Podcasts about his spirit

What do we believe and why does it matter? In this message, Pastor David "Waxer" Tipton explores the foundations of our faith and the hope we have in Jesus Christ. From the saving work of Christ and the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit to the promise of His return, we are reminded that our faith is rooted in a God who meets us with grace, leads us by His Spirit, and invites us into new life. Together, we look toward the future with hope, remembering that Jesus will return and that His promises are trustworthy. We are encouraged to remain watchful, faithful, and ready, finding comfort in the promise that we will one day be with Him forever. Our faith shapes how we live today, from the way we understand marriage and family to the way we value and protect every human life. Join us as we explore what it means for us at One Love Ministries to live out our beliefs with conviction, compassion, and hope, keeping our eyes on Jesus and the eternal life we have through Him.

Victory in Christ- It is because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross that we can walk and live in His victory. Our love for Jesus and His Spirit working in us should be our motivation for serving God, not religious tradition or the philosophies of man.

Has your soul ever felt overwhelmed? Who do you turn to when life overwhelms you? God is the source of our hope, but at times it can feel as though He is hard to find. Thankfully, we have His Spirit to lead us to His place of refuge amid life's chaos.

" When I rooted my identity in the Lord like I never have before, I realized that I am not the carnal desires of my body... "Therefore, crucify the lusts of the flesh and walk in the spirit." (Gal 5:5). As I've done that, I have come to realize full-heartedly, I am not my sexuality... In the scriptures it says freedom comes where the spirit of the Lord is, and freedom comes when sin is no longer your master. I have experienced freedom from same-sex attraction. It doesn't mean that God came and removed the thorn in my side, but it means that when I walk in His Spirit, I can stand immovable and unwavering in the face of temptation as Jesus did."00:00 Paralyzed By Blackmail06:35 Teen Years And Inner Turmoil14:33 Identity Shattered18:43 Mission Highs And Dark Relapse26:50 Divorce and Dark Spiral32:25 Rock Bottom to Scripture Routine38:49 Deliverance and New Life46:05 Baptism MiracleTickets to the Come Back to Christ Event: www.comebackpodcast.orgMike's Auto Shackhttps://mikesautoshack.com/Serve Clothing code COMEBACK for 15% offhttps://serveclothing.com/If you have a story to share please submit here: https://comebackpodcast.org/submissions/For inquiries contact info.comebackpodcast@gmail.comCome Back Team:Director, Founder, & Host: Ashly StoneEditor: Cara ReedOutreach Manager: Jenna CarlsonAssistant Editor: Britt SmallzeArt Director: Jeremy GarciaProduction Director: Trent Wardwell

Main Theme: Learning to hear God's voice is the solution to countless problems and the key to discovering God's purpose. Big Idea: God promises to guide those who seek Him: "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21) How God Speaks: Through His Word Through the Holy Spirit's impressions Through spiritual leadership Through godly counsel Through seasons of pain and refinement Personal Testimony: Pastor Richard shares how God led him to plant Victory Church and how that calling was confirmed through prayer, wise counsel, and spiritual leadership. Powerful Truth: Counterfeits don't invalidate the genuine. Misuses of "God told me" should never keep us from seeking God's authentic voice. Pain Has Purpose: God doesn't delight in our suffering, but He can use it to redirect, refine, and mature us. Biblical Examples: Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, and David all experienced painful seasons that prepared them for God's greater plan. Key Promise: God doesn't leave us in the fire—He brings us through it into "rich fulfillment" (Psalm 66:12). Takeaway: The sooner we listen to God's Word, His Spirit, and godly counsel, the less often He needs to use painful circumstances to get our attention. Memorable Quotes "Learning to hear the voice of God is the solution to a thousand problems." "When you know that you know that you know God has spoken, it gives you confidence, conviction, and staying power." "God loves you just the way you are, but He loves you too much to leave you that way." "Pain isn't God's first choice, but He can use it to accomplish His greatest work in us." "God is not bringing you through the fire to destroy you—He's bringing you out to rich fulfillment."

God has always been looking for people who desire His presence above everything else. Through the lives of David, Moses, Anna, Simeon, and others, this message explores what it means to cultivate intimacy with God, restore Him to the center of our lives, and live led by His Spirit. Whether young or old, now is the time to seek the Lord, delight in His presence, and allow His desires to become our own.

In this evening message from Acts 10:1-8, Pastor Rockhill turns the congregation's attention to Cornelius, a Roman centurion of the Italian Regiment stationed in Caesarea. Though a Gentile of Gentiles—neither ethnically, religiously, nor ceremonially a Jew—Cornelius is presented as a devout God-fearer whose faith was sincere, whose household shared his devotion, and whose life overflowed with constant prayer and generous alms toward the poor. Pastor Rockhill's central burden is that God truly hears and receives the prayers and worship of His people. When the angel declares that Cornelius' prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God, echoing the grain offering of Leviticus 2, we learn that this Gentile's worship was accepted as a sweet-smelling aroma even though he was barred from the temple. Here the fulfillment of the covenant promise to Abraham comes into view, as the gospel presses beyond Israel to the Gentiles and the wall of separation begins to fall. Doctrinally, the sermon highlights worship in spirit and truth, the sufficiency of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice, and God's providential ordering of the encounter that will prepare both Cornelius and Peter. Pastor Rockhill draws a tender application for the believer: though we receive no angelic visitation, we may rest assured that in Christ our great High Priest, God is mindful of us, hears our prayers, and answers by the working of His Spirit, all to the glory of His name.

Truth is increasingly being redefined around personal identity, experience, and cultural approval. Christians therefore face growing pressure to remain silent, adjust their convictions, or compromise the teaching of Scripture. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains why Christians are called to stand firm in the truth of God's Word even when the culture rejects it. He examines the cost of following Christ, the subtle pressure to conform, the relationship between biblical conviction and Christian courage, and the endurance believers need for lifelong faithfulness. Christians do not stand in their own strength. God sustains His people through His Word, His Spirit, His grace, and the fellowship of the local church. By fixing their eyes on Jesus, believers can remain steady because Christ is faithful and worth more than anything the world can take away. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. Summary This conversation focuses on how independence works against the oneness God is creating within His Family. The Family emphasizes that true oneness does not come through human agreement, common ideas, organizational leadership, or intellectual understanding. It comes through hearing the voice of the Lord, submitting to His Spirit, and living in the awareness of His presence. The anointing is described as the presence of the Lord living within each believer. Because Christ dwells within every member of the Family, each person has something important to contribute. Ministry is not simply found in the words a person speaks, but in who that person has become through Christ. The Family also emphasizes that the mind and soul can interfere with oneness when they operate independently from the Lord. As believers submit their thoughts, emotions, and desires to Christ, they are able to express the life of Christ within them. The presence of the Father becomes the strength and lifeblood of the Body, enabling every member to take their place and function together in true oneness. Show Notes Independence Works Against Oneness The conversation begins with the clear statement that independence is the enemy of oneness. The Family is not meant to function as separate individuals following their own ideas or understanding. They are called to hear the Lord together and move according to what He is speaking. Hearing the Voice of the Lord True leadership comes through someone hearing and speaking a word from the Lord. The focus is not on human position or authority, but on recognizing the voice of Christ and following His direction. The Anointing Is the Presence of the Lord The anointing is described as the presence of the Lord living within the believer. It is not something that can be fully understood through the human mind. It is experienced as the Spirit of God lives, speaks, and ministers through His people. Every Member Is Important Each member gives their spirit to the oneness of the Family. No person is insignificant or unnecessary. Like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, the Body is not complete until every member is in their proper place. Ministry Flows From Who We Are Ministry is not limited to what someone says or does. The effect of who a person has become in Christ ministers life to the rest of the Family. Christ within each believer is the source of that ministry. Submitting the Mind and Soul The mind and soul often try to interfere with what the Lord is doing. As believers submit to His Word, Spirit, and love, they enter into humility and become more aware of His presence. The Father's Presence Is Our Strength The conversation closes with the importance of living in the awareness that the Father is always present. His presence gives an inner strength that allows believers to express Christ instead of reacting from the soul or mind. Key Quotes “Independence is the enemy of oneness.”“The Spirit is what makes us one.”“You are important because you give your spirit to oneness.”“The anointing is giving God His voice.”“It's not what you say; it's who you are.”“Without His presence, we can't function in this Body.”“It's Christ in me, the hope of glory.”“The presence of the Father is the main thing.”“He's always with us. He never leaves us.” Scriptural References Hearing the Voice of the Lord John 10 (27) Jesus says that His sheep hear His voice, He knows them, and they follow Him. The Anointing Within the Believer 1 John 2 (27) The anointing received from the Lord abides within believers and teaches them to remain in Him. Brought Into His Light 1 Peter 2 (9) God has called His people out of darkness and into His marvelous light. Christ's Prayer for Oneness John 17 (20–23) Jesus prayed that His followers would be one as He and the Father are one. Christ Within Us Colossians 1 (27) Paul describes Christ within the believer as the hope of glory. The Temple of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 6 (19–20) Believers are temples of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within them. The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength Nehemiah 8 (10) The joy of the Lord is the strength of His people. God Will Never Leave Us Hebrews 13 (5) God promises that He will never leave or forsake His people. Every Member Is Needed 1 Corinthians 12 (12–27) The Body of Christ has many members, and every member is necessary and important. Sons Through Adoption Romans 8 (14–17) Those who are led by the Spirit of God are His sons and have received the Spirit of adoption. Takeaway True oneness cannot be produced through human effort, shared opinions, or organizational structure. It comes as each member rejects independence, hears the Lord, submits the mind and soul to His Spirit, and contributes the life of Christ within them to the Family. Every member is important because every member carries the presence of the Lord. As the Family lives in an awareness of the Father's presence, His life flows through the Body and...

