Podcasts about his son

“That deep ache you feel isn’t something to fix—it’s a holy longing for the Savior your soul was made to know.” In this special Advent series kickoff, Nicole Unice invites listeners to rediscover the heart of one of the most beloved Christmas hymns, O Come, O Come Emmanuel. With a blend of Scripture, history, and reflection, Nicole explores how this ancient song—written over 1,200 years ago—echoes the human ache for redemption and the promise of “God with us.” Learn how the minor-key melody captures our longing for restoration, how its lyrics draw from 29 different Bible passages, and how Emmanuel’s arrival transforms our grief into hope. Main Takeaways / Learning Points Advent invites longing: The season begins with honest reflection on our need for a Savior before celebrating His arrival. Scripture weaves through song: The six verses of O Come, O Come Emmanuel reference nearly 30 Bible passages, from Isaiah’s prophecies to the Gospels. Exile and redemption: Israel’s captivity mirrors humanity’s spiritual exile—and Emmanuel’s coming brings true homecoming. God with us today: Jesus’ name, Emmanuel, assures us that we are never alone. His presence transforms sorrow, fear, and uncertainty into peace and courage. Worship deepens memory: When we sing truth, it roots in our hearts—anchoring our minds to God’s promises long after the song ends. Bible Verse References (linked) Isaiah 7:14 — “The virgin will conceive... and call him Emmanuel.” Isaiah 35:10 — “The ransomed of the Lord will return to Zion with singing.” Isaiah 9:2 — “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Luke 1:78–79 — “The dayspring from on high has visited us.” 1 Corinthians 15:54–57 — “Death is swallowed up in victory.” Galatians 4:4 — “When the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son.” Calls to Action (CTAs) Download Nicole’s free Christmas Eve Family Liturgy: nicoleunice.com/christmas Subscribe to How to Study the Bible for more Advent reflections. Share this episode with friends or your small group to spark hope-filled conversation. Follow Nicole on YouTube for video versions and bonus reflections each week. Relevant Links / Resources NicoleUnice.com/christmas — for a Free Family Liturgy LifeAudio.com — Explore other faith-based podcasts Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Pastor Jose teaches how God has seen your sorrows and shame and put it on His Son. He saved you from the world and all it’s oppression. Audio>

Testimony, Remembering, and Thanksgiving enables us to see the dimensions of God's love for us and all that He has provided for us through His Son. 

The King is Coming. Get Off the Throne! Matthew 21:1–11 | The Triumphant Entry Advent begins with a stunning announcement. The King is coming. Get off your throne. Like Humpty Dumpty, we love to sit on thrones that are not ours, trying to rule our own lives. And like Humpty, we fall. Sin is more than bad behavior. It is the pride of self-rule, the illusion that we are in control, the stubborn belief that we answer to no one. And once we shatter, we cannot put ourselves back together again. Yet Advent begins with hope. The true King comes to restore the broken. In the Collect of the Day we pray, “Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come.” We confess that we cannot save ourselves from the perils of our sins. We ask God to come into our darkness, pride, and fractured lives. And He does. Not by calling us upward, but by coming downward in His Son. Jesus enters Jerusalem on a humble donkey. He comes not with force but with mercy, not to be served but to save. His throne will be a cross. His crown will be thorns. His victory will be His death and resurrection. This is the King who answers our Advent prayer with His suffering and with His life-giving triumph. Christ continues to come to His people even now. In His Word, in Holy Baptism, and in His Supper He gathers the fallen and makes them whole. At His altar, the King gives His own body and blood for forgiveness and strength. The King is coming. Let every heart prepare Him room. ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

The King is Coming. Get Off the Throne! Matthew 21:1–11 | The Triumphant Entry Advent begins with a stunning announcement. The King is coming. Get off your throne. Like Humpty Dumpty, we love to sit on thrones that are not ours, trying to rule our own lives. And like Humpty, we fall. Sin is more than bad behavior. It is the pride of self-rule, the illusion that we are in control, the stubborn belief that we answer to no one. And once we shatter, we cannot put ourselves back together again. Yet Advent begins with hope. The true King comes to restore the broken. In the Collect of the Day we pray, “Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come.” We confess that we cannot save ourselves from the perils of our sins. We ask God to come into our darkness, pride, and fractured lives. And He does. Not by calling us upward, but by coming downward in His Son. Jesus enters Jerusalem on a humble donkey. He comes not with force but with mercy, not to be served but to save. His throne will be a cross. His crown will be thorns. His victory will be His death and resurrection. This is the King who answers our Advent prayer with His suffering and with His life-giving triumph. Christ continues to come to His people even now. In His Word, in Holy Baptism, and in His Supper He gathers the fallen and makes them whole. At His altar, the King gives His own body and blood for forgiveness and strength. The King is coming. Let every heart prepare Him room. ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

We have a mission! A peaceful, compassionate, healing, restorative mission. That mission is to call our nation back to the Living God and the glory of His Son, Jesus! This is our mandate from Heaven. Our Christian ancestors came here “for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith…”(Mayflower Compact 1620). We are far from finished in this mission. The recent assassination and martyrdom of Charlie Kirk has shaken us and awakened us to our mission from Heaven to disciple our nation for Christ. Join us as we set our hearts to fulfill this great mission!

Have you ever experienced the pain of longing, praying, and hoping for something, only to have it slip through your fingers? In this message, Pastor Caleb unpacks Luke 1:5-25, exploring the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, a couple who were righteous and faithful, yet suffered decades of silent longing and unanswered prayers. Discover the powerful truth that God hears your prayers even when He seems silent, and how His loving discipline is an invitation back to belief. In this sermon, you'll learn: - The Nature of True Faith: Zechariah and Elizabeth were described as blameless and righteous before God. This meant they had inward integrity and were the same person in private as they were in public. - The Tension of the Christian Life: You can be Godly and disappointed, righteous and barren, or blameless and brokenhearted. Faithfulness does not exempt you from heartache. - Two Temptations in the Waiting Room: When you're trying to live faithfully but suffering silently, be careful not to fall into feeling defeated (thinking your pain is payback for sin) or entitled (treating God like a transactional rewards program). - God's Silence is Not His Absence: Even when we feel like He doesn't, God hears our prayers. God broke the personal silence for Zechariah and Elizabeth and the prophetical silence for His people. - The Danger of Unbelief and Discipline as Grace: Zechariah's doubt (unbelief) prompted a loving discipline: nine months of silence. For a genuine follower of Jesus, discipline is not punishment (which was finished on the cross) but a form of grace—an invitation to step back into love and obedience. - The Ultimate Joy of Christmas: The greatest joy Zechariah and Elizabeth found was not in having a child, but in God remembering His people and finally sending His Savior, Jesus Christ. Key Topics Covered: - The Messengers Series: Kicking off the Christmas series by looking at the first messengers of Christmas, specifically the angel Gabriel. - A Personal Story of Loss and Hope: Pastor Caleb's story of naming his stillborn son Gabriel, "God's Messenger of Hope," after the angel. - The Spiritually Dry Season: Zechariah and Elizabeth lived during a 400-year gap where God did not send a prophet or a fresh word. - The Parallel with Elijah: Gabriel's message announced that Zechariah's son, John, would come in the spirit and power of Elijah, paving the way for the long-awaited Savior. - The Consequences of Doubt: Zechariah's questioning, "HOW shall I know this?", revealed a heart full of cynicism, in contrast to Mary's heart of faith. - Discipline and Discipleship: God uses discipline (like a job loss or a hard marriage season) to form us into the image of His Son, teaching us humility and perseverance. - If you are currently feeling stuck in a "waiting room" of life, struggling with doubt, or experiencing a season of discipline, this message will encourage you to trust God's loving heart and respond to the message of hope in Jesus. - Would you like me to share one of the specific application points from the sermon on how to respond to God's voice in a season of discipline or unbelief?

