Podcasts about his word

What does it mean to trust God for the impossible?   In this message from Lead Pastor John Lindell, we see how God works through impossibilities to accomplish His miraculous purposes, reminding us that nothing is beyond His power. Our prayer is that you would be encouraged to seek God's presence, believe His Word, and trust that He is able to do what only He can do in your life.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251218dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Isaiah 35:1-2 God Makes the Desert Bloom In northern Chile, along the Pacific coast, lies one of the driest places on earth. Known as the Atacama, it sometimes goes decades without measurable rainfall. It’s so barren that NASA uses it to simulate conditions on Mars. But in rare years, the Atacama Desert receives a few inches of rain, like it did a few months ago. Within days, something astonishing happens. Dormant seeds that have been buried in the dust for years suddenly burst into life. The desert floor becomes carpeted with a palette of pink, purple, yellow, and white. The transformation is so dramatic that satellites can detect the color change from space. That’s the picture Isaiah gives us. Maybe your life feels a little like that dry ground right now. Life feels empty, brittle, and you’re waiting for something to change. Isaiah reminds us that God hasn’t forgotten how to make things bloom. His Word and his Spirit still bring renewal, transformation, and life. God rains down his grace, forgiveness, and peace on dry and weary hearts. God is able to transform the dry and the forsaken into vibrant life. God turns death into life. Jesus Christ went from barren death and three days later to life and immortality. He broke through the grave as the firstfruits from the dead. He endured the scathing punishment for your sin. He bore the withering wrath you deserved. He did all this so that God’s glory might be brought to full flower. He did it so that you, too, can go from death to life. Prayer: Dear God, send your rain on the dry places in my life. Let your grace soak into the cracks of my heart. Remind me that your Son, Jesus, was parched so that I can spend an eternity in paradise with you. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The best way to identify false gods is by getting to know the one true God and His Word. While many people believe you can get to heaven through different paths, the Bible categorically refutes this claim. Find out why on Truth For Life with Alistair Begg. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/163/29?v=20251111

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251218dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Isaiah 35:1-2 God Makes the Desert Bloom In northern Chile, along the Pacific coast, lies one of the driest places on earth. Known as the Atacama, it sometimes goes decades without measurable rainfall. It’s so barren that NASA uses it to simulate conditions on Mars. But in rare years, the Atacama Desert receives a few inches of rain, like it did a few months ago. Within days, something astonishing happens. Dormant seeds that have been buried in the dust for years suddenly burst into life. The desert floor becomes carpeted with a palette of pink, purple, yellow, and white. The transformation is so dramatic that satellites can detect the color change from space. That’s the picture Isaiah gives us. Maybe your life feels a little like that dry ground right now. Life feels empty, brittle, and you’re waiting for something to change. Isaiah reminds us that God hasn’t forgotten how to make things bloom. His Word and his Spirit still bring renewal, transformation, and life. God rains down his grace, forgiveness, and peace on dry and weary hearts. God is able to transform the dry and the forsaken into vibrant life. God turns death into life. Jesus Christ went from barren death and three days later to life and immortality. He broke through the grave as the firstfruits from the dead. He endured the scathing punishment for your sin. He bore the withering wrath you deserved. He did all this so that God’s glory might be brought to full flower. He did it so that you, too, can go from death to life. Prayer: Dear God, send your rain on the dry places in my life. Let your grace soak into the cracks of my heart. Remind me that your Son, Jesus, was parched so that I can spend an eternity in paradise with you. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Todaywe've been looking at Ephesians 4:17–19, and now we're going to move on toverses 20–24. In these verses, the Apostle Paul follows up on his admonitionnot to walk as the Gentiles walk, but instead to walk in a way that pleasesGod. Paul describes the lost world as walking in futility—emptiness and vanityof mind. Their hearts are darkened. They lack spiritual understanding, and theydo not even know what they are stumbling over. Paul says, in essence, “Don't gothat direction. Don't live that way.” Thenhe gives us a powerful contrast in verse 20: “But ye have not so learnedChrist.” There is something fundamentally different about the believer. Youhave learned Christ. Many people may learn about Jesus, but they nevertruly learn Jesus Christ. Paul's argument is that genuine believers haveentered into a personal relationship with Him. Jesus Himself extended thisinvitation in Matthew 11:28–29: “Come unto me, all you that labor and areheavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn ofme; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto yoursouls.” To“learn Christ” means to enter into a personal relationship with Him. Ican know about historical figures—such as Abraham Lincoln. I can readbiographies and learn what he did and what he accomplished. But I don't knowhim personally. He is dead and gone. My friend, Jesus Christ is alive. He is aliving Savior. He lives today—first in my heart, and also in the Word of God.Sohow do we learn Christ? We learn Christ by spending time with Him—in the Wordof God and in prayer.Youwill never grow spiritually mature, never grow as you should as a believer, andnever dig deep down to the Rock unless you get into God's Word. We must hearHis Word, read His Word, study His Word, memorize His Word, and meditate on HisWord. I love Psalm 1:2–3, which says: “But his delight is in the law of theLORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like atree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in hisseason; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Whydoes that person prosper? Because they are planted by the river of livingwater—Jesus Christ Himself. He is the Living Water. He is the Word. He is theTruth. He is the Way. He is the Life. When you take time in the Word of God,you are fellowshipping with Christ. And when you add prayer, you are buildingan intimate relationship with Him. But learning Christ is not only aboutreading His Word—it is also about experiencing Him in prayer. Prayer is talkingto Him, but prayer also involves listening. Through the Holy Spirit, God speaksto us as we pray. Overthe years, I have learned how wonderful this is. Whether I am praying privatelyin my office, driving, walking through my house, or doing prayer walks throughmy neighborhood, I find that God speaks to me as I speak to Him—if I will taketime to be still and listen. Sometimes He says, “You need to do this. You needto write that letter. You need to call that person. You need to pray for thisindividual.” He places these things on your heart. You know it is Him. You hearHis voice. Other times, you may be discouraged and in need of comfort. As youmeditate on His Word and yield your fears and burdens to Him, He speaks to yourheart. He gives comfort. He gives courage. He gives exactly what you need inyour time of need. That is why Scripture tells us we can come boldly to thethrone of grace with confidence.  Ephesians4:20, “But you have not so learned Christ.” In other words, you nolonger live like the unsaved Gentiles because you have learned Christ. Becauseyou have learned Christ, your life is different. You have a different walk, adifferent talk, a different outlook, and a different attitude. You now seekthings from God's perspective rather than from the world's philosophies andopinions.  Itrust that you will have a heart to learn Christ—to truly know Him.

The best way to identify false gods is by getting to know the one true God and His Word. While many people believe you can get to heaven through different paths, the Bible categorically refutes this claim. Find out why on Truth For Life with Alistair Begg. ----------------------------------------- • Click here and look for "FROM THE SERMON" to stream or read the full message. • This program is part of the series ‘Here is My Servant' • Learn more about our current resource, request your copy with a donation of any amount. • Share the Gospel this holiday season by giving gifts that lead others to Jesus! At truthforlife.org/gifts you'll find ESV Study Bibles for both men and women for only $15, children's hardcover storybooks—three books for just $10, and a brand-new evangelism booklet by Alistair Begg, only $1 each! Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles - Subscribe to our daily devotional Follow Us YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today's program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!

It can be challenging to want to go out of your way to be kind to people on the days when you're annoyed, in a bad mood, or are having a bad day… So, how do we not let our kindness to others depend on our moods? How do we always be kind, regardless of how we're feeling?Let's talk about 3 ways to be exceptionally kind (even when you don't feel like it.) We'll also give you a list of practical, simple ways to show kindness in your everyday life.We can guarantee your life will benefit because of your kindness!Send us a text! We would love to hear from you! Uncover your God-given gifts, declare His truth over your life, defeat imposter syndrome, and grow the Kingdom of God as you walk confidently in your calling.These workbooks include daily Scripture, guided reflection prompts, & journaling space to help you hear from God and apply His Word in every area of your life.Grab your Workbooks HERE.Or you can DM us "Workbook" on Instagram!  To check out the Wellness Store, go to @Jordan_Vesper and DM the word "Wellness". I'd love to share more about the store with you. Support the showOur new Instagram name is @WithinHerSoulMinistries if you want to connect with us! Check out all our Spiritual Growth Resources at withinhersoul.org Resources for New Christians: - Study Bible to help you understand the Word - Find a Church near you

The best way to identify false gods is by getting to know the one true God and His Word. While many people believe you can get to heaven through different paths, the Bible categorically refutes this claim. Find out why on Truth For Life with Alistair Begg. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/163/29?v=20251111

What Am I?I am God's Son, complete and healed and whole, shining in the reflection of His Love. In me is His creation sanctified and guaranteed eternal life. In me is love perfected, fear impossible, and joy established without opposite. I am the holy home of God Himself. I am the Heaven where His Love resides. I am His holy Sinlessness Itself, for in my purity abides His Own.Our use for words is almost over now. Yet in the final days of this one year we gave to God together, you and I, we found a single purpose that we shared. And thus you joined with me, so what I am are you as well. The truth of what we are is not for words to speak of nor describe. Yet we can realize our function here, and words can speak of this and teach it, too, if we exemplify the words in us.We are the bringers of salvation. We accept our part as saviors of the world, which through our joint forgiveness is redeemed. And this, our gift, is therefore given us. We look on everyone as brother, and perceive all things as kindly and as good. We do not seek a function that is past the gate of Heaven. Knowledge will return when we have done our part. We are concerned only with giving welcome to the truth.Ours are the eyes through which Christ's vision sees a world redeemed from every thought of sin. Ours are the ears that hear the Voice for God proclaim the world as sinless. Ours the minds that join together as we bless the world. And from the oneness that we have attained we call to all our brothers, asking them to share our peace and consummate our joy.We are the holy messengers of God who speak for Him, and carrying His Word to everyone whom He has sent to us, we learn that it is written on our hearts. And thus our minds are changed about the aim for which we came, and which we seek to serve. We bring glad tidings to the Son of God, who thought he suffered. Now is he redeemed. And as he sees the gate of Heaven stand open before him, he will enter in and disappear into the Heart of God.LESSON 351My Sinless Brother Is My Guide To Peace.My Sinful Brother Is My Guide To Pain.And Which I Choose To See I Will Behold.Who is my brother but Your holy Son? And if I see him sinful I proclaim myself a sinner, not a Son of God; alone and friendless in a fearful world. Yet this perception is a choice I make, and can relinquish. I can also see my brother sinless, as Your holy Son. And with this choice I see my sinlessness, my everlasting Comforter and Friend beside me, and my way secure and clear. Choose, then, for me, my Father, through Your Voice. For He alone gives judgment in Your Name.- Jesus Christ in ACIm