Truth is increasingly being redefined around personal identity, experience, and cultural approval. Christians therefore face growing pressure to remain silent, adjust their convictions, or compromise the teaching of Scripture. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains why Christians are called to stand firm in the truth of God's Word even when the culture rejects it. He examines the cost of following Christ, the subtle pressure to conform, the relationship between biblical conviction and Christian courage, and the endurance believers need for lifelong faithfulness. Christians do not stand in their own strength. God sustains His people through His Word, His Spirit, His grace, and the fellowship of the local church. By fixing their eyes on Jesus, believers can remain steady because Christ is faithful and worth more than anything the world can take away. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Truth is increasingly being redefined around personal identity, experience, and cultural approval. Christians therefore face growing pressure to remain silent, adjust their convictions, or compromise the teaching of Scripture. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains why Christians are called to stand firm in the truth of God's Word even when the culture rejects it. He examines the cost of following Christ, the subtle pressure to conform, the relationship between biblical conviction and Christian courage, and the endurance believers need for lifelong faithfulness. Christians do not stand in their own strength. God sustains His people through His Word, His Spirit, His grace, and the fellowship of the local church. By fixing their eyes on Jesus, believers can remain steady because Christ is faithful and worth more than anything the world can take away. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Today's Promise: Ephesians 2:4-5 Before you knew Christ, you were spiritually dead, separated from God and powerless to save yourself. But everything changed because of God's amazing mercy. In this episode, we explore the incredible promise that God, who is rich in mercy, made you alive together with Christ.   Discover what it means to experience new life today, not just the promise of heaven someday. You'll learn how Jesus broke the power of sin, filled you with His Spirit, and gave you a living hope that reaches beyond the grave.   Because you are alive in Christ, you can walk each day with confidence, purpose, and joy, knowing your future is secure in Him. Join me as we celebrate the transforming power of God's grace and declare the life-changing promises that belong to every believer in Jesus Christ.

In the whole of Acts chapter 7, Stephen delivers one of the most remarkable biblical messages in Scripture. He takes his listeners through Israel's history, revealing from the Scriptures who Jesus truly is. Then, in verse 55, we read: "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God." In the next verse he declares, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God." Notice something extraordinary. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is normally described as seated at the right hand of God. But here, He is standing. The scene is so significant, so glorious, that the Lord Himself is standing to receive His faithful witness. Can you imagine it? The excitement in heaven is so great that even Jesus rises from His seat. And this brings us back to an important truth. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit recorded in Acts chapter 2 came upon the 120 believers, but there is absolutely no question that God's intention was never to limit His Spirit to that small group. The same Holy Spirit was given for all believers, empowering ordinary men and women to live as bold witnesses for Christ. For more information on the Ministry of David Hathaway https://www.eurovision.org.uk 

Many of us spend our lives asking God to bless what we're doing, when the greater invitation is to discover what He's already doing and join Him there. In this Staff Talk, Francis shares why following Jesus is about more than serving faithfully. It's about learning to recognize when His Spirit is leading the way. As he reflects on recent ministry experiences, we're reminded that God is still at work in powerful ways, inviting His people to walk by faith rather than relying on their own strength. If you've ever wrestled with discerning God's direction, this conversation is a reminder to remain humble, stay submitted, and keep your heart ready to follow wherever the Lord is moving.

Today's episode is a special bonus from the On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse hosted by Kristy Graham. What does it look like to trust God when He calls you into some of the world's most difficult and dangerous places? In this powerful episode, Kristy experiences firsthand what Samaritan's Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team members endure as they prepare to serve during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bev Kauffeldt, who has served on the last two Ebola responses, led Kristy through the training. Kristy got into the many layers of personal protection equipment to experience the process our DART members go through in the field. This inspired Kristy as she experienced the discomfort our teams willingly step into as they fight this dangerous outbreak. It also helped her know how to pray for our teams more specifically. At the training, Bev talked with Kristy about a passage of Scripture that has been on her heart: “This verse—I shared it with the team today because it's so perfect. In Acts 20:24, Paul says my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus, the work of telling others of the good news about the wonderful grace of God.” — Bev Kauffeldt, paraphrasing Acts 20:24 As believers, we must have a posture of humility. Someone who speaks into this posture in this Ebola response is Dustin Martin, a water, sanitation and hygiene technical advisor who supports Samaritan's Purse field offices around the world. Dustin will likely go to the DRC soon. He shared how he is preparing both physically and spiritually to be deployed and why he desires to go serve in this dangerous situation. “I want to be able to go to the ends of the earth for people that I haven't even met before because that's what Christ did for me. He took on humility. He took on human form when He had no need to. And if He did that for me, there's just no appropriate response but to do that for others.” — Dustin Martin Once Kristy was out of the personal protective equipment, she met Kate Allen, an emergency doctor, who the Lord has called and sent to many DART responses, including Ukraine and Iraq. They spoke about putting on the armor of God, trusting that the Lord goes before us. We are not promised safety, but God does promise that He is with us always. “God doesn't say you're going to be absolutely fine … but He does promise that He goes with us. And He promises that He goes ahead. And He promises He hems us in from behind. So, we go with His Spirit, and we go knowing that He has a plan, and that He has already paid the ultimate price.” — Kate Allen If you'd like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse, please visit SamaritansPurse.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does it look like to live with faithfulness that goes deeper than our actions and reaches into our hearts? In this message, Pastor Paul Gates explores Jesus' words in Matthew 5:27–30, challenging us to take an honest look at the ways sin can quietly shape our thoughts, desires, and relationships. As we consider God's faithfulness, we're invited to protect what matters most and take sin seriously. This is not a message about our faithfulness, it's about His. Our faithfulness often is broken and imperfect, but God's faithfulness is always full, complete, and unwavering. As we learn to recognize temptation, establish healthy boundaries, and invite accountability into our lives, we discover that God is faithful to meet us in our struggles and provide a way forward. What would it look like to be completely full of Him? Join us as we discover how God's perfect faithfulness becomes the model for our own, filling our lives with His Spirit, His grace, His goodness, and His sacrificial love.

IntroductionIt is easy to think that if we are faithful, God will always reward us with visible success. That was the assumption of Job's friends, and to some extent Job himself. Job does wrestle with God's will, and lays out that the wicked man can prosper and the righteous man can suffer. Justice in this age is not always so black/white. We can fall into a hasty assumption that if we obey, life should go smoothly. If we suffer, we must have done something wrong. Is this always the case?Stephen's story reminds us that God's kingdom does not always work according to our expectations. Here is a man full of grace, full of the Holy Spirit, and faithful in every way. Yet instead of receiving praise, he is falsely accused and brought to trial. Luke shows us that faithfulness is not measured by earthly success but by steadfast trust in Christ.Contradicting the Expected NarrativeStephen is introduced as a man "full of grace and power." His life displayed the work of the Holy Spirit. He is a man so enveloped by grace that he is a gracious man. He served the weak as a deacon. He defended the truth second to none. Overall, he reflected the kindness of Christ. His wisdom did not come from natural ability but from the Spirit working through him. Christ shows his promise is true that he will give the words when one is hauled into a court. (Luke 21:14)His godliness stirred opposition rather than an attentive ear. Those who argued against him could not answer his teaching because the Spirit gave Stephen wisdom beyond their own. One would think that such compelling arguments would win the day. However, the opposite happens. The Opponents Create False EvidenceUnable to defeat Stephen's teaching, his opponents turned to deception. They secretly persuaded false witnesses to accuse him of blasphemy against Moses, the temple, and God. Rather than submitting to God's Word, they twisted the truth to preserve their own system.This reminds us that unbelief is not simply a lack of evidence. The problem is the human heart. Stephen answered every objection faithfully, yet Luke tells us they failed to believe. Ironically, they violate Moses' law as they recruit a malicious or a false witness against Stephen (Deuteronomy 19:15-21. ). Moses is very clear that the thing the false witness desires to do to the accused will be carried out on them. Clearly, they do not want what is orthodox. They will cast aside Moses to destroy an innocent man.It is true that we are called to be ready to make a defense (1 Peter 3:15), but at the same time we are not to obsess about every possible objection (Luke 21:14). The problem is not solved through moral or logical suasion. It is a problem of the heart that only the Lord can cure. A Second Moses, Rejected Like the FirstAs Stephen stood before the council, Luke reports to us instant credibility: his face shone like the face of an angel. Just as Moses reflected God's glory after meeting with the Lord, so Stephen visibly reflected the presence of God. When Moses received the Torah from God, we read that his face shone so brightly that God's people could not look upon him (Exodus 34:29-35). You would think that the council would pause and contemplate. They would think that maybe Stephen is also bearing revelation from the same God. Maybe Stephen is bringing revelation and instruction, torah, that the council should heed. However, Stephen would suffer as a martyr, as we will see in two weeks, because of their hard-hearted rebellion.We might think that this is defeat. Christ never abandoned His servant. Stephen's strength came from the risen and reigning Savior, who upheld him through suffering and welcomed him into glory. Christ's ascension does not remove him from the church. No, Christ's ascension testifies that he rules over the church in the midst of his enemies. His ascension testifies that he really empowers the church as sovereign ruler and priest (Psalm 110:2; cf sermon on Psalm 110). The church must remember this lesson. We cannot judge God's blessing merely by numbers, popularity, or outward success. Christ calls His people to faithfulness. The results belong to Him, and we trust that it works out. We are called to discern (Ephesians 5:10) what is pleasing to God and be faithful to him.ConclusionStephen teaches us to keep our eyes fixed on Christ rather than on earthly outcomes. We may faithfully proclaim the gospel and still face rejection. We may do what is right and still suffer. But none of this means Christ has abandoned His people.Our Savior reigns even in the midst of opposition (Psalm 110:2; cf sermon on Psalm 110). He gives His Spirit to strengthen His church. His Spirit gives us wisdom to answer when called upon. The ultimate peace is knowing that in the Spirit we will persevere until the end.Therefore, let us seek to be people who are full of the grace of Christ. Let us be a people who give ourselves over to the Spirit. Let us be a people who seek to discern what it means to be faithful in every circumstance. Our confidence is not in visible success but in our risen Lord, who holds His people securely in His hands and will never fail to bring them safely home. Let us walk in him!

