

Final LessonsIntroductionOur final lessons will be left as free of words as possible. We use them but at the beginning of our practicing, and only to remind us that we seek to go beyond them. Let us turn to Him Who leads the way and makes our footsteps sure. To Him we leave these lessons, as to Him we give our lives henceforth. For we would not return again to the belief in sin that made the world seem ugly and unsafe, attacking and destroying, dangerous in all its ways, and treacherous beyond the hope of trust and the escape from pain.His is the only way to find the peace that God has given us. It is His way that everyone must travel in the end, because it is this ending God Himself appointed. In the dream of time it seems to be far off. And yet, in truth, it is already here; already serving us as gracious guidance in the way to go. Let us together follow in the way that truth points out to us. And let us be the leaders of our many brothers who are seeking for the way, but find it not.And to this purpose let us dedicate our minds, directing all our thoughts to serve the function of salvation. Unto us the aim is given to forgive the world. It is the goal that God has given us. It is His ending to the dream we seek, and not our own. For all that we forgive we will not fail to recognize as part of God Himself. And thus His memory is given back, completely and complete.It is our function to remember Him on earth, as it is given us to be His Own completion in reality. So let us not forget our goal is shared, for it is that remembrance which contains the memory of God, and points the way to Him and to the Heaven of His peace. And shall we not forgive our brother, who can offer this to us? He is the way, the truth and life that shows the way to us. In him resides salvation, offered us through our forgiveness, given unto him.We will not end this year without the gift our Father promised to His holy Son. We are forgiven now. And we are saved from all the wrath we thought belonged to God, and found it was a dream. We are restored to sanity, in which we understand that anger is insane, attack is mad, and vengeance merely foolish fantasy. We have been saved from wrath because we learned we were mistaken. Nothing more than that. And is a father angry at his son because he failed to understand the truth?We come in honesty to God and say we did not understand, and ask Him to help us to learn His lessons, through the Voice of His Own Teacher. Would He hurt His Son? Or would He rush to answer him, and say, “This is My Son, and all I have is his”? Be certain He will answer thus, for these are His Own Words to you. And more than that can no one ever have, for in these Words is all there is, and all that there will be throughout all time and in eternity.LESSON 361This Holy Instant Would I Give To You.Be You In Charge. For I Would Follow You,Certain That Your Direction Gives Me Peace.And if I need a word to help me, He will give it to me. If I need a thought, that will He also give. And if I need but stillness and a tranquil, open mind, these are the gifts I will receive of Him. He is in charge by my request. And He will hear and answer me, because He speaks for God my Father and His holy Son.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

Final LessonsIntroductionOur final lessons will be left as free of words as possible. We use them but at the beginning of our practicing, and only to remind us that we seek to go beyond them. Let us turn to Him Who leads the way and makes our footsteps sure. To Him we leave these lessons, as to Him we give our lives henceforth. For we would not return again to the belief in sin that made the world seem ugly and unsafe, attacking and destroying, dangerous in all its ways, and treacherous beyond the hope of trust and the escape from pain.His is the only way to find the peace that God has given us. It is His way that everyone must travel in the end, because it is this ending God Himself appointed. In the dream of time it seems to be far off. And yet, in truth, it is already here; already serving us as gracious guidance in the way to go. Let us together follow in the way that truth points out to us. And let us be the leaders of our many brothers who are seeking for the way, but find it not.And to this purpose let us dedicate our minds, directing all our thoughts to serve the function of salvation. Unto us the aim is given to forgive the world. It is the goal that God has given us. It is His ending to the dream we seek, and not our own. For all that we forgive we will not fail to recognize as part of God Himself. And thus His memory is given back, completely and complete.It is our function to remember Him on earth, as it is given us to be His Own completion in reality. So let us not forget our goal is shared, for it is that remembrance which contains the memory of God, and points the way to Him and to the Heaven of His peace. And shall we not forgive our brother, who can offer this to us? He is the way, the truth and life that shows the way to us. In him resides salvation, offered us through our forgiveness, given unto him.We will not end this year without the gift our Father promised to His holy Son. We are forgiven now. And we are saved from all the wrath we thought belonged to God, and found it was a dream. We are restored to sanity, in which we understand that anger is insane, attack is mad, and vengeance merely foolish fantasy. We have been saved from wrath because we learned we were mistaken. Nothing more than that. And is a father angry at his son because he failed to understand the truth?We come in honesty to God and say we did not understand, and ask Him to help us to learn His lessons, through the Voice of His Own Teacher. Would He hurt His Son? Or would He rush to answer him, and say, “This is My Son, and all I have is his”? Be certain He will answer thus, for these are His Own Words to you. And more than that can no one ever have, for in these Words is all there is, and all that there will be throughout all time and in eternity.LESSON 361This Holy Instant Would I Give To You.Be You In Charge. For I Would Follow You,Certain That Your Direction Gives Me Peace.And if I need a word to help me, He will give it to me. If I need a thought, that will He also give. And if I need but stillness and a tranquil, open mind, these are the gifts I will receive of Him. He is in charge by my request. And He will hear and answer me, because He speaks for God my Father and His holy Son.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

“Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!” (Luke 12:51 NLT) This may come as a shock to you, but the real Christmas story is not about love, peace, harmony, and gathering with family around a crackling fire. The real Christmas story is about conflict. It always has been, and it always will be. In Luke 12:51, Jesus said, “Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!” (NLT). One of the most surprising passages in Scripture that deals with the subject of Christmas is Revelation 12. There we find the apostle John’s account of a woman being pursued by a powerful dragon who seeks her death. As she is preparing to give birth to a child, the dragon hovers over her, wanting to destroy the baby. The woman is a picture of Israel, the child is a picture of Jesus Christ, and the dragon is a picture of the devil. That’s Christmas from a heavenly perspective. John’s imagery in Revelation 12 gives us the big picture of what was really happening when God sent His Son into the world. The devil opposed God’s plan and wanted to stop Jesus’ birth. It’s not hard to see how that story is still playing out today, especially at this time of year. The season of giving often turns into a season of giving those who celebrate Christmas a hard time. Hostility toward Christmas seems to escalate a little more every year. More nativity scenes are being removed from public places. Christmas carols are being prohibited in more places. Podcasters and influencers who attack the Christian faith are becoming more and more popular. Many people still object to the use of the word Christmas. All these things are individual battles in the great spiritual conflict of Christmas. We can rejoice in that. Jesus said, “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way” (Matthew 5:11–12 NLT). Jesus did not come to bring an empty, feel-good peace on earth devoid of truth. Look again at the angel’s message to the shepherds on the night Christ was born. “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:14 NLT). The peace that Jesus offers is conditional. It’s hard-earned. It requires sacrifice and purposeful choices on our part. It encourages us to live as He lived, to prioritize God’s will, and to spread His message to others. We will have peace on earth only when we’re pleasing to God. Reflection question: What do you think God is pleased with in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke 2:8-14Living BibleThat night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them.“Don't be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket,[b] lying in a manger!”Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven—praising God:“Glory to God in the highest heaven,” they sang,[c] “and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.”Imagine for a moment that you're a shepherd back in the B.C. days. It's just another cold, lonely, pitch-dark night, sitting by the fire, watching the sheep. Then, suddenly, a blinding light pierces through the blackness, and you're face to face with an angel. He sees the terror in your eyes, knows you think that he has come to kill you because of your sin and low position, so then he declares, “Don't be scared. I have good news of great joy for all people.”  Disbelief overwhelms reality as you think, “Why me? And why here? … Aren't there some important people somewhere to do this? After all, we're just shepherds.”Shepherds, as a stereotype, had a reputation for being low-lives, men of bad reputation. They didn't observe the ceremonial law and were not religious men. They were so known for stealing and dishonesty that their testimony would not be considered reliable enough to testify in court. Think about that… God chose first to announce He was here to these men of bad reputation. He made His birth announcement to the least of these, setting a pattern for His Son's ministry.On that night, that holy night, everything changed and the broken, rejected, lowest of society were the ones that God chose to tell first. The words of the beautiful song, Oh Holy Night, capture the essence of that encounter.As we finish our time together - let me read you the words for this beautiful song. O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth; Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn; Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born.Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