Topics: Meaning of Counting the Cost, Context of Luke 14:26-33, Impossible Standards to be a Disciple, Hating Family in Luke 14:26, Hating Own Life in Luke 14:26, Bearing Your Cross in Luke 14:27, Building a Tower in Luke 14:28, Insufficient Funds to Finish, Mockery in Luke 14:29-30, Kings at War in Luke 14:31, Terms of Peace in Luke 14:32, Giving Up Everything in Luke 14:33, Added Biblical Subheadings, Man-Made Religious Narratives, Origin of Sermons, Greek Sophists and Preaching, Disciples in the Epistles, One Spirit with the Lord in 1 Corinthians 6:17, Difference Between Disciple and Christian, Definition of a Disciple, Physical Followers of Jesus, End of Discipleship Model, Spirit Poured Out in Acts 2, Preaching the Gospel, Holy Spirit Teaching in John 14:26, Internal Witness of Truth, God Speaking through His Son in Hebrews 1, Effort-Based Ministries, Hidden in Christ in Colossians 3:3, Cannot Afford the Cost, Jesus Paying the Cost, Accepting the Delegation, Union with Christ, Resting and Trusting, Not Owing Jesus AnythingSupport the showSign up for Matt's free daily devotional! https://mattmcmillen.com/newsletter

Jesus Followers Have Eternal Life, Even Before their Earthly Death, Because Whoever “believes him {God} who sent me {Jesus}” MESSAGE SUMMARY: First, the moment you become a Jesus Follower, you have immediate Eternal Life; and you become a Citizen of Heaven.  Jesus tells us, in John 5:24, that His followers have Eternal Life and are Citizens of Heaven here on earth living their earthly lives: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.". As Christians and Citizens of Heaven, we know that the Lord is coming back -- either to greet us when we die or before we die at His Second Coming. For most of us, however, our vision of Heaven is clouded by looking backwards; therefore, the return of Jesus does not have any power in our life. Paul reinforces the return of the Lord of Heaven in Philippians 1:6: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.". When Jesus returns, we will put on our spiritual bodies, as promised. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 4:17: “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus' name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM 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): 1 Peter 1:1-18; 1 Corinthians 11:23-27; Luke 22:20; Psalms 1:1-6. 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 Day Is Coming – Part 1” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/    DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Mary's Magnificat invites you to bring your need to God with honesty and hope. He still lifts the humble, still keeps His promises, and still saves through His Son. Followers of Jesus are called to respond as Mary did by trusting God's Word, receiving His mercy, and offering their whole selves in worship.

A Day Is Coming – Part 1 MESSAGE SUMMARY: We are entering the season of Advent, which means “coming” or “arrival”. The Church begins this season of “arrival” or Advent as the time we recognize and celebrate the “arrival” of Jesus – both Jesus' “first coming” and His “second coming”. We celebrate Jesus' “first coming” on Christmas Eve. The season of Advent is, also, the beginning of the Church's “New Year”. Today, we begin our focus for Advent on Jesus “second coming” as promised by the Jesus in Luke 21:27-28: “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”. Jesus realized that his first “arrival” on Earth was to sacrifice and to fulfil the Old Testament prophesies. Jesus knew, also, that His “first arrival” would provide a means that, through His sacrifice and Resurrection, could give all humans a personal relationship with God. However, Jesus knew that, after His sacrifice in His “first coming” into the World, that He would return to the World – Jesus' “second coming”. Jesus' “arrival”, in His “second coming”, is described, in the Bible text, that 1) Jesus is coming as the Son of Man – a term Jesus used to refer to Himself, from God's perspective; 2) Jesus is coming in a cloud; 3) Jesus' coming is preceded with certain signs in the Universe – all the “signs”, described in the Scripture, have already happened; and 4) the time of His coming being will be “soon” but “unknown”. As we are told in James 5:7-8, Jesus is coming again: “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.". The Bible, clearly, teaches that Jesus is coming into the World again – the “second coming”. What do we need to do given the certainty of Jesus' “second coming”? In Luke 21:34-36, Jesus answers this important question regarding our preparation for His “second coming”: “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”. Be reminded that the “cares” and “anxieties” of our lives can trap us from being ready for Jesus' “second coming”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus' name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM 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):  Mark 13:32; Luke 21:27-28; Matthew 16:27; Daniel 7:13-14; Luke 21:25; Luke 21:8-10; Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; Mark 13:32; John 14:3; Acts 1:9; 1 John 2:28;  1 Thessalonians 3:2; Hebrews 9:28; James 5:7-8; 2 Peter 3:10; Luke 21:34-36.  (Click the blue below to read the full Bible text for these scripture references in BOLD.). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE SEARCH: www.AWFTL.org/bible-search/ WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Jesus Followers Have Eternal Life, Even Before their Earthly Death, Because Whoever “believes him {God} who sent me {Jesus}””: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

In the Gospel of John, Jesusused the word “Father” 126 times when He spoke of His relationship withGod. The last of the seven spiritual realities that Paul speaks of, that is theground of our unity, is “one God and Father of all who isabove all and through all and in you all” (v. 6). Nowinteresting Paul basically said the same thing to the church at  Corinth in 1 Corinthians 8:5-6: “... yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are allthings, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things,and through whom we live”. Paul often used this word Father when he referredto God. (Over 46 times in his epistles). Many times, Paul said, “God theFather”. He also said, “God and Father”. Then Paul would often say “Godour Father”.  “Godour Father”.That the God of the universe, the God who created all things. In a sense, theFather of everything that is in this world came and emanated from our CreatorGod. Yet, that truth doesn't make every one of us today one of His children.Because, as you know, we're told in Ephesians 2, that we are born “childrenof wrath, children of disobedience”. That means we are under the control ofour old nature, of Satan himself in a sense. We are alienated in our minds ourby our wicked works against a holy God (Colossians 1:21).  ButGod loves us so much (John 3:16). He wants us to be in His family. That's whyJohn 1:12 says, "But as many as receive Him, to them He gives thepower, the authority to become the children of God." Then in the bookof 1 John 3:1-2, John again reminds us of this awesome relationship we can havewith God with these words: “Behold what manner of love the Father hasbestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! … Beloved, now we arechildren of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we knowthat when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is”.Wow! What love and what a great promise!!!! This is the truth of thespiritual reality that anyone, anywhere, can experience when they believe andtrust the Lord Jesus Christ to be their personal Lord and Savior! Paulin Romans 8:14-17, puts it this way: “For as many as are led by the Spiritof God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondageagain to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,"Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit thatwe are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and jointheirs with Christ…”  Inour despair and pain we can “cry Abba Father, dear Father, daddy Father”. Weare close to Him. He is a Father who cares for us, who loves us, who draws usnear to His bosom, who holds us close. “He is Father of mercies and the God ofall comfort," (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).Oh, what an awesome Father God that you and I have who cares for us so deeplythat He would send His Son, His only Son. He's the Father of our Lord JesusChrist in the trinity. He is Father of us as we trust Him to be our Lord andSavior. Oh my friend, you can call Him, “my Father”. The Lord's prayerteaches us to pray “Our Father who art in heaven”. Why? Because againit's speaking of the unity of believers.  So,in these seven spiritual realities that Paul points out, we have the purity ofour doctrine. Oh my friend, that's who weneed to worship. The true, the living God, the God who sent His Son, JesusChrist. Be encouraged today if you're a believer. Despite what else ishappening around you, what's going on that might be bad or tragic in your life,God can be your Father today. He loves you. He cares for you. He yearns for youto come to Him with all your needs, with all your hurts, with all your pain.He's ready to heal them through His Holy Spirit and through the blood of JesusChrist He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Would you come to Himtoday? He's waiting for you just as the father waited for the prodigal sonthere in Luke 15.

Mary's Magnificat invites you to bring your need to God with honesty and hope. He still lifts the humble, still keeps His promises, and still saves through His Son. Followers of Jesus are called to respond as Mary did by trusting God's Word, receiving His mercy, and offering their whole selves in worship.