God's purpose for our lives doesn't end with salvation—it continues through transformation, empowerment, and being sent into the world. In Part 3 of our Promise. Power. Purpose. series, Pastor Martin Steel walks through Elisha's journey from Jericho to the Jordan, showing how God prepares His people to carry His Kingdom beyond the walls of the Church. We are reminded that God's work is accomplished not by our own strength, but by the power of His Spirit, and that every follower of Jesus is called to bring His hope, healing, and character into every sphere of life.

If Jesus makes no difference in our lives, then why would anyone serve Him? If Christ-followers live just like those who are unsaved, why would anyone follow? We would all readily acknowledge that we are not perfect; only Jesus is perfect, but wouldn't you agree that Jesus changes those who believe in Him?Main Points:1.  I believe one of the questions people around us are silently asking is, “Does Jesus make a difference in your life?” Unbelievers are watching, often without us noticing, and they are wondering, “Is she different? Is he different, now that He is a follower of Jesus?” 2. When we place our faith in Jesus and confess Him as our Lord and Savior, His Spirit comes to reside within us. God's work of sanctification begins. To “sanctify” means to set apart. God is at work in our lives to set us apart from the unbelieving world by helping us to be like Jesus in our character. 3. By the Holy Spirit, and with our cooperation, God will change us. He will change our attitude, our conversation, our choices, decisions, reactions, and our lifestyle. He will change our desire, our dreams, and our ambitions. Before our relationship with Christ, we lived only for ourselves; now we live for God and His glory.Today's Scripture Verses:Philippians 2:13 - “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”Romans 12:1-2 - “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”Philippians 1:6 - “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

This week, Rabbi Schneider continues to explore The Ongoing Work of the Holy Spirit, inviting you to experience God's presence more deeply and find the inner strength and joy only His Spirit can give.

Love and Torah – what's love got to do with it? This study series is based on the “Two Great Commands” – love Yahweh and love your neighbor. From the first nine verses of John chapter 14, Rabbi Steve Berkson shows us that Messiah Yeshua was the “ultimate expression of discipleship” under His Father. As followers of Messiah, we should be the same, so that others will see Yeshua represented in us and ultimately see the Father. What did Yeshua do? He walked out the Torah-observant life perfectly. He invites us to do the same and provides help by sending His Spirit. What's in a name? Yeshua says, “if you ask whatever in My Name…” Does this mean that, if His Name is invoked like a magic genie, He has to do one's bidding? Rabbi Steve clarifies what Messiah meant when He told us to use His Name. Rabbi Berkson once again dissects these passages so that you will have a deeper understanding of what Yah expects of you, so that you can do it and receive the blessings. mtoi.org The MTOI App https://mtoi.org/download-the-mtoi-app youtube.com/@mtoi facebook.com/mtoiworldwide instagram.com/mtoi_worldwide admin@mtoi.org (423) 250-3020 Join us LIVE (all times Eastern): • Torah Study, Fridays 7:30 pm • Shabbat Service, Saturdays 1:15 pm Streaming available on YouTube, Rumble, MTOI App, and mtoi.org

They're Not After America. They're After the World – Mel K  In this episode of Faith & Freedom, Loy Brunson explains the constitutional principles behind the Brunson Case, why he believes understanding the Constitution is essential for preserving liberty, and how everyday citizens can make a difference through education and civic engagement. Next, investigative journalist Mel K discusses globalism, Agenda 2030, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), government accountability, and the growing role of technology in society. She also shares why she left Hollywood, why she believes local communities are the key to lasting change, and why courage matters in times of uncertainty. Finally, Pastor Anthony reminds us that true hope isn't found in politics or circumstances but in the presence of God. Drawing from Psalm 46, he encourages believers to live from the life, strength, and peace that God has already placed within them through His Spirit. Where do you believe lasting hope and freedom are ultimately found?   Loy Brunson – Author, Website: 7discoveries.com Mel K – Host, The Mel K Show | Author, 'Infiltration Instead Of Invasion' YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RealMelKShow  Website: themelkshow.com X/Twitter: @MelKShow  Instagram: @themelkshow   Pastor Anthony Thomas —  Website: TipOfTheSpearChurch.org   Rumble: Tip of the Spear Church   SPONSORS The Wellness Company  If you want real peace of mind, The Wellness Company Emergency Medical Kits give you physician-prescribed medications and clear guidance — so you're prepared before a crisis hits. Visit twc.health/shemane and use code SHEMANE to save 10%.The Wellness Company https://www.twc.health/SHEMANE Switch To America With Shemane Get true American-made products at switchtoamericawithshemane.com     My Pillow Sleep better and live more comfortably with MyPillow — from their famous pillows to ultra-soft sheets, plush towels, and even cozy dog beds. Visit mypillow.com and use the promo code "FAITH" To Purchase "My Pillow" at https://www.mypillow.com/  or call 800-933-6972   Uncle Ted's Pets We couldn't find supplements we truly trusted for our own dogs — so we made our own. That's why we created Uncle Ted's Pets — premium, no-nonsense nutrition designed to keep your dogs strong, active, and thriving the natural way. Check it out and give your best friend the very best.   Watch Faith & Freedom every Sunday,  10 am EST on Real America's Voice https://americasvoice.news/playlists/faith-and-freedom-with-shemane/ 12:00 pm EST on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYjh_eTKpGo    Protect yourself with EMP Shield  Use the promo code "SHEMANE"    Activate stem cells & reset your body's clock  at https://lifewave.com/shemane    Organic natural products to help your family thrive with  https://www.rowecasaorganics.com/Shemane and use the promo code FAITH Check out Shemane's new programs https://shemanenugent.rocks/fit-n-fabulous-starter-pack https://shemanenugent.rocks/faith-fuel-21day-daily-devo    Check out Shemane's books: Purchase Shemane's Latest Book 'Abundantly Well' on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Abundantly-Well-Bible-Based-Increased-Vibrant/dp/1680999249 Purchase Shemane's new #1 Bestseller 'Killer House': https://www.amazon.com/Killer-House-Air-Your-Killing/dp/B0C5GK5RB7 4 Minutes to Happy: https://www.amazon.com/Minutes-Happy-Happier-Healthier-Dreams/dp/1642795895 Ted & Shemane's New York Times Best-Seller: Kill It and Grill It Cookbook: https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Grill-Guide-Preparing-Cooking/dp/1621575829   Connect with Shemane: Send your questions, suggestions, positive feedback (!!) & funny pet videos to shemane.chat@gmail.com  Watch Killer House Documentary: https://www.killerhouse.org Get Wildly Well at https://www.shemanenugent.rocks Shemane's Social Media: Instagram: @shemanenugent Youtube: /shemane Facebook: @shemane.nugent

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. (Rev. 22:1-2) Enjoy the lapping waters of the River Vltava, (‘Wild Water,' in Czech but which is widely known by its German name, the Moldau). This music by the Czech composer Bedřich Smetana is iridiscent with love for his homeland, and beautifully captures the sound of the river as it gathers strength and momentum from its source in the Bohemian mountains, and wends its way through a landscape of forests and meadows before tumbling through the St John's Rapids, and then before widening out again to pass through Prague on its way to the mighty River Elbe. This joyous piece reminds us of how the Holy Spirit illumines our lives with the prospect of our eternal home as He flows through our lives. How we need His water of life sparkling within us! At the scent of water, even that which is drooping and failing springs back to life. As the prophet Isaiah asks, 'Why spend our money and direct all our labour to that which cannot satisfy', when He invites us to receive so much more by His Spirit? See how the Spirit leads you as you listen . . . Moldau from Má Vlast (My Fatherland) is exquisitely performed for us here by Fontane Liang.