The Magi weren't reading Daniel. They weren't studying the prophets. They were reading the sky.In our Members-Only Part 2 of our Christmas deep dive into the Star of Bethlehem, Caleb Jones returns to answer the question everyone's been asking: Why did the Magi know to come? What did they actually see in that chart that made them pack up and travel for months?Using ancient sources—Ptolemy, Manilius, Vettius Valens—Caleb reconstructs what an astrological reading of August 12, 3 BC would have looked like. The verdict? A heaven-blessed birth in Palestine. Incredible fortune. Warfare and a sword in his future. Someone who would overcome great danger through Jupiter and Venus.But this episode goes deeper than astronomy. Caleb traces how the Bible itself addresses astrology—not as fake, but as a rival way of knowing that God told Israel not to pursue because He would speak to them directly. When Israel rebelled and looked to the stars anyway, God wove their disobedience into His plan: He would use pagan astrologers to announce His Son and shame His people who should have known better.From Deuteronomy to Isaiah to Romans, the threads converge. The Magi weren't reading Daniel. They were reading the sky. And God met them there.The Christmas story is stranger than you thought. Not a member yet? Right now, we are running our biggest sale of the year with 20% OFF all memberships until the end of the year. Head over to https://blurrycreatures.com/pages/members to check it out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas morning is filled with anticipation, joy, and carefully prepared gifts, yet Scripture reminds us that the greatest gift does not come from beneath the tree. James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from God, and Christmas celebrates the most perfect gift of all—Jesus Christ. While we strive to give meaningful presents to those we love, God’s gift surpasses them all: His Son, sent to bring salvation, hope, and eternal life. As we begin Christmas Day, we are invited to pause, give thanks, and remember that Jesus is the heart of the celebration and the gift we are called to share with others. Main Takeaways You’ll learn why our desire to give meaningful gifts reflects God’s generous nature. Discover how Jesus is the ultimate and perfect Christmas gift from the Father. Reflect on the significance of Christ’s birth as described in Isaiah’s prophecy. Be encouraged to begin Christmas Day with gratitude, worship, and prayer. Understand how sharing the gift of Jesus can be part of how we give to others this season. Bible Verse References James 1:17 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/james/1-17.html Matthew 7:11 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/7-11.html Isaiah 9:6 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/9-6.html 2 Corinthians 9:15 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/2-corinthians/9-15.html John 3:16 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/john/3-16.html Your Daily Prayer Dear Father, Giver of every good and perfect gift, thank You for Jesus—Your precious and perfect gift to us. As we begin this Christmas Day, fill our hearts with joy, gratitude, and peace as we celebrate His birth. Help us remember the incredible love behind Your gift of salvation and eternal life. Lead us to share this good news with those we love, and may everything we give today reflect Your grace, generosity, and love.In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer for daily encouragement rooted in Scripture. Leave a rating or review to help others discover the podcast. Visit LifeAudio.com for more faith-filled podcasts and devotionals. Explore more Christmas devotionals and biblical resources at Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com. Relevant Links & Resources Scripture study and Bible tools:BibleStudyTools.com – https://www.biblestudytools.com Christmas devotionals and Christian living articles:Crosswalk.com – https://www.crosswalk.comChristianity.com – https://www.christianity.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

“What sweeter music can we bring / Than a carol for to sing / The birth of this our heavenly king.” The lines of this 17th century poem “What Sweeter Music” were reimagined by modern-day choral composer John Rutter to become an Advent season favorite. Its gentle melody describes a long, cold season of waiting that’s thawed by the springtime feeling of Jesus’ arrival. The singers bring Him a Christmas carol; the listeners are invited to bring their hearts. Rutter’s arrangement was commissioned to correspond with a church reading on the wise men who brought Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These mysterious magi traveled a great distance to meet baby Jesus with the express purpose of worshiping him (Matthew 2:1-2). God gave them wisdom to keep Jesus’ location a secret from wicked King Herod. When they finally found Him, they “were overjoyed” (v. 10). They bowed down in reverence. Then “they opened their treasures” to lay precious resources at His feet (v. 11). The Christmas season shouldn’t be focused on material goods—but it’s certainly about giving and receiving gifts. God gave His Son to heal a broken world. If we’ve never given Him our hearts, today’s a wonderful day to do so. If He already reigns there, let’s offer a carol of peace and joy as we think about His arrival all those years ago in Bethlehem—and wait for His return.

Jesus came to make you a part of His family. On this Christmas Day, celebrate God for sending His Son, Jesus, who is the greatest gift to all mankind. Listen to Kenneth Copeland and Professor Greg Stephens on Believer's Voice of Victory as they remind you how important family members are to anyone. By living in victory, you are able to raise your children to know the Love of God through you. Learn how to align yourself with God, who sees you as family, with all the rights and privileges He has given to Jesus.

Merry Christmas! We hope you're all enjoying Christmas day and spending time with your families. In this episode, Brody reads through some Scripture of Jesus's coming. Let's take time today to thank the Lord for sending His Son to the world to save us from our sins.Matthew 1Luke 2 Matthew 225 Christmas Hymns You Should Listen to This YearSend us a textPlease leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help improve No Sanity Required and help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.

This is a story, a story that's true Of why Jesus came, and what that means to you! God so loved the world that He gave us His Son. Whoever believes in Him—a new life has begun! (originally aired 12/11/21) #kids, #storiesforchristiankids, #christmas, #biblelessonsforkids, #firstchristmasstory, #jesusisborn, #angelsproclaimjesusbirth, #peaceonearth, #goodwilltowardmen, #sharegoodnews, #fishbytesforkids, #fishbytes4kids, #fishbitesforkids, #ronandcarriewebb, #roncarriewebb

Jesus came to make you a part of His family. On this Christmas Day, celebrate God for sending His Son, Jesus, who is the greatest gift to all mankind. Watch Kenneth Copeland and Professor Greg Stephens on Believer's Voice of Victory as they remind you how important family members are to anyone. By living in victory, you are able to raise your children to know the Love of God through you. Learn how to align yourself with God, who sees you as family, with all the rights and privileges He has given to Jesus.

“And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made.” (Revelation 13:8 NLT) We celebrate Christmas to rejoice over God’s most precious gift to us. The birth of Jesus Christ is a gift from God that came in simple wrapping, as well as a gift that we don’t deserve. But the gift of Christ also explains God’s purpose for humankind. The gift of Christ was no afterthought. Long before there was a stable in Bethlehem, before Adam and Eve ever set eyes on each other, and even before there existed a garden called Eden, God decided to send His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. From the beginning, God knew humankind would fall short of His glory. That’s why the apostle John wrote, “They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made” (Revelation 13:8 NLT). God decided from the very beginning that Christ would come to this earth to live and die and rise again from the dead. God’s gift to us proves His purpose to redeem us. To fully appreciate that, we must understand what God did for us. He created humankind. He placed us in a literal paradise. He walked with us in the garden. We enjoyed face-to-face fellowship with Him. He gave us responsibilities that fulfilled us and brought us joy. He set one restriction—just one. But that proved to be too much for us. So, we rejected Him and His perfect plan. We destroyed paradise. We drifted far from Him. God sent prophets and judgments to warn us of the penalties for rejecting Him, of the eternal suffering that was to come. He urged us to repent and turn back to Him. Still, we refused. So, He sent His Son to do what we could not. To live a sinless life and destroy the power of sin. To die in our place as the perfect sacrifice. To take the punishment we deserve. To rise from the grave and destroy the power of death. To make eternal life possible. The gift of Jesus Christ is what Christmas is all about. Jesus came near to us so that we could come near to Him. Christmas is not about tinsel or shopping or gifts under a tree. Christmas is about the gift God gave on the tree where Christ died for our sins. Christmas is about the gift of eternal life. That’s what Jesus accomplished. That’s the gift He extends. And if you receive it, you’ll experience the merriest Christmas of all. That’s the message God wants us to carry to the world this Christmas season. Reflection question: How can you show your gratitude to God for the gift of His Son? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Christmas, Thursday, December 25th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes written by Jonathan Clark and heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin (contact@eanvoiceit.com) Millions of Christians Persecuted at Christmas Time Millions of Christians around the world must celebrate the birth of Christ in secret or face persecution this year. For example, China bans children from Christmas church celebrations. In Iran, Muslim converts to Christianity who attend unregistered house churches face arrest at this time of year. Christmas worship and displays are banned in North Korea. And Somalia completely bans Christmas observances. International Christian Concern noted, “For those of us blessed with the freedom to celebrate Christmas publicly, let us also remember and lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ who cling to him, regardless of the cost.” 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 says, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” U.S. to Support Faith-Based Health Care Providers in Nigeria The United States agreed to support faith-based health care providers in Nigeria on Saturday. The U.S. committed over two billion dollars to the five-year bilateral health agreement. Two hundred million dollars of the funding will go to 900 Christian health care facilities. Christian clinics represent about 10% of providers in Nigeria, but they serve nearly a third of the country.  Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians with tens of thousands of believers being killed there in the last decade.  LA Governor to Lead Envoy to Greenland President Donald Trump named Louisiana Republican Governor Jeff Landry as the United States Special Envoy to Greenland on Sunday.  The president expressed interest in buying the territory from Denmark during his first term. Listen to his recent comments. TRUMP: “We need Greenland for national security. And if you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need it for national security. We have to have it. And he wanted to lead the charge, so we're making him [inaudible] a special envoy to Greenland. Greenland's a big deal.” The leaders of Greenland and Denmark continue to reject efforts to make the territory part of the U.S. Rand Paul Releases Report on Government Waste Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky released his annual “Festivus Report” on government waste. The report shows $1.6 trillion in waste up from one trillion dollars last year. Dr. Paul identified most of the waste with the $1.2 trillion spent on interest payments for the U.S. debt.  Highlights from the remaining $400 billion in waste included funneling money to social media influencers, drug experiments, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Abortion Mills Decline for 4th Year in a Row Operation Rescue reports the number of abortion mills declined for the fourth year in a row. There were 657 abortion mills in operation this year, down from 718 in 2021. Meanwhile, the number pro-life pregnancy centers is growing. Heartbeat International is the largest network of pregnancy help organizations. The network reached 4,000 locations globally last month. Gallup Releases New Survey on How Americans Celebrate Christmas Gallup released a new survey on how Americans celebrate Christmas. Most U.S. adults still celebrate the day, but fewer do so religiously. The majority of people who celebrate Christmas participate in activities like exchanging gifts, gathering with family and friends, and decorating their homes. However, only half of Americans display religious decorations or attend religious services for Christmas. That's down from two thirds of the population in 2010. Anniversary of Baptism of 1000s of Brits And finally, today is the anniversary of when thousands of people in Britain received baptism. Augustine of Canterbury was a Christian monk who arrived in Britain in the year 597 A.D. He is known as the “Apostle to the English.” Augustine preached to the local ruler, King Æthelberht who led the Kingdom of Kent. The king converted to Christianity from Anglo-Saxon paganism. He allowed Augustine and his missionaries to evangelize the people.  On Christmas Day in 597, Augustine reportedly baptized thousands of people who turned from paganism to Christ. John 3:16-17 says, “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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”  Close And that's The Worldview on this Christmas, Thursday, December 25th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin (contact@eanvoiceit.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

A question on the mind of many is how good they must be to get to heaven. Many people have the idea that if they do enough good things, or their good things outweigh their bad things, then they will be saved eternally. One error in this thinking is the failure to understand the absolute standard of God's goodness. He is perfectly good and therefore cannot tolerate any imperfection in His presence. Another mistake people make is thinking that their behavior is good enough to get to heaven. But they fail to understand that if they resort to performance such as keeping the law, they must have a perfect record or they fall under the curse of failure. It is also a mistake to think that behavior alone can be good enough to get into heaven. Our problem is not sins, per se, but sinfulness. We are sinners who need to have the root of the problem taken care of, and it is sin. The good news is that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live the perfect life we could not live, and to pay the penalty of our sins, which we could not pay. So we conclude that we can get to heaven based on what Jesus did, not on what we do. Charlie challenges all who see this episode to trust in Christ's righteousness alone in order to get to heaven. That's a message worth hearing and sharing. We trust you will share this, like it, and leave a comment, especially if you place your faith in Jesus as your Savior. #FreeGracegospel#Savedbygrace#Howtogetto heaven#faithnotworks$simplybygrace

Throughout Scripture we see evil waging war against God and His redemptive plan, fulfilled in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet from the birth of Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection, that evil endeavor is shown to be a failure. Join Bill Busshaus as he leads us in a study from the book of Matthew, revealing the certainty of God's victorious plan.www.instagram.com/thehishillpodcast/www.hishill.orgkelly@hishill.org