Our Bridegroom is coming! When you at long last meet Him face to face, will you be pleasing to Him? The biblical book of Genesis describes how Abraham sent his servant to find a suitable bride for his son Isaac--and how that servant found Rebekah, a woman of remarkable character who met the father's criteria. That same story is an allegory of how God seeks a bride for His Son, Jesus. With this in mind, Anne Graham Lotz and her daughter Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright will join us to explore the characteristics God the Father is seeking to find in the bride of His Son, Jesus.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)YouTube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comI John 5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and those who love the Father will also love His children. Love for God is demonstrated by obeying His commands, which are not burdensome. Those born of God overcome the world through faith. Jesus came by water and blood, and the Spirit testifies to this truth. There are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and all agree. Believing the testimony God has given about His Son leads to eternal life. John writes so that believers may know they have everlasting life. He encourages confidence in prayer, especially regarding God forgiving those who battle sin. Christ will protect His people from the evil one, saving their souls, and challenging them to keep themselves from idols.   Our faith in Jesus gives us true identity and lasting strength. When we believe He is the Son of God, we adopt a new way of living, characterized by love, obedience, and confidence. Loving God means caring deeply for His people and expressing that love by following His commands. These commands are not burdens; they are invitations to walk in freedom. We can approach God in prayer with boldness, knowing He hears us as we pray for others and ourselves. Jesus is our helper and protector. In His name, we are called to guard our hearts against anything that pulls us away from Him. As we stay rooted in Christ, we find victory, clarity, and the life He promises.  Abiding Lord, we praise You for the adoption You provide to believers. We believe Jesus is the Christ and embrace our identity as Your children. Help us remain joyful in Your victory and keep Your commandments with willing hearts. Thank You for the undeniable testimony of Jesus, His baptism, His death, and the Spirit's testimony about Him. We will pray with confidence through Jesus. We will appeal to His mercy on one another's behalf and enjoy protection through our victorious Savior. Please help us flee idolatry in every place and keep our eyes on Your Son, now and for eternity.    Thought Questions: Do you believe this: “whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God”? If so, what about obedience, love of others, and faithfulness? What does it mean to say that the Spirit, the water, and the blood testify of Jesus? What is the most impactful evidence of Jesus to you? Are you confident of eternal life? Why do you think so many Christians struggle with assurance of salvation? What would you tell them?

In order for gold to be refined to purity, it must go through many instances of being in a burning fire until all the dross and other impurities have been removed. This is the way that God refines us to be more like His Son, Jesus. Once we have accepted His free gift of salvation, we have Jesus inside of us and must encounter times of “heat” in our lives until Jesus is clearly seen.

Many believers walk healed in some areas yet still feel unworthy of the Father's love. In this powerful ministry moment, receive freedom from unworthiness, rejection, and emotional blockages as God pours His love into every part of your being. Purchase Kathy's book Healed at Last – Overcome Sickness to Receive your Physical Healing on Amazon https://a.co/d/6a6mt8w or at: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/healed-at-last/ Purchase Anointing Oil with a prayer cloth that Kathy has personally mixed and prayed over on Kathy's Website or Amazon. Order anointing oil by Kathy on Amazon look for her brand here https://amzn.to/3PC6l3R or Kathy DeGraw Ministries https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/product-category/oils/ Training, Mentorship and Deliverance! Personal coaching, deliverance, ecourses, training for ministry, and mentorships! https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/training/# So many people have gone through deliverance yet still wrestle with feeling unworthy of the Father's love. This message releases a baptism of love that reaches deep into the soul, removing the residue of rejection, shame, and emotional wounds. God doesn't love you because you earned it. He loves you because He is a loving Father who sent His Son for you. His love is not measured by your past but by His nature. As you listen, position yourself to receive. The Holy Spirit moves through this moment with healing, inner restoration, and the breaking of unworthiness. Every lie that told you you weren't enough is dismantled as the Father pours out His love. Expect fresh fire, fresh wind, and new assignments as the love of God fills every part of your being. This is a time of impartation, identity, and encounter. Let the Father touch the hidden places of your heart and reveal how deeply you are loved. If you've struggled with self-worth, emotional pain, or feeling distant from God, this message will lead you into a new experience of acceptance and belonging in Him. #fatherslove #innerhealing #deliveranceministry #identityinchrist #emotionalhealing **Connect with Us** - Website: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathydegraw/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathydegraw/   Podcast - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and listen to Kathy's Podcast called Prophetic Spiritual Warfare, or on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/3mYPPkP28xqcTzdeoucJZu or Apple podcasts at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prophetic-spiritual-warfare/id1474710499   **Recommended Resources:** - Receive a free prayer pdf on Warfare Prayer Declarations at https://kathydegrawministries.org/declarations-download - Kathy's training, mentoring and ecourses on Spiritual Warfare, Deliverance and the Prophetic: https://training.kathydegrawministries.org/ - Healed At Last ~ Overcome Sickness and Receive your Physical Healing: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/healed-at-last/ - Mind Battles – Root Out Mental Triggers to Release Peace!: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/product/mind-battles-pre-order-available-january-2023/ -Kathy has several books available on Amazon or kathydegrawministries.org   **Support Kathy DeGraw Ministries:** - Give a one-time love offering or consider partnering with us for $15, $35, $75 or any amount! Every dollar helps us help others!  - Website: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/donate/  - CashApp $KDMGLORY - Venmo @KD-Ministries - Paypal.me/KDeGrawMinistries or donate to email admin@degrawministries.org - Mail a check to: Kathy DeGraw Ministries ~ PO Box 65 ~ Grandville MI 49468  

In order for gold to be refined to purity, it must go through many instances of being in a burning fire until all the dross and other impurities have been removed. This is the way that God refines us to be more like His Son, Jesus. Once we have accepted His free gift of salvation, we have Jesus inside of us and must encounter times of “heat” in our lives until Jesus is clearly seen. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/640/29?v=20251111

Kids learn that God sent His Son, Jesus, to the earth as a human to be our Savior. John 1:14, "The Word became flesh." L1#firstchristmasstory, #christmasisforkids, #jesusisborn, #christiankids, #kids, #biblestoriesforkids, #storiesforkids, #storiesforchristiankids, #storiesofjesus, #bedtimestoriesforkids, #roncarriewebb, #ronandcarriewebb, #jesusnmeclubhouseLook Busy by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. ⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠Source: ⁠http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100172⁠Artist: ⁠http://incompetech.com/Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400054Artist: http://incompetech.com/

The Gospel of John Week 22 Scripture: John 17:1-21. Pastor starts today's class off with an interesting observation. The other three gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke mention the prayers of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, but John does not. John talks about the prayer that occurred before Jesus got to the garden, the prayer He prayed on the way there.  When we put those two different sets of prayers together (the ones from John on the way, and the ones from the other writers at the Garden) it gives us a greater sense of Jesus' heart during this evening, but also of the assurance the He had from the Father that this is going to turn out for our deliverance.  In Hebrews 12:2-3, we are encouraged to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men that you may not grow weary and lose hope." And so we are blessed by Jesus' obedience and faithfulness so that we also do not grow weary or lose hope, but that we see and understand that God is in control. Jesus and His disciples have left the upper room and are walking to the Garden of Gethsemane. In John 17:1-2 we see Him pause on His way to the garden to pray what has been referred to as the "High Priestly Prayer." Jesus begins with, "Father." It's personal and it's an example for us to be personal with God as well. Jesus says, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you." The Father is glorified by the obedience of Jesus, His Son, by Jesus being obedient even unto death on the cross.  Jesus continues, "For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."  What is eternal life? It is eternal life to know the Father and know the Son and to be in relationship with the Living God. In verse 6 Jesus starts to pray for His disciples and we see the love He has for them. He sees them as precious and loved. He looks past their mistakes and loves them and He looks at us the same way, He looks past our mistakes and loves us. We are precious to Him. We don't need to remember our failures and allow those to control us. We remember what God says about who we are and allow Him to guide and direct us as His loved children. As Jesus' prayer continues we see Him blessing them, interceding for them and praying for their protection. And He prays for them to be protected in the power of the Father's name. God's name IS His character and Jesus has revealed His name, His character, because if you want to know what the Father is like, you look at the Son. Jesus goes on to pray that he wants the full measure of His joy within His disciples. He says this knowing that in just a bit He will be arrested, tried and crucified. But what He also knows is that there is victory coming. He focused on the outcome, that of giving us an eternity with Him for all who believe in Him. And that's what He wants them to hold onto, too. And he prays for their protection from the evil one and that they would be set apart for the Father's work and His purposes. Then Jesus' prayer moves from the 12 to pray about us. verses 20-21, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."  Pastor talks about how Jesus continues to pray for us and believers today. In Hebrews 7:25 we read, "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." (Intercede is to pray for). Jesus is praying that we will live in unity with God and one another. We want to love as He loved, obey as He obeyed, speak as He speaks, follow as He followed. To go where He goes.  He prays unity of the believers, so that others, non-believers, the world, will know that God the Father sent Jesus because of His love for us and that is the love we share together and with others. We should flee religion and rush to the Father, seeking out a relationship with Him through faith in the Lord Jesus and becoming transformed. It's not about knowing certain facts, it's about knowing God. It's not about knowing the answer to how to get to heaven. It's is about knowing the One who get us to heaven!!  Jesus says, "no-one comes to the Father, except through Me." And that is Jesus; prayer, complete unity, unity with Him, even as He and the Father are one. Jesus goes on with, "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." Wow, He wants to spend eternity with us. We are truly loved! We may live in His presence and live in relationship with Him, basking in His love and taking to heart what He has promised: "I am always with you, even to the end of the age." And then we read that when He had finished praying, Jesus left with His disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. (And they continued to the Garden of Gethsemane.) Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01     ⁃    The Gospel of John study is part five of five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels.      ⁃    The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Many people have come to faith after reading only this book of the Bible.  Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details in the Gospel of John. We can now understand it as the most Jewish rather than the most "Gentile/Greek" of the Gospels, and when we do that we see many things that we missed before. Our 2 year study of the gospels is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time!