Salvation restores God With Us by creating a new humanity where God is present through His Spirit.

Every Christian is in a fight. Galatians 5 exposes the conflict taking place within every believer: the flesh pulls us toward self-rule, while the Spirit leads us into the life and freedom of Christ. The battle is real, but so is the victory God provides. Verse 16 says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” It's only through the Holy Spirit that we are empowered to fight the war of sin in our lives. Victory isn't found in our own strength and competencies, but in deeper dependence on the One who loved us, gave Himself for us, and now lives in us by His Spirit.You can join our OneLife Sunday morning gatherings via livestream at 9am and 11am CST every Sunday morning. Or if you're local to the Bay Area of Houston, we'd love to have you join us in person Saturdays at 5pm and Sundays at 9am and 11am!Subscribe to our YouTube channel to join us live on Sunday mornings: / @onelifehoustonListen to more messages from OneLife Church at https://www.onelifehouston.com/messagesIf you would like to give to OneLife Church, you can do that here: https://www.onelifehouston.com/giveAt OneLife, we want to be and make disciples of Jesus who love God, one another, and our world. We are God's people making much of Jesus in everyday life for the good of the neighborhoods in the Bay Area of Houston and beyond.For more information about us and our gatherings, visit https://www.onelifehouston.com

July 26th  | Dream Disciple  |  Acts 2:42-47 and Ephesians 2:19-22 What does it really mean to be "plugged in" as a follower of Jesus? In this fourth message of the Dream Disciple Series, Pastor Kevin Connor explores Acts 2:42-47 and Ephesians 2:19-22 to show that discipleship was never meant to be lived in isolation. While devotion to God's Word and prayer are essential, they are designed to be practiced within the life of a local church.Discover how God created the Church to be more than just a gathering—it is a new community, a loving family, and the living temple where His Spirit dwells. Pastor Kevin unpacks why biblical discipleship requires meaningful connection with other believers and how God's presence transforms us as we worship, pray, and grow together.Whether you've been faithfully connected to a church or have found yourself drifting away, this message is a powerful reminder that following Jesus means belonging to His people. Learn why being "plugged in" isn't an optional step in the Christian life—it's part of God's design for every disciple.Do you know JESUS? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Need PRAYER? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/pray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support through GIVING: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbbctx.org/giving⁠ 

This Sunday, Pastor Nathan Edwardson reminded us that God isn’t looking for perfect people, He’s looking for hearts that are fully surrendered and filled with His Spirit. Through the story of Samuel and David, we were challenged to leave behind seasons of grief, be renewed by the Holy Spirit, and trust that God has already gone before us in preparing what’s next. As we get filled with His presence instead of relying on our own strength, we become ready to pour into the next generation and step confidently into God’s calling.

Because the Father has given us His own presence through the Holy Spirit, we are empowered by His Spirit, rather than our effort, to live as witnesses of the Gospel who make disciples.

Because the Father has given us His own presence through the Holy Spirit, we are empowered by His Spirit, rather than our effort, to live as witnesses of the Gospel who make disciples.

Part 16 of the series in Isaiah. God, not Babyloon is the eternal I AM, and He will work His purposes through Cyrus in his time and ultimately through a perfect servant He will send with His Spirit.

Romans 1:8-15Bro. Tom CurryI. To Proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.II. To make disciples through the Power of His Spirit.III. To Provide a legacy of faithfulness to our Lord's church.https://ekronbaptistchurch.com/Online Giving:https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZKN3/homehttps://mubert.com/render#mubert hashtag