In 1 John 5verses1-5 we are told the source of overcoming the world - by the faith of the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. And by that faith I live. An early Christadelphian writer, John Thomas said, that this was by a faith, which works by love and purifiers the soul (life). John Thomas was alluding to the early verses of Galatians 5. The Apostle John tells us that such a belief is evidence of our divine begetting. And, for us, it is the assurance ("by this we know") that God is with us. We can be more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Romans 8). The work, spoken of in chapter 2, is not about our love, but we do love the Father with all of our heart. And this love of the Father which impels us was the motive force of the life of the Son of God. Read Romans 8verses31-39 slowly and pause and ponder. Verses 6-12 provide testimony concerning the Son of God. Our Lord Jesus who came by water and blood - the water in which he was immersed at his baptism and the water of the Word of God with which his mind was saturated; and the blood of his sacrificial offering of himself. This offering was sanctified by the Word of God and prayer and pleased his Father. John is alluding to his witnessing of the crucifixion (John 19verses34-37). Verse 7 from the ESV reads, and I quote in full, "For there are three that testifyverses". Most of the better translations recognise the insertion into the text of additional words which aren't found in most of the older manuscripts. The additional words used in the KJV (and some other versions are admitted by most modern translations to be spurious and added by a Jesuit monk, Immanuel Tapsensis). Verse 8 identifies the three witnesses to our Lord's divine Sonship as - the Spirit, the water and the blood. Under the law at least two corroborating witnesses were needed to determine truth. John affirms total agreement among these witnesses. Additionally, God bore testimony, Matthew 3verses15-17, to His Son. And only in His Son, and through His Son's work, we have life. From verses 13-21 the beloved disciple John has written these things for our assurance ("that we may know"). We have known and believed upon the name above every name (Philippians 2verses9-11), and the only name in which there is salvation (Acts 4verses12). And through continuance in this Name salvation is assured. John repeats that the Father's ear is ever open to His children's pleas. Verses 16-17 reiterates that when we love the brethren we will help them (as they will likewise help us) when we stumble (Galatians 6verses1-5). Such advice and correction will prevent rejection at the coming judgment of our Lord Jesus Christ. But, for the habitual and lawless sinner, who has abandoned any attempt to continue walking in the light there remains "no offering for sin" (Hebrews 10verses26-39). Being begotten by God, through His Word (1 Peter 1verses22-25), we overcome in faith and walk in the way of His commandments. The world and its ways allure, but cannot conquer us. Finally, says John, "Keep yourself from idols" - a specific allusion to the Ten Commandments (especially numbers 1 and 10 which bookend all the others). Keeping ourselves from idols is about the tendency within our human nature to always look after ourselves before applying ourselves to living according to the ways of our Almighty Father.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow

In our third Advent message, Reverend Alexander reflects on the birth and naming of John the Baptist and the vital truths to which it bears witness. Discover how this pivotal event leading up to the incarnation highlights the absolute reliability of God's promises and the authority of His Word. May we learn from the testimony of John the Baptist to trust and obey God on Hear the Word of God. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/581/29?v=20251111

At our Premium Worship & Prayer Service, Pastor Colins Nwosu led the church in a powerful exhortation centred on the unmatched potency of God's Word. Drawing from Hebrews 4:12, we were reminded that the Word of God is alive, sharp, active, and effective - not mere letters, but divine substance with the ability to penetrate, transform, and prevail. Through scriptures in John 1 and Matthew 24, we saw that the Word is eternal, unchanging, and inseparable from God Himself. What God has spoken cannot fail, fade, or fall to the ground; heaven and earth may pass away, but His Word remains forever settled. The message further established that God has magnified His Word even above His Name, and that His Word provides direction, illumination, strength, and victory for the believer. We learnt that the Word is both weapon and defence; a hammer that breaks resistance, fire that consumes opposition, and armour that enables us to stand firm. As we prayed, faith was stirred to embrace our identity in Christ: fortified, established, visible, and victorious. We close with the following Confessions: I am a fortified city ‎‎I am an iron pillar. ‎I am a city set on a hill ‎I shall not be hidden ‎My words are like fire ‎My words are like hammer ‎I am a child of God.

Growing In God Podcast Program Number: GIG #280 Categories: Biblical Feasts   Web Description: In Romans 12, Paul exhorts us not to be conformed to this world. That is what Hanukkah is all about. It expresses the refusal of the Jewish people to be converted into something that was against the will of God and against the teachings of God. We as believers in Yeshua (Jesus) should have the same resistance to the culture that is set to move us away from the Scriptures, away from our Christian values, and convert us to a different way of life. Hanukkah is not a substitute for Christmas. It is an observance very applicable to Christianity today.   Show Notes: Many people think that Hanukkah is just a celebration for Jewish people to compete with Christmas during December. That is not true. Hanukkah existed before the celebration of Christmas and was observed by Yeshua (Jesus). Called the Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabean Revolt when the Jews recaptured Jerusalem, recaptured the Temple, and purified it from its defilement.   At a time when Israel was under the suppression of the Seleucid Empire, Antiochus IV (known as Epiphanes) determined to wipe out all the practices and beliefs of the Jewish people and replace them with Greek paganism. A small band of Jewish men and women who refused to be Hellenized and converted into pagans rose up and fought against the armies of the Greeks and won, taking Jerusalem and cleansing and rededicating the Temple. This spirit is what Hanukkah celebrates.   To celebrate Hanukkah is to follow after those who refused to be converted to the paganism of the Greek culture. As Christians we likewise should refuse the demands of today's culture and the pressures of society that would force us to deny our faith and convert us to the paganism of today's world, which is quickly abandoning the Scriptures, abandoning morals, abandoning pure thought, and the right ways of life. We, as believers in Christ, along with the Jewish people, should shine as a light on a hill as those who hold forth the Word of God, the promises of God, and the prophecies to come.   Key Verses:   •       John 10:22–23. "At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple." •       Romans 12:1–2. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." •       Matthew 5:11–16. "You are the light of the world. … Let your light shine before men." •       Matthew 24:22. "Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved."   Quotes:   •       "We are the salt of the earth. We are to be the light. And that is what you can say about those who participated in the Maccabean Revolt that refused to be removed off of their faith." •       "We are believers, and we are not to be conformed to this world. We are not to be conformed to its cultures, its beliefs, and its ways of life when they are contrary to God and to His Word." •       "Let us rededicate and purify everything that has been touched and destroyed during these days under the attempts of satan to bring about his purpose."   Takeaways:   1.    Hanukkah reminds us that as believers, we are not to be conformed to this world. We are not to be conformed to its cultures, its beliefs, and its ways of life when they are contrary to God and to His Word. 2.    Hanukkah reminds us that we are to be a light to this world—we should shine brightly as a light on a hill. We cannot let our light go out, and we certainly cannot live in fear and intimidation and hide our light under a bushel basket. 3.    Hanukkah reminds us that we are the salt of the earth. What we are to do today is to preserve the culture of the Kingdom of God. We are to preserve the ways of God. We are to preserve the love and the Word of God in this day and age. 4.    Hanukkah reminds us that we must put our faith into service. Like the ancient Maccabees, we must go in and cleanse the Temple—to rededicate and purify everything that has been touched and destroyed as satan has attempted to bring about his purposes in our world.

Romans 16:25–27 Paul completed his letter with the words: "all glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen" (Romans 16:27). There is no more fitting way to end Romans than with praise to God. Tune in to hear Pastor Chuck Swindoll close out this encouraging series on the book of Romans. In this message, you will encounter in a new way God and His character. Thank God for all He has done. Embrace the gift of His Son. Marvel in His glory and the gift of His Word!

Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, where you can listen to a chapter from the practical and life-improving book of Proverbs in under five minutes. People tend to start cutting things out of their lives when overly busy. One of the worst things to cut is your time in the Bible. God gave us instructions for navigating the issues of life, but if we aren't reading His Word, we won't know what He said. You probably have a lot to do, but even if you don't, it is still a good idea to commit your plans to God and ask Him to establish your thoughts. Here's a related reminder verse to consider: "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." (Proverbs 16:3) Books, Bible Studies, and more in the Shop at Keep the Heart Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor Ponder the Path 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor Sister Friends by Francie Taylor NEW: Hope Endures: A Biography of Faith by Jennifer Arrington NEW: The Counting Tree by Jennifer Arrington NEW: Seaside Treasures Framed Shell Art Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Why are there examples in Scripture of people “eating” His Word, and what application could have have for our parenting? Join AMBrewster to learn why good parents eat the Bible.Truth.Love.Parent. is a podcast of Truth.Love.Family., an Evermind Ministry.Action Steps Purchase “Quit: how to stop family strife for good.” https://amzn.to/40haxLz Support our 501(c)(3) by becoming a TLP Friend! https://www.truthloveparent.com/donate.html Download the Evermind App. https://evermind.passion.io/checkout/102683 Use the promo code EVERMIND at MyPillow.com. https://www.mypillow.com/evermind  Discover the following episodes by clicking the titles or navigating to the episode in your app: Biblical Parenting Essentials Series https://www.truthloveparent.com/biblical-parenting-essentials.html  Biblical Parents Series https://www.truthloveparent.com/biblical-parent-series.html  The Choice All Parents Have to Make Series https://www.truthloveparent.com/choice-series.html  Family Worship Series https://www.truthloveparent.com/family-worship-series.html  Parenting in Christ Series https://www.truthloveparent.com/parenting-in-christ-series.html  The Rock, The Bread, & The Donut Series https://www.truthloveparent.com/the-rock-the-bread-and-the-donut-series.html  Teach Your Children to Obey Series https://www.truthloveparent.com/teach-your-children-to-obey-series.html Click here for Today's episode notes, resources, and transcript: https://www.truthloveparent.com/taking-back-the-family-blog/tlp-610-good-parents-eat-the-bible Download the Evermind App! https://evermind.passion.io/checkout/102683Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthLoveParent/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truth.love.parent/Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TruthLoveParentFollow AMBrewster on Facebook: https://fb.me/TheAMBrewsterFollow AMBrewster on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrewsterhome/Follow AMBrewster on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMBrewsterNeed some help? Write to us at Counselor@TruthLoveParent.com.