When we think of the love of God, it seems backwards. It seems weird that a God who is perfect and loving would give us a way to have a relationship with Him. In today's message, Pastor Ken says we must remember that God doesn't treat us like we deserve. Because of His love, He's constantly reaching out to you to have a relationship with you. He wants you to be free from the chains of your sin and live in the freedom He gives you. Trust in the freedom that His Son gave you today!  Choose His love today!

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)YouTube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comI John 4 Believers must not accept every spirit but should test them to determine if they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. The true Spirit of God acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, while the spirit of the antichrist denies Him. Believers are from God and have overcome the world because the One who is in them is greater than the one in the world. John emphasizes the essential nature of love. Love originates from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows Him. God demonstrated His love by sending His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Since God loved us, we ought to love one another. If we love, God dwells in us, perfecting His love in us.  We are to stay alert and grounded in truth. Not everything we hear should be trusted, so we must test it against what we know about Jesus. When we center our lives on Him, we gain the strength to stand firm. Love is not just something we talk about; it is something we must live out daily. If God loved us enough to send His Son, then we should reflect that same love to others. This means showing patience, forgiveness, and kindness, even when it is not easy. As we love more deeply, we create space for God to work through us. His presence becomes real in our relationships, especially in deeply committed love toward brothers and sisters in Christ.   Honorable God, grant us the wisdom to properly discern truth from error. Please provide us with cautious hearts and minds regarding what we hear and choose to believe. When in doubt, lead us to lean into greater love: for You, Your people, and everyone we encounter. Thank You for demonstrating Your incredible love by sending Your Son as the propitiation for our sins. We will draw from that act of kindness to shape how we care for others. Help us develop a perfect love that casts out fear. May we be joyfully obedient to You and kind to our Christian family.  Thought Questions: What are the “spirits” that you need to test, and how do you do that? Why is it essential to be a consistent, daily bible student? Why should God's people love and help and serve one another in a way that is beyond anything the world could ever understand? How does perfect love cast out fear? How do you develop that level of love for God and others, freeing yourself from fear of punishment?

Welcome to Day 2741 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – Pentecost and the Reversal of Babel: Reclaiming the Nations for Yahweh Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2741 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2741 of our Trek.   The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website   theologyinfive.com.   Today's lesson is titled Pentecost and the Reversal of Babel: Reclaiming the Nations for Yahweh   The biblical narrative does not unfold randomly—it is a carefully structured drama of rebellion, judgment, and redemption. One of the clearest examples of this pattern occurs between two seemingly distant events: the judgment at the Tower of Babel in Genesis Eleven and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts two. While Babel marked the disinheritance and scattering of the nations due to collective rebellion, Pentecost served as a supernatural reversal of that judgment and the formal beginning of Yahweh's mission to reclaim the nations under the rule of His Son, Jesus the Messiah. This first segment is: Babel: Humanity's United Rebellion and Yahweh's Judgment. In Genesis Eleven, mankind, still united by one language and culture, gathered in defiance of God's command to spread out and fill the earth (Genesis Nine verse 1).   Instead, they sought to build a tower—a ziggurat—that would “reach to the heavens” and make a name for themselves. This act was more than urban planning or architectural ambition; it was a spiritual rebellion. In the Ancient Near East, ziggurats symbolized sacred space, portals between heaven and earth, where humans could manipulate the gods. The Tower of Babel, therefore, represented a counterfeit mountain of assembly—an attempt to storm heaven and force divine presence on human terms. God responded not by destroying them physically but by confusing their language. This act severed their ability to conspire as one. More significantly, according to Deuteronomy thirty-two verses eight and nine (Dead Sea Scrolls versions), God responded by disinheriting the nations: When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court. “For the people of Israel belong to the Lord; Jacob is his special possession. This passage reveals a profound truth: Yahweh handed over the rebellious nations to lesser divine beings—members of the heavenly host often referred to as the bene elohim. These beings were expected to rule justly, but Psalm 82 shows that they instead oppressed and corrupted the nations under their charge, leading Yahweh to declare their doom. From Babel onward, Yahweh would focus on a single nation—Israel—through whom He would eventually bless all the nations (Genesis twelve verse three). The second segment is: Pentecost: The Gathering Begins. Fast forward to Acts two. The Jewish feast of Shavuot (Pentecost) had brought devout Jews and proselytes from across the known world to Jerusalem. This was the perfect...

What is the Ego?The ego is idolatry; the sign of limited and separated self, born in a body, doomed to suffer and to end its life in death. It is the “will” that sees the Will of God as enemy, and takes a form in which it is denied. The ego is the “proof” that strength is weak and love is fearful, life is really death, and what opposes God alone is true.The ego is insane. In fear it stands beyond the Everywhere, apart from All, in separation from the Infinite. In its insanity it thinks it has become a victor over God Himself. And in its terrible autonomy it “sees” the Will of God has been destroyed. It dreams of punishment, and trembles at the figures in its dreams; its enemies, who seek to murder it before it can ensure its safety by attacking them.The Son of God is egoless. What can he know of madness and the death of God, when he abides in Him? What can he know of sorrow and of suffering, when he lives in eternal joy? What can he know of fear and punishment, of sin and guilt, of hatred and attack, when all there is surrounding him is everlasting peace, forever conflict-free and undisturbed, in deepest silence and tranquility?To know reality is not to see the ego and its thoughts, its works, its acts, its laws and its beliefs, its dreams, its hopes, its plans for its salvation, and the cost belief in it entails. In suffering, the price for faith in it is so immense that crucifixion of the Son of God is offered daily at its darkened shrine, and blood must flow before the altar where its sickly followers prepare to die.Yet will one lily of forgiveness change the darkness into light; the altar to illusions to the shrine of Life Itself. And peace will be restored forever to the holy minds which God created as His Son, His dwelling place, His joy, His love, completely His, completely one with Him.LESSON 331There Is No Conflict, For My Will Is Yours.How foolish, Father, to believe Your Son could cause himself to suffer! Could he make a plan for his damnation, and be left without a certain way to his release? You love me, Father. You could never leave me desolate, to die within a world of pain and cruelty. How could I think that Love has left Itself? There is no will except the Will of Love. Fear is a dream, and has no will that can conflict with Yours. Conflict is sleep, and peace awakening. Death is illusion; life, eternal truth. There is no opposition to Your Will. There is no conflict, for my will is Yours.Forgiveness shows us that God's Will is one, and that we share it. Let us look upon the holy sights forgiveness shows today, that we may find the peace of God. Amen.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