Life is full of turmoil and often, often that turmoil breads fear in our hearts. And instead of stopping, we just kind of – go with the fear. Well it's time to stop and know that God is God.   Our Refuge and Strength This week is the third message in a series of programmes that I have called "Do Not Be Afraid". Fear is an incredibly powerful force – for two reasons. Firstly it is a natural response when something happens to threaten us or our loved ones or our possessions, fear grips us. In a sense, it's a human response. But the more we go through that; the more we experience fear, the more – for many people – they learn the habit of fear. In other words, fear becomes more and more the normal response. There is an alternative of course; to learn how to deal with fear; to master fear with each new experience. But most people instead of growing through fearful experiences, actually, they go down and down and down into a bondage of fear and life is full of fear and worry. So many people spend so much of their lives worrying about this, that or the other. Do you think I am over estimating, do you? Do you think I am overstating the problem perhaps? Recently, during the global economic crisis, it was interesting to watch how it was reported – even the TV reporters and the newspaper reporters were fearful. You could see it in their faces on TV – you could hear it in voices on the radio – you could see it in the headlines on the front page of the newspaper – "THE WORST GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS IN DECADES". "BANKS ON THE BRINK". "GOVERNMENTS SHORE UP BANKS". Sure, it was international; the banks were at risk, but here in Australia at least, we were blessed by a very solid banking system, but if you listen to the media and the government and the banks, oh, it was terrible and they needed to be propped up. And the more they reported fearfully, the more fearful we all became and the worse the world economy became. See, fear is a downward spiral; fear is about a loss of confidence. On the TV news, one well known crisis counselling service reported a dramatic increase in the numbers of people experiencing not only stress, but in fact, mental illness through the fear of losing their homes – up from just a handful each year to several hundred per week. Now we generally don't cope well with fear. When we are afraid we start thinking irrationally. Fear truly grips us – we see all the fearful things and let our imaginations run away with those and we forget to take stock of our assets – the things that we actually have; the things that are on our side. And so what these four programmes are about, in this series "Do Not Be Afraid", is kind of giving us an opportunity by looking at what God says in His Word, an opportunity to relearn our response to fear. So what we have to do, instead of resorting to panic, resting in the sovereignty of God. And so today, I just want to look at one Psalm, Psalm 46 which is all about that very thing. Let's read just the first few verses together: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change; though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam; though the mountains tremble with its tumult. That's a good start! God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in time of trouble. And really it's only in time of trouble that we are afraid. It's only in those disastrous times that we are gripped with fear and doom and gloom; when the world is against us; when people are against us; when the economy is against us. And now look at the picture that the Psalmist paints – I want you to understand something about the Hebrew culture which is the culture that the Psalmist was writing into – they love picture language, and this language evokes real emotion. Psalm 46, verses 2 and 3: Though the earth should change; though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam; though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Ever been in an earthquake? I have, just a small one, actually it was some years ago now when my wife Jacqui and I were on our honeymoon on the South Island of New Zealand – one of the most beautiful and picturesque places on the planet – truly – and we were staying at a Bed and Breakfast on a sheep farm. We were having breakfast in this old country kitchen with a few other couples in this beautiful place – big old blue and white plates on display on the sideboard and the bacon and eggs was cooking away and you looked out the window and there were green fields and white sheep and snow capped mountains in the background. It was all good – life couldn't have been better – we didn't have a care in the world. Then all of a sudden the ground shook – man did it shake – there was this immediate sense of panic. And that's the picture the Psalmist is painting here: Though the earth should change; the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; the waters roar and foam; the mountains tremble with tumult. See, the Hebrews; they weren't a seafaring nation. The notion of foaming waters and mountains falling into the ocean was absolutely horrific to them. And it's when our life gets shaken to the core like that that fear grips us. It's not until then that we have a deep need to hear God's Word in our hearts – "Do not be afraid." When we look like losing our homes in a financial crisis, we are shaken to the core. When a loved one is dying, we are shaken to the core. When we discover that the child we love is addicted to drugs or injured in an accident or ... or whatever it is – when the mountains collapse into the roaring, foaming sea and the earth beneath our very feet shakes, then … then we need something – then we need an antidote to our fear. Listen to these few verses again. Listen, let the words sink in: "There is a river", verse 4, Psalm 46: There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of that city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in uproar, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice and the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. See, this is the solution to the problem – God is our refuge; God is our strength; God is our very present help in time of trouble. In other words, He is right here … right here when we need Him – no "ifs", no "buts" – right here. The problem is we can find that so hard to believe – it's so counter intuitive – it's so impossible. How can God possibly … possibly make a difference in the middle of my fear? Well!   Gladness in the City of God In the days when this Psalm was written, nations often invaded other nations – it's just the way it was. And of course, little has changed in this world. There are still somewhere between forty and fifty wars raging in this world today – here and now. I just had an email from one of our staff in Africa who is having difficulties getting the programme CDs through to a couple of new stations who want to air them, because of the fighting that is going on around in those areas. Back when this Psalm was written, what the people did was they fortified their cities. They built walls around them to protect them from invading armies. They built defences and towers so the cities were safe. And they were often sited strategically on hilltops or with natural obstacles around to make them much harder to attack. In fact those walls were often so strong that they were impenetrable and so armies who wanted to attack them would lay siege to them. Sieges could last weeks, months, years – the idea was to starve them out of that impenetrable citadel. We read about one such siege – if you have a Bible, open it at Second Kings in the Old Testament, chapter 6, verse 25. Let's just read about a siege for a moment. As the siege continued, famine in Samaria became so great that a donkey's head was sold for eighty shekels of silver and one forth of a kab of dove's dung for five shekels of silver. Now as the King of Israel was walking on the city wall, a woman cried out to him, "Help, my lord King!" He said, "No! Let the Lord help you. How can I help you - from the threshing floor or from the wine press?" But then the King asked her, "What is your complaint?" She answered, "This woman said to me, "Give up your son; we will eat him today and we will eat my son tomorrow." So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I said to her, "Give up your son and we will eat him," but she has hidden her son." When the King heard the words of the woman, he tore at his clothes. Desperate stuff, isn't it? Can you imagine mothers eating their children and the King has no hope? And you see, when there is an army ready to strike you down; when we feel like we are under siege, as these people of Samaria were in their citadel, it's not enough to have a safe place to flee. We need to have food and water and joy and peace in that place. You see these Samarians were under siege – they were in a safe place but they were dying of starvation – they had no hope, no joy, no peace. So many people in fear – they retreat to what they think is a safe place; they think it is – they cut other people off, they withdraw, they build defences, they close off the rest of the world and yet this is such a miserable, fearful place. People live for years under siege of fear like that and it ruins their lives. So come the next four verses of this Psalm. We looked at them earlier; we are going to look at them again now. They tell us about a place of refuge and strength that is quite different. Have a listen again. Psalm 46, beginning at verse 4 – remember the Psalmist just talked about the mountains falling into the sea and the seas foaming and this fearful thing happening. Have a listen to his answer again. But … There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God; the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of that city and it shall not be moved. God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, and the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. See, this city … this citadel, is not just safe but it is glad: "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God." A citadel, God's protection but also God's blessing in that place. Rivers of holy water – something Jesus talked about in John chapter 7, verse 38, the Holy Spirit flowing into us and out of us. Here, God talks about His River, of His Spirit and His joy and His peace flowing into our place of refuge when we take refuge in Him. It's not only safe but glad because God Himself is in the midst of that city; in the midst of this place and it shall not be moved. It is rock solid! Psalm 46, verse 1 says: God is our refuge and our strength; a very present help in trouble. You know something? The worst time when we are afraid is night time – have you ever noticed that - the sleepless nights – tossing and turning and things churning around in our minds and descending into this dark pit of fear, deeper, deeper into the abyss of fear? And that's why, here in verse 5: God will help when the morning dawns. You know that sick feeling of fear in our stomachs; when we are petrified of what will happen to us? This isn't just for fruit cakes or losers or people who will never succeed – this is for all of us – we all go through times of fear and God wants us to hear His Words: "Do not be afraid". There is such a sharp contrasting picture here – between the mountains collapsing into a roaring fearsome sea; between the earthshaking and on the other hand this rock solid city … this city of God into which flows the river of God's gladness in which God Himself dwells with us. "The nations are in an uproar; the kingdoms are tottering but He utters His voice and the earth melts. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge." The nations may well be in an uproar; there may well be wars raging; the world economic system may well be in meltdown but when God speaks the earth melts – God is with us; He is our refuge. How does God speak? Through His Word! When is God speaking? Right now! God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city and it shall not be moved. God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in uproar, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice and the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Problem is how do we believe that? How do we get a handle of that? How do we experience that? How can we dwell in that city of safety and gladness – come on – how?   Be Still Let me ask you that same question again. The question is: how do we believe in this city of gladness? How do we get a handle on that? How do we experience that? Well, God give us the answer in the last four verses of this Psalm. Let's take a look together: Psalm 46, verses 8 to 11: Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations He has brought on the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; He burns the shields with fire. "Be still and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations; I am exalted in the earth." The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge When it comes to fear, we have short memories. We go through something scary and God shows up and somehow it all works out fine. Perhaps we remember to say "Thank You, God", often we don't. And then things calm down again. They go along just brilliantly for a while and then the next storm hits and it's raging and we are afraid and fearful and life's a mess and we are running around like chooks with their heads cut off and we are living through some excruciatingly debilitating, immobilising fear – fear that comes when the ground moves beneath our feet. And we forget … we forget to look back and remember all the times that God showed up and brought us through those storms before. And even if we don't have many of those to look back on; let's say, worse case, we have none of those to look back on – let's assume that you and I have just, this moment, come to faith in Jesus Christ – just this moment put our lives in His hands – we've not experienced enough to look back on where we know that He showed up, without doubt, but He stepped in and saved us. We forget to look back on the God of the Bible and see how many times He stepped in to help His people. We do! It's what He does! And that's what the Psalmist is reminding us here in these words: Psalm 46, verses 8 and 9: Come, behold the works of the Lord and see what desolations He has brought on the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear and burns the shields with fire. God is saying, "Don't you realise that this is what I do? I protect My people. I make sure that it all works out. Get a handle on this!" "But God, how ... how can I get a handle on this? You don't understand; I've got all this pain happening. I've got all this fear happening. People are after me – my finances are in a mess. My loved ones are sick. My emotions are on a rollercoaster. The mountains are falling into the sea. The sea is angry and foaming and the ground is shaking and the nations are raging ... how do I get a handle on this?" Here's the answer, right here in God's Word – listen to it, remember it, let the Spirit of God write it on your heart. Psalm 46, verse 10: Be still and know that I am God! For I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth. It sounds so simple, "Be still and just know." But you know something? When we are afraid often the last thing we do is get still before God. Even when we are praying, we rant on and we don't shut up for long enough to hear Him speak - over and over and over again, I have had to learn this one. I'm like you – this doesn't come naturally. It is something I have had to learn – when I am travelling through fearful places and situations and times, more than ever, those are the times to take the time to get still before the Lord. Not just once, not just twice ... every morning; every time fear grips our hearts – just to draw away for a few minutes and just rest and say, "Lord, just speak to me – just witness Your Spirit to me. Just give me your peace. Lord, I'm here, I'm afraid, I just need to get still before You." I want to open a few simple passages … passages that God put there to write His faith into our hearts. We are going at these passages a whole bunch more next week on the programme. This particular Psalm is a favourite of mine – I come back to Psalm 46 again and again when I'm in one of those places of fear and turmoil. But listen to Philippians chapter 4, verse 13: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Romans chapter 8, verse 31: For if God is for us, who can be against us? Now when we just get still before God, those two verses are so short, even I can memorise them. Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Romans chapter 8, verse 31: If God is for us, who can be against us? When we get still before God and we let those two Scriptures ring out in our heart, watch out devil; watch out fear because they are going to go away. When we just get still and focus on God and wait, day after day, wait! Because of what Psalm 46 tells me is the reality of God's gladness and His power and His protection – that He is so far above my circumstances. What Philippians chapter 4 tells me – that I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. What Romans chapter 8, verse 31 tells me – that if God is for me, who can be against me? See, God's Word promises us this! And then, it tells me just to sit still and wait and you know what happens when I do that? I experience the confidence that I need to make it through – not self-confidence, God confidence. I get a handle of the great unseen reality – God Himself – His power flows into me and through me. His peace guards my heart and mind and all of a sudden the panic goes away. All of a sudden the fear is replaced with faith. All of a sudden I have the clarity to think through the problem and to face realities and to do what I have to do and to trust in God for the things that I can't do. Let me tell you, ten minutes later – half an hour later, half a day later – the panic wants to come back; the fear wants to come back and when they come knocking on the door of my heart, I get still with God again – I go back to Him again. I wait on Him, expecting and waiting – that's what it means to live in that city and to drink of the streams of that river that make glad the city of God. We need to drink … drink Him in; His presence; His Spirit; His Word and then a peace that surpasses all understanding, guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Be still and know that I am God.

Ever told yourself, "I'm not going to do that again"... and then did it anyway? If you've ever felt frustrated by your own lack of self-control, you're in good company. In this final message of our Bear Fruit series, we're exploring what the Bible says about the last fruit of the Spirit—Self-Control. The good news is that God isn't asking you to rely on sheer willpower. He's inviting you to let His Spirit produce something in you that changes the way you live from the inside out.

Households Divided Brandon Rodriguez Jesus came to divide those who follow Him from those who reject Him. Just as a drum shield creates necessary separation to improve the music, Christ creates a necessary division between salvation and condemnation. He came to cast fire upon the earth, a fire that reveals and purifies, that shows God's judgment and His refining work in our lives. But before that fire comes the baptism of the cross, where Jesus will be immersed in suffering to bear the weight of our sin. He looks forward to that moment when His sacrifice will accomplish redemption for all who believe in Him.Your allegiance matters. The cross divides because it demands a choice from every person who hears the message. Will you follow Jesus or reject Him? Those who choose to follow will often be divided even from their own families, because His truth cuts through everything we build our lives on. But take heart, believer. Jesus knows suffering. He was acquainted with grief so that we might have peace with God, eternal peace that no worldly circumstance can shake. Do not be surprised if the world rejects you for following Him. Instead, hold fast to Christ, speak His truth with love, show the fruit of His Spirit, and trust that your hope rests not in this temporary life but in eternity with Him.

Today's episode is a special bonus from the On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse podcast, hosted by Kristy Graham. What does it look like to trust God when He calls you into some of the world's most difficult and dangerous places? In this powerful episode, Kristy experiences firsthand what Samaritan's Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team members endure as they prepare to serve during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bev Kauffeldt, who has served on the last two Ebola responses, led Kristy through the training. Kristy got into the many layers of personal protection equipment to experience the process our DART members go through in the field. This inspired Kristy as she experienced the discomfort our teams willingly step into as they fight this dangerous outbreak. It also helped her know how to pray for our teams more specifically. At the training, Bev talked with Kristy about a passage of Scripture that has been on her heart: “This verse—I shared it with the team today because it's so perfect. In Acts 20:24, Paul says my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus, the work of telling others of the good news about the wonderful grace of God.” — Bev Kauffeldt, paraphrasing Acts 20:24 As believers, we must have a posture of humility. Someone who speaks into this posture in this Ebola response is Dustin Martin, a water, sanitation and hygiene technical advisor who supports Samaritan's Purse field offices around the world. Dustin will likely go to the DRC soon. He shared how he is preparing both physically and spiritually to be deployed and why he desires to go serve in this dangerous situation. “I want to be able to go to the ends of the earth for people that I haven't even met before because that's what Christ did for me. He took on humility. He took on human form when He had no need to. And if He did that for me, there's just no appropriate response but to do that for others.” — Dustin Martin Once Kristy was out of the personal protective equipment, she met Kate Allen, an emergency doctor, who the Lord has called and sent to many DART responses, including Ukraine and Iraq. They spoke about putting on the armor of God, trusting that the Lord goes before us. We are not promised safety, but God does promise that He is with us always. “God doesn't say you're going to be absolutely fine … but He does promise that He goes with us. And He promises that He goes ahead. And He promises He hems us in from behind. So, we go with His Spirit, and we go knowing that He has a plan, and that He has already paid the ultimate price.” — Kate Allen If you'd like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse, please visit SamaritansPurse.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today on this Freebie Friday edition of the Daily Nugget, Mike reflects on three things that can keep us from bearing the fruit God desires in our lives. First, our sinful nature produces rotten fruit through open rebellion against God. Second, our self-righteous flesh can produce plastic fruit—an outward appearance of godliness that is disconnected from a genuine relationship with Christ. Finally, the enemy works to deceive and distract us, keeping us from abiding in the true Source of life. Real spiritual fruit isn't produced by trying harder; it grows naturally as we remain connected to Jesus and walk in the power of His Spirit.

Is Ezekiel 36 on your list of most important chapters in the Bible? It should be! And today we'll see why as we learn about how God places His Spirit within His people and gives them a new heart and ability to walk with Him. Join us as we study Ezekiel 36... one of the MOST important key chapters in the entire Old Testament! Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon just in time for the Genesis relaunch in January! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

What if there's a place in Jesus where it is impossible to be fearful, anxious, or worried? Graham Cooke reads the great Ephesians prayers out loud — far above all rule and authority, far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think — and shows why majesty is an eye-opener that makes confidence and faith normal. Discover why overcoming means learning to stand, press in, and walk; why you are connected with the one true, great, original territorial spirit; and why there's land out there with your name on it in Jesus — a calling to occupy and build something spectacular on. Then Graham lands the session in the mature end of life in the Spirit: God teaching us to trust Him, and bringing us to a place where He can trust us.Key Scriptures:- Ephesians 1:18-23. "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."- Ephesians 3:14-21. "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."- Genesis 18:14. "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"- Romans 12:2. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."Want to explore more?

This week, I watched a simple video of a man in a suit with a strong Irish accent explain something so beautifully and so clearly. He talked about how easily we twist salvation into being faith plus works. He posed one question: If you were to die tonight and stand at the gates of Heaven, how would you explain why you’re there? He said if you answer that question in the first person, you’ve already gone wrong. Because I believed. Because I had faith. Because I trusted. Because I did good things. Because I served. Because I stopped doing bad things. Nope. You’ve made it about you. Your way to Heaven never started with you. Look at the thief on the cross. Remember the one hanging beside Jesus? Jesus told him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” And so he was. Just like that. This man was a criminal. He wasn’t baptized. He wasn’t in a Bible study. He never served in children’s ministry. He never got his life cleaned up. He had no opportunity to prove himself worthy. And yet, he made it to Heaven. Imagine the angel guarding Heaven’s gates asking him, “On what basis are you here?” And all he can say is, “The man on the middle cross said I could come.” My friends, that is our only answer too. The Man on the middle cross. It’s not about the Scriptures I’ve memorized, the good works I’ve done, or the sins I’ve walked away from. It’s all about the cross. If I take my eyes off the cross, then suddenly my salvation depends on me. And if your salvation depends on you, it will always lead you to one of two places—absolute despair or horrible arrogance. You’ll either never feel good enough, or you’ll start believing you’re better than everyone else. Both are lies. Keep your eyes on the cross. You are not saved as a result of anything you have ever done or will ever do. You are saved solely because of what Jesus accomplished on that middle cross. And here’s the beautiful thing—your relationship with your Creator isn’t the result of your performance either. You’ve been offered a relationship with Almighty God because of His relentless pursuit of YOU. Grace didn’t simply save you. Grace has been pursuing you all along. The Bible is filled with story after story of God’s pursuit of people who had strayed. People who had failed. People who had royally messed up their lives. People the world had written off as too far gone. And Jesus? He pulled up a chair at their table. He pursued them. Relentlessly. From the moment you were born, God has been pursuing you. Now maybe you’ve spent most of your years running. Yep, me too. Not necessarily running from God, but keeping myself so busy, distracted, and self-sufficient that His knocking went unnoticed and unanswered. And yet, He pursued me. Aren’t you grateful God doesn’t give up easily? Because if He did, how long ago would He have given up on you? How many times have you ignored Him? How many times have you chosen your own way? How many times have you settled for comfortable when He was offering abundant? And still, here He stands today. Offering again. “Will you let me in?” “Will you let me help you?” “Will you draw close to Me? I’ve been drawing close to you all the days of your life.” This is His relentless pursuit of you. And even during the times you’ve given up on yourself, He hasn’t. He has never backed down. God. Still. Wants. You. Psalm 139:7 says: “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!” You can’t outrun Him. God loves running rebels. He sent His Son on a search-and-rescue mission for YOU. His mission was to seek and save the lost and bring you close to the Father. And that’s still His mission today—to keep bringing you in. Could that be why some of this has been happening in your life? Could the lost job, the financial struggles, the health scare, the crisis, the stress, and the worry be part of God’s relentless pursuit of your heart? Not because He’s punishing you, but because He’s pursuing you. Or perhaps He’s about to show you His power through it all so you’ll never doubt His presence again. If you’ve been running, stop. Just stop. And let Him catch you. That’s my prayer for you today—not that you’ll try harder or do better or become more impressive. My prayer is much simpler than that. Be caught today. Let Him wrap you in His love. Let Him strengthen you. Let Him shield you. Let Him provide for you. Take your refuge in Him. Many years ago, my life seemed to be falling apart. We had run out of money. Our business had dried up. Every light we saw at the end of the tunnel turned into a freight train heading straight for us. I had come to the end of my rope. One day, I sat down on my couch and surrendered. And He caught me. He and I sat on that couch and wrestled it out. I was angry. I was scared. And God was faithful. That day changed my life. God’s relentless pursuit through it all had finally captured my heart. This is where we often get it wrong. We think God primarily wants us to do something for Him. Yes, He calls us to action. Yes, He calls us to be His hands and feet. But don’t twist that. He doesn’t NEED anything from you. Your performance isn’t required. Your trophies aren’t necessary. Your winning record isn’t impressive to Him. More than anything else, He wants YOU. He wants to catch you. He wants you to stop running and simply run to Him. He’s got you. I promise He does. Elevation Worship has a song called Jireh that begins with these words: I’ll never be more loved than I am right now. Wasn’t holding You up, so there’s nothing I can do to let You down. It doesn’t take a trophy to make You proud. I’ll never be more loved than I am right now. Those words get me every single time. Maybe because I’m the girl who has always feared being a disappointment. Maybe because failure has haunted me more times than I’d like to admit. But there’s such freedom in knowing I can’t let God down because I wasn’t ever holding Him up. God isn’t impressed by my trophies, so He’s not disappointed when I don’t win them. And I couldn’t possibly be more loved than I am right now. Maybe you need to hear that too. There is nothing you could do that would make God love you more than He already does. You don’t have to perform for Him. Your failure hasn’t distanced Him. Your weakness hasn’t surprised Him. Your wandering hasn’t stopped Him. He loves you. He loves you so much that after all these years of your running and your trying and your striving and your bright ideas, He is still pursuing you. The fact that you’re hearing these words today is once again evidence of His relentless pursuit. You. Precious and priceless you. The one and only you. He sees you and knows without a doubt—you are worth pursuing. You have not escaped His Spirit. You have not gotten away from His presence. Through it all, He has been right beside you whether you recognized Him or not. You’ve been caught from the fall. You’ve been captured from the running. You’ve been chosen by grace. And when the enemy whispers that we’re not enough, that we’ve failed too many times, wandered too far, or missed our chance, may we remember our answer has never changed. If someone were to ask us, “How did you get here?” the answer isn’t because I was good enough. Or faithful enough. Or disciplined enough. Or because I finally got my life together. It’s much simpler than that. The Man on the middle cross said I could come. The Man on the middle cross pursued me when I was running. The Man on the middle cross caught me when I fell. The Man on the middle cross paid what I could never pay and opened what I could never open. And one day, when I take my final breath here and my first breath in eternity, if I’m asked, “On what basis are you here?” my answer will still be the same. The Man on the middle cross. That’s it. Not my trophies. Not my performance. Not my victories. Not my failures. Not my story. His. And until that day comes, may we stop settling for a comfortable life when God has a great big, beautiful life waiting for us. Not my way, Lord, but Yours. May you be drawn deeper into the life He created for you, all by His grace. And may you stop running long enough to discover you’ve been pursued all along. May you be caught today. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike explores Galatians 5:16–18, where Paul uses the power of contrast to reveal the true nature of the Christian life. The contrast is not simply between good behavior and bad behavior, but between living by the Spirit and living under the law. The sinful nature is not only the part of us that openly rebels against God's commands—it is also the part that tries to keep God's law for the wrong reasons, relying on self rather than on a relationship with Him. Verse 18 is the key: "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." As we walk with Christ and depend on His Spirit, we are set free from both rebellion and self-righteousness to live the joyful, abundant life God intended.

In 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, we see the absolute necessity of the work of the Spirit of God to open our understanding to the truth of Christ. Sinful humanity on our own will not come to know God apart from the sovereign grace of God through Christ. His Spirit gives us understanding that we might know the Lord and live for His glory. May these truths both humble us and encourage us in Him!

Have you ever looked at your circumstances and wondered, God, will things ever change?Whether you're walking through grief, disappointment, unanswered prayers, or a season that feels impossibly long, today's conversation is a reminder that God is still at work — even when nothing around you seems different.In this powerful episode, Bible teacher Oghosa Iyamu joins Melissa Taylor and Cailah Garcia to walk through the breathtaking vision of the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37. Together, they unpack what it means to lift your eyes off your circumstances and onto the God who brings life, restoration, and hope. You'll discover that God's restoring work often begins long before your situation changes — through His Word, His Spirit, and His presence with you in the valley.If you've been feeling weary, discouraged, or like hope has dried up, this conversation will remind you that the God who brought life to dry bones is the same God who is still bringing life today.You'll learn:The surprising place where restoration begins (and why it isn't always your circumstances).How to stop fixating on what's broken and start fixing your eyes on the God who restores.Why God's Word and His Spirit are essential when you feel spiritually weary or emotionally depleted.How the Psalms can give you language to bring your grief, disappointment, and questions honestly before God.Why confession isn't about condemnation — it's an invitation back into intimacy with God.Resources From This Episode:Read Ezekiel 37 and reflect on how God brings life into places that feel dry and hopeless.Spend time praying through Psalm 121, reminding yourself that your help comes from the Lord.Read a few Psalms this week, allowing Scripture to give voice to both your grief and your hope as you learn to lift your eyes back to God.Connect with Oghosa Iyamu for more biblical teaching and encouragement:Website: https://oghosaiyamu.com.Instagram: @oghosaiiyamu.Capstone Wellness provides residential treatment and custom therapy intensives that retrace hurt to the roots in a Christ-centered environment. Learn more at Capstonewellness.com/proverbs31.Share how God is using The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast in your life by leaving us a review wherever you listen! Find all related resources we mention in this episode here. Download a copy of the transcript here.Want More on This Topic? Check out “How To Escape the Comparison Trap” from The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast archives! 

This week, Rabbi Schneider continues to explore The Ongoing Work of the Holy Spirit, inviting you to experience God's presence more deeply and find the inner strength and joy only His Spirit can give.

Do you ever feel like you're sitting on the sidelines of your own life, stuck in a cycle of worry, failure, or exhaustion? It's easy to feel like praise is only for the "good days" or for those who have it all figured out. But what if praise isn't a performance, but it's actually the key to your joy?In this message, we dive into Psalm 150 to dismantle the four common excuses that hold us back from experiencing God's presence. Whether you're navigating a "low valley" or simply feeling weary, discover why you are a "living sanctuary" and how the very breath in your lungs is an invitation to experience freedom. Join us as we explore how praise can change your perspective and remind you that, through the cross, your story doesn't end in despair but it in victory.Talk It Over:1. Which of the four excuses do you relate to most right now? "I don't know where... why... how... or who should praise God." What tends to keep you from living a life of praise?2. The sermon described praise as something that completes our joy, not just fulfills a command. Can you think of a time when talking about something you loved actually increased your enjoyment of it? How does that change the way you think about praising God?3. The message said we are now God's "portable sanctuary" because His Spirit lives in us. How would your Monday look different knowing you carried God's presence everywhere you went?4. The cross and resurrection were described as God's "mightiest mighty deed." How does remembering what Jesus has already accomplished reshape your perspective on your current circumstances or struggles?5. Psalm 150 ends with, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." What is one practical way you can "give your breath back to God" this week—in your work, home, relationships, or everyday routines?+ + + + +Hey, while you're here, please help Generation by clicking the 'Subscribe' button, then click on the BELL

Episode Summary:In this message from Philippians 4:4-7, we continue the Fruit of the Spirit series by looking at the peace Jesus gives. This is not a shallow peace that depends on life being easy, but the internal calm of the Spirit in the middle of pressure, pain, problems, and difficult people. Paul wrote about this peace from a Roman dungeon, showing us that peace is not the absence of difficulty but the presence of Jesus in the middle of it. Because Jesus is our peace, we can rejoice, relax, release our cares to the Father, and rest in what He has already given us.Main Scripture:Galatians 5:22-23Philippians 4:4-7Psalm 73:28Isaiah 41:10Isaiah 26:31 Peter 5:7Romans 5:1Big Idea:Jesus is our peace, and we live from His peace as we rejoice, relax, release, and rest.In This Episode:Peace is not the absence of difficulty; peace is the presence of Jesus in the middle of it.Worry and anxiety try to blind us to the peace that is already ours in Christ.Paul teaches us to rejoice in the Lord even when circumstances are painful, pressured, or uncertain.The Lord is near, not only beside us but living within us by His Spirit.Prayer, thanksgiving, and trust help us release our cares to God instead of carrying them alone.The peace of God guards our hearts and minds as we stop struggling and rest in Christ.Reflection Questions:Where have I been looking for peace outside of Christ?What circumstance has made it hard for me to rejoice in the Lord?What problem, pressure, or person has caused me to forget that the Lord is near?What care have I cast on God, only to reel it back in later?What can I thank God for because He is good, even before the situation changes?Where do I need to stop struggling and trust the peace of God to guard my heart and mind?Next Steps:Read Philippians 4:4-7 this week and practice the four acts of faith: rejoice, relax, release, and rest.When worry rises, stop and talk to the Father instead of carrying the pressure alone.Speak God's promises out loud so your own heart can hear what He has said.Thank God because He is good, not only when everything feels good.Identify one care you have been reeling back in, and release it to God again without taking it back.Remind yourself daily: Jesus is my peace, and His peace already lives inside me.Closing Line:Listen in, share it with someone who needs peace, and subscribe for more messages from The Gospel Unfiltered.

What do you do when you genuinely love Jesus but continue to struggle with the same sin?In this episode of Student of Life, we look beyond behavior and into the deeper battle taking place within the heart. Using pornography as a primary example—but recognizing it isn't the only hidden struggle—we explore how shame, isolation, and repeated patterns can keep us trapped, and why God's invitation has always been to bring darkness into the light.We'll talk about confession, repentance, accountability, biblical community, and the ways God often uses His Word, His Spirit, His people, and wise counsel together in the process of transformation. Because the goal of the Christian life isn't simply to stop one behavior. It's to become more like Christ.