There are certain occupations where I think you need a particularly strong self image. For example, I would think a dentist needs a strong self image. I mean, he's a professional, he's helping people, but it's just hard to have so many people dreading what you do. Or in the world of sports, like a baseball umpire? Everybody thinks they can see better than the umpire can. You can tell because they keep yelling, "Hey, are you blind?" Because they don't agree with your call. Everybody thinks they have a higher IQ than you do. They keep commenting on the intelligence of an umpire negatively just because they don't agree with him. But you couldn't have baseball without the umpires. I mean, can you imagine the players trying to agree on whether a guy was safe or out at second? That would end the game right there. Or how about letting the fans decide? Man, there would be chaos without the umpire. So, let's say there's a dramatic play at home plate. The winning run is sliding into home plate as the ball is thrown to the catcher, there's a cloud of dust, there are thousands of voices giving their opinion whether the runner was safe or not, but there's only one voice that matters. The umpire settles it. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Your Own Personal Umpire." Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Colossians 3:15 where God says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace." Notice here it says that "the peace of Christ should rule in your hearts." Now, that word in the original language of the New Testament means to be the judge; the one who awards the prize. In essence, "Let the peace of Christ be the umpire in your heart." In other words, the peace of God is your own personal umpire. As you make each day's choices, you need some way to decide what should be safe and what should be out. Well, that's the peace of Christ. You've got a lot of choices. You've got right or wrong choices, and some of them are not covered by a specific rule in the Bible. You've got to decide which way to go in a lot of situations; which option is the one God wants. Well, the Bible says, "Let the peace of Christ decide." Let it be the umpire. Now, this peace comes as you continue to bring a choice to God. You come to Him with a blank piece of paper and you say, "God, you know what I'd like, but I'm not going to give you a contract to sign. This is my blank piece of paper. What do you want?" And as you pray it through, I think you'll find that one way you're supposed to go. One road feels right most of the time when you're praying about it when it's just you and Jesus - as you pray about it over and over again. Now, I'm not talking about rushed prayer here. You've got to have time to let Him put His thoughts into your heart. But as you get off your knees and start to go through your day, the peace of Christ is going to be challenged by a lot of other voices - like the umpire and all those people in the stands. I mean as soon as you get with other people, God's will starts to seem a little less clear than it did when you were just with Him. There are all these other voices, but you've got to focus on the one voice that decides it. How can you tune your peace meter so you can hear and receive the peace of Christ? Well, the next verse says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." So you need to have some increased time in God's Word. You need to memorize some verses. You need to read whenever you can, looking for a personal word from the Lord. The more you get full of God's Word, the more God has to work with in giving you His personal guidance. His peace and His Word always go together. Human umpires? Well, they're right some of the time. God's umpire is right all the time. Why don't you offer your choices to the Lord and ask for His peace as the confirming signal in your heart, that sense that you've had a divine "OK" or a divine "forget it"? God's peace is His wonderful way of calling "Safe!" or "Out!" on the calls you have to make. And you'll always win if you go along with God's personal umpire.

As we journey through Advent, Luke 1:26–55 invites us to wait with hope for our faithful God. Through the angel's announcement to Mary and her humble response, we are reminded that God keeps His promises and enters our brokenness with both power and mercy. Mary's response and heart of worship points us to a Savior who sees the lowly, lifts the humble, and brings hope to the weary. In a season that can hold both joy and sorrow, Maiola's message calls us to trust God's character, believe His Word, and to fix our hearts on Jesus—the promised King who has come and will come for us again.

Feeling overwhelmed by homeschooling? You're not alone. In this heartfelt conversation, host Delise Germond sits down with Kamilah Carter for an honest discussion about the challenges of homeschool motherhood—and the God who equips us for every moment. Kamilah opens up about a recent crisis that left her feeling helpless, sharing how she learned to lean on community, trust God in the fire, and recognize her daily need for grace. Together, they explore: Why the gap between our expectations and reality can leave us feeling like we're drowning The importance of Christian community in our homeschool journey How God uses our children to refine us and reveal our need for Him Practical wisdom about understanding our children's developmental stages The truth that God has fully equipped us through His Word for every good work This isn't a conversation full of Pinterest-perfect advice or organizational hacks. Instead, it's a raw, encouraging reminder that homeschooling is a spiritual journey that requires us to return to the cross again and again—and that's exactly where God meets us.   This episode of the Everyday Educator is sponsored by: Judson College Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, equips passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace while experiencing vibrant community through our unique House System. We're committed to making your divine calling affordable through extensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts, so you can give your life for Christ's cause without overwhelming financial burden. Ready to answer your calling? Find out what makes Judson College experience different. https://judsoncollege.com/distinctives/   Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.  Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information. www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

Paul completed his letter with the words: “all glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen” (Romans 16:27). There is no more fitting way to end Romans than with praise to God.Tune in to hear Pastor Chuck Swindoll close out this encouraging series on the book of Romans. In this message, you will encounter in a new way God and His character.Thank God for all He has done. Embrace the gift of His Son. Marvel in His glory and the gift of His Word!

From verses 11-24 we are shown that how we behave towards our brethren demonstrates our parentage. Do we live a live congruent with our claims? The gospel of John shows how our frequently repeated the words of our Lord Jesus Christ reveal this truth. The motive for the first murder in the Bible was envy progressing into hate. We must always attribute the best motives to our brethren. Slandering, or belittling, others incurs the displeasure of our Father. Cain was banished from God's presence and separated from the hope of a life with the Father. Yahweh sent His Son to lay down his own precious life to bring us into fellowship. Though we may have many a doubt (because we are weak humans) the LORD knows our motives, better than we can understand them ourselves (1 Corinthians 4verses1-5). Our Father is ready, willing and able to lovingly respond to our needs and requests (see Romans 8verses28-39). Chapter 4 commences with the need to test whether the teachings - i.e. this is also a testing of the teachers - are true ("try the spirits"), and from God. John in chapter 2 has already told his readers that the errors of the antichrist were active among the community of the disciples. One of the prime identifying features would be the belief in the Trinity, which originated in catechism 312 AD (having been debated by believers for decades prior to endorsing that view. The acceptance that the Lord Jesus Christ was part of a triune God is completely counter to the entire teaching of the Scriptures (even the Encyclopaedia Britannica admits this in its article on the Trinity). Jesus was completely a man, even though he was the Son of God. John 1verses1-18 tell us his beginnings were when he was born (compare Acts 10verses38-43). Jesus came in the flesh (Hebrews 2verses8-18) and this was the only understanding of the first century community of faithful believers (read "The Apostles' Creed"). Believers need to listen to God and His Word, not human speculations from false teachers. From verses 7-21 we are further told how "God is love". When we love each other with a true heart and fervently it is a witness that we are God's children. The Father's love in redeeming an erring race has been seen from the time of Creation. Its pinnacle was reached in the sending of His Son to provide a ransom for us. Our Lord was able to comply with His Father's will because of their unity of love and purpose in providing a place for our acceptance on the basis of Truth believed and sins forgiven. An understanding of this and a life lived sacrificially in love and service is the only life a disciple can live.Anything else is nothing but a hypocritical lie.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow

Todaywe are looking at Ephesians 4:17–19. Here, the Apostle Paul explains thatbecause we have now trusted Christ—because He has saved us, changed us,transformed us, and seated us in the heavenly places, and because we havereceived the Holy Spirit—we are called to live differently. Hebegins explaining this in verse 17, where he gives a strong warning. He tellsbelievers not to live the way the lost world lives—the unconverted, those whohave never been regenerated. Their lives are described as empty in theirthinking, darkened in understanding, separated from the life of God, and drivenby ignorance and spiritual blindness. This way of life ultimately leads tomoral insensitivity, impurity, and greed. Paulbegins with a negative instruction: do not walk in that direction. Do notfollow the pattern of the lost world. He speaks with authority, testifying inthe Lord, reminding us that Jesus Himself has taught us how to walk inrighteousness—pursuing what is good, holy, just, and pure. This is the kind oflife Jesus described in Matthew chapter 5 through the Beatitudes, which revealthe attitudes that should mark a believer's life. Oneof the first things we notice in this passage is that Christians are different.How are we different? We no longer think the way unsaved people think. There isa strong emphasis on the mind in verses 17 and 18—the futility of themind, darkened understanding, and spiritual ignorance. But asbelievers, “we have learned Christ” (v. 20). Remember Jesus invited usto “come and learn of me” in Matthew 11:29:  Learning Christ meanswalking with Him—following His Word, embracing His truth, and moving in thesame direction He walked. And that direction is one of continual obedience tothe will of God and sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Paulreminds us in Philippians 2:5-8, that we are to have the same mind that was inChrist Jesus. What kind of mind was that? A mind of obedience, sacrifice,humility, and devotion to the Father's will. Jesus lived for the glory andpleasure of the Father. He said that He must be about His Father's business.This kind of mindset changes everything. As a result, we no longer walk as theGentiles walk, in the futility of their minds. That word futility speaks ofemptiness—a life without purpose. When Christ comes into our lives, we live alife of repentance, which means a changed mind. We change our mind about God.We change our mind about sin. We no longer seek the pleasure of sin; instead,we desire the pleasure of God. Ourvalues change. Our goals change. Our entire view of life changes. When Christcomes in, everything becomes new, just as Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 5:17.“Old things pass away, and new life begins”. Pauldescribes the mindset of the unconverted person in Romans 1:21-23: “Because,although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, butbecame futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professingto be wise, they became fools, This is a life marked by empty thinking, darkened hearts,and self-deception. This is the futility of the mind. It is a life without truepurpose, without eternal focus. That is why we see so much violence, despair,and hopelessness in the world today. People fail to respect life because theydo not recognize God as the Creator and Giver of life. Butas believers, we are different. Our focus is no longer on temporary things orpersonal feelings alone, but on eternal realities and the life that only Godcan give through Jesus Christ. We think differently because; “… we do notlook at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. Forthe things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen areeternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18). ThankGod for that difference. May the Lord bless you today as you think on thesethings (Philippians 4:8).

Romans 16:25–27 Paul completed his letter with the words: "all glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen" (Romans 16:27). There is no more fitting way to end Romans than with praise to God. Tune in to hear Pastor Chuck Swindoll close out this encouraging series on the book of Romans. In this message, you will encounter in a new way God and His character. Thank God for all He has done. Embrace the gift of His Son. Marvel in His glory and the gift of His Word!