What is the Ego?The ego is idolatry; the sign of limited and separated self, born in a body, doomed to suffer and to end its life in death. It is the “will” that sees the Will of God as enemy, and takes a form in which it is denied. The ego is the “proof” that strength is weak and love is fearful, life is really death, and what opposes God alone is true.The ego is insane. In fear it stands beyond the Everywhere, apart from All, in separation from the Infinite. In its insanity it thinks it has become a victor over God Himself. And in its terrible autonomy it “sees” the Will of God has been destroyed. It dreams of punishment, and trembles at the figures in its dreams; its enemies, who seek to murder it before it can ensure its safety by attacking them.The Son of God is egoless. What can he know of madness and the death of God, when he abides in Him? What can he know of sorrow and of suffering, when he lives in eternal joy? What can he know of fear and punishment, of sin and guilt, of hatred and attack, when all there is surrounding him is everlasting peace, forever conflict-free and undisturbed, in deepest silence and tranquility?To know reality is not to see the ego and its thoughts, its works, its acts, its laws and its beliefs, its dreams, its hopes, its plans for its salvation, and the cost belief in it entails. In suffering, the price for faith in it is so immense that crucifixion of the Son of God is offered daily at its darkened shrine, and blood must flow before the altar where its sickly followers prepare to die.Yet will one lily of forgiveness change the darkness into light; the altar to illusions to the shrine of Life Itself. And peace will be restored forever to the holy minds which God created as His Son, His dwelling place, His joy, His love, completely His, completely one with Him.LESSON 331There Is No Conflict, For My Will Is Yours.How foolish, Father, to believe Your Son could cause himself to suffer! Could he make a plan for his damnation, and be left without a certain way to his release? You love me, Father. You could never leave me desolate, to die within a world of pain and cruelty. How could I think that Love has left Itself? There is no will except the Will of Love. Fear is a dream, and has no will that can conflict with Yours. Conflict is sleep, and peace awakening. Death is illusion; life, eternal truth. There is no opposition to Your Will. There is no conflict, for my will is Yours.Forgiveness shows us that God's Will is one, and that we share it. Let us look upon the holy sights forgiveness shows today, that we may find the peace of God. Amen.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

In the final segment of our Bible readings, we are introduced a picture of ourself - Onesimus, a profligate runaway slave, who in Rome is liberated from his wasteful state to become a brother in Christ. Theo key words in this letter are related to BOWELS. Paul is demonstrating his love for God, His Son, His Word, His truth, and for Philemon and his family and the ecclesia, as well as for Onesimus. The Apostle is demonstrating to Philemon that, we must not only know and live the truth, but we must also love it, and God and His Son and His Word, His truth, His ecclesia, His familyverses we must be emotionally involved and committed. K Paul sends Onesimus back to his master, as a fellow believer in Christ carrying this letter and the epistle to the Colossians. Onesimus is formerly described as being "unprofitable", which is our condition before we believed the gospel and received forgiveness. But now he has learnt to abound in his grateful realisation of his elevated status see Ephesians 2verses1-12. The Apostle Paul had taught Philemon the truth of the gospel. He speaks of Philemon's debt to God in the forgiveness which he has been given. Therefore, Philemon ought to show the same forgiveness to his fellow believer - even though Onesimus was his slave. The Apostle Paul is confident that Philemon will comply with the Apostle's request. Final greetings are conveyed through Epaphras, who carries the letter to Philemon.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow

The moments that most change our lives aren't just the big ones when we say “I do,” or land the great new job, or stand on some breathtaking peak to stare at wondrous landscapes. Quiet moments also have within them the stuff of destiny. That moment—sometimes in a crowd; more often alone—when we trust ourselves to grace—haltingly, even tentatively—becomes the pivot of our everafter.  Our looming fear reminds us always of our brokenness and sin: the record of our foolishness tempts us to believe that only righteous deeds can ever change what we think is the Father's frown. In reality, “God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17).  The Bible tells us we are deeply and unchangeably loved “while we were yet sinners” (Rom 5:7)—before we knew to tidy up our act, behave accordingly, or polish our veneers.  Jesus is the Father's standing—kneeling, dying, rising—invitation to trust the love that will not let us go.  Grace invites us to embrace the gift we never thought was meant for us, to revel in the long, essential kindness we will never deserve but may always enjoy.  So stay in grace. -Bill Knott

Martin Rinckart wrote this hymn as a mealtime prayer for his children. Despite terrible suffering from war and famine, Rinckart was able to give thanks to God for His overflowing gifts. Such Christian thanksgiving is found in the heart and shows forth into the voice and hands as well. God is the One who knits us together in our mothers' wombs, and He is the One who guides us in the way, His Son, Jesus. We pray that He would bless us bounteously, not only according to the 4th Petition, but according to all His gifts promised in the Lord's Prayer. With the confidence of His promise, we give thanks to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever.  Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study LSB 895, “Now Thank We All Our God.”  To learn more about Trinity in Vinton, visit trinitylcmsvinton.org. “Songs and Thankfulness and Praise” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that studies a variety of hymns of thanksgiving from Lutheran Service Book. Thanksgiving is a way of life for Christians as we realize that all gifts come from God's fatherly love for us. In times of joy and sorrow, we return our thanks to Him for His never-ending goodness and mercy.   Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

The King is Coming. Get Off the Throne! Matthew 21:1–11 | The Triumphant Entry Advent begins with a stunning announcement. The King is coming. Get off your throne. Like Humpty Dumpty, we love to sit on thrones that are not ours, trying to rule our own lives. And like Humpty, we fall. Sin is more than bad behavior. It is the pride of self-rule, the illusion that we are in control, the stubborn belief that we answer to no one. And once we shatter, we cannot put ourselves back together again. Yet Advent begins with hope. The true King comes to restore the broken. In the Collect of the Day we pray, “Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come.” We confess that we cannot save ourselves from the perils of our sins. We ask God to come into our darkness, pride, and fractured lives. And He does. Not by calling us upward, but by coming downward in His Son. Jesus enters Jerusalem on a humble donkey. He comes not with force but with mercy, not to be served but to save. His throne will be a cross. His crown will be thorns. His victory will be His death and resurrection. This is the King who answers our Advent prayer with His suffering and with His life-giving triumph. Christ continues to come to His people even now. In His Word, in Holy Baptism, and in His Supper He gathers the fallen and makes them whole. At His altar, the King gives His own body and blood for forgiveness and strength. The King is coming. Let every heart prepare Him room. ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Romans 8:28-30 — The believer in Christ is caught up in a grand trinitarian story between the mutual glorification of the Father and the Son. This cosmic story of God's glory bestows unbelievable benefits upon unworthy sinners. When the Christian is united with Christ, all God purposed is guaranteed and the Son will be glorified in the salvation of His people. In this sermon on Romans 8:28­–30 titled “To Glorify Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones connects God the Father's grand purpose in the glorification of His Son to the ultimate grounds of assurance. Dr. Lloyd-Jones assures that based upon the apostle Paul's words, every detail in the believer's salvation – foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification – will be accomplished in perfect detail. Furthermore, Dr. Lloyd-Jones works through the biblical texts across the New Testament and comes to a clear definition for the controversial term “foreknowledge.” With consistency and care, he argues that the term means God setting His love upon His people. Moreover, there is very little difference between the biblical teaching of foreknowledge and the doctrine of predestination. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives believers unlimited grounds for assurance. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29?v=20251111

We met Dan and Rita and their dog when we took our Native American team to a reservation in South Dakota. They live in this dusty little village, doing their best to make a difference for the people there. They've got this little dog named Gal. Now most dogs are pretty aggressive in meeting strangers - they come right up to you, even on you. But not Gal. No, she retreats when she sees people. She cowers actually; she trembles. Dan and Rita explained why. Their dog had been severely abused by several previous owners before they got her. So she has a hard time trusting even people who want to treat her right, but she's missing a lot of loving that way. I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about "Where Trust Is Born." Wounded, then afraid to trust, and missing a lot of love. That's not just the life story of a dog. It's a life story of millions of people. It might be your story. You've been betrayed by people you should have been able to trust - abused, abandoned, deeply hurt. And it's hard for you to trust anyone. You've just been hurt too often. It's even hard for you to trust someone who wants to treat you right. Maybe even the Person who wants to give you the deepest love a human being can ever experience, and that would be God. You're not even sure how you feel about Him. There have been tragedies you don't understand, there've been questions you can't find answers for. And even though all those children sing that little song, "Jesus loves me, this I know," you can't sing their song because you haven't really trusted Him with everything you've got. You've never really experienced this "I will never leave you" love. In fact, that's the promise Jesus made to those who belong to Him. He said literally, "I will never leave you or forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). If you struggle to trust even the God who has the love and the healing you need, I ask you to consider our word for today from the Word of God. It's from Romans 8:31-32. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Someone might be asking, "Is God for us?" Here's the answer: "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all - how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" God says, "If you want to know if you can trust Me, come to My Son's cross." Because the only way for you and me to belong to God is to have the death penalty for our sin paid. God gave up His Son to pay it. God really doesn't want to lose you. He really does love you. Just look at His Son, hanging on that bloody cross, pouring out His life in exchange for yours. Stand at the foot of the cross and try to get these words out, "I don't know if I can trust You." It's pretty hard to say those words there, because you've finally found the one person you can totally trust. Because the Savior who loves you enough to die for you will never betray your trust. He will never do you wrong! Who else can you count on to love you like that for now, forever? Trust is born at the cross of Jesus when you let the walls around your wounded heart finally come down, and when you say, "Jesus, I need a Savior. I need to be forgiven. I need Your love. Jesus, I'm Yours." If you've never done that, let today be the day you let His love flood into your hurting heart. I want to invite you to go to our website, because it's there for someone who is ready to begin their relationship with Jesus. I hope you'll go there today - ANewStory.com. There's more love waiting for you than you ever imagined you could have. The arms of Jesus are wide open, extending to you hands that have nail scars in them - proof of how much He loves you. Now, it's your move.