Summer on the Mount — Week 3: Deeper Than Rule-Keeping | Matthew 5:17–20 Texts: Matthew 5:17–20What does Jesus mean when He says He came not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it?In Week 3 of Summer on the Mount: A Better Way to Be Human, Pastor Kevin teaches from Matthew 5:17–20, one of the hinge passages in the Sermon on the Mount. Before Jesus talks about anger, lust, truth-telling, retaliation, and enemy love, He shows us how to understand His relationship to the Law and the Prophets.This message helps us avoid two opposite mistakes: lawlessness and legalism. Jesus does not lower the standard and make obedience optional, but He also does not hand us a new system of religious performance. Instead, Jesus fulfills the story, honors the Word, and forms in His people a righteousness that goes deeper than outward rule-keeping.If you have ever imagined God measuring your life with a spiritual scoreboard, this message points to better news: Jesus fulfilled what we could not fulfill, forgives what we could not fix, and gives us His Spirit to form in us the life we could never produce on our own. Broad River Church | Norwalk, CT Join us Sundays: 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM (English) | 1:00 PM (Español) Learn more or take your next step: https://broadriver.church/nextstepsFollow us on Instagram: @iambroadriverchurch

After a lengthy journey, my wife and I finally neared our street, but a large road closed to thru traffic sign blocked our path. I felt the urge to drive around it because home was just ahead, and I didn’t like being rerouted. But then I saw why the road was closed: A downed power line lay across the road. Had I ignored the warning, I could have driven into danger. In Acts 16:6-10, Paul and his companions were eager to preach the gospel in the province of Asia, but the Holy Spirit closed that door. Detours aren’t always rejection, however. They can be divine redirections. Like the roadblock on our street, God rerouted Paul from entering the province of Bithynia. It must have been frustrating to be blocked, especially while Paul was striving to do his best. But then he received a vision in which a man said, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (v. 9). God said “no” to something good because He was preparing them for something greater—taking the gospel to the people of another continent (v. 10). Rather than seeing “no” as punishment and rejection, we can see it as His Spirit-led redirection. His detours are often pathways to divine appointments. Let’s not simply trust His direction when the roads are open, let’s follow when He closes them too.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:  Isaiah 32–35; James 2 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible for July 18th. On this 200th day of our journey through Scripture, Hunter invites us to gather from around the world and warm our hearts by the fires of God's love. Today's episode features readings from Isaiah 32–35 and James 2, exploring themes of justice, transformation, and authentic faith. We'll reflect on the promise of a righteous king, the call to active participation in God's work, and the difference between saying we believe and showing our faith through love and service. Join us for Scripture, spiritual encouragement, and prayer, and be reminded that you are deeply loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Let your faith move from your head to your hands and feet. James tells us that faith, by itself, isn't enough unless it produces good deeds—it is dead and useless. But what exactly does that mean for those of us trying to walk with Christ day by day? When I think about good deeds, as James talked about in this passage, I think of obedience—of stepping out, not simply doing good for goodness' sake, but truly responding in trust to what God is laying before us 16:43. Simply doing good deeds isn't what God is after. He is after a real relationship with us, our real participation with him in what he is doing 16:57. Our acts of faith are not mere requirements to check off or ways to earn favor with God, but are invitations to participate in the very life that we have in Jesus 17:16. Our faith meets its fullness and completion not in our thoughts, not in our words, but in those moments when we choose to walk in step with His Spirit, moving our trust from our heads out into our hands and feet 17:43. Transformation comes in participation; Christ is witnessed to in this world in our obedience. Let us begin to do the next thing God has given us. Let us do it trusting his care 17:49. Let our faith become practical, tangible, lived out in acts of love and service for others 17:49. That is my prayer for my own heart, for my family, for my wife, my daughters, and my son. And that is my prayer for you, too 18:15. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

As God’s presence takes up residence in you and becomes your guide, that harsh outer shell begins to break away. The walls you’ve built crumble. And what grows like fresh ivy taking over that old exterior is GENTLENESS. Gentleness is not weakness, nor is it passive. This word translated into ‘gentleness’ was used to describe a powerful horse that had been trained. The horse doesn’t lose it’s power when trained, it learns discipline. Gentleness is one of the most misunderstood Fruits of the Spirit because many people hear the word and think “weak,” “passive,” or “timid.” But in Scripture, gentleness is actually controlled strength under the direction of God. God never seeks to take away your strength, he works to direct your strength with discipline. When your strength is submitted to God, you receive gentleness. Then, just like a well trained horse, you are powerful with a purpose. Galatians 5: 22-23, “But the Holy spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, GENTLENESS. You don’t produce this kind of controlled strength and discipline on your own, it grows when you surrender your life to God and the work of the Holy Spirit. Remember, the horse doesn’t train itself – it submits itself to training. It doesn’t relinquish it’s strength, it surrenders its strength to direction. God isn’t asking you to be weak and incapable – he’s working in you to make you stronger than you ever imagined! He’s training you for great purposes. Jesus describes himself in Matthew 11: 29 as “humble and gentle at heart.” Humble and gentle – they go together. This is how God’s Spirit works within us. First, he humbles us to help us see who we are without him. From that inward humility grows gentleness, changing how we treat others. Humility is the root, gentleness is the fruit. The life surrendered to Jesus is humble like him, and grows in gentleness. Was Jesus ever without strength and power for a moment? Never! Yet, his gentleness was all his strength under control and all his power held in discipline, as he hung on the cross to die. Gentleness allowed him to fulfill his purpose. So, are you called by God to be harsh and rigid? Absolutely not. Are you designed to be the angry one – the destroyer – the one who tears things down? No, his spirit prodcues GENTLENESS in you. Your strength will never be stronger than it is when it is submitted to the training of the Holy Spirit. Gentleness doesn’t need to dominate or control. Gentleness doesn’t need to win every argument. Gentleness is strength restrained with discipline, under the direction of God. I love spending time in Bali. The Balinese people are truly some of the most humble and gentle people on earth. On my most recent trip, my drive Panji taught me that in their culture, the angry and demanding person is not the strongest person, in fact they are the weakest person. Anger is seen as weakness. Power trips are seen as failure. Humility and gentleness are true strength. Seeing this lived out by an entire culture is one of the most refreshing things I’ve ever seen. AND THEY ARE WITHOUT JESUS. They have to work to produce that on their own. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit living in us, naturally growing GENTLENESS, so why on earth do we fight it? Why are we trying to be the boss? Why are we trying to gain control? Why are we trying to force or manipulate? Why are we so angry and unbridled? Girl, LET THE HOLY SPIRIT DO HIS WORK IN YOU. LET HIM GROW GENTLENESS FROM WITHIN YOU. Here’s how God’s gentleness grows within you. First, the Holy Spirit begins to expose any harshness. You start noticing your impatience. You become aware of your tendency to get defensive. You see your controlling tendencies for yourself. You hear your own angry voice and you grow to dislike it. This is holy conviction, and it’s the work of the Holy Spirit in you. This is how change happens! As you lean into the work of the Holy Spirit, you begin to see how God changes people so much better than your force ever could have. You begin to see how your anger was never necessary. You understand how your ploy for control was always making things worse. Now, with this awareness, you grow in trust and dependence of God. The more you grow in trust, the more Christ’s character is formed in you. As you walk with Jesus, you begin naturally walking like him. The gentleness of Jesus begins to grow within you, reshaping you from the inside. Philippians 4:5, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” Looking back, my best parenting was always gentleness. Every time I was harsh or angry, I generally made things worse. What my husband has needed was gentleness. The Holy Spirit is growing gentleness within you – yes, let it be evident to all. Gentleness is strength under control. Gentleness reflects the heart of Jesus. Gentleness makes restoration possible. Gentleness is evidence of the Holy Spirit growing in you. As God’s presence takes up residence in you and becomes your guide, that harsh outer shell begins to break away. The walls you’ve built crumble. And what grows like fresh ivy taking over that old exterior is GENTLENESS. Have you ever noticed an old wall covered in ivy? This is such a picture of the Holy Spirit transforming us. Imagine an old stone fortress. For years it has stood alone. Thick walls. Cold stones. Sharp edges. Built for defense. And maybe those walls were necessary at one time. They were built after betrayal, disappointment, criticism, fear, rejection, or loss. They kept enemies out—but they also kept love from freely flowing in and out. Many of us become emotional fortresses without realizing it. Then Christ comes to dwell within us. He doesn’t begin by demolishing the fortress with explosions. He begins by making it unnecessary. The walls just aren’t necessary any more. Then, like ivy taking root in the cracks, His Spirit quietly begins to spread. At first, the ivy seems insignificant. You still react sharply sometimes. You still become defensive. You still protect your pride. Yet something new is growing within. Something is changing. Season after season, the ivy grows. It softens every hard line. It reaches places no hammer could. It finds tiny cracks where grace can enter. Eventually people no longer notice the fortress first—they notice the living green that covers it. That is gentleness. Not the absence of strength. Strength clothed in life.The goal is not to become more gentle by sheer effort. The goal is to abide in Christ. As His presence fills every room of your heart, His gentleness quietly overtakes the old cold walls of self-protection. That is the quiet miracle of the Holy Spirit. Gentleness is one of the clearest signs that this transformation is taking root. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com