Christmas is beautiful, meaningful, and holy — but for many women, it also brings overwhelm, expectations, and emotional pressure. In this episode of Fed by the Fruit, KB shares biblical wisdom for surviving the holiday season with peace and purpose. From the story of Mary and Martha, to practical spiritual strategies for managing stress, to the reminder that Jesus is not just “the reason for the season” but the season itself, this episode will help you rediscover the joy of Christmas when life feels stretched thin. KB offers honest, faith-filled encouragement for women who love Jesus, love their families, and want this year to feel different — lighter, holier, and more centered on Him.You'll also hear practical tools for setting boundaries, navigating difficult family dynamics, and honoring your body without guilt or perfectionism. With Scripture-based guidance, heartfelt storytelling, and KB's signature humor and honesty, this episode invites you to slow down, breathe, and choose presence over perfection. Whether you're hosting, traveling, or managing the chaos of kids and calendars, this conversation will help you step into Christmas with a peaceful heart, rooted in Christ and strengthened by His Word.This episode serves as both an informative guide to embrace a healthier, more balanced lifestyle, encouraging listeners to embark on their journeys with renewed vigor and compassion.Reach out to KB on Instagram and share your thoughts.

Pastor Keith continues this series on finding and keeping joy - the smile of God deep in your heart! The Lord is with us, we have no reason to be afraid, our God is on the throne, and He will keep His Word!

What does it truly mean to make disciples? In this powerful four-part conclusion to the Commands of Christ series, we explore the Great Commission as the crescendo of all that Jesus commanded. Rooted in Matthew 28:18–20, this series calls us to move from inward transformation to outward multiplication. As we have spent four years treasuring, meditating on, and living out Christ's commands, we now step into the command to teach others to observe all things He has taught us.Are we actively living out the Great Commission in our own lives? What does it truly look like to treasure Christ's commands and help others do the same?As we reflect on these four years of immersing ourselves in the commands of Christ, we now arrive at the crescendo: making disciples. This command, rooted in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20), is not merely a call to evangelize, but a lifelong invitation to teach others to observe—to guard, treasure, and live out—all that Christ has commanded. Discipleship is not about producing spiritual converts alone, but nurturing disciplined followers of Jesus, shaped by His Word and empowered by His presence. We are reminded that the authority to go comes not from ourselves, but from the risen Christ who sends and stays with us. True discipleship begins in the quiet places of worship, overflows from a heart that treasures His Word, and is sustained by the power of His Spirit. As we go, we do not go alone—we go with the King, bearing His heart to the nations. May we live in obedience to His call, becoming disciples who make disciples, for His glory and by His grace.Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at https://homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at https://homediscipleship.com Find us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshiphttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/homediscipleshipnetwork

What is theology, really? It's not complicated - it's the study of God! In today's conversation with Pastors Randy Allison and Drew Hage, host Hannah Augustine helps to uncover some of the important theological truths found within the Christmas story. You'll also learn how important it is to continue to deepen your own knowledge of God and His Word as you listen to this week's encouraging episode!At the end of the day, you'll be reminded that our God truly is the God of the impossible, and this is demonstrated uniquely during this season as we celebrate the birth of Christ. Whatever you are believing for this Christmas season, He is big enough to meet you in your place of need!Need prayer? Email our team at support@kidzmatter.com! You can also sign up for our 2025 Advent Devotionals at kidzmatter.com/christmas.

Sadly Self-Employed I've been thinking a lot lately about greed. That's because in our short break from Song of Songs, we've studied salt covenant in our weekly Zoom classes. Although it's only about eight weeks of material, it's been packed with very practical ideas to improve our spiritual life today.   In particular, what's been weighing in my thoughts is the premise that unsavory salt, the kind that has lost its savor, is at its root, greed. In short, our study has dug into Yeshua's question about salt losing its flavor. How do you make it salty again? The salt had savor at some point, but then lost it.   If you review the last newsletters, Scripture specified that salt is something that comes from within a person. It is a softness and tenderness toward the Word and one's neighbor. It's the best part of our sacrifices for the Kingdom and Covenant that fulfills it, and without the salt, commandment-keeping is lacking:   • Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your God shall not be lacking from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt. (Le 2:13)   We can't put unsalty salt on a sacrifice or work of the Word:   • “Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.” (Mk 9:50)   “Have salt in yourselves ? be at peace with one another.”   So if we lose saltiness, we aren't tender any longer.   We can actually keep the letter of the commandments, but when it doesn't come from a tenderness within us, it doesn't create peace. That's salt without savor, and those commandments are not acceptable sacrifices for the Covenant, which must not be lacking salt. Defective salt is like a defective animal. No go. Unaccepted.    • Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. (Mt 5:23-24)   Leave the gift at the altar, go get salty again, make things right with your neighbor, then return, and the gift will be accepted because it came from tenderness toward the Father, which in turn made you tender toward His creation, your brother:   • “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” (Ge 4:7)   Kain was told to put his happy face on with Abel, and then his gift would be accepted. Kain had short-changed the sacrifice by not bringing his best. He didn't bring first fruits; instead, he brought "of the fruit of the ground." Produce, just not his best. Begrudging, for sure. Instead of repenting of his greed, putting on his happy face, and bringing his best, he simply took out his anger and frustration with Elohim by killing his brother.   Put another way, we can be about the Father's business diligently, keeping His commandments, and because of worry and distraction about our income, we find ourselves self-employed, like Martha, who resented Mary's relationship to Yeshua in receiving the Word. Daily we have to remind ourselves to make an "upper room" in our twenty-four hours to simply sit before the Father's Word and soak up His Presence in study and prayer.   Doing things is important; it is the sacrifice we make for our families and the Body of Messiah. Without the salt from within, however, those works of the Covenant are lacking. The very meaning of sacrifice is "draw near," korban.    Does doing a commandment draw us closer to the Father?   If not, it may have become our business instead of His. That's unsavory salt and greed.    When we salt the mitzvot of the Covenant, we exert ourselves, just as savory salt comes from “within yourselves” to make peace with others. We must exert ourselves commensurate with our “wealth.” While money is the example, the object of our desires is obtained with currency, which can be money, yet we might traffic for influence, power, manipulation, etc. to obtain our desires. Money is simply the currency most commonly used for the transaction to satisfy our greed. Greed is undisciplined and un-discipled desire. Sin. Idolatry of self-serving.   It is easy to construe greed as a desire for money, or mammon, yet the less tangibles are nonetheless greedy: knowledge, esteem, security, attention, pleasure, etc. I have seen believers so drunk on the power of Scriptural knowledge that they habitually beat up their fellow servants with the Word. It is no longer the Father's business; instead, they have become self-employed.    They use His Word not to draw people near the Father, but to enrich themselves. Maybe with donations, maybe with product sales, maybe with just a shot of self-esteem in soliciting invitations to speak or posting controversial statements designed to create a public dust-up for attention.   How can we know when someone is unsavory and self-employed, but they've hung out the shingle of "Kingdom Business"?    It's more important to know when WE'VE done it.    Remember, unsaltiness is an inside problem. You won't always see it on the outside. The sacrifice may look just perfect on the altar.    And Yeshua took donations...a group of women followed him throughout his ministry all the way to the upper room, "ministering to him." They loved him all the way to death (Mt 27:55; Mk 15:41; Lk 23:49,55) Yeshua said controversial things, was a highly-sought-after speaker, and he was definitely in the middle of public dust-ups.   The difference is that Yeshua always did what he did and said what he said on actual Kingdom business. He was drawing people closer to the Father or exposing their self-employment in the commandments. His Spirit will help us to search our own hearts so that we don't become "moneychangers," encroaching on the holy places for our personal enrichment and deceiving people who think we're there to serve and help them draw close to the Presence. Instead, we're self-employed, working on our self-esteem needs or securing donations to fuel the fire of our pleasures.   This is something ministries need to soul-search daily, and it's something a royal priesthood should soul-search daily. That's all of us.    As in my example of the "Nuts" in last week's newsletter, sometimes we have to decide whether we're occupied in interests and ministry we've chosen according to our desire, yet the actual fruit ready to harvest is in a different area. It will be a true sacrifice to do business there, but it's where the Father needs us, not where we want to work. At first.   The phenomenon is that if we will adjust our desire to His, sell out completely to draw near to the Father, our desire will actually change. Really! It will!   This is what Yeshua tried to tell the rich young ruler when he told him he still lacked one thing even though the young man had kept all the commandments since he was a boy. He lacked the savor of salt with his commandment-keeping. The young man did not have enough faith in The Word, Yeshua, that the desire in his heart for his wealth would be changed by selling it:   • "But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (Mk 10:22)   Salt is faith in the Word. It is what prevents us from becoming self-employed in unsavory commandment-keeping. The rich young man would never know the wonder and joy of finding a coin inside a fish's mouth or sharing a simple breakfast on the beach with the resurrected Messiah. A righteous king.   A truly rich man is one who is satisfied with what the Father puts in his hand from above, whether little or much; a truly poor man is one who is never satisfied with what he possesses below, whether little or much.    A truly rich man rejoices in exerting himself and his resources in his Father's business; a truly poor man goes away sad.   Yeshua asks what we are anxious, worried, sad, and distracted about, even in doing the commandments, for they are how we withhold ourselves from him. These things dilute our salt. They may be our desire, but they are not the "best part" that brings peace, the part that we spend at his feet learning, talking to him, lingering in his Presence. This requires us to exert ourselves to bring the lacking salt. Maybe it means selling off some wrong ideas about things that mean a lot to us.   Mary sat at Yeshua's feet. She had to look up to him before she went to work. Martha did it backward. She worked, but because she was self-employed that day, she took out her frustration by blaming Mary and looking down on Yeshua's willingness to "discipline" her sister. She couldn't see he was discipling them both that day. She needed to look up first with joy in his presence.   Start with salt, the best part within. What we do each day is His business.   When we go into the world to give charity, be kind to others, speak peaceably, reconcile the world to their Creator, and shine the light of obeying the commandments, it will not be a labor of convenience. If we have prepared with salt, though, the exertion will be rewarding and change our taste.   Do I mean how we taste to others?   Or how we savor our labor for the King?   Yes.