The Christmas season is filled with twinkling lights, festive excitement, and no shortage of gift lists—but in the middle of the holiday rush, how do we help our daughters understand that generosity is more than presents under a tree? In this heartfelt episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, hosts Rachael Culpepper, American Heritage Girls Executive Director, and Melissa Bearden explore what it truly means to cultivate a generous heart—one rooted in gratitude, compassion, and the character of Christ.  Through stories from their own girlhood Christmases, Rachael and Melissa reflect on simple moments of kindness that shaped their understanding of giving. Together, they unpack the truth that generosity flows not from abundance, but from love—and that the greatest gifts we give our daughters are opportunities to serve, bless others, and reflect God's heart for the world. With insights from American Heritage Girls Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay's "Divine Generosity" devotion, this episode reminds us that God Himself is the model of sacrificial giving, offering His Son as the greatest gift of all.  Listeners will discover practical ways to spark meaningful conversations about generosity, from redefining what "giving" really looks like to letting girls take the lead in blessing someone this season. Rachael and Melissa also share how the American Heritage Girls Program helps cultivate year-round generous living through service, community engagement, and Christ-centered character development.  Whether you're navigating a busy December calendar or longing to bring deeper spiritual meaning back into your family's traditions, this episode will encourage you to slow down, refocus, and lead your daughter toward a joy that lasts far longer than wrapped gifts or glittering décor.  A Few Things to Remember  God is the ultimate Giver—and our generosity reflects His heart.  True giving isn't about the size of the gift, but the love behind it.  Girls learn generosity by watching us—our joy, our sacrifice, our willingness to bless others.    Download the free Raising Godly Girls Guide to Joyful Giving at Christmas a family resource filled with activities, Scriptures, and conversation prompts to help you nurture a spirit of generosity this season.  Explore more tools for raising girls who love and serve the Lord at raisinggodlygirls.com.  Find or start an AHG Troop at americanheritagegirls.org. 

As we wrap up our "Essentials" series, we tackle a subject that tends to be tough for many to hear. How generosity is essential to our growth as Christians. The truth is that living a generous life helps us to know God better and trust Him more. God was generous with us and gave His Son as a gift, so, we should be inspired to be generous as well. Inviting God into your finances helps us to see where we are at and how to take our next step forward from there. Forsaking the "consumption assumption", we prepare our hearts to always ask where our resources need to go, each time they touch our hands. And a heart of generosity helps us to love God and love others. The ultimate truth this week is that generosity is essential to maturing in Christ. - Key Verses // John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 8:7, 2 Corinthians 9:7 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

Because we have peace with God through His Son, we can trust Him throughout our Christian pilgrimage. Today, R.C. Sproul conveys how sanctification is as much by faith as justification is. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/ultimately-with-rc-sproul/living-by-faith/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Sleep better and Stress Less— with Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. We hope this biblical sleep meditation, narrated by Jennifer Clark, helps your body relax and your mind rest on the truth found in scripture. In this sleep story, hear beautiful Scriptural reflections that point to the centrality of Christ throughout creation. Rest soundly in the holy plan and purpose of God through Christ, His Son. For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for better sleep is right here: https://abide.com/peaceDiscover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us

You've heard that every good thing comes from God, right? It's true. He is our example, both of how to live and how to react to others. This week, we're talking about practicing gratitude, and as usual, God shows us the way.Psalm 107:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”Often, we can become disappointed if we don't get everything we think we should have. But that's a dead-end when it comes to true happiness and peace. And those are things that we all really, deep down, crave.The ultimate gratitude comes from the Lord Himself. We learn in Psalm 149 that “the Lord delights in His people.” He first loved us, and that love flows down and through us. Truly, believers should be the most grateful people on the planet because we know that God has given to us His Son, Jesus Christ.Honestly, the Christian should go through each day so happy he or she can barely stand it. God has given us what we need, much of what we want, and He has already created a future for us that is so wonderful, humans can't even perceive it!Remember, God is the source of gratitude. He shows us how it's done because He knows us completely. Remember, as we go along with this topic that practicing gratitude is a huge key to finding peace.Let's pray. Lord, your goodness overwhelms us. Thank you for giving to us just because. We love you. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

As we have taken time to think about God’s good in our lives, there is no greater good than the gift of His Son, a gift He gave because He loved. Not because we were owed. Not because we were pretty good at heart. Not even because we had asked. He sent His Son as gift because He loved. And it was Jesus’ love for His Father, His love for You and me that brought Him to the cross.

But there is a remedy for sin, and that is confessing to God, believing in His Son, and living for Him the rest of your life. Be thankful you are not that patient on the table, or the nurse, or the doctor.

"A fellow-countryman and friend of St Basil the Great and other great saints of the fourth century, Amphilochius early forsook the bustle of the world and withdrew to a cave where, as a solitary, he lived in asceticism for forty years. The episcopal throne in Iconium then fell empty, and Amphilochius was chosen in a wonderful way and consecrated as Bishop of Iconium. He was a marvellous shepherd and a great defender of the purity of the Orthodox faith, and took part in the Second Ecumenical Council in 381. He fought zealously against Macedonius, and against the Arians and the Eunomians. He personally begged Theodosius the Great to drive the Arians out of every city in the Empire, but the Emperor did not comply with his request. After a few days, Amphilochius came before the Emperor again. When the bishop was taken into the presence-chamber, the Emperor was sitting on his throne with his son Arcadius, whom he had taken as co-Emperor, sitting at his right hand. Entering the room, Amphilochius did reverence to Theodosius, but ignored Arcadius as though he were not there. Infuriated by this, the Emperor Theodosius commanded that Amphilochius be instantly driven from court. The saint then said to the Emperor: 'Do you see, 0 Emperor, how you do not tolerate a slight paid to your son? In the same way, God the Father does not tolerate dishonour paid to His Son, turning with loathing from those who blaspheme against Him, and being angered at that accursed Arian heresy.' Hearing this, the Emperor understood the reason for Amphilochius's seeming disrespect towards his son, and marvelled at his wisdom and daring. Among many other works, Amphilochius wrote several books on the Faith. He entered into rest in 395 in great old age, and went to immortal life." (Prologue)   Saint Amphilocus was a kinsman of St Gregory the Theologian: his father's sister Nonna (August 5) was St Gregory's mother. Amphilocus himself was a lifelong friend of all three of the great Cappadocian Fathers: Sts Basil, Gregory the Theologian and Gregory of Nyssa.