MERCHANDISE NOW ON SALE THROUGH 12/31 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE THROUGH 12/31 The lads grab their tiny red scarves and head for Fozziwig's Rubber Chicken Factory as they cover Brian Henson's 1992 holiday classic: The Muppet Christmas Carol. Topics include the arch prose of Dickens, the cutting of “When Love is Gone”, and what it means to create a staple of the holiday season that involves Michael Caine throwing a wreath at a tiny puppet.   Media Referenced in this Episode: The Muppet Christmas Carol. Dir. Brian Henson. 1992. “Michael Caine Loves The Muppet Christmas Carol as Much as You Do” by Laruen Larson. GQ. December 15th, 2016. “Brian Henson on What Makes ‘A Muppet Christmas Carol' So Special and His Father's legacy” by Alyssa Fikse. Uproxx. December 23rd, 2015. “How we made: The Muppet Christmas Carol” by Ben Beaumont-Thomas. The Guardian. December 21st, 2015.   TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com   Interstitial: “A Letter from Charles Dickens to His Son, Edward ‘Plorn' Dickens, on the Day of His Departure to Australia, September 26th, 1868" // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. Brian Alford as “Charles Dickens” // Additional Text by Charles Dickens in a Letter to his son, Plorn

Our world is in a desperately dark condition, but thanks be to God, who sent us His Son, Jesus, the Light of the World. In this message, Adrian Rogers reveals five things about the light of Jesus Christ.

In this episode of Spirit Connection, InLight Connection Team Members, Jordan and Lystra, are engaging with the Partners, talking about the true meaning of Christmas, the prophecies of who Jesus was birthed to be and how generational blessings can be passed from children to parents. Tune in for this rare opportunity to hear a beautiful conversation—Jesus Christ: the Greatest Gift That Keeps on Giving! How awesome to talk about an unborn child being an Everlasting Father, because God is already prophesying over his amazing Son, Jesus Christ, as being an Everlasting Father. And so, God is just prophesying Himself over the world, right? He’s prophesying who He is to us, through His Son, to the entire world. And let’s not forget He is the Prince of Peace. It just gave me this whole new perspective of what God actually places on our lives when we’re born, from the time that He conceived us in our mother’s womb. And that He was just putting in all these specifics and is so intentional with our lives. The fact that He would allow me to receive, even in dreams and visions, from my unborn child who I hadn’t even met yet. Watch Now Listen Now https://dougaddison.com/wp-content/themes/dougaddison/podcast/Podcast_231225-jesus-christ-the-greatest-gift-that-keeps-on-giving-episode-421.mp3   Find Out: The beautiful revelation of how Jesus was prophesied to the world How knowing you Identity in Christ can navigate your life How the spiritual gifts of our children can open new gift realms for us   Links Mentioned in This Episode: Christmas and New Year’s Sale! Workshop: Understand Your Dreams and Visions! Join Doug's Monthly Mentoring Sessions, via Zoom, by becoming a Partner!The post Jesus Christ: the Greatest Gift That Keeps on Giving! [Episode 421] first appeared on Doug Addison.

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8 NLT) When you’re a child, Christmas is all about receiving gifts. In December, your head is swimming with nothing but images of your favorite toys. But the true message of Christmas is not the presents we give to one another. The true meaning is the gift that God gave to us, His Son Jesus Christ. One of the most remarkable aspects of God’s perfect gift to us is that it came in simple wrapping. Some people will go to great lengths to wrap presents beautifully. But God’s gift came to us not in beautiful, ornate wrapping, but in a dirty manger found in a cold cave in a little-known town called Bethlehem. That’s the beauty of the Christmas event. Jesus took His place in a manger so that we might have a home in Heaven. The Savior was not wrapped in satin sheets, but in common rags. There in a manger rested the greatest gift in the plainest of wrapping. Isaiah 53:2–3 says, “My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care” (NLT). The New Testament reveals much about Jesus. But the one thing it doesn’t tell us is what He looked like. Luke 2:52 says, “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people” (nlt). But that’s about all we know. All indications suggest that Jesus’ appearance was plain and unremarkable. His words and actions, on the other hand, changed the world. An even more remarkable aspect of God’s gift to us is that we don’t deserve it. Consider this: God gave us the ultimate gift of His Son Jesus Christ while we were still sinning against Him. The apostle Paul put it this way: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8 NLT). We did nothing whatsoever to merit or deserve His gift. That’s the amazing truth of Christmas. Despite who we are and what we’ve done, God sent His Son so “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV). Christmas is one day away. Prepare your heart for the celebration of the birth of our Savior. He came in an unremarkable form. And He came even though we don’t deserve Him. So, today let’s meditate on the fact that Jesus was born to die so that we might live. Reflection question: How can you show God your gratitude for a gift you don’t deserve? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was the Star of Bethlehem? A miraculous light? An angel? A comet? Attorney and biblical researcher Caleb Jones brings a library of books and years of astronomical study to the basement to present the most compelling answer we've ever heard: the Star of the Magi was the combined light of Jupiter and Venus merging into a single point of light in the sky, not once, but twice.On August 12, 3 BC, a rare planetary conjunction appeared in the eastern sky for just ninety minutes before dawn and was visible only to those whose job it was to watch the stars. Ten months later, on June 17, 2 BC, an even more spectacular once-in-a-millennium conjunction occurred, visible to everyone, setting over the hill of Bethlehem at the exact location tradition holds as the house of Joseph and Mary.Caleb walks us through astronomy, ancient calendars, the chronology of Herod's death, the census of Quirinius, and why the world still counts time based on the reign of Jesus Christ. This isn't just about solving a Christmas mystery. It's about how God speaks to people where they are and even through systems He told Israel not to use. The Magi were pagan astrologers doing pagan astrology, and God used the very stars they were watching to lead them to His Son. They arrived with gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and they worshiped. The star wasn't magic. It was astronomy. And somehow, that makes it even more miraculous. Merry Christmas from Blurry Creatures! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15 John 3:16 is the most familiar verse in the Bible. Many of us can recite it from memory. For millions of people, its powerful truth marked the beginning of their journey with Christ. Listen as Pastor Chuck Swindoll recounts how this verse spoke to him as a child. God loves the world—He loves you! His love is for everyone, and His call to believe in Jesus is open to all. Accept God's invitation to believe in His Son and receive His promise of eternal life.

In this episode, we end our journey at the Stable, the humble place where God chose for us to meet His Son. We reflect on the stable of our own hearts, how Jesus chooses to meet us in our own poverty now, and why His very presence brings healing. We also talk about how when we sit in our emptiness, release control, and surrender each part of our lives to God, He is able to work more powerfully in our lives. Finally, we ponder Mary's quiet and loving gaze upon the Christ Child and how we are invited to slow down and notice Jesus smiling back at us.  Friends, we've deeply enjoyed journeying with you this year. As we take a break, please know you are in our prayers. We will see you on January 19th, 2026 when Season 18 begins! Have a blessed and merry Christmas!   Heather's One Thing - Our Abiding Together staff: Camille, Kate, and Kristina! Heather's Other One Thing - The Sisters of Life new St. Francis convent in Steubenville Heather's Third One Thing - Every Sacred Sunday's Edition of the  Catechism of the Catholic Church Sister Miriam's One Thing - Our listeners and Patreon supporters. Thank you! Sister Miriam's Other One Thing - Philosophy and Healing (with Fr. Matthew Rolling) from the Restore the Glory Podcast Michelle's One Thing - The beauty of the different religious orders!   Finally, we arrive at the Stable — the poorest of places, and yet, the holiest of all. Here, in straw and silence, the Infinite takes on skin. The cry of a newborn splits the night open, and suddenly, everything is sacred again The invitation into the mess  Into our own poverty… The cry of our humanity … Worship is not what we think it will look like.    Other Resources Mentioned:  The Nativity Painting by Caravaggio Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You by Dr. James Friesen   Journal Questions: Where do I find myself in "unsatisfactory condition"? What are the scandalous places within me that I want to keep away from the Lord? How am I managing my own creativity rather than welcoming the Holy Spirit into my creativity? What beliefs am I carrying deeply about God? How does God want to heal these beliefs? Where am I afraid? How can I make space for Jesus and spend time with Him in this Christmas season?   Discussion Questions: How are you tempted to sanitize the Mystery of the Incarnation in your own life? Where in my life do I need a new perspective? When have you experienced God coming to you in a way you weren't expecting Him to? How am I seeking control in this season? How can I surrender that control? What are the stables of my life that God is inviting me into deeper surrender?   Quote to Ponder: "I am so glad Jesus was born in a stable, because my soul is so much like a stable. It's poor and in unsatisfactory condition - Yet, I believe that if Jesus can be born in a stable, maybe he can be born in me." (Dorothy Day)   Scripture for Lectio: "In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." (Luke 2:1-7)   Sponsor - Fully Mediterranean: Our sponsor today is Fully Mediterranean, a company dedicated to helping people discover the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle, a way of eating and living that is both deeply nourishing and beautifully simple. At Fully Mediterranean, they believe that good health and good food go hand in hand—and that both of these begin in the same place: around the table, where we slow down, gather, connect, and are reminded of God's goodness in the everyday moments of life. It's where we feed not only our bodies, but also our relationships. And it's often where we rediscover joy, connection, and presence. Fully Mediterranean was built on a mission to help people discover a simple, nourishing way of eating and living—a way that brings peace, beauty, and balance into everyday. Their approach is not about pressure or perfection. It's about gently integrating habits that help you live fully, with a sense of gratitude and mindfulness that aligns beautifully with our Catholic faith. What makes the Mediterranean lifestyle so special is that it's not just a way of eating; it's a way of living. It's a lifestyle shaped by mindfulness, by community, and by gratitude. It's about slowing down, savoring what God provides, and sharing meals with the people He places in our lives. It's about choosing foods that nourish the body He entrusted to us—vibrant  vegetables, wholesome grains, fresh herbs, lean proteins, and healthy fats—while also embracing the joy and connection that come from preparing and enjoying meals with others. Fully Mediterranean provides practical, realistic tools, guidance, and inspiration to help you bring these values into your kitchen and everyday life. Through recipes, programs, workshops, and practical nutrition guidance, we help women simplify healthy eating, feel confident in the kitchen, and rediscover the joy that comes from preparing meals that are both good for the body and soul-satisfying. In a world filled with noise, pressure, and quick fixes, the Mediterranean lifestyle offers something gentler and more grounded—an invitation to live intentionally, joyfully, and wholeheartedly. It encourages us to choose foods that honor the bodies God created, to gather more often with the people we love, and to find celebration in simple, nourishing routines. Whether you're looking to support your long-term health, gain energy for your daily responsibilities, or create more meaningful rhythms in your home, Fully Mediterranean is here to guide you every step of the way. We want to help you build a lifestyle that supports your well-being and draws you closer to living the full, abundant life God desires for you.  Because at Fully Mediterranean, we believe that when you nourish your body well, you nourish every part of your life. And when you gather at the table with gratitude, intention, and love, you reflect God's goodness in the most natural, beautiful way. If you're ready to bring more peace, health, and joy into your kitchen—and your life—we invite you to explore all that Fully Mediterranean offers. Discover delicious recipes, practical tips, and inspiring resources designed to help you integrate the Mediterranean way of living into your daily routine with ease and grace. Join us and use the code Abidingtogether20 to receive 20% off any of our products, including our course, ebooks and Substack membership. Join the 30-day Mediterranean challenge starting January 1st for just $8. Visit us at www.fullymediterranean.com, Substack: fullymediteranean.com.substack.com and @fullymediterranean   Chapters:   00:00 Fully Mediterranean  01:37 Intro 02:30 Welcome to the Stable 05:56 Guiding Quote and Scripture Verse 07:12 The Poverty of Our Hearts 11:26 Surrendering the Messy Parts of Our Lives 15:30 Healing Our Image of God 19:31 What it Means to Ponder 21:37 Making Space in the Midst of a Busy Season 28:27 Season 18 Announcement! 28:58 One Things   Music used under license i94Cr0 

Is it that God didn’t know how to stage a spectacular entrance for His Son? The God who created heaven and earth, hung the stars in the sky, and summons forth thunder and lightning. Was the heavenly event planner on vacation the day Jesus was born in a humble stable? No, today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how the birth of Christ happened quietly, with little fanfare, and revealed to the least likely. It was on purpose . . . and it speaks of our purpose. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15 John 3:16 is the most familiar verse in the Bible. Many of us can recite it from memory. For millions of people, its powerful truth marked the beginning of their journey with Christ. Listen as Pastor Chuck Swindoll recounts how this verse spoke to him as a child. God loves the world—He loves you! His love is for everyone, and His call to believe in Jesus is open to all. Accept God's invitation to believe in His Son and receive His promise of eternal life.