Stay the Course, Being Steady in the Lord in the Mist of a Volatile World • Sunday Service Website: www.PastorTodd.org To give: www.ToddCoconato.com/give We are living in a time when everything around us seems to be shaking. Nations are shaking, economies are shaking, families are under pressure, and even within the visible church there is instability and compromise. Headlines change by the hour, but the Word of God has not changed. The Lord is raising up a people who will not be driven by fear, trends, or the latest crisis, but who will stay the course and remain steady in Him even when the world is volatile. God is not surprised by this hour. He has already prepared a path for His people. He has given us His Spirit, His Word, and His promises so that we can stand firm, endure, and even flourish when others are losing hope. 1. Steadfast when everything is shaking First, God calls us to be steadfast and unmovable. He does not want a fearful, fragile church, but a steadfast people who know whom they have believed. 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 2. Running with patience, eyes on Jesus To stay the course in a volatile world, we must run the race God has set before us with patience and with a clear focus on Jesus Himself. Hebrews 12:1 2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 3. Guarding your heart and mind with peace In a volatile world, anxiety comes knocking each day. But the Lord has given us a way to walk in supernatural peace in the middle of chaos. Philippians 4:6 7 “Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee.” 4. God is our refuge when the earth trembles There are times when the shaking is not just emotional or personal, but global. Even then, God promises to be our refuge and strength. Psalm 46:1 3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.” John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.” 5. Trials that refine instead of destroy Some of the volatility we face is not just out there in the world, it is in the form of personal trials. But in the kingdom, trials are not just random attacks. God uses them to refine, mature, and strengthen us. James 1:2 4 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” 6. Not troubled by the signs of the times The Lord even spoke about the volatility of the last days. He told us about wars, rumors of wars, and shaking, yet He also told us how to posture our hearts. Matthew 24:6 “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars see that ye be not troubled for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 24:13 “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” 7. Planted, not blown around In a volatile world, many people are tossed like leaves in the wind. But the righteous are called to be planted like trees by rivers of water. Psalm 1:1 3 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season his leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Colossians 1:23 “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven whereof I Paul am made a minister.” We are living in a volatile world. There are shaking events, confusing voices, and real pressures on every side. Yet in this very hour, God is calling His people to stay the course. To be steadfast and unmovable. To keep our eyes on Jesus. To trade anxiety for prayer and thanksgiving. To let His peace guard our hearts and minds. To refuse to waste our trials and instead allow them to refine us. To endure to the end. To delight in His Word until we are like trees planted by rivers of living water. To stay steady in the Lord in this kind of world is not something we can do in our own strength. We need the Holy Spirit. We need the Word of God dwelling richly in us. We need fellowship with other believers who are also set on finishing well. So today, ask yourself, where have I been shaken. Where have I let fear, offense, or weariness push me off course. Where have I been listening more to the world than to the Word. Bring those areas back to the feet of Jesus. Surrender again. Say from your heart, “Lord, I choose to stay the course. Make me steadfast. Guard my mind with Your peace. Plant me deep in Your Word. Help me endure and finish my race well.” As you do, the same God who steadied Joseph in a foreign land, Daniel in a hostile empire, and the early church in a time of persecution will steady you in this generation. The world may be volatile, but your God is not. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in Him you can stand firm until the very end.

Sandcastles are one of the simple joys of the beach—built with care, shaped with creativity, and admired for their beauty before the waves wash them away. As we pause to appreciate these fragile works of art, we're reminded of something far greater: creation itself wasn't formed by accident or chance. In this episode, we reflect on the God who designed the universe with purpose and intention. Nature points us to a Creator who not only crafted every grain of sand but also gave us His Word so we could know Him personally. Join us as we explore how even a sandcastle can lead our hearts back to the One who formed all things by His powerful Word.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DONATE: https://evidence4faith.org/give/ WEBSITE: https://evidence4faith.org/NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/hpazV5BOOKINGS: https://evidence4faith.org/bookings/CONTACT: Evidence 4 Faith, 349 Knights Ave Kewaskum WI 53040 , info@evidence4faith.orgMy goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches that assurance brings in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. - Colossians 2:2-3CREDITS: Developed & Hosted by Michael Lane. Produced & Edited by Isabel Kolste. Graphics & Publication by Isabel Kolste. Additional Art, Film, & Photography Credits: Stock media “Memories” provided by mv_production / Pond5 | Logo Stinger: Unsplash.com: Leinstravelier, Logan Moreno Gutierrez, Meggyn Pomerieau, Jaredd Craig, NASA, NOASS, USGS, Sam Carter, Junior REIS, Luka Vovk, Calvin Craig, Mario La Pergola, Timothy Eberly, Priscilla Du Preez, Ismael Paramo, Tingey Injury Law Firm, Dan Cristian Pădureț, Jakob Owens | Wikimedia: Darmouth University Public Domain, Kelvinsong CC0 | Stock media “A stately Story (Stiner02)” provided by lynnepublishing / Pond5

Thank you for joining us this Sunday! For more information please visit www.flourishinggrace.org. In this Week 3 Advent message on Joy, we turn to Isaiah 55:1–11 and hear one of the most generous invitations in all of Scripture: “Come, everyone who thirsts.” This sermon explores what it means to receive joy not as something we manufacture or consume, but as something that flows from communion with God. Set during Advent, this message reminds us that most of our prayers are actually Advent prayers. We pray for hope, peace, joy, and love in moments of suffering, anxiety, loneliness, and exhaustion. But instead of sending us quick fixes or temporary solutions, God gives us Himself. He does not merely provide joy—He is joy. He does not simply send peace—He is peace. Using Isaiah's imagery of water, milk, and wine, this sermon invites us to examine what we are truly thirsty for. Are we longing for refreshment? Nourishment? Delight? And where are we trying to satisfy that thirst? Isaiah challenges a self-sufficient, busy, consuming people—much like us—to slow down, admit our need, and stop spending our lives chasing what never satisfies. This message also confronts the cost of constant consumption. When we live from our own provision rather than God's, we may look successful on the outside but feel empty on the inside. As the sermon unpacks Isaiah 5 and Isaiah 55, we are reminded of a sobering truth: the more we consume, the less we commune. And yet, God's invitation remains wide open. Rather than a checklist or spiritual self-improvement plan, this sermon emphasizes God's initiative. He draws near first. He provides first. He invites us to live from His abundance, not our striving. From that place, Isaiah offers four simple but deeply challenging practices for seeking the Lord: calling upon Him, confessing and returning, humbly trusting His perspective, and allowing His Word to nourish us. The promise at the end of Isaiah 55 is breathtaking. When we live in communion with God, joy and peace are no longer things we chase—they are realities we are led into. Creation itself responds. Landscapes change. Lives are transformed. If you are tired of living from your own strength, if your joy feels depleted, if you are thirsty but unsure what for, this message is for you. You are invited—not to do more—but to come, receive, and live. Scripture Focus: Isaiah 55:1–11 Theme: Advent – Joy Church: Flourishing Grace Church Speaker: Brett If this message encouraged you, consider liking the video, subscribing to the channel, or sharing it with someone who needs to hear this invitation today. If you'd like prayer or want to learn more about our church, visit us online or join us in person.

This sermon explores Isaiah 9:6's prophecy of the Messiah by examining the historical context of 8th century BC Israel, when both northern and southern kingdoms had fallen into political corruption, moral debauchery, and spiritual darkness. Pastor Joe Fant demonstrates how God, through the prophet Isaiah, promised a coming child who would be the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. This prophecy was fulfilled 700 years later when Jesus began His ministry in Galilee—the very region Isaiah identified. The sermon emphasizes that while human governments and political alliances fail, Jesus established an eternal kingdom of justice and righteousness. God pursues His people even in their darkest moments, and the baby in the manger represents God's zealous love for His people, offering hope, victory over sin and death, and eternal joy to those who turn to Him in faith. Key Points: The historical context reveals three types of darkness in Isaiah's time: political (corrupt kings seeking pagan alliances), moral (idol worship and child sacrifice), and spiritual (turning to demons and necromancers instead of God) King Ahaz in the south and King Pekah in the north both rejected God and led the people into wickedness, seeking protection from Assyria through political alliances rather than trusting God Isaiah prophesied that the regions first devastated by darkness (Zebulun and Naphtali in Galilee) would be the first to see the great light Jesus fulfilled this prophecy by beginning His ministry in Galilee, bringing the light of the gospel to the darkest places first The victory Jesus won through His death and resurrection surpasses even Gideon's miraculous victory over 135,000 Midianites with only 300 men Jesus is the child born and son given who possesses perfect government, eternal wisdom, divine power, and brings true peace The solution to darkness is unwavering loyalty to Scripture and proper fear of the Lord, not looking to worldly solutions God pursues His people even when they are far from Him, demonstrating His zeal and love through sending prophets, His Word, and ultimately His Son Scripture Reference: Isaiah 9:1-7 (primary focus on verse 6) Isaiah 8:12-22 (context of darkness and calling to Scripture) Isaiah 1:2-4, 21-23 (description of Israel's moral corruption) 2 Kings 16 (King Ahaz's wickedness) 2 Kings 15:27-28 (King Pekah's evil reign) Matthew 4:12-17 (Jesus beginning ministry in Galilee, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy) John 1:1-14 (Jesus as the Light of the world) 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (victory over death through Christ)

Paul completed his letter with the words: “all glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen” (Romans 16:27). There is no more fitting way to end Romans than with praise to God.Tune in to hear Pastor Chuck Swindoll close out this encouraging series on the book of Romans. In this message, you will encounter in a new way God and His character.Thank God for all He has done. Embrace the gift of His Son. Marvel in His glory and the gift of His Word!

Join us as Pastor Tim Powell brings us today's message. To learn more about NLC Greenbrier- TEXT "Greenbrier" TO: 88000 to connect with us!

Do the New Testament writers ever use the Old Testaments verses that they quote out of context? It's an important concept to consider because many people use proof texting to make theological arguments. They will quote a verse divorced from its context and declare that it means what they want it to mean. So if the writers of the NT, who were inspired by God, used those same techniques, then proof texting must be approved. But of course that is ridiculous, because the heart of proof texting is to put your words in God's mouth rather than putting His words in your mouth which is the purpose of the Word of God. In this episode, we examine how the New Testament writers handled the Old Testament and how often comprehending the meaning of a passage in the New Testament requires knowing and understanding the fuller context of the Old Testament passage that was referenced. New Testament writers would often just quote a single line from the Old Testament, expecting that those who love God and His Word would be willing to study the Bible and spend the time to understand. But today, most people in the pews, and even most pastors know very little about the Old Testament. So here's the question: If it is wrong to proof text, how does that change how we should look at the Word of God when it quotes from an earlier writer?Thumbnail image by Arran Bee under CC BY 2.0Timecodes00:00 Intro05:22 God Inspired Everything14:30 Under the New Covenant22:29 Muzzling the Ox29:57 The Just Shall Live By Faith38:59 Den of Thieves50:08 The Virgin With Child52:20 Out of Egypt I Called My SonProduction of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NCPermanent Hosts - Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua HornTechnical Director - Timothy KaiserTheme Music - Gabriel Hudelson

Welcome to Linworth Road Church! We are glad you've found us online and pray that this message is meaningful to you.Linworth exists to help the spiritually lost and wounded join a community of people becoming fully alive, fully mature, and fully on-mission through the healing power of Jesus Christ and His Word.NEXT STEPS:https://www.linworthroadchurch.com/next-stepsOTHER SERMONS: https://www.linworthroadchurch.com/sermons///Website: https://www.linworthroadchurch.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linworthroadchurchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/linworthroadchurch/?hl=enJoin us in person at 10am on Sundays5400 Linworth RoadColumbus, OH 43235

Let the light of Jesus Christ dispel your fear and bring you into confident hope of all His birth promised. Tonight's reading is: John 1:9-13.No matter what kind of day you've had, rest in hope and peace tonight as you draw near to the heart of God. This short, uplifting meditation from His Word will create a space at the end of the day for you to refocus on the goodness and nearness of the Lord, entrust your burdens to Him and fill your mind with His promises and faithfulness towards you. Tonight's meditation is read by Peta. Meet the team at odb.org/meet-the-team.Send us a text message to let us know how we can make the Evening Meditations an even better experience for you!Support the showYou can now share the Evening Meditations through the updated Our Daily Bread app! If you've not done so already, download it for free from your app store.We hope that you have enjoyed this Evening Meditation from Our Daily Bread Ministries! You can find more exciting content from Our Daily Bread Ministries by following us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. You can even sign up to receive Our Daily Bread Bible reading notes sent straight to your door for free: ourdailybread.org/meditation. All our funding comes from our listeners, like you, who value what we do and want to help us reach more people. You can make a donation towards our mission at eveningmeditations.org.

Paul completed his letter with the words: "all glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen" (Romans 16:27). There is no more fitting way to end Romans than with praise to God.Tune in to hear Pastor Chuck Swindoll close out this encouraging series on the book of Romans. In this message, you will encounter in a new way God and His character.Thank God for all He has done. Embrace the gift of His Son. Marvel in His glory and the gift of His Word! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/82/29?v=20251111

The blessing of God is a supernatural empowerment that comes on you when you're born again. Yet many believers never step into the fullness of what God intended. When the blessing is active in your life, you're no longer limited to the natural—you have something working for you that others don't. God desires every one of His children to live in that fullness. Our prayer is that you take hold of what His Word says about you, walk in the blessing He's pronounced over your life, and rise above every obstacle as you step into a new level of victory and increase.

The blessing of God is a supernatural empowerment that comes on you when you're born again. Yet many believers never step into the fullness of what God intended. When the blessing is active in your life, you're no longer limited to the natural—you have something working for you that others don't. God desires every one of His children to live in that fullness. Our prayer is that you take hold of what His Word says about you, walk in the blessing He's pronounced over your life, and rise above every obstacle as you step into a new level of victory and increase.

A king and a kingdom is condemned for "setting itself against the Lord" in psalm 2.  But aren't we all little kings and queens of our micro-kingdoms? We too might be "setting our kingdoms" against the Lord.  If so, how would I know?  If you set yourself against fellowship, you have set yourself against the Lord.If you set yourself against service, you have set yourself against the Lord.If you set yourself against His Word, you have set yourself against the Lord. Prove me wrong. subscribe. https://youtu.be/6ooB06Nqbxk

This Sunday, Pastor Curtis continues in our series with part 2 of 'A Light in the Darkness', exploring the continued promise of the Light through the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Discover what it means to be confident in God's calling, His Word, and His will—even when obedience brings tension, waiting, and unseen petitions answered in His perfect time.

What does the Scripture say about life in the home? How does the Word of God apply to our families? In Colossians 3, we see the transforming work of Christ in each member of the home and the call to follow Him. May we trust in His grace even as we submit to His Word in life of our homes!

In this clip, you’ll hear: About the gifts of Tongues and their role in the Church and in the life of a believer. God’s Vision for our church and His plan for your life are incredible. Our biblically sound teaching will inspire and challenge you to discover it all. You need sincere worship and a church community that loves God and that loves you. At Passion, you will find opportunities for growth through discipleship and personal development. Your children will also have fun and learn about God. At Passion Church, we believe in creating an environment where God's presence is felt, His Word is preached, and lives are transformed. We are a happy and fun church, but are also very committed to being biblically sound. We are led by the Holy Spirit and dedicated to sincere worship. Our mission is to build authentic relationships, disciple individuals, and passionately pursue God’s purpose for our lives. We also have a powerful Missions Program and a commitment to soul-winning. We invite you to join us at 983 Goodman Rd W, Horn Lake, MS 38637. Our Sunday services begin at 10:30 a.m.! You’ll love our Pastor Guy Sheffield, and you’ll find us all happy to see you! All we’re missing is YOU! Let’s grow together in God’s purpose and love. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay connected with Passion Church Desoto. Like us on Facebook & Subscribe to our YouTube page @ ‘Passion Church Desoto’. #Jesus #PassionChurch #GodsPresence #Worship #Discipleship #ChurchFamily #HornLakeMS #GuySheffield #SundayService #Preaching #Bible #encouragmentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this clip, you’ll hear about: The Grace of God. God’s Vision for our church and His plan for your life are incredible. Our biblically sound teaching will inspire and challenge you to discover it all. You need sincere worship and a church community that loves God and that loves you. At Passion, you will find opportunities for growth through discipleship and personal development. Your children will also have fun and learn about God. At Passion Church, we believe in creating an environment where God's presence is felt, His Word is preached, and lives are transformed. We are a happy and fun church, but are also very committed to being biblically sound. We are led by the Holy Spirit and dedicated to sincere worship. Our mission is to build authentic relationships, disciple individuals, and passionately pursue God’s purpose for our lives. We also have a powerful Missions Program and a commitment to soul-winning. We invite you to join us at 983 Goodman Rd W, Horn Lake, MS 38637. Our Sunday services begin at 10:30 a.m.! You’ll love our Pastor Guy Sheffield, and you’ll find us all happy to see you! All we’re missing is YOU! Let’s grow together in God’s purpose and love. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay connected with Passion Church Desoto. Like us on Facebook & Subscribe to our YouTube page @ ‘Passion Church Desoto’. #Jesus #PassionChurch #GodsPresence #Worship #Discipleship #ChurchFamily #HornLakeMS #GuySheffield #SundayService #Preaching #Bible #encouragmentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waiting can feel unbearable — especially when you're already tired, hurting, or stuck in depression.

Today's Worship Service was charged with faith as Pastor Femi Paul reminded us that the Word of God is not passive, delayed, or ineffective, it is Quick and Powerful. Anchored in Hebrews 4:12, we were taught that whatever God speaks is alive, active, sharp, and unstoppable. God's Word carries double potency: it is quick - alive, fast, operative, energising, and effective; and it is powerful - potent, mighty, and irresistible. Nothing can resist the Word of God when it is released; what He says goes, and His Word always accomplishes its assignment. PFP further emphasised that God is never late, slow, or unable to act. Drawing from 2 Peter 3, we were reminded that divine timing is not delay, and God's promises are not slack. Heaven is always on schedule. What may look like waiting is actually God preparing a precise and powerful outcome. As the year draws to a close, we received a strong prophetic assurance: God's Word concerning us is alive right now, and an end-of-year surprise is being activated by His Quick and Powerful Word. Confession: I declare that God's Word concerning my life is alive, active, and powerful. Every promise spoken over me is working effectively and will manifest without delay. I receive divine acceleration, undeniable results, and pleasant surprises before this year ends, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Introduction: John 17:3 – And this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 1:18 – No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. I Want to Know God (John 1:1–3): The REALITY: Jesus is GOD. Colossians 2:9 – For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily. Zechariah 12:10 – And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced… Acts 20:28 – Pay careful attention to yourselves... to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Hebrews 1:2 – But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. The RESPONSE: FAITH in Jesus. Hebrews 11:6 – And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. How Can I Grow in Knowing Jesus? CONFESS with your mouth. Romans 10:9 – If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. HEAR the Word. Romans 10:17 – So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. KEEP His commandments. John 15:10 – If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Small Group DiscussionRead John 1:1-3What was your big take-away from this passage / message?Why do you think the deity of Jesus is denied by so many cults? Why is that such a common point of contention?How would you explain the Trinity to a 7 year old?Define “faith”. Why do you think faith is the God-ordained way of knowing Him?What's your favorite dinosaur?BreakoutPray for one another. AUDIO TRANSCRIPT Stegosaurus.Nobody asks, so I'm just going to tell you.Game show host.And gray.Oh, oh, and what I want for Christmas.I just want to know God.Did you ever ask for something, like for Christmas or whatever, and somebody got you the genericversion?Has that ever happened to anybody else?Show of hands.You wanted something and you got the generic version?That happened to me when I was a kid.When I was a kid, they came out with this wacky thing.It was called a pogo ball.How many people show of hands remember the pogo balls?Okay, a few of you.One person in the first service did.Or about half of the first service's attendance.Remember what a pogo ball was?If you don't know, just imagine like a snowman with the head cut off.It was that kind of shape, right?And it had this hard plastic ring that went in between these two balls that were kindof fused together.And you were supposed to like stand on the plastic disc and squeeze your feet on thattop ball and then you would bounce on the pogo ball.And the pogo ball would let you jump almost as high as you could jump if you weren't ona pogo ball.But it was the hot item the one year.And I wanted a pogo ball.You know what my parents got me?The Saturn ball.Pogo balls, generic cousin.The Saturn ball.And not only was it actually not fun to use, but my family was making fun of me when Idid use it.So if I would jump on it, they'd be like, "Here we go on our Saturn ball, our Saturnball, our Saturn ball."And that really hurt my feelings.So the Saturn ball got thrown into a closet and it's probably still there until today.But look, I know we've had this conversation before.But there's just some things you can't go generic, right?Like ketchup.Altars.Oreos.The generic's not the same.Don't try to tell me that it is because you're just lying to yourself.But nothing has been made more generic than God.We live in a culture that is okay with the generic concept of God.But when you get specific, people get squirrely about that.You're like, when people say, "God bless America.""God bless America."You know, you can ask, "Well, which God?"Do you mean the God of the Bible, the one who created us, the one who judges sin, theone who commands us to repent and believe, the one who calls us to live our lives accordingto his wisdom?And it's like, oh no, not that God.But we're just okay with the generic concept.But you see, the problem with that line of thinking is God isn't a generic concept.In fact, God's not a concept at all.God is a person.God is a specific person.And as we enter into the Christmas season, you know, we know the Christmas story fromMatthew and from Luke, right?We know that version of the Christmas story well with the census, and Bethlehem and Maryand Joseph and angels and shepherds and manger and the star and the magi.Right?Well, Matthew and Luke sort of tell the story of the incarnation like looking over people'sshoulders, right?But we're going to be looking at the Gospel of John because his Christmas story is a littledifferent.In John's Christmas story, we are looking over God's shoulder.That's really the theme of the whole book of John.And we studied this some years back.But the theme of John is this, "The God of the universe has revealed himself by cominginto this world as a man to not just save you, but to have a relationship with you."That God wants you to know Him.In fact, this is what Jesus Christ was praying.John 17.3, Jesus said, "And this is eternal life that they may know you."The only true God in Jesus Christ, whom you have sent, eternal life.Nothing's more important than eternal life because you are either going to live foreverwith God or you're going to die forever apart from God.So what do you want for Christmas?The top of your list should be eternal life.And according to Jesus, that comes from knowing Him, from knowing God.And I do have to remind you that knowing about God is not the same as actually knowing God.You realize those are two completely different concepts.Knowing about God and knowing God.Not the same.Think of it this way.Imagine a young man comes to church, a single man.And he's been coming here for a while when all of a sudden one day he notices there isa beautiful young single woman.And he's like, "I don't think I met her, but who is that?"But he gets his friend.He's like, "He found out who that girl is."And his friend comes back with the information.And he says, "Oh, you asked about that girl.Here's what I know.She loves missions."She loves working with children.She enjoys traveling.And get this, she's a big Steelers fan.But she also loves rom-coms.Now if this friend goes back to the dude and gives this report on what this woman is like,do you think this man would be like, "All right, now that I have the information abouther, I am satisfied.Thank you.That is all."Is that the end of the story?No, you see, now that he knows about her, that makes him all the more want to know herpersonally.You see, that's how it is with God.That's how it is with Jesus Christ.The more you know about Him, the more you want to know Him personally.The fact should lead you to the relationship.How do I know God personally?Well John 1.18 tells us that no one has ever seen God, the only God who has at the Father'sside.He has made Him known.And folks, this is a fundamental truth.That the only way that we can know God is He has to make Himself known.And that's what we celebrate every Christmas that God has made Himself known because Hedid it in the most personal way possible.He showed up and introduced Himself.So look at John 1.Picking up in verse 1.We're just going to get the first three verses today.This might feel more like a Bible study than a sermon.But these are important truths that we're going to wrestle down here.John 1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word wasGod.He was in the beginning with God.All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made."Notice that John in introducing our Lord, He's using this word, "Word" a lot.Why does He use the word "Word"?Well He doesn't really explain that.But I promise you that the audience that He wrote to in the first century would have knownexactly what He was talking about.Because John primarily would have been writing to the Greeks and the Jews.The word "Word" in the Greek is "Logos."And to the Greeks, the Logos was like this impersonal force, this impersonal energy source.Because the Greek philosophers were like, "Look, all of this had to come from somewhere.The world didn't happen by accident.There has to be some force out there that's behind the structure of the earth.All logic and reason."They had this idea, it was an impersonal force, and they called it the Word, the Logos.So John is writing to the Greeks, and he goes, "Hey, you guys talk about the Logos, right?Did you know the Logos is a person?"It's not a thing, it's a person.It's a person that was with God.It's a person that was God, and it's a person according to John 1.14 that became fleshand dwelt among us.So that's how the Greeks would have heard this.Do you know how the Jews would have heard this?And we probably don't have to guess, right?When the Jews would have heard the Word Word, what would they have thought of?They immediately would have thought of the Law and the Prophets, what we call the OldTestament.You see, you go through the Old Testament over and over and over.The Word of the Lord came too.The Word of the Lord came too.The Word of the Lord came too.And all of the Law and the Prophets, it's known as the Word of God.So the Jews would have picked up on this concept immediately.You know what the purpose of words is?Words are to communicate something.Words are to be deliberately chosen and used to convey information to another person.That's what John's saying to the Jews.The Word became flesh.Jesus Christ is God's communication to man.A living, breathing Word.So God isn't some impersonal force.God's not a generic concept.According to God's Word, He is a person.And He has revealed who exactly He is in Jesus Christ.Let's just pause for a second and ask that you would pray for me as we do this littlestudy together that I would accurately represent God's Word.Let me pray for you to have a heart open to receive this absolutely essential truth thatGod is teaching us today.So let's pray.Father in heaven, we live in a culture that is fine to think of you in general terms.But to call you a person, a father, the sovereign of the universe, it's tough for some peopleto grasp.And I just pray Father today, especially over these next few minutes, that we would reallyhave our hearts and minds open to what it is that your Word wants to teach us aboutthe way that you've revealed yourself through your Son.It's in Jesus' name that we pray.Amen.So on your outline, I want you to write some things down.I want to know God.Here's where it starts.Number one, the reality.This is the reality.Jesus is God.Let's look at these verses here.Look at verse one again.He says, "In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God."In the beginning.Is that something familiar at all?That phrase, "In the beginning."Where have we heard that?Genesis 1-1, right?That's how the whole Bible starts.And John is starting in the same place.John is saying, by saying in the beginning, John is saying, "Before anything was created,the Word existed."The Word.And notice he says two things about the Word.First of all, the Word was with God.And secondly, the Word was God.First of all, let's talk about the Word was God.This claim is nothing less than Jesus Christ is Almighty God.This is all through the New Testament.If we were to just do a Bible study today looking at the verses of the New Testamentto talk about Jesus being God, we would be here long after the snow melted.But the New Testament is so full of this truth.For example, Colossians 2-9 says, "For in Him, in Jesus, the whole fullness of Deitydwells bodily."Most concise statement of Jesus' Deity is probably right here in John 1-14.It says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, gloryas of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."The Word became flesh and dwelt.That Word dwelt in the Greek is the word tabernacled.The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.You heard the tabernacle?In the Old Testament, it was this portable structure that as Moses was leading the Israelitesout of Egypt, God told Moses to build this structure and it had this tent with the HolyPlace and the Holy of Holies.And this was the place where God's unique presence dwelt among His people.So when John says, "The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us," you know, if youwere in the Old Testament times, if you lived with Old Testament Israel and somebody said,"Hey, can you point to the place where God's unique presence lives on the earth?"You would point to the building, the tabernacle.You would say, "Yeah, God's unique presence on earth is right there."Fast forward to 2025 right now.If I were to say, "Can you point to the place where God's unique presence dwells on earth?"Where would you point?It's right here, right?Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.The temple was just the permanent version of the tabernacle.This is where God lives.This is God's unique presence here.So what John is saying in John 1.14 is for about 33 years of earth's history, when youwould ask, "Where is God's unique presence on the earth?"You'd point to a man.That man's name is Jesus Christ.You would point to him and say, "Right there.That man is the unique presence of God on the earth.This is where he is."All right?Jesus is not an exalted angel.Jesus is not some special enlightened human.According to this verse, Jesus is the God.And every false religion denies this, by the way.And I can just tell you personally, you would be shocked at how many times I've had to havethis conversation with people over the course of my ministry, that people who actually say,Jesus never said He was God.You heard that argument?Jesus never said it.What the argument is this, that's something the church kind of came up with.We kind of, like some religions like us, we sort of hitched that idea onto Jesus.Did Jesus Himself, they say, "Oh, if you study the words of Jesus, He never said He was God."Well, do you remember back in Exodus chapter 3, God called Moses through the burning bush.You know, you're going to lead my people out of Egypt.You're going to lead them to the promised land.Do you remember Moses says to God, "Well, what if Israel asks who sent me?"What if Israel is like, "What is His name?"Do you remember in that moment, God told Moses what His name is?You remember?God told Moses His name is, "I am who I am."That's God's name.His name is, "I am."I love that.God didn't say to Moses, "My name is I was."Like Moses, like what's your name?And God's like, "Moses, I was.Oh Moses, you should have seen me back in high school.Oh Moses, I was so good looking and I was such a good athlete.Back in the day Moses, back in the day I was really something.No, he's not the I was.But nor did God tell Moses that he's the I will be."Right?Like Moses is like, "What's your name?"And God's like, "Well Moses, you tell the Israelites, I might not be nothing specialnow but I'm taking my vitamins and I'm drinking my milk and I'm doing my palates and I'm jumpingon my pogo ball and someday, someday I'm going to be something great.I will be."God's not the I was and he's not the I will be.God is, "He is I am."From eternity past, He is infinite, majestic holiness.He is the I am.And in eternity future, He will still be infinite, majestic holiness.He is the I am.You're like, "Well what does that have to do with Jesus?"Because Jesus repeatedly claimed that He is the I am.It's all through the gospel of John, what, like seven times.I am the bread of life.I am the light of the world.I am the way and the truth and the life.I am the good shepherd.I am the door.All through Jesus made this claim.John chapter 8, Jesus said before Abraham was, "I am."John chapter 10, Jesus said, "I and the Father are one."And in that moment the Jews picked up stones, they were going to kill them for saying that.Jesus says, "I did a lot of good works for which of them are you going to stone me?"And they said, "Oh no, you're making yourself out to be God the way you're talking."And you see, they knew exactly what He was saying.They knew exactly what He meant when He said, "I and the Father are one."Oh, and by the way, not only does the Bible say that Jesus is God, did you know that the Bible also says that God is Jesus?Here's what I mean.Look at Zechariah 12/10.This is before the incarnation, the Christmas story.This is before the baby in the manger story.This is Old Testament.Look at what God says.God says, "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, a spirit of grace and please, for mercy, so that when they look on Me on Him whom they have pierced."Do you see how God identifies Himself?He identifies Himself as the one who was pierced and who was the one that was pierced.It's Jesus Christ on the cross.Do you see that?Do a little word study there.That's exactly what He's saying.They will look on the one whom they've stabbed.Right?It's also in the New Testament.God is Jesus.Look at Acts 20, for example.Paul says, "The Ephesians elders pay careful attention to yourselves to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood."Who bought the church with His blood?He says God.You're like, "I thought it was Jesus that shed His blood."Well, Paul's saying that as Jesus shed His blood, that was God obtaining the church with His own blood.So Jesus is God, yes, and the Bible also says that God is Jesus.The word was God, but the Bible also says here that the word was with God.The word was with God.And in case you missed it, in case you didn't quite catch it in verse 1, verse 2, he just says the exact same thing.He was in the beginning with God.So somehow, Jesus is God, but being with God, somehow He is distinct from the Father.Like if I said to you yesterday, I was with my buddy Nathaniel, and I was my buddy Nathaniel.You would say, "Were you and Nathaniel smoking something? Like what was going on there?"That doesn't make sense, does it?How can you be with somebody and be somebody at the same time?But that's exactly what the Bible says about Jesus and His relationship with God.He's not only God, but He's also with God.And people want that explained all the time.Pastor Taylor had a couple of weeks ago, the little children back there had a Q&A thing with him.And one of the questions they were asking about, the trinity.And look, do you want to know about the trinity? Here's the reality.Nobody can figure that out. That's the truth.You can't do it.Because from the moment you were born, you've only ever known two things in your life.Your whole life, you've only ever known two things.And that's time and space.You can't fathom an existence outside of time and space.This is where we are.And now we have a God who lives and exists in rules outside of time and space.God is not bound by time and space.And somehow we think that we're going to be able to explain everything about Him.Here's what I know.The Word was with God and the Word was God.The Bible says God exists.He's one God, but He exists as three persons.Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus is eternal, but distinct.And you don't have to explain it to believe it.I can't explain to you how my car works, but I believe that it does when I get in and drive it.Look at verse 3.He says, "All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made."Okay, this is just theology 101. It's all through the Old Testament.God is Creator.And John here is saying Jesus is God, He's with God.And then John takes another step and says, "Jesus is Creator. He made all things."And somehow, again, the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all involved in creation at the same time.You're like, "Can you explain that?"I just told you I could not explain that.But somehow God, the Father created through God the Son, and the Genesis tells us that the Spirit of God hovered above the waters.All three members of the Trinity were involved.And somehow Jesus is the agent of creation.The Bible says in Hebrews chapter 1 and verse 2 that in these last days, God has spoken to us by His Son,whom He appointed the heir of all things through whom also He created the world.Through whom He created the world.That's all John's saying here in verse 3."Every living thing gets life from something else.A tree, a dog, a woodpecker, you. You got life from something else.The only person who has never received life from someone else is God Himself."That's what John's saying, since Jesus already existed before creation,and because Jesus didn't get His life from something else, then He must be God.Those are the biblical facts about Jesus.And listen, even if you're sitting here today or listening to the podcast later or whatever,even if you don't agree with that, can we take an honest look at what the Bible says and stop trying to twist it?Oh, it doesn't really say that.The Bible overwhelmingly says that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh.That's the truth that you have to reckon with.He is God.So if you want to know God, number two, the response.The response. You want to know God? The response is faith in Jesus.The reality is Jesus is God. The response is we have to have faith in Jesus.You see, God took the initiative.God did His part in revealing Himself as Jesus, so the question is, what's my part in knowing Him?It's faith.Faith is the only way to know God.Oh, and speaking of generic,not only do people use the name of God in a generic sense,but you'll find that people use the concept of faith in a generic sense.There is a true biblical sense and definition of faith,but we live in a culture that just throws that word faith around all the time and uses it in all kinds of ways.Here's what I mean.Some people use faith like it means a wishful thinking.Faith is just wishful thinking.Like, well, I just kind of have faith that everything's going to work out.Like, what does that even mean?For some people, they think faith is just the way of the ignorant.Like, well, you believe in science.Or you believe in faith, rather. I believe in science.And they're condescending. You're just some, you know, backwoods, redneck, you're ignorant.I believe in science, but you have your little fairy tale faith.And still other people look at faith as some kind of ambiguous spirituality.You hear people say, I'm a person of faith.Do you know who else is a person of faith?Literally everybody.Everybody believes in something.What is your faith in?Because you can have faith in the wrong thing.So listen, my friends, God is not a generic concept and neither is faith.Faith is a specific disposition towards a specific person.That's why Hebrews 11.6 says without faith,it is impossible to please Him for whoever would draw near to God.That's the knowing God piece.Whoever would draw near to God must believe that He existsand that He rewards those who seek Him.It starts with obviously an acknowledgement of His existence,but it doesn't stop there. You have to seek Him.You have a responsibility.God took the initiative. He revealed Himself in Jesus.What is my responsibility in this relationship?Or how can I grow in knowing Jesus?I want you to draw these three things down.How can I grow in knowing Jesus?Letter A, you have to confess with your mouth.Romans 10.9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lordand believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.And you are not going to grow in your relationship with Himif you don't have one to begin with."So have you made that confession?Do you believe that Jesus Christ died on the crossto pay the penalty for your sins, that He rose from the deadto give you eternal life? Do you believe that?Because people have this idea that, well, we're all children of Godand a creative sense, yes, but not in the adoptive sense.Yes, we do all have a relationship with Jesus.The question is, do you have a good relationship with Himor a bad relationship with Him?You have to confess with your mouth.Ask to start there, letter B, you have to hear the Word.You have to hear the Word.Romans 10.17 says, "So faith comes from hearingand hearing through the Word of Christ."The only way your faith grows is through the Word of God.Because this is the only truly reliable source of informationabout Jesus, because this is the source of informationthat was given to us by God.You have to be in the Wordif you're going to know Jesus.Any relationship involves time and communication.And some people, they spend no time in His Word,no time praying His Word and reading and studying and meditating.And they spend no time at all in the Word.And then they wonder why they feel so distant.Relationships grow when time is spent together.You need to prioritize spending time and praying the Word of God.Finally, letter C, keep His commandments.Jesus says in John 15.10, "If you keep My commandments,you will abide in My love just as I have kept My Father's commandmentsand abide in His love."That's how you abide. It's through obedience.Now listen, if you're a Christian and you're in sin,sin is not going to end your relationship with Jesus.But you're obviously going to feel distant from Godif you have unrepentant sin.Any area of disobedience in your life that you refuse to deal with,you're going to feel distant.And that's not on God. That's on you.God hasn't gone anywhere. You have.So what is it in your life right now that you're like,"I know that this is what God wants me to stop doing,or maybe something God wants you to start doing,but you know exactly what it is.You need to turn from that sin.You need to obey whatever Jesus is calling you to.And you're going to enjoy the freedomthat repentance brings in your walk with Christ."This is what keeps people from coming to Christin the first place, by the way.Jesus will take you just as you are,but He won't leave you that way.Jesus wants to transform you.He wants to change you.Some people just don't want to be changed.Keep His commandments.The Word became flesh.God became a man.Our worship team would come back up.You know, I came to Christ when I was 20.And it's an amazing thing to grow up in a churchas a kid.All those days, all those yearssitting in the church, how little I really understood.But when I was led to Christ, it was this whole newworld, right?And I remember I was trying to understand.And I had this Bible that my parents got me.You know, some Bibles have the little story inserts,little devotional things that kind of build into the Bible.Well, this Bible had this story in it.And the story goes something like this.There was this farmer and his wife, it was Chris Paseeb,and the farmer's wife was going to church.And she asked her husband if he wanted to go with her.He goes, "No, I don't get that church stuff.It doesn't, that makes no sense to me.You know, I'm not interested at all, but you go have fun."Well, she went to church.And while he was home, he saw that there were birds trying to getinto his barn.This really bad deep freeze came over, kind of like,"What happened here?"And these birds were trying to get into the barn,seeking shelter from the cold.The farmer says, "Well, I can help those birds."So he goes, "I'll just go out and open the doorand let them in the barn."And when he went out, you know what birds do, right?They just kind of scattered everywhere.The farmer's like, "Well, that sure didn't help anything."So he thought, "Well, maybe if I just leave breadcrumbs,I can like guide them in there somehow."Didn't work.No matter what the farmer did, he couldn't get the birdsinto the barn to get shelter.And as the story goes, I don't think it's a true story,but as the story goes, he stood and lookedout the kitchen window, and he saw the birds back flyingaround the outside of the barn not able to get in.And the farmer thought to himself,"Those birds are going to die."And as badly as I want to save them,I don't know how I can get them into the barn.But then the farmer had a thought.The farmer thought, "You know, if I could become a birdfor like five minutes, I could approach them,they wouldn't be scared of me, I could speak their language,and I could show them the way that they could be saved."And right when he had the thought, the story goes,"Off in the distance, he heard the church's bells ringing."And that's when it connected.It's a dumb story.Admittedly, what I'm going to tell you as a young Christian,when I read that, that's what made everything click for me.Yes, that's the purpose of the incarnation,that God became one of us to save us.So what do you want for Christmas?I want to know God, not the generic knockoff,but the real person.Because knowing God is eternal life.We're going to have our elders and members of our prayer teamup front here.And in just a moment, Ashley's going to sing a song over you.And we're going to have a good old-fashioned altar call.You can stay in your seat, you can pray right where you are.But I want you to know there's people that are up here that would love to pray with youand for you.So as Ashley sings over you, we're going to invite youto come. Maybe there's somebody herethat today you're like, "You know what? I don't really know God. I know about Him.But I don't really have a relationship with Him.Today's the day. Today's the day that you can go from knowing aboutGod to knowing God. So please come.Our Father in Heaven, we thank Youfor the way that You have demonstrated Your holiness and loveby taking on flesh and blood.Father, I pray against all of the distractions. It's that time of yearthat there's more to do than we have time to do.And there's so many things buying for our attention.Father, I pray that we would take a realclose examination at the person of Jesus Christ and examine our own hearts.Are we truly walking with Him? Do we trulyhave a relationship with Him that we're spending timetogether and knowing and growing?Or are we just churchgoers?Father, I thank You. You've revealed Your heart. You want us to know You.You've done everything and have just simply called us to receivewhat You have accomplished.Father, thank You. We praise You and ask that You would continue to manifestYour goodness and presence in us by the power of Your Spirit through the wisdomof Your Word. We praise You in the name of JesusChrist, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

This might be bizarre but stay with me, Christmas is not worth celebrating, if we are not in the same passion looking forward to Christ's Second coming. Jesus promised He will come and make His home with us and because He did, we have Christmas, He came home for Christmas, and He is coming again, this time not as a baby humble in a manger, but as a King to take ownership of His.Are you His? He came home for Christmas, are you going to be in His home for all the Christmas to come? This message is for those who are troubled, what you need is a promise you can hold on to, that is what is coming your way. It is time to come home this Christmas, back to His Word, His Heart, back to His Promises.

We ask for God's kingdom to come among us. Where you find the kingdom, there you find the King (Jesus). Where you find the King (Jesus), there you find the kingdom. We ask that He would give us His Holy Spirit to believe His Word. An earthly kingdom is found by the work of its people and by force. God's kingdom is found by the work of God in Christ and by His grace. His kingdom is seen now by the Word, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper. We anticipate beholding the kingdom that is yet to come, that we may keep our focus on what truly matters in this life! Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Minot, ND, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the 2nd Petition of the Lord's Prayer. To learn more about St. Paul's in Minot, visit anchoredminot.com. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.