For Jesus Followers, Fasting, with Food, Will Symbolize a Victory Over Oneself and Solidify a Personal Relationship with God MESSAGE SUMMARY: In the early Christian Church, which was under great stress and constant physical danger, God's direction and blessing was needed. Therefore, fasting was considered by Church leaders as a key element of their communion with God when they needed both His direction and blessing, as we find in Acts 14:23: “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.". As a challenge, "consider the food issue" in your life, especially when you need God's direction in your life, because food has such a stronghold on us. Fasting and tithing can significantly deepen your personal relationship with God because fasting is not easy; but success in fasting, especially with food, can symbolize your victory over yourself and solidify your commitment to your personal relationship with God.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus' name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 4:1-2; Matthew 6:16-18; 2 Samuel 12:15-17; Psalms144:1-15. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Turkeys and Eagles, Part 5: Following Jesus Changes Everything in Our Families” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/    DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Turkeys and Eagles, Part 5: Following Jesus Changes Everything in Our Families MESSAGE SUMMARY:    Series Overview: This Series has been looking at Paul's letter to the Ephesians to point out “Turkeyisms” – those things of our culture and some worldviews by which we may have been duped into beliefs inconsistent with the Gospel of Jesus or behaving in a manner that is not what Christianity is all about. This Series has pointed out some changes in our thinking needed to be like “Eagles” so that we can be the people that God wants and expects us to be. Today's Sermon: A look into Ephesians 5 provides a perspective on many “Turkeyisms”; however, the focus today is just on one: Turkey Thinking – “My Christianity has no effect on my family relationships, but my upbringing does”; but Eagle Thinking – My Christianity places me in the Kingdom of God with a radically different view of family relationships”. Being in the Kingdom of God Changes everything for those that follow Jesus. Marriage in America is having a rough time, and we can't say that Christian marriage is different. Too many of us, who say that we follow Jesus today, don't let Christianity follow us through the front door as we live our secular lives. In the First Century of the Ephesians, both Jewish and Greek laws greatly diminished the roles, respect for, and value of women. In the Roman world, of the same period, women and children were just passed around – women had many husbands. It was into this world of Judaism and Greco Roman culture that Jesus walked in; and we found Jesus respecting and honoring women. Jesus raised the status of women – Jesus brought a whole new way of thinking about family, marriage, children, and divorce into First Century culture that has provided an ethical context for two thousand years. In the same period and culture, Paul came along; and he set up churches. He wrote letters, which were written in the culture of this period, to the Christians in churches like the church in Ephesus. These early Christians were a part of the Kingdom of God – the blessed followers of Jesus – they were called to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to be imitators of Jesus. Therefore, followers of Jesus were to be vessels of His light to the world. Followers of Jesus were to be different from this culture of the period. By being different in their families, followers of Jesus would transform the culture (which, eventually, they did!!!). From Ephesians 5:21, we are to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”. “Submitting” is treating others like you wish to be treated. In Ephesians 5, Paul applies this principle of Christianity to the family (i.e. wives, husbands, and children) and to the workplace (i.e. employees). The Kingdom of God calls us to loving family relationships; therefore we, as followers of Jesus, are called to be different and not a part of the culture.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus' name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV):  Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-4; John 4:25-28; Mark 10:6-10; Proverbs 31:10-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.; Psalms 73a:1-14. SCRIPTURE REFERENCE SEARCH: www.AWFTL.org/bible-search/ WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “For Jesus Followers, Fasting, with Food, Will Symbolize a Victory Over Oneself and Solidify a Personal Relationship with God”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Grief is often described as waves that can crash through our lives like a tsunami. But what if you can learn to float, and eventually swim forward in the midst of that grief? We discuss how in this episode today as we also hear advice to someone grieving a friend, a father who lost a son, and a husband who lost his lifelong love to Alzheimer's. https://bit.ly/48gPjBq#grief #loss #WavesofGrief #MovingForward #coping #healing #HealthPodcastIn this Episode:02:56 - Recipe of the Week: Cinnamon Rolls03:07 - “My Friend Just Died and I Don't Know What to Do”09:19 - Coping Forward: Mental Health Strategies After Major Loss, by Lucy Tate16:39 - Discussion - Charlie's Journey after His Son's Murder20:10 - "Grief, Am I Doing This Right?" Greg, who lost his wife to Alzheimer's24:18 - OutroRelated Content:All Grief ContentMoving Forward After LossS5E35: Growth and Remembrance: What to Expect Your Third Year of GriefS3E24: Can Superpowers Overcome Grief?S3E20: Riding the Wave: Navigating the Second Year of GriefS6E9: Finding Your Breath in the Midst of GriefS6E16: Goals After Grief – Gentle, Practical Steps to Move Forward After LossSupport the showGet show notes and resources at our website: every1dies.org. Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | mail@every1dies.org

One football team owner called it "the single most impressive symbol of being a champion in all of sports." Yep, he was talking about the National Football League's Super Bowl ring. The rings on Super Bowl champions are worth many thousands of dollars each one! Can you imagine losing something that valuable, that irreplaceable? Former Oakland Raiders champion, Gene Upshaw, can remember that. Yeah, he can imagine it. To keep his Super Bowl ring safe at home, he put it inside a bank that looked like a Pepsi can. Problem: he forgot to tell his housekeepers. You know where this is going? Yep, they mistook the bank for an empty pop can and tossed it out, ring and all. I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Treasure In Your Mirror." That was a costly mistake - trashing treasure because of the container it was in. Well, that's a mistake many people are making. Except the treasure is themselves. And maybe we needed to talk about this today because maybe you're throwing away a treasure called you. Now you may not feel very valuable right now. Maybe you're not feeling very good about how you look, or what you weigh, or the fact that you're still single. You're not sure how much you're really worth. But you're making the same mistake those housekeepers made when they threw away that ring - judging the worth of what's inside by the container you come in. It could be that you feel pretty worthless because you've been passed over, put down, rejected, maybe abandoned, or maybe abused. And the tragedy is that you may have been throwing yourself away because you don't know how valuable you are. There are a lot of ways to throw yourself away. You can throw yourself away sexually, socially by the people you hang out with, chemically, alcoholically, just by giving up or withdrawing, maybe even thinking suicide. But you have worth that you'll never see just by looking in a mirror or basing it on how other hurting people are treating you. If you want to get an evaluation of your worth, you've got to go to the One who created you. He's the one who knows your value. In our word for today from the Word of God in the Bible, in 2 Corinthians 6:16, your Creator says, "We are the temple of the living God. As God has said...'I will be their God, and they will be My people...I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty." Did you hear what the God of the universe says about those who belong to Him? They're His temple that He lives in, His people that He walks with, sons and daughters of the King! If you don't feel like you are priceless treasure, maybe it's because you are without the One who gave you your value in the first place; the Creator who made you as His one-of-a-kind creation. You're missing the love you were made for. And that's because, well, we've chosen over and over again to turn our back on God and do things our way. But the Bible says God values you so much that He thought you were worth having His Son die for you! Good Friday was for you. Picture Jesus hanging on that cross. That was to pay for your sin so you could belong to Him. You'll never know how much you're really worth until you are in His loving arms. Jesus won't make you give yourself to Him. It's your choice to finally end those self-directed, wasted years and to stand at His cross and say, "Jesus, the 'me' years are over. You love me. You died for me. I'm yours." Why don't you make this the day that you become a member of His family. And say, "Jesus, I'm yours from this day on." There's a website I want to direct you to, it's ours. If you go there you'll find what you need to know from the Bible to be sure you belong to Jesus. It's ANewStory.com. Go there please. Maybe you've believed that you really don't matter much, and maybe you've thrown yourself away for long enough. You mattered enough to Jesus that He poured out His life for you. Isn't it time you belong to the One who loves you most?

Episode 2.58Adoption is not sentimental — it's sacrificial.In this week's episode, Zach and Michael turn from the Father's loving plan to the Son's redeeming work, showing that our adoption came at a staggering cost: the blood of Christ.Drawing from Galatians 4:1–7, they trace the journey from slavery to sonship. Humanity once stood as heirs-in-waiting, bound under the law. But “in the fullness of time,” God sent His Son — born of woman, born under the law — to redeem us so that we might receive adoption as sons. The Son bore the curse we deserved (Gal. 3:13), freeing us to share in His own inheritance.Paul's phrase “adoption as sons” carries Roman legal weight: all believers — male and female — share in the same full rights before the Father because they are united to Christ, the true Son.Our adoption was not cheap. It required the cross.Romans 5 reminds us: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God didn't adopt the neutral — He adopted the hostile. Every believer's redemption is a declaration of victory in a cosmic war.Applications:– Adoption is Warfare — every redeemed life is proof that Christ has conquered.– Adoption is Costly — our family status required the Son's death.– Adoption Invites Worship — Jesus was forsaken so we could be welcomed.– Adoption Shapes Gratitude — understanding the cost leads to humility and joy.Big Idea:Spiritual adoption is possible only because the Son paid the full price of redemption, securing our right to call His Father our Father.Find our videocast here: https://youtu.be/cWkzqx5GK6UMerch here: https://take-2-podcast.printify.me/Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone⁠License code: 2QZOZ2YHZ5UTE7C8Find more Take 2 Theology content at http://www.take2theology.com

The personal letter of Paul to his son in the faith, Timothy, is written from Rome during the Apostle Paul's first imprisonment (during his house arrest of two years) between 61-63 AD. The standard greeting of the Greeks "charis" - "grace"; and of the Hebrews, "shalom" - "peace", or "wholeness"; begin the letter.Verses 3-11 warn against false teachers. The Apostle starts with genealogies because the false teachers were asserting to their hearers the importance which they placed on their own lineage. Law is a necessity for humans are, by weakness and choice, sinners. From verses 12-17 the Apostle Paul states the first of five faithful sayings, written in the pastoral letters of 1 and 2 Timothy; and Titus. The first of these sayings is that "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners". Paul acknowledges that he is one of the foremost in this category, because he persecuted believers. In verses 18-20 Timothy is entrusted with the "charge" - Greek "deposit" i.e. solemn responsibility) to oppose false teachers and their teachings. In chapter 2verses1-6 Timothy is told to pray for all people so that believers may be allowed to worship God in peace. Paul states that God is the Father alone. He further adds that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of the Father, whose offering of himself brings believers to God. From verses 8-15 there are explanations about the right way to worship God. These include sincere prayer from dedicated believers; modesty in all aspects of appearance - avoiding drawing attention to oneself in the wearing of jewellery and in the wearing of immodest clothing. The Apostle says that in the meetings of believers that sisters acknowledge their God appointed roles by the wearing of a head covering and by allowing the men to teach. Nonetheless the sisters bearing of children is fulfilling (if by circumstances they are able) a God given role. A sister, Mary, gave birth to our Saviour. In chapter 3verses1 the Apostle gives the second faithful saying, "those aspiring to guiding believers have chosen a noble path". Verses 2-7 speak of the qualifications for an overseer (bishop), or guide of believers. Verses 8-13 outline the requirements for deacons (assistant guides for believers). Verses 14-16 talk about God and contain the great truth of the gospel that Jesus Christ is the pillar and foundation of the temple of faithful believers. Christ has revealed to all believers the character and traits of our Sovereign Father. Pivotal to understanding the gospel is a grasp of the doctrine of God manifestation. God was revealed in Christ who has revealed the character and attributes of his Father. Having done that, the Father then welcomes His Son to join Him in heaven. It seems that the Apostle Paul's thoughts may be based on Daniel 6verses19-26. Read aloud, pause and ponder.

If you want a good picture of what love is, look no further than God Himself. He not only demonstrated His love to us, through the sending of His Son to this earth, but He lavishly pours out His love into our hearts once we believe! And it gets even better! God wants to enable and empower you to love like He loves! Sounds like a worthy goal! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/621/29?v=20251111

Terry Almanza knows a thing or two about gangs, drugs, and organized crime. She spent nearly three decades with the Chicago Police Department, following a long family tradition of public service. But after her teenage daughter died from an overdose, Almanza says she was devastated by how law enforcement handled the case.Now, she's traded her badge for advocacy. Terry believes too many drug dealers are getting away with murder — and she's calling on others to push for stronger laws and accountability in their communities.She went on to form the Drug-Induced Homicide Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting families like hers and driving change. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Terry shares her daughter's story, what she's learned about addiction through both her career and her grief, and what it took to speak out against the very system she once served.Learn more about Drug-Induced Homicide Foundation here: https://poisoningofamerica.org/If you enjoyed this episode, you may like the following: A grieving father's fight to bring deadly drug dealers to justiceCoping With Grief and Choosing Life After TragedyHe Wanted Justice for His Son, So He Became the InvestigatorSend us a textBehind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were...daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number. Support the showConnect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela's Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily's Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charityWishing you faith, hope and courage!Podcast producers:Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

Mary's Prayer and Ours: How the Dawn of Salvation Breaks Into the World The Gospel presents Jesus' parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge . . . . . . as a lesson on the necessity of persevering in prayer. Even a corrupt judge responds to persistence . . . so how much more will God, who loves His people, answer those who cry out to Him with faith. Jesus warns that many give up too quickly, mistaking God's “not yet” for “no,” when persistent prayer actually purifies the heart and prepares the soul to receive what God desires to give. When the Night was Half Spent The Homily then turns to the First Reading from the Book of Wisdom, a text the Church connects to the mystery of Christmas. It describes the moment “when the night was half spent” and the “all-powerful Word leaped down from heaven,” imagery the Church recognizes as a prophetic anticipation of the Incarnation. This dramatic vision portrays Christ as a mighty Redeemer who breaks the darkness of sin and restores creation. The Homily also reflects on humanity's long night of spiritual darkness from Adam and Eve onward, during which the world groaned for salvation. Throughout history God's people cried out like the widow seeking justice. Their prayers . . . Abraham's, David's, the prophets' . . . reach their fullness when Mary, conceived without sin, adds her own pure prayer. Her plea becomes the hinge of history, and in response, God sends His Son, quietly and humbly, in her womb. The Homily further emphasizes that Mary continues to pray with and for the faithful. In this shrine dedicated to her, no one prays alone; her intercession elevates and perfects our petitions. Just as the Word once leapt from heaven in the Incarnation, He continues to do so at every Mass . . . descending upon the altar in the Eucharist for our salvation. In this mystery we recognize that we are no longer dwellers of a doomed land but witnesses of the dawn brought by Christ, the light of the world. Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to: Mary's Prayer and Ours: How the Dawn of Salvation Breaks Into the World ------------------------------------------------------------------- View of the Sun from Long Island, NY, not too far from the Shrine. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Luke 18: 1-8 First Reading: Wisdom 18: 14-16; 19: 6-9

Praise is not just a worship song or a Sunday morning routine—praise is a lifestyle. As our daily prayer and devotional remind us, Scripture tells us to “pray without ceasing,” and in the same way, we can cultivate a posture of continual praise. God gives abundantly, consistently, and generously. Even in difficult seasons, even in uncertainty, He remains the One who provides every good and perfect gift. Keneesha Saunders-Liddie reminds us that the greatest gift God ever gave was His Son. Christ came to earth, bore our sin, and secured our salvation—a gift precious beyond measure. But God’s generosity did not stop at the cross. He continues to sustain us daily with strength, breath, provision, relationships, and opportunities. James 1:17 emphasizes that God does not change. Unlike people who can be fickle or inconsistent, the Lord is steady and faithful. He does not give gifts only to take them back. He does not shift like shadows. His character is constant, and because of that, our praise should be constant too. Every blessing—big or small—flows from His good hand. Every moment of comfort, peace, joy, and strength is evidence of His loving provision. And even when we walk through trials, His presence and sustaining grace are gifts worth praising Him for. He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, and the ultimate source of all goodness. Bible Reading:“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17 Takeaway Truths: God is the source of every good and perfect gift. His character is unchanging, providing stability in an unstable world. Praise is a lifestyle that grows from recognizing God’s constant provision. Let’s Pray Oh Heavenly Father, You are the giver of all good and perfect gifts. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. What a comfort that is to my weary soul. There is evil all around. There are trials and temptations that I have to go through, but You don’t tempt believers with evil. You are the One who gives perfect gifts to Your children. You lead us through temptation, and Jesus has walked the path that we now must walk. There is no temptation that Jesus hasn’t experienced and overcome while He was here on earth. Thank You for being the giver of good gifts. My soul praises and extols Your matchless name because You are Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. You give gifts to me that are wonderful, and even when I have to walk through trials, Your constant presence is there with me. You are unchanging, O God, so that I can depend on You. I will continue to praise and magnify You, O Lord. Let my praises always be on the tip of my tongue. I praise You with my body, with my finances, with my lifestyle, and with everything that You have blessed me with. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Related Scriptures Psalm 103:2 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Psalm 145:7 Hebrews 13:8 Related Resources What Does It Mean That Every Good Gift Comes From God? – Crosswalk.com Understanding God’s Unchanging Character – BibleStudyTools.com More daily prayer devotionals at LifeAudio.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God has set His heart on perfecting us in the likeness of His Son. Today, Sinclair Ferguson presents the glorious destiny that has been guaranteed for all the redeemed in Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/glorification-perfected-in-christ/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts