Podcasts about his word

When it seems that society is descending into chaos all around us, God's people find steady footing on His Word. Today, R.C. Sproul illustrates the importance of holding fast to Scripture in times of upheaval. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/ultimately-with-rc-sproul/trusting-gods-word-in-a-troubled-land/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

People around us are watching—how we react in seasons of plenty and in seasons of want. Do we obey God in every circumstance? He is glorified when we obey His Word. We are told to rejoice in the Lord always, to pray without ceasing, and to love one another. When we are obedient to God, He gives us everything we need. Let's obey our Father and rejoice in the gifts of each new day.

Today's Promise: 2 Corinthians 5:7 In today's episode of The Daily Promise, we explore the powerful truth of 2 Corinthians 5:7: Every day presents a choice. You will live by what you see or trust in what God has said? This episode challenges you to shift your focus from the visible to the eternal, reminding you that the unseen spiritual world shapes everything around you.   Discover what it truly means to walk by faith—trusting God's promises, following His leading, and moving forward even when the path isn't clear. Like driving through fog, God gives you just enough light for the next step. You'll also learn how prayer becomes the evidence of a faith-filled life, inviting God to work in your circumstances.   Be encouraged to listen for His voice, obey His Word, and confidently declare: I am living by faith today.

Welcome to Heart Dive's Heartbeat of God, where we are finding how God's heart beats throughout His Word so we can find Him in the world. Today we are studying 1 Samuel 18-20 and Psalms 11 & 52 in the Old Testament.Help keep our Bible study resources free by supporting as a Heartkeeper here: heartdive.org/giveTODAY'S HEARTBEATS: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11BpUOrbifGfhGL7y7ygf-uGXe0Xb1PEL/view?usp=sharingTODAY'S HEART WORK: PHASE 1: heartdive.org/startHEART DIVE LOBBY (Facebook Community): https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BK2GvLZbo/?mibextid=wwXIfrVISIT OUR SHOP: heartdiveshop.comFREE RESOURCES: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/mobile/folders/1Tvms_gB-OWMum61DiCXvFV8R8jKXpIVIMy Bible Notes: https://heartdive.org/daily-notes-with-kanoe/Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/shop/kanoegibson/list/1ED3COSB79TAQ?ref_=aipsflistLOGOS Software affiliate link: http://www.logos.com/heartdiveFree Reading Plan and Daily Newsletter sign up: http://heartdive.org/newsletterLink to recommended Bibles: https://heartdive.org/recommendations/ 

Kelly Goshorn is an old-fashioned girl at heart who loves Jesus, her family, and all things historical. A native Virginian, she developed a deep love for history, exploring battlefields and museums, which eventually led her to write inspirational historical romance. After earning degrees in social studies, education, and history, Kelly spent nearly two decades as a licensed childcare provider before returning to writing – a passion sparked by her youngest son. Her debut novel, A Love Restored, was published by Pelican Book Group in 2018, and her nonfiction piece, “Beautiful Words,” appeared in the Spoken Moments anthology. She lives in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband of 30+ years, Mike. They enjoy BBC period dramas, board games, and spoiling her Corgi, Levi. You've described yourself as, “An old-fashioned girl trapped in the 21st century. How has that shaped your passion for historical fiction? Kelly: As long as I can remember, I’ve loved history. I had a wonderful grandfather who would tell us stories about his life growing up and stories about our ancestors. The random things I'd find – my dad's World War II Navy picture or my mom's ration book from World War II – I always found them fascinating. But I suspect Little House on the Prairie probably had something to do with it. That was my favorite show growing up. If I did anything to get in trouble, all my mom had to do was threaten to take that away. Because back then, we didn't have unlimited access to shows. If you missed it when it was on, you didn't get to see it again until summer re-runs. Then when Laura called Almanzo “Manly” and I discovered historical romance, I think that just sealed the deal. KyLee: Honestly, that sounds similar to my experience. I had grandpas who were in World War II in the Korean War, and we got to hear all their stories. And I watched a lot of old black-and-white shows, lots of westerns. I love that, as adult women, God's allowed a way for us to look back on those good memories and the values we developed, and now we're creating with them. Can you share how your youngest son inspired you to start writing? Kelly: When the time came to move on from my career as a childcare provider, I wasn't sure what the next step was, but I sensed from the Holy Spirit that it was not going back to teaching. So my husband and I , and our small group, started praying about it. Now my youngest son Noah always love to write. He might be watching SpongeBob, but he had a notebook he always carried with him, and he'd be writing some kind of story. I remember watching Noah one day and thinking how I always loved writing research papers in college and grad school. I thought of myself as hopelessly un-creative, but I loved to play with the sentences, move them around, tweak them. And that day I thought, “I should give fiction a try.” So I started writing, just for myself, no secret desire to be published. And after a few nights of me sitting in front of the TV with my laptop, my husband asked what I was doing. And when I told him, he wanted to read it, so I let him. And he said, “This is good, but you should write our story.” Shortly after that, I switched to writing our story, but set in the 1870s, and it became something I couldn't wait to do each day. I started study the writing craft, and in that process of writing and learning, I realized that was the answer to my prayer. And our story became my debut, A Love Restored. Darcy: I love how you say discovering your new path was a process. You had your family and church family praying, but the Lord didn't drop you a note in your lap to “write novels now.” You were curious, and you tried it, and in that, He show you this was what He wanted you to do. Sometimes we really want the writing on the wall, but God's like, “No. You'll find out. Just trust Me on this.” I think that's cool. KyLee: I was just about to tell you, Kelly, that you should go on the Hope-Filled Romantic Podcast with Heather Tabers. She and I chat quite a bit, and she just started her podcast for Christian romance lovers who believe in both storybook love and the hope that God provides in real life. So I was double-checking her podcast name on Instagram, and I see Kelly Goshorn has already been on the Hope-Filled Romantic Podcast! Authors get to share about their books, but also their real-life love stories, if they’re comfortable doing so. Just a quick shout-out for Heather – our listeners should definitely check out Kelly’s episode on her podcast. Kelly: And secondary shout-out, I had the privilege of reading and endorsing Heather's book that just released, Their Burden to Bear. If people like the World War I era, I highly recommend it. A fantastic novel. Do you have a favorite battlefield or museum or site that you visited that inspired a story scene? Kelly: I'm really inspired by the area where I live in Northern Virginia. Loudoun County has a lot of Revolutionary War and especially Civil War history. We're in a border county in a border state – the next county over became West Virginia. In the western part of our county, we had Quakers who were pro-union, and we have people who were pro-slavery and voted for Virginia to secede from the union. If I could set all of my stories here, I would. I have two, A Love Restored and The Christmas Carving set in Loudoun County. Is there anything especially interesting you could share with us, or something God has laid on your heart that you'd like to share with your readers? Kelly: I like to write about flawed characters that overcome their obstacles with faith and fortitude. Recurring themes in my books are about self-acceptance, and forgiveness, and second chances. The world can be so unforgiving, and we can be so hard on ourselves. I like to write those kind of stories where you kind of dig inside yourself and your faith, and you come out on the other side. And hopefully readers also find a swoon-worthy romance 'cause I'm a romance girl. Darcy: I love that. I was actually reading in Luke this morning, the stories of the prodigal son and the scriptures around there where the Pharisees condemn Jesus for hanging out with sinful and unrighteous people. And I was thinking how we know the story of the lost sheep where Jesus said, “I leave the ninety-nine, and go after the lost one.” Yet, even as we're trying to follow Jesus, we build this sense of self-righteousness. And then we start comparing: “I'm not as holy as that person. I'm not as far along as this person.” So I love that you write about flawed characters who learn to accept that. Because God uses flawed people. He says that over and over in His Word. Book Two in the Enduring Hope series, six stand-alone novels by six different authors, examining manmade catastrophes and how the characters overcome. When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be found. Henrietta “Etta” Maxwell, heiress to the Maxwell fortune, is a hard-hitting investigative reporter for The Enterprise Daily. The catch? Etta must pen her columns under the nom de plume, Henry Mason—a fact that routinely puts a knot in her knickerbockers. Leo Eriksson is a second-generation firefighter with a passion for rendering aid to those in need. When Leo discovers that Henry Mason is really Henrietta Maxwell, the fire department's wealthy benefactress, he agrees to keep her identity secret. After a sudden blast rocks the Grover Shoe Factory, Leo and Etta team up to determine if the explosion is related to a series of suspicious fires in the area. When an unnamed source reveals Etta's secret identity to a rival reporter, she falsely accuses Leo of being the informant. As the truth comes to light, Etta must persuade Leo to give her a second chance or lose the only man she's ever loved. What inspired your heroine, Etta Maxwell – a wealthy heiress living a double life as an undercover reporter? Kelly: I am not a plotter. I never know how the story will go; the Lord kind of brings it all together for me. But one thing I did know is I didn't want my characters to be employees of the factory because I thought that might take the reader too close to the grittiness of the disaster. I knew I wanted to make Leo a fireman, and I needed to keep Etta active in the story, so I decided on making her a reporter. Now there were some female investigative reporters, like Ida Tarbell or Nellie Bly, but most female journalists were relegated to domestic or social columns. So I decided Etta would have to masquerade as a man to pull it off. She also writes for The Gilded Gown, a social magazine in Boston. And her parents let her move back to Brockton and work with their charitable foundation, unaware she is secretly the top-notch reporter Henry Mason. How did you go about researching this real-life disaster, this shoe factory explosion? Kelly: I started with a list on Wikipedia of manmade disasters in America, and I'm not exactly sure why I clicked on the Grover Shoe factory. I can only say it was the Holy Spirit. And I immediately saw two images: one of this giant factory, four floors that covered three-quarters of a city block, and an after-picture in which literally nothing is left but the smokestack. And I instantly thought, “Nobody could have survived this. What happened?” I found myself reading more out of my own curiosity. And I just felt like I needed to tell these people's stories. I found a document called, The History of the Brockton Relief Fund, which was compiled a couple years after the disaster. And that became my bible, so to speak because it was written so close to the time. Sometimes even newspapers from the time contradicted one another, so this document became my ultimate primary source. I also found a lot of great information on the Brockton Fire Department through a document online. They have a fire museum there. And I found YouTube documentaries on early 20th-century firefighting and fire investigation techniques. Many of their techniques have now been proven to not be the best way to get to the bottom of an arson, but it's what they used then. Oh, and I found great information on the fire dogs and how they were used, why they were Dalmations. It was fun to incorporate so many details into the book. How do you balance the historical material with the romance? Kelly: It was kind of tricky to build a romance in the midst of such a disaster. It was the beginning of the workday when the fire started, so the building was full – nearly 400 people. And between the broken gas lines and floors treated with linseed oil, they had to call off the rescue within twelve minutes. Fifty-eight people perished. You almost expect it to be the reverse, that only 58 people survived, because it was just a perfect storm of things contributing to the fire. So trying to figure out how to put a romance in that, when you don't want to lighten the gravity of the situation, was tricky. It was another reason to keep my characters outside the factory, and not related to the factory owner or anyone bearing such a heavy weight that they can't think of romance. I started the story with fictitious arsonists she's investigating, and they team up for that. So when the disaster occurred, she already had sources inside the fire department and she's following leads, which enabled them to have that close proximity needed for a romance. Darcy: In some ways, the fact that their romance grows out of something so deep and tragic lets us know that these people are not involved in some light infatuation. They can't hide behind the typical early-romance stage, but have to get to know each other for real. What's next for your writing? Kelly: I don't have any contracts at the moment, but last week I turned in a proposal for a novella collection, along with Carolyn Miller, Angela Couch and Jacinta Meredith. If it's picked up, it will be four marriages of convenience at Christmas. (You might be able to tell that marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes. I will always pick that up to read – it fascinates me.) And this weekend, I'm working on a proposal for a book about a mail-order groom that's got some serious You've Got Mail vibes. Where can listeners connect with you? Kelly: I would love to have readers visit my website and sign up for my newsletter. I publish monthly, and I include updates on my writing, but I also cover a new historical romance release each month. I do giveaways. And I like to talk about historical tidbits that history-nerd girls like us enjoy. If you're on Facebook and Instagram, you can find me there, probably talking way too much about my Corgis. I love my Corgi dogs. Levi, who we mentioned at the beginning, has sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. So now we have another Corgi puppy named Biscuit. I also have pages on my website dedicated to extras and historical details for the book. Things that don't always make it into the story, which I hope readers will enjoy. Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White THE BOOK As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn't seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she'll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste. Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family's misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah's hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been? Bookworm Review “Oh my giddy gumdrops, this confection of a tale is a sheer delight from beginning to end! Winsome and whimsical, “Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor” by Roseanna M. White captures all the splendor of the holiday season, from the effervescent joy of childhood to the awe-inspiring wonder of Christ’s birth. Nods to The Nutcracker will evoke smiles from fans of the classic story as they explore the luxury of an Edwardian Manor and the enchantment of a winter wood, glittering with snow. If you fancy a Nutcracker suite romance, spend your Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor!” Read more about Roseanna at her website. (www.RoseannaMWhite.com)  (www.jaimewrightbooks.com)~ Angela Bell, author of A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure Thank you, fellow bookworm, for joining us once again! We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Kelly and are excited to check out her book! If you enjoyed this episode, we hope you'll subscribe for more on your favorite listening platform, and join our newsletter (see the sidebar). Don't forget to share it with a fellow historical fiction reader! Until next time, may you find hope even in challenges! –KyLee & Darcy

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon in all his wisdom worked hard to figure out why life is completely out of his control, even as a powerful king. In his writings, he was frustrated and angry and cynical and flippant and sarcastic. Does that sound familiar at all? Thank God that He gave us such a wide variety of people and circumstances in His Word to show us the collision between the divine and the human.Listen to Ecclesiastes 8:7-9 in The Message … Yes, there's a right time and way for everything, even though, unfortunately, we miss it for the most part. It's true that no one knows what's going to happen, or when. Who's around to tell us? No one can control the wind or lock it in a box. No one has any say-so regarding the day of death. No one can stop a battle in its tracks. No one who does evil can be saved by evil. All this I observed as I tried my best to understand all that's going on in this world. As long as men and women have the power to hurt each other, this is the way it is.Can you relate to any of Solomon's words?When we can't actually control anything about life but we want to, we usually end up hurting one another, trying to control each other. And we have to be so careful that we don't end up trying too hard to control our kids. Control is never the point of parenting.Let's fast-forward to the end of Ecclesiastes where Solomon finally resolves his search for truth.The words of the wise prod us to live well. They're like nails hammered home, holding life together. They are given by God, the one Shepherd. But regarding anything beyond this, dear friend, go easy. There's no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you're no good for anything else. The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you. And that's it. (Ecclesiastes 12:11-14 MSG) So, evidently it's okay to run through all of our crazy, mixed-up emotions and express our cynical and sarcastic opinions of how life treats us. Because what matters most after the process is where we end up. Better, not bitter. Realizing we will never be God and He always will be. And that will always be a great place to land.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, please help me to realize I can vent with You as my Father. I can tell you exactly what I think. You already know what I'm thinking so I may as well just voice it. But remind me in those moments that all I am saying is that You have to be in control—and to thank You that I'm not. As above, so below.”

What is wisdom? How does one acquire it? Join us as we study the life of Abigail—a wise woman whose courage and boldness changed the course of her life and impacted the future king of Israel. Her story calls us to live as discreet, wise, and discerning women who fear the Lord and seek Him through His Word.

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:OTHER SERMONS///WebsiteFacebookInstagramJoin us in person at 10 am on Sundays5400 Linworth RoadColumbus, OH 43235

Do we actually expect “mystery” from God when we come to a church gathering? More often than not, we show up as a ritual, looking for little more than a motivational speech, maybe a new Greek word or two, and a moving worship set... and think that's what makes a great Sunday. But what if church was meant to do more than just inform or impress us? What if God's design for our experiences together as the body of Christ is to be more than just a collection of good speakers and songs? In this teaching, Francis shares the importance of stirring up our anticipation of God's presence when we gather, showing up ready to give and minister to each other by His grace, and regularly remembering what Jesus did by breaking bread together. As we keep growing in our walk with God, may we actively come closer to Him, tremble at His Word, love our brothers and sisters with spiritual gifts, expect to receive grace in Communion, and live in the blessing of His goodness and mercy.

Titus 3:3-8 NIV “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”   *Transcription Below*   Hunter Beless is an author of several children's books including Read It, See It, Say It, Sing It! and Amy Carmichael: The Brown-Eyed Girl Who Learned to Pray. She is also a Bible teacher, co-author of Titus: Displaying the Gospel of Grace and the founder of Journeywomen Ministries, which empowers women to live out their faith through deep commitment to their local church. Hunter hosts the Journeywomen Podcast, sharing resources and insightful conversations with women of faith. She and her husband, Brooks, have four beautiful children, whom Hunter homeschools. You can find her on Instagram @hunterbeless, or at https://www.hunterbeless.com/books. Journeywomen Podcast   Thank You to Our Sponsor: The Sue Neihouser Team   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Questions and Topics We Cover: 1. What rhythms have been most profitable to you (spiritually, relationally, physically, and productively?)  2. In your own home, how have you intentionally helped your children know and love God through Scripture?  3. How is the Gospel useful for not only salvation, but also sanctification?   Similar Episodes from The Savvy Sauce: 16 Reflecting Jesus in Our Relationships with Rach Kincaid 57 Implementing Bite-Size Habits That Will Change Your Life with Author, Blogger, Podcaster, and Speaker, Kat Lee 150 Brain Science and Spiritual Abundance with Ken Baugh 166 Journey from Empty to Well Nourished Soul with Gretchen Saffles  207 Cultivating Character in Our Children with Cynthia Yanof Special Patreon Release Wholehearted Quiet Time with Naomi Vacaro 267 Apologetics with Ray Comfort 274 Holy Spirit Stories and Fruit and Ways to Identify His Guidance in Our Lives with Margaret Feinberg   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”   Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:11)   Laura Dugger: (0:12 - 1:16) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   Thank you to the Sue Neihouser Team for sponsoring this episode. If you're looking to buy or sell a home this season, make sure you reach out to Sue at 309-229-8831. Sue would love to walk alongside you as you unlock new doors.   My guest for today is Hunter Beless, and you may recognize her as the founder of Journey Women Ministries. She's also a podcaster and an author of multiple books, including this recent one, Jesus Loves You More. Hunter is going to share today about all things discipleship.   Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Hunter.    Hunter Beless: (1:17 - 1:23) Thank you so, much for having me. I just love the concept of this show, and I'm excited to be here with you today.    Laura Dugger: (1:23 - 1:56) Well, I've been looking so, forward to getting to chat with you. You've been on my list for years, so, I'm thankful this worked out. And even, it may have been years ago, but I heard you publicly share that you had chosen to put your faith in Christ in elementary school, I believe. But then as you transitioned into high school, you were open about then choosing to pursue the ways of the world. So, will you just speak to that experience and talk to that teenage girl who's currently facing some similar temptations?    Hunter Beless: (1:56 - 6:39) Oh, that'd be such a privilege to get to speak to any young woman who is in a situation like this. I often think, like, if I would have just had one older friend who was encouraging me in the Lord, who would be willing to testify to God's grace in her life, and who would reach back and try and help me just to continue walking in the grace that he had extended to me through his son, like, I wonder if it would have gone differently for me, Laura. But, you know, the Lord did save me at a young age, and I lived fervently for him, loved God's word, even from a young age.    And I remember, like, seeing groups of people that I wanted to like me, and wanting so, desperately to be accepted by them. But knowing that when I opened the pages of scripture, the Holy Spirit brought conviction to my heart in a way that would not allow me to act in accordance with the things that these groups were doing, in order to be approved of by them. And so, I thought to myself, "Well, maybe I'll just stop reading my Bible so, much." This is about eighth or ninth grade. And, you know, then I won't feel a sense of conviction when it comes to, like, these behaviors that I know I need to, you know, adapt to, in order to be approved of by the people that I deemed, you know, significant. And so, I set my Bible aside.    And it's a really sad story. I mean, as I continued to spend time outside of God's word, I would still go to church with my family and things like that on Sunday mornings. But I just began to look less and less like a follower of Christ, and more and more like the world. And eventually, you know, I spent my entire duration of my high school years doing that. And I have to tell you; I just went back to my 20-year high school reunion. And there was a girl that I saw there. And she told me what a jerk I was in that season of my life. And it was such a wonderful thing to be reminded of what it looks like for me to not be walking in the Spirit, but to be walking in the flesh. And to really have to reckon with, that is what it looks like to be walking like the world.    And I just told her, I said, "You know what, you're completely right." I said, "I was." I was totally looking out for my good and not for the good of others. I was absolutely living for myself and not for the Lord. But by God's grace, when it came time for my senior year of high school, he allowed me to get to the end of myself. And you would have thought, like, looking back, I had the resume, I had the 4.0, I had the salutatorian status, I was the president of my high school senior class. You would have thought, this girl's crushing it. But I had never been more anxious, more depressed, more insecure, more selfish, obviously, as testified to by the girl that I just referenced, than I was in that season of my life.    And I remember I had a youth pastor who had just come into our church. And he said, "Hey," he said, "How's your time in the word looking?" And I said, "Well, I could either lie, or I could tell the truth." And I said, "You know, it's looking pretty, pretty bleak." And he said, "I just want to challenge you to get back in God's word." And at the same time, my dad had a tragic accident. It was a near death accident. And I was kind of reckoned with the brevity of life as a senior in high school. And I cried out to the Lord. And I said, "God, if you really are who you say you are, would you show me who you are through your word?"    And that sparked, Laura, this passion for God's word. And it allowed me then to see the difference in my own life, what it looks like for Hunter to be walking without listening to the voice of God, and what it looked like for Hunter to have her face in her Bible, and to seek to live by God's word. And I tell you what, I probably don't look nearly as impressive by the world's standards. But the joy and the peace, and really just the transformation that the Lord has accomplished in my life through his word, is something that I cannot stop testifying to. And I just cannot encourage women enough, like if you are wrestling with the flesh, to get into God's word, because God works by the power of the Holy Spirit through his word in the lives of his people. And so, that's why really this whole passion has just overtaken my life for God's word.    Laura Dugger: (6:40 - 6:59) Wow, that is incredible to hear that transformation, because God did it, and God can do it again. And God can do it for each one of us listening. But you are so passionate about discipling others. Can you first tell us, what were some of the significant ways that you've been discipled?    Hunter Beless: (7:00 - 10:07) Yeah, well, I went to college, and that was the first time that I had ever really had someone seeking to do spiritual good in my life, outside of my parents. And really, even with my parents, like, you know, sitting down intentionally studying the word, that wasn't a part of our family culture. And so, when I went to college, there was a girl, her name was Meredith. And I remember, she sat down, and she taught me how to read my Bible, for really the very first time. I remember being confronted with some of the truths of scripture, Laura, and I'm like, "That's in the Bible? That disrupts me. Like, I didn't know that, you know?" And so, it was such a wonderful time, just of really kind of being confronted with my own theological ideas from my, you know, lack of ability and time to really understand the message of the text, you know, and then to really reevaluate that and be conformed to the text and to allow it to conform me. So, Meredith had a significant influence in my life in how to study the Bible.    And then I had an older woman named Joyce, who at the time, I believe, was in her late 40s, maybe early 50s. And I just remember, Joyce found out that I began to memorize scripture. So, somewhere along the way, I realized, like, this book is so, significant that I need to start, you know, hiding scripture away in my heart. Some of that was just watching my own grandmother and seeing the way that the Lord had used scripture in her own life. And realizing, like, wow, if my grandmother has these truths hidden away in her heart for this season, and she had dementia, I need to start hiding scripture away in my heart, too. So, Joyce and I really, we started up a group on scripture memory.    And I'll never forget the first time I met her, she said, "Hey, I heard you're starting to memorize Ephesians." I never finished. But she said, "Let's hear it." And so, she just opened up her Bible. And I just started quoting Ephesians. And one of Joyce's coined phrases that at the time I didn't realize was actually scripture itself, she would hold the Bible out in front of me. And she would say, "Hunter, this is no empty word for you, but your very life." And she had so many phrases like that, that I didn't even realize at the time, because I was pretty biblically illiterate, that were the words of scripture themselves. That's Deuteronomy 32:47. And Joyce really embodied that message for me, that scripture is that man doesn't live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. And so, watching her just live with her face in her Bible, proverbially speaking, and seeking to meditate on its truths and live by those day in and day out really transformed who I am even today. And she gave me a picture of what I'd like to look like years down the road.    So, I've had various mentors, but those are some of the first. And the Lord definitely used them in significant ways to do spiritual good in my life.    Laura Dugger: (10:08 - 10:36) And I don't know what kind of life those women lead if they're in public or more private disciplines, but their faithfulness, you just see the impact how it ripples out to bless generations. And even you, Hunter, you're leading this incredible ministry, where you disciple others through helping women know and love God through his word. So, will you share how you ended up getting to do this awesome work that you get to do today?    Hunter Beless: (10:37 - 15:41) Oh, well, the beginnings of this, you would not have thought were awesome. And in fact, you and I were just chatting, and I still am recording out of my closet. And really, it's all just been an overflow of what the Lord has been doing in my own life. And I did feel like along the way, I just, I began to just love learning from older women. And I do think that's a biblical, like scriptural kind of practice. You look at Titus 2, you see the older women are to teach the younger women what is good. I was a younger woman who loved learning from older women. And so, I had this, over the years, this just long list of women who had invested in me who had, you know, testified to God's grace in their life, who had taught me the scriptures.    And when my husband Brooks and I were in the military, we found ourselves on post. And just due to the transiency of a military lifestyle, the churches around military installations tend to be a little bit tired, sometimes depleted, because people in the military are moving so, frequently. So, it's hard, right, to have continuity to see people through in their discipling process and all of that. And so, I really missed those mentors that I'd had from college, and the year after college, after coming into marriage. And so, I thought to myself, like, man, I want the other women. I was also interfacing with either believers or non-believers who really had never been discipled. And I thought, man, I just wish I could get you with Joyce, or I wish I could get you with Meredith. I wish I could connect you, you know, with X, Y, or Z woman from the past couple of years.    And so, I thought, I also simultaneously was listening to a lot of podcasts because I was super lonely. Just because, you know, moving into a new culture, and then my husband was gone at least 50% of the time for training or deployment. And so, I'd be walking along the military installation listening to like sermon audio, like John Piper or Timothy Keller or whatever. And I thought, man, I wish that there was a conversational podcast about theology for women that would just be more warm and kind of like what we're doing right now. And my husband was like, "Well, you should start it." And so, I just started with the women who had mentored me. If you go back to the very beginning of the podcast, it's truly like my college roommates. It's my mentors from Pine Cove Christian Camps where Brooks and I met.    And I think I just by God's grace, the podcasting network was so, small at the time. I remember Journey Women landed in the number two spot right behind Joel Osteen whenever the thing launched. And so, then from there, it just gave the podcast some notoriety, which is what then allowed, you know, some of the names that you would recognize to reach out and to say, "Hey, you know, could we come on the podcast?" And at the time, I had no knowledge of, you know, how to market people marketing books or any of that Bible studies, etc. And yeah, it was a really fun season, actually, because it was pre-COVID. And you know, people weren't used to doing a whole lot online. And so, had some really, really fun conversations. And along the way, the Lord has helped me to hone in more of a vision of what I'm doing. Because at first, it was just like, let's get in the closet and have like fun, intentional conversations that I could share with my girlfriends or with maybe the military spouse that I'm meeting on the playground that I may never see again, you know.    And then along the way, people started even wanting to donate to the podcast and different things like that. And I thought, I really need to have a clearer aim. And so, now, you know, over the past eight years, the Lord has given us this mission to help women know and love God through his word, to find their hope in the gospel and to invest deeply in their local churches as they go out on mission for the glory of God. And some of that came and Laura, I'm sure you face this from women really seeking out discipling online, and us realizing we can't disciple you. Like, we cannot come alongside you and help you to grow in godliness, you know, but we can do that via the interwebs. But the degree to which we're able to do that is super-duper limited. And so, what does it look like for us then to equip women so, that then they would be encouraged to seek out fellowship in the local church, and to be investing their time, energy and talents in the local church. And so, that's become kind of our resounding gong at Journey Women over the years, just because we really do believe that ministry happens best in the context of the local church. And that's something that the Lord has validated through seeing women reaching out online and realizing like, hey, we could never, you know, provide what they need. But God in his grace has given us the local body that is able to do that.    Laura Dugger: (15:42 - 19:08) So, well said, because this is a great place that we can meet people anytime what is most convenient for them with a podcast. But then also, so, that's great for sowing seeds. But there's nothing that replaces that embodied relationship. And it just makes me think of God that he created us that way. And he knew it because Jesus even being embodied, little baby sent to earth, so, nothing replaces that. And, Hunter, I just I love hearing about your public ministry and the way the Lord has blessed and grown it.    And now a brief message from our sponsor. With over 28 years of experience in real estate, Sue Neihouser of the Sue Neihouser Team is a RE/MAX agent of Central Illinois, and she loves to walk alongside her clients as they unlock new doors. For anyone local, I highly recommend you call Sue today at 309-229-8831. And you can ask her any real estate questions. Sue lives in Central Illinois and loves this community and all that it has to offer. When unlocking new doors with her clients, Sue works hard to gain a depth of understanding of their motivations and dreams and interests in buying and selling their home. And then she commits to extensive market research that will give them confidence in their decision. Sue truly cares for each of her clients and the relationship she forms with each family along the entire home buying or selling process. This was absolutely our experience when we worked with Sue and her team. The house that we desired at the time was actually not even on the market, but Sue had a connection and was able to ask those homeowners if they would be willing to sell. She was timely in her response as she walked us through this whole process, and she helped us sell our home with the right offer coming in hours after it was listed. We kept saying she's thought of everything. And Sue's continued generosity was astonishing. I remember one afternoon after we had settled into our new home, and she was knocking on the door dropping off a goodie bag for our family that came from the local bakery. Our daughters also loved getting to know Miss Sue as she assisted us in finding truly our dream home.    So, whether you're looking to buy a home for the first time, or looking to upgrade or downsize, or making the big decision to move to an assisted living from your home of many years, Sue will be there to help you navigate the big emotions and ensure the process is smooth and stress free, and that the new doors to be unlocked are ready and waiting for more memories to be made. So, call her today at 309-229-8831 or visit her website at sueneihouser.com. And that is sueneihouser.com. Thanks for your sponsorship.   I'd also love to hear a little bit more about your personal life. So, what does a day in the life look like for Hunter Beless?    Hunter Beless: (19:09 - 21:25) Well, I think if somebody joined me in a day in a life, in this season, Laura, I feel like I'm too busy. I have committed to too much. And so, what it looks like practically, it's going to be a lot of time running from this or that event and just trying to do the things that I committed to before or some of the other things that the Lord has allowed in my life came to fruition. But just leaning into him for the grace that I need moment by moment, you know, and trusting that he is the same and that he has provided all of the grace that I need. His grace is sufficient for me, you know, as I'm running errands and facing the temptation to feel anxious or overwhelmed that, you know, I think it's Luke 12, where it's talking about how I can't even add a moment, not even the smallest amount of time to my life by worrying. So, I'm just going to entrust all of this to the Lord.    So, for me, I wonder how many women are listening to this and that they can relate to this because I talked to various people who they don't have a podcast, but they don't have the same work as me, but they feel that same temptation towards anxiety and the feelings of overwhelms that we all face, you know, and yeah, I think my life probably looks a lot like many of y'all's. And for me, it's just the constant meditation on scripture and just rehearsing the truths of God's word that are never changing, even in the midst of my ever-changing and chaotic circumstances. So, it doesn't seem to change even if I do a better job, which I could have done, planning my schedule or, you know, prayerfully considering the commitments that I made, but just resting and knowing that he is unchanging and that he is ever-present and that he is all-knowing and that he has provided everything that I need and his son.    So, that is what it looks like. Every day looks different, but again, leaning into the truths of God's word, meditating on those truths, rehearsing those truths over and over, and resting in the grace that the gospel provides. That's the thing that never changes.    Laura Dugger: (21:27 - 22:06) And I love that overview because if we look from the outside, you're homeschooling, you run this ministry, you have a podcast, and you're cooking healthy recipes for your family, but I'm sure do you also have weekly patterns? Because to me, it's a stewardship issue. You've been faithful with little, it sounds like, so, he has given you the opportunity to be faithful in much, and it's a season of much where you've written books and produced all this content. So, do you have a system in place or rhythms throughout the week that have helped you live that full, abundant life?    Hunter Beless: (22:06 - 24:19) Yeah, that's a really good question. Obviously, the weekly rhythm that we always start with is worshiping with the saints on Sunday. I look forward to that like no other. And we are in a church that the Lord is just so, gracious to have provided a pastor who prioritizes the preaching of the word and who is consistently proclaiming the gospel from the pulpit. And so, Laura, on the weeks where I feel like I have been so, busy that I have not spent the time in God's word that I would desire, just the recognition that going to church on a Sunday is such a blessing to get to receive God's word. And so, there have been many times that I just show up and I'm just like, "Thank you, Lord." Thank you for the provision of your word. Thank you for the provision of the body of Christ. And so, Sundays are just like a non-negotiable for us. We go to church on Sundays. And then, you know, we have various things. My kids are actually homeschooled on two days out of the week or three days out of the week. And then, they go to school two days. So, we do like a university model is what it's called. And so, on the three days that they are home, I am full tilt homeschooling, doing everything home-related.    And in fact, I have had to learn that part of their education is also helping care for our home. And so, we really see it as a team effort to keep the home, like, tidy and running and functioning well, so that we can, you know, spend as much time in it as we do, like, with happy hearts. And then, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I typically am in this closet working while the children are at school. Saturdays, we rest together as a family. We spend a lot of time outdoors. I also make bread regularly. And I think there's something liturgical for me about making bread. And, like, when everything else feels, like, a little bit chaotic and out of my control, the beauty of just doing a simple task like making bread to provide food for my family and nourishment is something that really brings me great joy. So, Saturdays are also bread-making days. And then, the week begins again. That is awesome.    Laura Dugger: (24:19 - 24:41) I love hearing that. And it makes me curious to go even a little bit further. I'll give you a few categories, but I'd love to hear what rhythms in these categories have been most profitable to you. So, when you think of it spiritually, physically, relationally, and just productively, how you stay creatively fresh.    Hunter Beless: (24:41 - 28:24) Yeah. You know, spiritually for me, and I'm a mother of, like, young children, right? So, my kids are ranging from age 11 to age 3. I would say we're still in a season in which sleep is a little bit unpredictable, particularly in those early waking hours. But I do my very best to try and get in God's Word first. And that is not because I want to check it off the list, but because I need the people in my home and beyond. So, really trying to just orient myself rightly to the truths of God's Word first thing is huge. I also do try to work out. So, that gets to the physical piece. I neglected working out for many years. I actually, hilariously, was a personal trainer when we were back in the military. And that was kind of my gig while Brooks was gone. And so, I know how to work out, and I enjoy working out. But with the children, it has been a difficult thing for me to prioritize. But just this last year, I got, this is the most, like, basic thing ever. I got a Peloton. I bought it secondhand off of Marketplace. And it has just been a wonderful way for me to sweat and exercise my body first thing in the morning without, you know, really requiring a whole lot. I don't have to leave the house. I don't have to go outside or anything, because Brooks does travel quite a bit still for work. And so, I try to ride the Peloton. Doesn't always happen. Happens less than it does, than I want for it to, but it does help.    And then, yeah, relationally is really, that's a really good question. I think one thing that the Lord has blessed me with, having lived a season of extreme transiency, right? So, we did eight years of military. And then, we did two years at, you know, university where Brooks got his MBA. And now, we're in our first, like, what we would call, like, a civilian kind of location, where he's got his first civilian job. We're almost 15 years deep into marriage now. And so, all of the friendships that I made along those eight years of moving almost annually. I think we moved, like, six or seven times in eight years. Yeah, just trying to maintain those relationships. I only have one or two from each duty station, but I love using Voxer or Voice Memo to keep in touch with people who have known me for, you know, a longer time. And that's just one thing that's really fun. I have to be careful not to let that overtake my time on my phone, but I do love to keep in touch with old friends. And they are some of the friends that the Lord has used just really to help me navigate the various challenges that we face, right, in life and relationally in marriage and all of that.    So, anyways, and relationally in marriage, Brooks and I were really just relishing in the friendship that God has given us with one another. I don't think it's been easy over the years, especially with all of the transiency and all of the deployments and all of the many moves that we've faced. But God has really just given us a true appreciation for one another. And to begin to see now, 15 years into marriage, that the differences that He has given each of us are a gift to help us be conformed into the image of His Son. So, that's some of it, spiritually, physically, relationally. Did I miss anything?    Laura Dugger: (28:25 - 28:32) Just even productively as you're creating content, how do you stay creatively inspired and fresh?    Hunter Beless: (28:33 - 30:55) Yeah, I love, my friend Gretchen Stoffels has a lot of wonderful things to say about this. She talks a lot about producing from the overflow and not the undertow. And that's ministered to me over the years. I find a lot of times when I am not creatively fresh, it's either because I'm overproducing or because I'm not honestly spending, most of what I do is all revolving around God's Word. So, it's like if I'm not spending time in God's Word and allowing myself to just be struck anew with truths from the text, then what do I have to share? So, that helps me too in knowing when am I overcommitted? Because if I don't have time then to be relishing in God's Word, not for the sake of producing something, but just like you said, just being struck and wonder by who God is, then I really need to reevaluate the commitments that I'm making and slow things down a bit. And so, that's kind of what has helped me to protect that time with the Lord so that then I would have something to offer others.    And I don't just think about it in terms of producing a podcast or writing a book or sending out a newsletter. I mean, honestly, even with the children, this has been something that I've been thinking about for the last six to eight months. If I want them to understand how God's Word informs all of life, then I need to be with my face in my Bible because who is it that they spend the most time with, right? All throughout their life. Like, it's me. And so, I get to then help them realize like, oh, here is how Scripture applies to all these different circumstances. But if I don't spend time in God's Word, then I've got nothing to give. And I have a friend who was a missionary actually in a remote country with the IMB. And I asked her, I said, "How did you ever evangelize with people in this remote context from this different religion and all of this?" And she said, "You know what, I just had to be so, filled up with God's Word that that's what came out." And I think about that all the time. So, when I'm feeling dry, I'm like, "Oop, oop, that's a good sign. I need to go back to God's Word."    Laura Dugger: (30:56 - 31:07) I love that. And let's go there then in your own home. How have you intentionally helped your children to know and to love God through Scripture?    Hunter Beless: (31:09 - 33:52) This is going to sound really selfish, but, you know, this whole endeavor, right, I've realized the significance of God's Word in my own life. And so, I'm constantly thinking, Laura, like, how am I going to get into God's Word? You know, like, that's, it sounds selfish. But if I really believe that I need God's Word for all of life, I'm going to have to figure out how am I going to get that in. And then it's wonderful because I get to bring the children along in that. So, maybe that's just like a fresh take on it, right? Because we're always thinking as mothers, like, how can we be investing in our children more heavily in all of these things? And I think those are good and right desires. Obviously, Deuteronomy speaks to that. You know, we're supposed to teach our children diligently the ways of the Lord. But I think it's just so refreshing when we come to the text as learners, as co-learners. And so, for me, I'm just always thinking, like, how can we learn together who God's Word is? How can we worship the Lord together in our home?    And then it helps me see those times, right, when you are offering instruction to the children, when you are being intentional about, you know, for us, we do, like, catechesis, for example, which is a series of questions and answers just to help disseminate doctrinal truths and help the children learn, like, here are, you know, foundational doctrine of the Christian faith. Then I'm not just like, "Okay, who is God? You know, God is the Spirit." I'm, like, thinking about the things that we're learning in a way where I also am seeking to learn as well. And I think that just gives a posture of humility, too. Like, as a parent, where it's not like, "You gotta learn your Bible verse this week, kid." You know, it's like, "We get to, we get to, look, we get to learn God's Word together, you know?" And then that helps them understand the joy of learning God's Word. And it also gives them a very real picture of a parent who's being transformed by the truths of God's Word. What better witness is there? And so, really, I've stopped seeing it as, "Hey, here's our time," you know, which we do have.    And practically, for us, a lot of that happens around the table because I've realized that, like, when children are well-fed, when they have something to do with their hands, they may be a little bit more prone to, like, have open ears, ready to hear, you know, instruction. But we do have those rhythms kind of in place, but I don't want it to be relegated to those rhythms. I want it to be all of life. I want us to understand it doesn't just mean we're gonna sit here over breakfast and do our Bible reading for the day. This is something that is really going with us through the day because we need it not just for this moment, but for all of life.    Laura Dugger: (33:53 - 35:38) You draw so much wisdom there, and I think especially that it's not an either-or, having that set-aside rhythm and time, or just hoping it'll be incorporated into all of life. But it's both.   I want to make sure that you're up to date with our latest news. We have a new website. You can visit thesavvysauce.com and see all of the latest updates. You may remember Francie Henrichsen from Episode 132, where we talked about pursuing our God-given dreams. She is the amazing businesswoman who has carefully designed a brand-new website for Savvy Sauce Charities, and we are thrilled with the final product, so, I hope you check it out. There you're going to find all of our podcasts, now with show notes and transcriptions listed, a scrapbook of various previous guests, and an easy place to join our email list to receive monthly encouragement and questions to ask your loved ones, so, that you can have your own practical chats for intentional living. You will also be able to access our donation button, or our mailing address, for sending checks that are tax-deductible, so, that you can support the work of Savvy Sauce Charities and help us continue to reach the nations with the good news of Jesus Christ. So, make sure you visit thesavvysauce.com today.   Even going back to the heart of this conversation of discipleship, Hunter, how do you think the local church, and especially older women in the community, can play a vital role in encouraging young people to love Scripture?    Hunter Beless: (35:40 - 39:34) You know, I love this question, and I just, I cannot overemphasize the value of older women who love God's Word in the church enough. You know, I think in the culture, we're hearing and seeing that, you know, it's not good to grow old. I mean, that's being perpetuated by all of the Instagram ads that we receive, and by seeing shiny faces that look like they haven't aged one bit. And I'm like, "No, God's Word says that women, older women in particular, have tremendous value in the family of God." And so, I think I want older women just to realize, like, we need you. And in fact, no one is exempt. No woman is exempt from the Titus 2 mandate to teach the younger women what is good. And how do we know what's good? Well, we know God alone is good. And because God is good, we know His Word is good. And if you don't have any clue, like how to reach back and invest in the next generation, I have great news for you. All you need is God's Word.    So, I mean, the littlest learners, the children in the community, I think they are the most gracious recipients of anybody in our community, you know, just when it comes to God's Word. And so, look for ways that you can encourage the younger people in your sphere of influence, in your local church, with God's Word. And often I think that just starts with maybe even meditating on one verse. You know, it can be that simple. Or for me, one way that I want to encourage, you know, the children in my life with God's Word is by identifying ways that I see God working in their lives and naming it. I mean, how encouraging would that be if an older saint in the church said, "Hey, you know, I don't know, my oldest daughter's name is Hadley. Hey, Hadley, like, I see God working in you. You are showing kindness, you know, to the other children in the church. Thank you so much for that. And I'm just praising God for the work he's doing in your life," you know.    But I think in order for them to do that, right, they have to be willing to be inconvenienced by being around the children. And we just had a sermon on this, a wonderful sermon from the book of Mark about Jesus saying, "Let the little children come to me." And so, I think just realizing that Jesus himself, right, he was unbothered. He delighted in the presence of children. So, I think in our older age, you know, especially after you have young kids and you've done all of your time, you know, investing in the next generation in that way, just realizing that there is value in serving in kids' ministry or children's ministry in the church and just getting around the children to be able to give yourself the opportunity to know them in a way where you can meet them with the truths of God's Word. It could also be just having younger families in your home. And I know that can be such an inconvenience. I mean, we're a hot mess. We are so chaotic. And I know, you know, you even have to consider the breakables. Like, you got to protect those, you know, when we come into the house. But figure out, like, what does hospitality look like where we can welcome in younger children, the families with younger children in the home, seek to encourage the parents. I mean, truly, Laura, what else are we doing here? Like, we have been given two things. We have been given the mission of evangelizing and discipling. And that message is the same.    At the heart of both of those things is the gospel. The gospel is for salvation and for sanctification. And so, if you're an older person in the church, keep meditating on the gospel. Keep, you know, seeking to disseminate the truths of the gospel to everybody around you. And remember, the littlest of these, I think, are the most eager learners. And it's such a great opportunity.    Laura Dugger: (39:36 - 39:52) Goodness, I love that. And as you say, disseminate these truths of the gospel for both salvation and sanctification. Can you even share clearly what is that gospel that applies to everyone?    Hunter Beless: (39:53 - 43:58) Oh, yes. I mean, this is the good news that I continually am rehearsing over and over and over again. I think for me, you know, I realized as a young child that the gospel was for salvation, right? That I love the Titus 3. You know, I just wrote this Bible study on Titus with Courtney Docter. If you don't have, like, a great comprehensive kind of gospel text that you've got in your back pocket, I think Titus 3:3-7 is a wonderful text to commit to memory. It says, "So, we are sinners." Romans 3:23. You know, we were created by God to glorify him. And yet, we have chosen to glorify ourselves. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." So, we too were once foolish. I think it's easy to see that when you really think about your life. You know, like, even me testifying to my life in high school. We too were once foolish. There's no getting around that. But we too, let me see, where am I now? "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us," "not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy," So, how does he save us? Well, he sent his son, Jesus. When did the kindness of God our Savior appear? Well, it appeared over 2,000 years ago. In a stable in Bethlehem. When, like you said, God sent his son to live a perfect life. And then he gave his life on the cross so, that we might have right relationship with God. He saved us. Not by works of righteousness, but according to his mercy, "By the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."    So, when, and by the way, he rose from the grave. Let's see, is that in here? I don't know. But let's see. That one's not in this particular gospel text of Titus 3:3-7. But we know that from the gospels, right? That Jesus Christ died on the cross. And that he rose again three days later. Overcoming death. So, that we too might not have to experience eternal death. We get to experience eternal life. When we turn from our sin and trust in him. And that's when that washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit happens. We're filled with the spirit. He's poured out his spirit on us. Verses 6 and 7 says, "whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." And so, I think part of what it looks like for us to live with that hope of eternal life. Is to constantly be reflecting upon who we were apart from Christ. Who we are in Christ. And who we will be when we one day see Christ again. Face to face. And so, that for me is what it looks like. Just to relish in the gospel. To remember the gospel.    Even when I was talking earlier, Laura, about feeling overwhelmed. The temptation for me then is to feel down on myself. And to wrestle with shame. Because I've over committed, right? But I'm rehearsing the truths of the gospel to myself in that moment. And saying, "Okay. Yes, could I have planned my schedule better? Yes, could I have done all these things? But you know what? I, by God's grace, get instead to rest in the grace that the gospel provides for me in this moment. Knowing that with all these various responsibilities, I am not going to be executing them perfectly. But he has perfectly accomplished my salvation on the cross. And so, I can rest in his son. Knowing that my salvation is not based on my perfect performance. But on the performance of Christ." And that then again helps me then to relish in the gospel. To remember the gospel, like I said, is not just for that moment of salvation or justification. When we're saved from our sins and made right with God. But it's also for every moment of every day. Because we need it all the time. At least I do.    Laura Dugger: (44:00 - 44:20) Yes, absolutely. And I think we can hear that or repeat that so, often. But I love how you unpack it. Because especially for those who have been saved. When they rely on the gospel for sanctification. Can you give any more examples of what that looks like? Specifically for sanctification after the salvation?    Hunter Beless: (44:21 - 46:35) Yeah. I think it's just coming to a greater understanding of our desperate need for Jesus. And then as we rely on him more wholly. I think we're conformed even more into the image of his son. Just after that gospel hymn in Titus 3. Verse 8 says, "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works." So, what is sanctification? Well, sanctification is growing in godliness. Or said another way, it's growing in good works. Right? So, we're not saved because of our good works. We're saved by the gospel so, that then we can produce good works. By God's grace. That's the sanctification process. And so, how does that happen? Well, verse 8 tells us, "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things." What does it want us to insist on? It wants us to insist then on the contents of the gospel from Titus 3:3-7. So, we need to, in order to grow in our ability to do good to others. What do we do? We insist on the gospel.    And how does that work? Well, when I am feeling, again, overbooked, overwhelmed. And somebody comes into my life that needs service. If I'm functioning by the world's wisdom, what am I going to say? "You know what? I just don't have the margin for that. I can't do that. I need to protect my time." But if I'm looking at the gospel, what do I see? Well, I see what Christ died for me. Was that act of service self-protective in any way? No. So, what does it look like for me then to lay down my life for the good of another? And that's how the gospel then informs our living in such a way that we begin to grow by God's grace, not by our own effort, in godliness. So, I think that's how the sanctification process kind of works itself out.    Laura Dugger: (46:35 - 46:54) Thank you so much for sharing that. And you've taught us already so, much in this time together. But you've also written a book recently for children. Can you tell us a little bit more about it and share the lasting truths that you want to impart to children who get to read or listen to your book?    Hunter Beless: (46:55 - 49:47) Yeah. I think it started for me with really thinking about what are those kinds of scriptural, biblical truths that I want to offer to the children in these everyday moments like we've been talking about. My son, I already shared, he's been struggling with sleep for the last year or so,. And he'll come tumbling down the stairs in the middle of the night. And my initial reaction to that is to want to say, "It's okay. Mommy's here." Right? And that's true. And I do think that offers some temporal comfort. And it is a good thing for a mother to be present in the time of a child's need. But thinking more deeply, I began to say, "Buddy, God is with you. You have no need to fear." And the reason for that is because I started thinking about, well, what if mommy wasn't here? What if I wasn't able to be here? And some of that came just from having lost my own father in the last few years to cancer spontaneously. And just thinking, like, what are the lasting truths that I then want to impart to my children when I'm no longer able to be present? So, it is true. It's comfort that mommy is here in your time of need. But also, even when mommy's not able to be here, remember, God is with you always.  And it's been such an encouragement for me then to even see him, like, on the playground and his little buddy will get hurt. And he'll turn and he'll tell his buddy, like, "It's okay. God's with you." You know what I'm thinking? "That's so, good. Like, this is the kind of stuff that I want to be just ingrained within the children so, that their initial reaction is, 'It's okay. God is with me.'" Similarly, the message that is repeated throughout the book is, "Jesus Loves You More". And that was really instigated from one of my children requesting for me to say over and over again this popular phrase that we've all heard, "I love you to the moon and back." And I started thinking, like, "Okay, that's true. I do. I love you to the moon and back. I love you to the, you know, mountaintop and to the ocean floor. I love you as far as the east is from the west. But there is one who loves you even more than I ever could. And in fact, when my love fails you, His never will." And so, I wanted to get that.    If there's one message that I want my kids to know, it's that. It's that Jesus loves them so, much that he went all the way to the cross at Calvary and gave his very life so, that they could be made right with God. So, that's the message that I hope kids will take away from the book. I do hope that it inspires parents to think about what are those lasting truths that they want to impart to their kids. And I hope it equips them then to be able to share what I believe as Christian parents is the most important message we could ever give.    Laura Dugger: (49:48 - 49:54) I just want to acknowledge too, I'm so, sorry for the sudden loss of your father in recent years.    Hunter Beless: (49:55 - 50:19) Well, thank you. Yeah, it's, you know, my kids were just saying as we were hiking this last weekend, they're like, "We miss puppy." But we're like, I'm at a point now where I did go through many years of grief, missing him, you know, all of this. But just relishing in the fact that he's in the presence of the Lord Jesus. And I am just so grateful because he's in a much better place. So, I'm looking forward to the day that I get to join him there. Amen.    Laura Dugger: (50:20 - 50:28) Well, Hunter, you've already given us so much, but where can we go to continue being discipled by you after this conversation?    Hunter Beless: (50:30 - 51:14) Well, if you like conversations like this, you know, I infrequently show up at Journey Women. We used to do a weekly show and then it turned to bi-weekly and now we're seasonal. But I do love having conversations just like this. And I hope that, you know, just as our conversation today, I hope it encourages women just to get together, like you said, with women in their local context to open up God's word. And just to go deeper, relationally, conversationally, to come together around the truths of God's word. You've asked such great questions, Laura. And I think take some of these questions and ask your friends and see where the Lord guides those conversations. I think that'll just be such a blessing. It's been a blessing to meet and chat with you today.    Laura Dugger: (51:15 - 51:32) Well, I've loved every minute. And you may already be familiar that we're called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge or insight or discernment. And so, as my final question for you today, Hunter, what is your Savvy Sauce?    Hunter Beless: (51:34 - 52:28) Oh, you try to nail me down to something practical. It's funny, Laura, because I feel like I resist practical. And I'm not sure what it is about me that resists practical other than maybe sometimes I felt like bound in by people's practical advice. Does that make sense? And so, for me, here's my practical advice. My practical advice is to allow all of your practices or your practicals to be informed by the principles of the text. So, allow the principles of scripture to inform your practice. And that's not very practical, but I think the only practical way you can do that is to get your face in your Bible and to really seek to know and love God through his word. And then he will certainly help inform your practice.    Laura Dugger: (52:30 - 56:34) I think that's actually more practical than you realize. That is wonderful. And Hunter, your joy and your laugh are just contagious. And you're clearly gifted from the Lord as a clear, articulate communicator. And it blesses so, many people in so many generations because you are able to filter in the truth and then communicate it in a way that's able to be received. So, it's been so encouraging to sit under your teaching and be inspired to take this out and to hopefully begin in our home. But also, those good works, as we're called as older women, too. None of us are exempt, as you said. So, I've just thoroughly enjoyed being with you. Thank you for being my guest. Thank you so much for having me. It's been so fun.   One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.   Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.   First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today!When the desire to spend time in God’s Word feels more like a heavy obligation than a joyful habit, how do you get back on track—and why do we carry so much guilt when we fall behind? In this episode of the Praying Christian Women podcast, Jaime and Alana reunite to tackle a struggle that impacts almost every believer: making daily Bible reading a consistent reality. What starts as a simple lack of interest or the temptation to "coast" on past spiritual knowledge can quickly form towering "Bible blocks." Through honest and candid conversation, Jaime and Alana unpack the hidden obstacles keeping us from Scripture. We explore how decision fatigue, physical limitations, and the pressure to study the "right way" can paralyze our quiet times, and why envying someone else’s 5 a.m. discipline might be missing the point entirely. Along the way, they share personal stories—from memorable first Bibles to the sometimes unpredictable results of playing "Bible roulette." Whether you are overwhelmed by where to start or simply need a reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to quiet time, we hope you’ll join us as we learn to strip away the expectations of others and discover a genuine, grace-filled way to connect with God through His Word. Episodes Mentioned in this Episode: Loving the World's Most Vulnerable with Karol Holmes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOMF2k3ZqD4 Christian True-Crime Junkies (Fleeing an Abusive Church series): https://open.spotify.com/episode/74K9bYKM9LCQdpVYeBLhjN Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, Cody Bill joins the podcast to explore Psalm 119:129–136, a stanza that highlights the powerful imagery of light and sight in the Word of God. The psalmist describes God's testimonies as wonderful, the entrance of His Word as giving light, and prays for God to open his eyes while grieving over those who ignore the truth.Through this passage, we walk through a simple three-part framework that captures the heart of the text:Wonder — Be Submissive: When we recognize the wonder of God's testimonies, our natural response is humble submission to His Word.Hunger — Be Satisfied: The psalmist pants for God's commandments, reminding us that a true hunger for Scripture leads to deep spiritual satisfaction.Depend — Be Strengthened: Acknowledging our weakness, we learn to depend on God to direct our steps, deliver us from sin, and shine His face upon us.Join us as we discuss how the light of God's Word opens our eyes, fuels our longing for truth, and strengthens us to walk faithfully before Him.

When God makes a promise, you can be sure He'll keep His Word.  And in First Samuel four, God is about to come through on a promise He made in chapter three.  He's going to judge Eli and deal with his two sons. 

God relentlessly pursues us, not to condemn us, but to transform us. Join us as we explore how God's pursuit, compassion, and limitless rescue shape our character and call us to be doers of His Word. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you can steal someone's identity, you can take everything they own. God is the Author of your true identity. If you renew your mind with the truth of His Word, your true identity becomes clear and is kept secure from identity thieves.

What is your most treasured possession? From his sermon series in 2 Peter, today R.C. Sproul underscores that our whole salvation is the gift of God's powerful grace. His Word strengthens our faith and His precious promises give us hope, even to our dying hours. Get R.C. Sproul's commentary on 1–2 Peter with your donation: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the 1–2 Peter commentary ebook with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global Get 3 free months of Tabletalk, the Bible study magazine from Ligonier Ministries. Begin your risk-free trial today: https://www.trytabletalk.com/   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

In this message, we discover how powerful connecting with God through learning can be. Jesus invites us to take His yoke and learn from Him in His Word leading us into deeper relationship, renewed minds, and freedom from the burdens of the world. As we grow in the knowledge of God through His Word, old yokes are broken and our lives are transformed.

Why Did Jesus Tell Them to Sit? | Christ For YouText: John 6:1–15 | Lent 4 Why would Jesus tell a starving crowd to sit down when there was no food in sight? Why command thousands of hungry people to recline as if a feast were about to begin when all they could see were five loaves and two fish? And why does God so often speak first and only later show His people why His Word was true all along?In this sermon on the feeding of the five thousand, Pastor Rojas explores the strange command at the center of the miracle and shows how the Lord repeatedly teaches His people to trust His Word before they can see the answer. From Noah building the ark before the rain, to Israel eating the Passover before the exodus, to singers praising God before Jehoshaphat's battle, God calls His people to act on His promises before the victory is visible. And nowhere is that clearer than at the cross, where Jesus told His disciples not to let their hearts be troubled and that their sorrow would turn to joy—before they realized His death would save the world.This sermon shows how Christ trains His people to pray before they have a solution, to trust before they understand, and even to praise God while the problem is still there. Because when Jesus speaks, His Word comes first—and later we see that He was right all along.Subscribe & Share:Spotify: Christ For YouPortuguês: Cristo Para VocêWebsite: ZionWG.orgLooking for a Lutheran Church near you?Support the preaching of God's Word.

Part two of the "Seed Life" series. Pastor Richard answers the question, "Should we GIVE EXPECTING to RECEIVE anything from God?" He shows that the parable of the SOWER/FARMER is a picture of God Himself SOWING the SEEDS of HIS WORD. Just like a FARMER, we should SOW SEED and EXPECT HARVEST and GOD to MOVE.

"I try to trust God but my fears and anxieties overwhelm me. How can I fight this?" God speaks in His Word about how we are to master and handle our emotions and how to trust. This sermon will explore this topic.

March 15, 2026 In this week's sermon, Pastor Mike Moses shows us that God's Rest, as revealed in His Word, is available to enter by faith.

God restores your soul. He loves you. He wants you to be whole. One way God restores your soul is through you getting into His Word. Let Him restore you today.

Introduction: 5 Reasons Pastors Should Be Paid: (1 Corinthians 9:1-14) It's COMMON Sense. (1 Cor 9:7) It's a CONCERN in the Law. (1 Cor 9:8-11) 1 Timothy 5:17-18 - Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” It's CLAIMED By Others. (1 Cor 9:12) It's a CUSTOM from the Old Testament. (1 Cor 9:13) It's COMMANDED By Jesus. (1 Cor 9:14) Luke 10:7 – for the laborer deserves his wages. Matthew 10:10 - the laborer deserves his food. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Audio Transcript 00:36-00:40Open up those Bibles to 1 Corinthians 9.00:44-00:52The title of today's message is, "Should Pastors Be Paid?" Yeah.00:54-00:57I'd like to invite the worship team to come back up as we close.00:58-01:00If you want to worship through giving, the offering.01:04-01:09You're like, "You better earn that pay." Fair, fair.01:09-01:12You know, I was associate pastor for 11 years.01:12-01:16And one of the things that I did was run the Wednesday night program.01:16-01:18It was pioneer clubs like Awana's.01:18-01:26But I'll never forget one girl who was lifelong member of the church from forever.01:26-01:27She the one little girl came up.01:28-01:39She goes, "Pastor Jeff, where do you work?" And I'm not gonna say her name 'cause she's an adult now and might be watching this, but I said, "Well, you know where I work.01:40-01:42"I'm one of the pastors here at the church." She just rolled her eyes.01:42-01:46She goes, "I know that, but I mean, where do you work?01:46-01:49"Like, what's your job?01:49-02:02"Like, what do you do to get paid?" I'm like, "You know, just when you start "to feel pretty good about yourself." Along comes some kid to bring you right back down to earth, right?02:03-02:03Where do you work?02:07-02:09Many people hold that opinion, right?02:10-02:12I mean, being a pastor isn't really work.02:15-02:19You know, my favorite, you only work for one hour a week.02:23-02:24And you know what?02:24-02:25I've heard that so many times.02:25-02:27I'm quick to correct people on that.02:28-02:28I'm like, "No.02:31-02:32I don't work the whole hour.02:34-02:36My part's only like 35 minutes.02:37-02:43I work 35 minutes a week." So should pastors be paid?02:44-02:47When you bring it up, people get weird.02:48-02:49People get weird.02:49-02:51Everybody's evaluating the pastor's car.02:53-02:55Everybody's evaluating the pastor's house.02:55-02:58Everybody's evaluating the pastor's clothes.02:59-03:00How much is he making?03:03-03:05You know nobody does that for other professions, right?03:08-03:18Like for example, if somebody here is a nurse and you pull up to church driving a Boxter, what are people gonna say?03:18-03:20"Good for her, good for her.03:21-03:23Wow, I am so happy for her.03:26-03:31If I drove up driving a Porsche, what are people gonna say?03:35-03:36How much is he making?03:40-03:49I've heard a lot of things over the years, statements people have made, their little evaluations on how pastors should be paid.03:49-03:51I just want to share a couple with you.03:51-03:53Just this is, these amuse me.03:54-03:57But one person told me this regarding how a pastor should be paid.03:58-04:10He said, "A pastor shouldn't make more "than the lowest paid congregant." So we should find out who in the church makes the least and that should determine the pastor's salary.04:13-04:17Because after all, the pastor shouldn't make more than anybody else in the church.04:19-04:20I had one guy tell me this.04:21-04:31He goes, "I have a real problem "with preachers getting paid by the church." And I said, "What's the issue with that?" He goes, "Think about it this way.04:33-04:35"You teach tithing, right?04:35-04:55"10%." I'm like, "I'm following you." He goes, "Okay, so if 10 people give 10%, "now automatically the pastor's making "more than everybody in the church." And I'm like, you're gonna have to back up here 'cause you lost me somewhere on that math.04:57-04:58I mean, does that math work out?05:01-05:02Should pastors be paid?05:04-05:05Awkward.05:05-05:07Right, it's an awkward subject.05:07-05:10Can we just get that under, it's an awkward subject to stand up and preach about.05:10-05:11You're like, well then why are you?05:12-05:17Because we're going through the book of 1 Corinthians and guess what the subject is of this next section that we are going in?05:18-05:24"Should pastors be paid?" Yeah, it's going to be awkward to talk about, but you don't be more awkward than that, skipping it.05:26-05:26Right?05:26-05:29Because didn't God put it in His Word for a reason?05:30-05:31And we don't skip anything here.05:32-05:33So we're going after it.05:34-05:35We're just going to go after it.05:35-05:36Should pastors be paid?05:37-05:39The Bible is clear, yes.05:41-05:50But some ministers, you know, they live lavishly, and they demand that the church pay for the their extravagant lifestyle, and that is wrong.05:52-05:59But we can't just disregard what the Bible says just because some people have abused the privilege.06:02-06:06This section here, we're in 1 Corinthians, it's about liberty.06:08-06:21You're like, "Well, what is liberty?" It's this, you know, to be saved means that you have to turn from your sin and receive Jesus Christ.06:21-06:34And when you receive Him, you believe that Jesus died for your sin, when you believe that Jesus resurrected from the dead, when you believe that, the Bible says you are adopted as a child of God.06:34-06:36And nothing can change that.06:37-06:40Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Jesus Christ.06:41-06:41Nothing.06:42-06:46When you are saved, you are saved as a gift of God's grace.06:47-06:48Nothing can change that.06:51-06:54So understand your salvation is not performance-based.06:56-06:58So that means there's nothing you can do.06:58-07:01If you're saved, there's nothing you can do that would disqualify you from being a child of God.07:01-07:02It's not performance-based.07:04-07:12So the extreme view of that is, well, if it's not performance-based, I'm free to do whatever I want.07:15-07:16And that's what we're looking at in this section.07:17-07:19Am I free to do whatever I want?07:19-07:38Their particular issue, we talked about this last week, was they were, some of the more mature Christians were eating meat that was sacrificed to idols, and they were like, "A burger's a burger." But it bothered some of the weaker Christians who came out of the pagan background and said, You don't want to touch meat that was used in pagan worship.07:39-07:46And Paul says, "Love says, 'I will give up my rights if it keeps a brother from stumbling.'" I'll give up my rights.07:49-08:02So understand here in this section that we're looking at today, Paul is saying, "Corinthians, I'm not asking you to do anything that I'm not willing to do.08:05-08:10Paul is saying here in this section we're looking at, I am laying down a freedom that I have.08:10-08:13I have the freedom to get paid by the church.08:13-08:15And Paul says, I laid that freedom down.08:17-08:23We're going to talk more about that part of it next week, but why would Paul lay that freedom down?08:23-08:25He knew it would bring offense.08:27-08:31You see, he knew that there were going to be some people that thought, "Oh, look at this guy.08:31-08:35There's this new religion and he's using it to cash in.08:35-08:36He's using it just to make money.08:37-08:40He's trying to rip you off." So Paul got a job making tents.08:40-09:03So he's like, "I'm not going to be a financial burden to anybody because I don't want anybody to think that I have an ulterior motive in preaching the gospel." So chapter 9, the section we're looking at today illustrates this whole giving up my liberty issue. I have the freedom to not use my freedom.09:05-09:18All right, let's bow. I'm going to ask you to pray for me to be faithful to communicate God's Word, and I will pray for you to have a heart open to receive it, and then we'll go right after it. Let's just take a moment and pray.09:22-09:23by your name and your word, Father.09:26-09:30We ask you in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior forever.09:31-09:35And all of God's people said, amen.09:36-09:42All right, so the Corinthians are like, hey, we are free in Christ to do what we want.09:42-09:44Look at chapter nine, verse one.09:45-09:46Paul says, am I not free?09:48-09:49Am I not an apostle?09:51-09:52Paul's like, "I'm free.09:53-09:55"I'm free to, you know about your freedom?09:55-10:08"I'm free too." And Paul says, "By the way, I'm not just a pew sitter." Okay, he's like, "I'm an apostle." And as always, when the issue comes up, you're going to have a group of people that were like, "Are you, Paul?10:08-10:09"Are you really an apostle?10:09-10:13"Are you really?" Oh, look at what he says.10:15-10:18"Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?10:18-10:25"Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?" Paul was always defending himself.10:25-10:27And right here he goes, "Yeah, I am an apostle.10:27-10:28"I'll give you two proofs.10:28-10:30"One is the big one.10:30-10:37"To be an apostle, you had to have seen "the resurrected Jesus Christ." And Paul's like, "I've seen him." Like, did Paul see Jesus?10:37-10:39Yeah, at least three times.10:39-10:42Oh, by the way, one of those times was actually in Corinth.10:42-10:43What's that, Acts chapter 18?10:46-10:56Paul says, "I have another proof." He goes, "You want another proof of my apostleship?" He goes, "You, you are my proof." What do you mean by that?10:56-10:57Look at verses two and three.10:58-11:07He says, "If to others I am not an apostle, "at least I am to you, "for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.11:08-11:30"This is my defense to those who would examine me." Paul says, "Some might not believe that I'm apostle, but you cannot deny the way that the Lord has worked through me to you." He says, "You're my seal." See, in those days, if somebody wanted to authenticate a letter, they would put a wax seal with the signet ring.11:31-11:32That was to say, "This is genuine.11:32-11:35This is real." Paul goes, "You want to know that I'm real?11:35-11:48Do you want to know that I'm authentic?" He goes, "You're my proof, because God has ministered the gospel through me to you." These are the evidences that I'm an apostle.11:48-11:53So, verse 4, do we not have the right to eat and drink?11:55-11:57That's obviously sarcasm.11:58-12:03I was like, "Yeah, I'm an apostle and God has used me, so I'm not allowed to eat?" Is that what you're saying?12:06-12:10I've been faithful to your souls, I've been faithful to the Lord, but I don't get to eat?12:11-12:20He's saying, "I don't get to… are you saying that I don't get to earn a living from the work that I do in the Lord?" Look at verse 5.12:24-12:32He says, "Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?12:34-12:39Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?12:41-12:49Paul's like, "Other ministers are supported." So much so that other ministers actually take their wives along with them.12:50-12:52So you support them.12:56-12:57What about me?12:57-13:00Do I have the right to be supported by the church?13:01-13:03See what Paul's doing here.13:03-13:06in this little introduction, he's setting this all up.13:07-13:19He goes, "This freedom that I am laying down, is it actually a freedom that I have?" As we look at verses 7-14, Paul here is establishing that this is a right.13:19-13:21This is legitimate.13:21-13:25Ministers have the right to be supported by the church.13:25-13:26He's proving that in this section.13:29-13:35And in Paul's day, as in ours, there are people that are going to doubt the premise.13:36-13:38Like, really, should ministers be paid?13:38-13:38Really?13:39-13:40Not sure about that.13:40-13:41Should they, is it really work?13:42-13:4635 minutes, rather, 35 minutes a week, is that really work?13:47-13:48Should we be paying you for that?13:52-13:56Well, Paul gives five reasons why you should pay the pastor.13:57-13:57All right?13:59-14:00"Jot these down.14:00-14:08By the way, you're paying me overtime this week 'cause I spent some extra time making sure these were alliterated.14:09-14:12I don't always do that, but when I do, I charge extra.14:13-14:23And I charge by the word, that's why the sermons are so long." So five reasons a pastor should be paid.14:23-14:24Number one, I love this.14:24-14:26He just knocks this one right out.14:26-14:26It's common sense.14:27-14:28It's common sense.14:28-14:30Look at verse 7.14:32-14:36Paul says, "Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?14:38-14:40Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit?14:41-14:48Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?" Obvious point, right?14:49-14:52A man earns his living by his work.14:53-14:55And he gives three examples.14:56-15:00A soldier, a farmer, and a shepherd.15:03-15:09Imagine as Paul calls us to here, imagine doing those jobs at your own expense.15:10-15:11Imagine that.15:11-15:13That's ludicrous, right?15:14-15:14Like what do you do?15:14-15:15I work at Target.15:17-15:17Why do you work at Target?15:18-15:25"Well, just trying to pay the bills so in my free time I can be in the army." Like what?15:26-15:27Paul's like, "Who does that?15:28-15:36That's called a hobby if you're doing it without being compensated.15:36-15:41Their families are fed from the work that they do." So it should be true for pastors.15:41-15:42It's common sense.15:43-15:47should earn from the work that they do.15:50-15:55And I have to add, church, that this is also extremely practical when you think about it.15:55-15:57The church benefits from a focused pastor.16:00-16:05You're going to get your best work from the pastor if he's not distracted.16:06-16:07I mean, think about it.16:07-16:43If the pastor has to provide for his family by working another job, how much gas is left tank to be a pastor. And you're like, "Eh, doesn't look that hard." Well, I want you to think about your job, whatever you do. You're nine to five, whether you work in a bank, work in HVAC, community, you know, some kind of like social service function, think Think of what you do.16:44-16:52When your shift ends, do you feel like you would be able to effectively pastor a church on top of that?16:55-16:59Again, I don't care if you're with the police, a computer programmer.17:00-17:05Imagine working all day doing that, and then you get home and now you've got to write a sermon.17:06-17:07Oh, and you have two counseling appointments.17:07-17:09And make sure you squeeze time in.17:09-17:17you've got to follow up with these new people at church, oh, and then you have a ministry team meeting on top of that.17:17-17:21Are you really going to do all of that on top of your nine to five?17:24-17:25It's common sense.17:26-17:33You see, if a pastor has to work another job, it's easy for him to phone it in when it comes to the church work, right?17:33-17:37Well, I've got to work at Target so that I can pay my bills.17:38-17:39the church stuff is just going to have to wait.17:39-17:42I sure hope they're not expecting a decent sermon this week.17:44-17:45It's just common sense.17:45-17:47People should get wages.17:49-17:52People should benefit from their workplace.17:52-17:53That's where he starts.17:54-17:55It's common sense.17:55-17:58Number two, five reasons pastors should be paid.17:58-18:02Five reasons Paul says this is a right for pastors to be paid.18:02-18:05Number two is it's a concern in the law.18:05-18:06It's a concern in the law.18:09-18:10Like, what do you mean?18:10-18:11Well, look at verse eight.18:12-18:17Paul says, "Do I say these things on human authority?" Like, you think I'm making this up?18:19-18:22He says, "Does not the law say the same?18:23-18:37"For it is written in the law of Moses, "you shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." That's Deuteronomy 25 verse 4.18:38-18:43Like, what do you mean an ox treading out the grain?18:43-18:47It was actually an Egyptian trick that Israel adopted.18:49-19:01They would tie a big round flat stone to an ox, and they would have the ox drag the stone over the wheat to crush it to remove the husk.19:03-19:13Okay, so you have this ox helping you prepare food, doing this hard work of dragging a stone.19:13-19:19Now how cruel would it be to put a muzzle on the ox while he's doing that?19:19-19:22Like you have to drag the stone, but you're not allowed to eat.19:23-19:27Oh, you're going to stand on top of food all day, but you're not allowed to take a bite.19:28-19:28That's inhumane.19:36-19:37That's the point.19:39-19:41Look at verse 9, second part.19:44-19:56He says, "Is it for oxen that God is concerned?" Does He not speak entirely for our sake?19:57-20:15It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope, and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop." See Paul's point, you know, the whole don't muzzle an ox while it's treading out the grain.20:15-20:27Paul's like, "You think God's concerned about the ox?" Look, I don't think God has anything against ox, oxen, oxes, oxen, oxen.20:27-20:28Thank you, Randy.20:28-20:28Oxen.20:28-20:31I don't think God's against oxen.20:31-20:32He created them.20:32-20:33I think God loves oxen.20:34-20:42Paul's like, "Do you think he wrote that in the law for the oxen who are going to be reading the law?" Like, "Hey, wait a second.20:43-20:48You're not supposed to muzzle me while I'm working." I think he didn't write that for the oxen.20:50-20:51But don't do it now.20:51-20:52You can do it later.20:53-20:56You get some time, turn back to that reference in Deuteronomy.20:56-21:01And you're going to see that section of Deuteronomy has nothing to do with animals.21:02-21:05Nothing to do with how to treat the livestock.21:05-21:06It has nothing to do with that.21:07-21:12It has everything to do with people.21:12-21:13And how you treat people.21:15-21:17You see, it's a figure of speech.21:17-21:21We use animals in figures of speech all the time, don't we?21:22-21:25Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, two birds with one stone, all of that.21:25-21:26It was a figure of speech.21:28-21:36And Paul reminds us here, look, when God wrote that through Moses, He wasn't really concerned about the oxen, He was concerned about man.21:38-21:44And the point of that expression is the worker deserves to benefit from his work, obviously, right?21:45-22:02Luke 11, he says, "If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?" Sown spiritual things.22:05-22:09That's all I'm trying to do for this church.22:10-22:13There are many people in this church that I have led to Christ.22:16-22:23There's many people in this church that I've not only taught the Bible, but I've taught how to teach the Bible.22:25-22:35There are people in this church that I have counseled out of disaster, comforted you and your family at funerals.22:36-22:37I married a lot of people here.22:39-22:45I've come along leaders to try to encourage them in their particular ministries.22:46-22:57None of this is meant to be boastful or "Hey, look at me." I'm just saying objectively, this is what I'm striving to do among you.22:59-23:01So is it out of line to support me in doing those things?23:03-23:05Am I asking too much?23:07-23:10Or do you see no value in anything that I do?23:12-23:16Now look, I am so thankful.23:16-23:18This church has always supported me and my family.23:20-23:24And I am so thankful to God for you and your support.23:27-23:34It would absolutely grieve me though if you thought that I wasn't worth it.23:35-23:43Like, yeah, we'll support him, but I mean, does he really bring something to the table?23:48-23:57Some churches, well, they do justify no pay or meager pay for the pastors.23:58-23:59Some churches justify that.23:59-24:01You can't pay the pastor very much.24:01-24:01Why?24:02-24:04Gotta keep 'em humble, right Pastor Taylor?24:06-24:07Gotta keep 'em humble.24:07-24:11Pastor Taylor gets paid two Kit Kats a week, that's all he gets from the church.24:12-24:14Because we're gonna keep 'em humble.24:16-24:18We don't want 'em to get swollen head.24:19-24:21So we gotta keep 'em humble.24:21-24:30Listen, that is an unbiblical mindset, completely backwards to what the Bible says about the way you treat your pastor.24:31-24:32Right?24:34-24:371 Timothy 5, look what Paul told Timothy.24:38-24:50He says, "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching." You know what he means by double honor?24:51-24:55He doesn't mean like, thank you, thank you.24:58-24:58Great job, great job.24:58-24:59That's not what he means at all.25:00-25:02You look at the context, he's talking about pay.25:04-25:07He's saying you should double my pay.25:09-25:11You get the point there, right?25:12-25:14Not keep them humble.25:14-25:17He's like, those who preach the word of God deserve double honor.25:18-25:24He says, for the scripture says, you shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.25:25-25:29and the laborer deserves his wages.25:33-25:37And right now some Bible scholar is like, oh, okay, don't muzzle the ox.25:38-25:40Okay, Pastor Jeff, that's Old Testament.25:40-25:42We don't live under the Old Testament.25:45-25:52Well, we abide under the principles of the law, especially when they're repeated in the New Testament.25:53-25:53All right?25:54-25:55The five reasons pastors should be paid.25:56-25:58Paul says it's common sense.25:58-25:59It's a concern in the law.25:59-26:01Number three, write this down, it's claimed by others.26:02-26:04It's claimed by others.26:07-26:21Verse 12, he says, "If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?" Paul's like, "Oh, by the way, it's not weird or unusual.26:23-26:25In fact, there's precedent for it.26:27-26:27Right?26:28-26:30Many of you do support others.26:31-26:39And you should, but there's many people here that you're like, I support certain missionaries or I support world vision, or I support Samaritan's Purse.26:39-26:41I support all these people.26:41-26:46And Paul here is just simply saying, hey, what about the shepherd who has devoted his life to caring for you?26:47-26:47What about that guy?26:48-26:49Should he be paid?26:49-26:50Should he be supported?26:53-27:03And my whole life revolves around caring for you, praying for you, discipling you.27:06-27:15And some people are like, "Well, you know, I listen to such and such preacher on the Facebooks or the YouTubes or whatever.27:15-27:22I listen to Jack Hibbs, so my tithe goes to Jack Hibbs." Okay.27:28-27:32But when you need counseling, do you think Jack Hibbs is going to come and counsel you?27:34-27:39You know, if you have a tragedy, do you think Jack Hibbs is going to be at your house to pray for you, pray with you?27:42-27:43Does Jack Hibbs even know who you are?27:46-27:46That's Paul's point here.27:47-27:49Paul's like, "Others share the rightful claim.27:49-28:12"You support others." Paul's like, "How can you not support the one who loves you?" He goes on in verse 12, he goes, "Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, "but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle "in the way of the gospel of Christ." That's the whole point of broaching the subject.28:13-28:25We have the freedom to get paid, but Paul says, "I laid that freedom down." Just as I'm telling you to do about eating the meat sacrifice to the idols, it's okay.28:25-28:28It's okay to lay your freedom down sometimes.28:30-28:32We're going to get into that more next week.28:33-28:36This week though, he's giving us five reasons a preacher should be paid.28:36-28:39And here's number four, it's a custom from the Old Testament.28:40-28:46It's common sense, it's a concern in the law, it's claimed by others, and it's a custom from the Old Testament.28:47-28:48Look at verse 13.28:49-29:03He says, "Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings.29:06-29:09Do a little study sometime, Old Testament law.29:09-29:16In the Old Testament, priests were supported for their work by their work.29:18-29:26All of the sacrifices that were given under Old Testament law realized the priest received a portion of what was offered in some way, shape, or form.29:26-29:27That's what Paul's talking about here.29:31-29:41And I was studying this this week, and I'm like, why did he sort of, he kind of said that in verse seven, right?29:42-29:43The same thing.29:43-29:46So why did he bring this up again?29:46-29:47And then it hit me.29:50-29:54Verse seven, he gave secular examples.29:56-29:57You know, the soldier, the farmer, the shepherd.29:57-29:59He gave secular examples.29:59-30:23And there are some in the church that would say, "Okay, Paul, you're using secular reasoning and you're trying to apply it to the spiritual realm." And I think what Paul's doing here is saying, "Look, yes, this principle, you should be supported for the work that you do, by your work." It's true in the secular world and it's true in the sacred world too.30:23-30:25So Paul's like, "Don't act like this is a new thing.30:26-30:31supporting the spiritual leaders, because it's a custom that goes way back to the Old Testament.30:35-30:40Number five, five reasons pastors should be paid.30:41-30:45It's common sense, it's a concern in the law, it's claimed by others, it's a custom from the Old Testament.30:46-30:57Last and probably most important, I would say, I think that's why it's last, it's commanded by Jesus.31:00-31:01It's commanded by Jesus.31:02-31:17Look at verse 14, "In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel." Wait a minute, when did Jesus say that?31:18-31:20Well, He said that a couple of times.31:21-31:34In Luke chapter 10, Jesus was sending out the 72 and He was talking about, you can look this up later, the people that believe you should be the ones that feed you.31:34-31:41So Jesus in sending them out said, "For the laborer deserves his wages." What's the context of that?31:42-32:06And again in Matthew 10, verse 10, Jesus was sending out the twelve, and He says, "The people that believe you should be the people who support you." And that's why He said, "The laborer deserves his food." In both cases, Jesus was saying those who preach the gospel must be supported by those who believe the gospel.32:07-32:14In other words, believers, we could say church members, should financially support their leaders.32:17-32:23If you're a guest here today, I want you to understand you're under no obligation to give.32:24-32:29Don't feel guilty or like, "Well, I probably should." If you're a guest, be our guest.32:31-32:32There's zero obligation.32:35-32:37is something that we are to share as a church family.32:39-32:39All right?32:43-32:45But nevertheless, the Lord commanded it.32:46-32:48Those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.32:50-33:01So Paul, in this whole section, is saying as a minister of the gospel, I have every right to expect you to support me, but I laid that right down.33:03-33:19I thought it might be an obstacle to the work, so because I love you, I didn't take financial support from you." Paul's like, "I'm trying to show you something, that when you love, you're willing to lay down your rights.33:21-33:56When you love, you're willing to lay down your freedoms." Paul is just simply saying, as we'll see next week, "Follow my example." Right now you're like, "Okay, pay the pastor, fine." Well my hope is not that you reluctantly get on board with giving, but I want you to see the bigger picture of why you give.33:57-34:00Yes, giving primarily is an act of worship.34:00-34:01We've had a whole sermon series about that.34:02-34:03Giving is an act of worship.34:04-34:08But also I want you to think about the tangible effects of giving.34:11-34:14When you give, my family is supported.34:16-34:22And that frees me from trying to do ministry on top of a nine to five job.34:22-34:25It lets me stay focused on caring for you.34:25-34:35Understand that when you give, look at the big picture, you're freeing me up so that I can care for everybody in this church to the best of my ability.34:39-34:39Everyone benefits.34:41-34:44When you give, other staff are paid.34:44-34:47That allows us to worship in excellent music.34:48-35:07It helps us disciple your children and young adults to minister on a personal level through the oversight of our entire small group ministry and so many more things that are able to happen that couldn't happen if you weren't financially supporting the leadership of the church.35:09-35:15Oh, oh, oh, and when you give, understand that you're supporting a whole network of ministers in Thailand.35:17-35:30Do you know in northern Thailand and beyond, we have 23 churches, we have four children's homes, we have a Bible institute, and do you know how many people stateside support them?35:33-35:34Just this church.35:35-35:49You, when you give, you are allowing the work of evangelism happen all over that area of the world through our network of churches.35:52-35:55Disciples are made all over Northern Thailand and beyond.35:57-36:08When you give, that is your way of actively partnering with me in advancing the kingdom of Jesus Christ.36:10-36:12I'd like you to bow your heads as the worship team makes their way up.36:16-36:29Father in heaven, it felt awkward to have to give a message like this, but God, it's your word.36:29-36:30We don't skip anything.36:32-36:34We just want to go after what you said.36:35-36:46Father, I thank you for the way that this church has always sought to support me and my family.36:48-36:53Financially sure, but so many other ways this church has sought to bless and protect my family.36:54-36:55God, I thank you so much for these people.36:56-36:58This is from you, God, and I thank you for that.36:59-37:11I just pray, Father, that looking at a passage like this, you would give us sort of a bigger picture of the way your economy works and why you have called us to certain things that you've called us to.37:15-37:24God, we believe that all things are yours, and we believe, God, that you have called us to be faithful stewards with everything that you give us.37:27-37:32We thank you for the privilege and all the ways that you've called us to partner with you in the work of the ministry.37:33-37:38Thank You, Father, for the spirit of generosity that You have stirred among Your people here.37:39-37:47And as King David prayed in preparation for the temple, might that spirit always be found in Your people.37:48-37:50We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Small Group DiscussionRead 1 Corinthians 9:1-14What was your big take-away from this passage / message?Explain why Paul broaches the subject of paying the pastor in the first place. What does that have to do with their question about Christian liberty?What are some practical benefits that come when a pastor doesn't have to work outside the church?How would you respond to someone who says, “Pastors should have a job like everyone else! It's not fair that the pastor has money when some people in the congregation are struggling financially.”BreakoutPray for one another.

Psalm 46:10"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"When you hear the word stillness, what's the first thing that comes to your mind?Let me guess, probably sitting quietly and not moving. While that's certainly part of it, God is not only seeking stillness in our bodies but also stillness in our hearts. Your body can be in one place, yet your mind can wander into a whole different world, often without regard for where your body actually is.That's why we have to intentionally, by the help of the Holy Spirit, continuously bring our minds into a place of stillness before God and through His Word. It is in that quiet stillness of the heart that you truly come to know that He is God.

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (03/06/26), Hank shares on the Word of God being truth and the way God speaks to us through His Word.Hank also answers the following questions:Is belief in the Trinity essential for salvation? Peter - West Palm Beach, FL (5:29)Will someone who willfully persists in drunkenness lose rewards in heaven? Allan - Jacksonville, FL (15:28)Does God put it into our hearts to accept Jesus, or do we have a choice? Nick - Yuba City, CA (20:06)Where does Jesus say, “He who is not for Me is against Me,” and can you elaborate on what He meant? Walter - Ogden, UT (23:50)

Welcome to Heart Dive's Heartbeat of God, where we are finding how God's heart beats throughout His Word so we can find Him in the world. Today we are studying 1 Samuel 15-17 in the Old Testament.Help keep our Bible study resources free by supporting as a Heartkeeper here: heartdive.org/giveTODAY'S HEARTBEATS:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rujDYPNjQhbv9bgy28AiGFys0nCSH1lraM6usLjRr1Q/edit?usp=share_linkTODAY'S HEART WORK: PHASE 1: heartdive.org/startHEART DIVE LOBBY (Facebook Community): https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BK2GvLZbo/?mibextid=wwXIfrVISIT OUR SHOP: heartdiveshop.comFREE RESOURCES: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/mobile/folders/1Tvms_gB-OWMum61DiCXvFV8R8jKXpIVIMy Bible Notes: https://heartdive.org/daily-notes-with-kanoe/Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/shop/kanoegibson/list/1ED3COSB79TAQ?ref_=aipsflistLOGOS Software affiliate link: http://www.logos.com/heartdiveFree Reading Plan and Daily Newsletter sign up: http://heartdive.org/newsletterLink to recommended Bibles: https://heartdive.org/recommendations/ 

John 15:26-16:15,But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.This morning we continue our walk through this amazing farewell discourse that Jesus has with his disciples. In just a matter of hours, Jesus will be betrayed, falsely accused, tortured, abandoned, and crucified. But before all these things take place, Jesus is preparing his disciples for what is to come. He wants them to be ready. And so the big question of our text this morning is…What does Jesus say to prepare his disciples?If we were to summarize Jesus's message to them in a sentence, I think it would be this: Hard times are ahead, but the Helper will come.So following that main idea, this sermon will have two parts: first, we will cover the hard times that are ahead for the disciples and what that means for us… and then we will spend the rest of our time considering that second part… the Helper to come.Part one: hard times are ahead.Part two: The Helper will come.1. Hard times are ahead.Last week we studied the end of John 15 where Jesus tells his disciples that the world will hate them because they hated him. And now Jesus tells his disciples how that hatred from the world will play out in their lives.First, in John 16:2, Jesus says,“they will put you out of the synagogues.”This means they will be outcasts among their Jewish kinsmen. They will be scorned and shamed for the sake of being associated with Jesus.And second, they will be killed for their faith in him. Again in verse 2, he says,“Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. They will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.”We read in Acts 12 that the Apostle James was killed by the sword. And though we can't be certain about the details, it is believed that all of the apostles, except perhaps John, were killed for their faith. Why does Jesus tell them these things?Jesus gives two reasons here.First, in John 16:1, he says,“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away…”And then again, in verse 4,“I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.”Jesus wants his followers to faithfully endure the hard times when they come.The Lord only knows what trials are before each of us… But Scripture makes clear that all followers of Christ will face persecution of some form or another… 2 Timothy 3:12,“all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”And in Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas say to the disciples,“through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God”I've heard it said that everyone is either in a hard time, coming out of a hard time, or about to go into a hard time. And whether it's overt persecution, or some other trial of various sorts, Jesus wants you to be ready to endure!So how do we endure the hard times?We remember his words. In verse 4, Jesus says,“I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.”What a gift this book is to us! That we can read the words of Jesus to us! That we can cherish and store God's thoughts and God's words in our hearts! So that we can remember his words to us when the hard times come!When our son Daniel was just a few months old, he went through what the experts call a “sleep regression.” I didn't know what this was before becoming a dad… but it's essentially when your baby starts sleeping well through the night and then one day decides, “that's not my thing anymore.”And I remember several nights being so angry at our baby as he would get us up or not go back to sleep. And… he's just a baby, doing what babies do!And one morning I read these words from Psalm 119,“I remember your name in the night O LORD, and keep your law.”And this verse hit me like a truck… I was not remembering the LORD in the night as I was angry with our helpless baby. And so I committed it to memory. And oh how precious has that verse been to me during the rough nights! And while my nighttime frustrations have still not completely vanished… I now have a weapon for that fight.Our Cities Church Leader Affirmation of Faith has such a helpful paragraph about this … In Article 11 titled ‘Living God's Word by Meditation and Prayer' it says this, “We believe that faith is awakened and sustained by God's Spirit through His Word and prayer. The good fight of faith is fought mainly by meditating on the Scriptures and praying that God would apply them to our souls…”We can remember the story of Charles Spurgeon from last week… who was comforted in his depression as he applied the word of God to his soul… That's the Christian life! It is a daily fight of faith! And our weapons are the Word of God and prayer.So… When a tempting image pops up on your phone:“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things, and give me life in your ways!” (Ps. 119:37).Or when a tension arises in your marriage or with your kids:“Put on then as God's chosen ones holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…” (Col. 3:12).Or when that wave of anxiety or depression sets in:“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you…” (Isa. 26:3)As I mention scripture memory, don't hear this as simply another burden to add or a box to check in the Christian life, but consider this question:Am I making good use of the treasure of God's word? For he has given this gift to us that we may remember his words in the hard times.God has given us his word, and he has also given us His Spirit. And this leads us into part two of the sermon, which is where we will spend the rest of our time. In part one, Jesus tells his disciples of the hard times that are ahead, and now part 2…2. The Helper will come.Jesus tells them that the Helper will come.Look with me, starting at the second half of verse 4. Jesus says,“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?' 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. Surely this was the most pressing hard time for the disciples, because their Master was leaving. And Jesus says “it is to your advantage that I go away.”We can imagine the disciples saying, “how is it possibly better for you to leave us?!”The answer is the Holy Spirit.As Pastor Jonathan told us a few weeks ago from John 14, the Holy Spirit is the presence of Jesus in our lives. While Jesus is God who dwells with us… the Holy Spirit is God who dwells inside us believers! What a gift He is to us! God dwelling in us! Christ dwelling with us by His Spirit!He is the 3rd person of the Trinity, the Lord and giver of life, who eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son and is worshipped and glorified together with the Father and the Son and who spoke through the prophets.That's who the Holy Spirit is. And in this most anxious hour for the disciples, amazingly, Jesus comforts them with this promise of the Holy Spirit. We've looked briefly at who the Holy Spirit is, and in the rest of our time we will look at two things the Holy Spirit does…or the work of the Holy Spirit.Kevin DeYoung gives this great image to describe the Spirit. He says “the Holy Spirit is a spotlight.” He shines a spotlight on sin, and He shines a spotlight on Christ. So that's how we'll approach the rest of our text.The Holy Spirit shines a spotlight on sin.Look at verses 8-11,8 “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”Jesus says the Holy Spirit convicts the world concerning three things: sin, righteousness, and judgment. What does he mean here?The Holy Spirit convicts concerning sin. This is fairly straightforward: To not believe in Jesus is to reject God Himself and thus not believing in Jesus is at the root of all sin.What about verse 10? Jesus says, the Holy Spirit convicts “concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father.” As Jesus goes to the Father, The Holy Spirit will make plain that the world has committed the greatest act of unrighteousness of all time by murdering Jesus, the Righteous One. And lastly, verse 11, he will convict “concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” 1 John 3:8 tells us that the “reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” And on that last day Jesus will do that finally and climactically as He casts Satan, his minions, and all who follow him into hell.I have been praying that the Holy Spirit would do his convicting work in this sermon. If you do not believe in Jesus this morning I pray that the Holy Spirit would make the realities of sin, righteousness, and judgment plain to you: That you are a sinner in desperate need of salvation and that apart from Christ you will die in your sins and be separated from God in hell forever.And if you are a Christian, my prayer is that we would have a fresh gratitude for the convicting work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Because it is good when the Holy Spirit shines a light on our sin. And when he does, he also shines a light on our Savior.The Holy Spirit shines a spotlight on Christ.Look with me at verses 12-15,12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.Like any good teacher, Jesus knows the capacity of his students… I have plans to teach my son many things: how to read his bible, how to drive a car… We'll get there, but right now it's Don't throw your food. Don't hit other kids in the face!Jesus has taught his disciples many things and as he ascends back to the Father, the Holy Spirit descends to continue that work of teaching in his disciples and “to guide them into all the truth.” What does it mean that the Spirit will guide them into all the truth?First, this means the Spirit will guide them to understand the teachings of Christ. He will cause them to remember his teachings, and to understand them fully after Jesus is raised from the dead.And second, the Spirit will guide them to the Teacher himself… He is the Spirit of Truth who will guide them to the one who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.Look again at verse 14, Jesus says,“He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”The main job of the Holy Spirit is to point to another. To glorify another.To shine a spotlight on Jesus Himself.Theologian Fred Sanders says that studying the Holy Spirit can be slippery, meaning, when we try to focus in on just the Holy Spirit, we find ourselves inevitably being pointed back to Jesus. Because his job is to glorify Him!Sanders says this,“…even when the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see and understand his work, what he primarily directs our attention to is not himself but Jesus Christ.”So when we consider the work of the Holy Spirit: He is a spotlight shining a light on sin and shining a light on Jesus himself.What does this mean for us today? If you are here and you're not a follower of Jesus… Scripture speaks of those who resist the Holy Spirit. I would urge you today… don't do that. Let the Holy Spirit shine a light on your sin and let him guide you to Jesus.Jesus who lived the perfect life that we all owe to God and who died on the cross as a substitute for his people. And who rose on the third day conquering sin and death for all who trust him. Believe in the Lord Jesus and be saved. Commit yourself to Him, and receive the Holy Spirit into your life!And if you are a follower of Christ, the end of chapter 15 says that the Holy Spirit bears witness to Christ, and He empowers us to do the same. This is what we see in the book of Acts…Disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit, and they boldly bear witness to Jesus. They can't stop talking about Him! And as we seek to be welcoming witnesses as a church, as we seek to invite others into this joy of knowing Jesus with us, oh how we need the Holy Spirit's help!And amazingly, in Luke 11 Jesus says,“if you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”Let's do that as a church! Let's ask for more of the Holy Spirit. More of his fruit in our lives, that we may be powerful witnesses to Christ in our homes, workplaces, and everywhere else we go. For the glory of Christ and our great joy in Him!

In this powerful message, we dive into the truth that the events recorded in Scripture are not just history—they are warnings, lessons, and guidance for believers today. In 1 Corinthians 10:11, the Apostle Paul teaches that the things written in the Old Testament happened as examples for us, giving us wisdom to walk in obedience and avoid spiritual pitfalls.Through passages such as Numbers 31:1–8, 14–16, Joshua 13:22, and 2 Peter 2:15–16, we examine the story of Balaam and discover how compromise, greed, and disobedience can lead people away from God's will. At the same time, these scriptures reveal how God faithfully warns His people and calls us back to righteousness.God placed these stories in His Word so that we can grow in wisdom, avoid deception, and remain faithful in our walk with Him.Be encouraged and strengthened as you discover how God uses the lessons of the past to guide His people today.

In today's message, Pastor Chris walks us through Joshua 11, where we discover that the Christian life is not defined by a single victory, but by a lifetime of trusting God when the battles grow larger and the journey grows longer. As Israel faces an even greater coalition of enemies, this chapter reminds us to trust God's promises, obey His Word without delay, and remember that the God who begins His work is faithful to finish it.

Part 1 of 4 answering a timeless question with God's answers from His Word.

[Season 7, Episode 100] I'm so excited to celebrate our 100th episode! We're adjusting the way we're numbering our episodes to show the progress this show has made. I want to thank you for your support over the years, as I started this podcast during COVID so that people would have support in their thinking with all the negativity that was prevalent. I never knew that God would bring us to a point where we have almost 350k downloads, which are not just stats...the stats represent people. They are lives that prayerfully have been positively impacted. And I praise God for that! Thank you Jesus!When I prayed about what this 100th episode should be about, God shared the topic "I have already WON." God is reminding you today that you are more than a conqueror, you have already won, simply because He has gone before you and made a way for you. The WORD that He spoke over your life cannot return void.Continue to listen to His Word, and continue to take Him at His Word. He has caused you to succeed and you have already won. Support the showIf you enjoyed this episode, rate this podcast and subscribe! For inquiries, email info@manifestherdaily.com.Learn More About manifestHERdaily: https://www.manifestHERdaily.comFollow manifestHERdaily on YouVersion: https://bit.ly/MHDYouVersionWatch manifestHERdaily on YouTube: https://bit.ly/MHDonYouTubeStart Getting Erin Marie's Inspirational Texts: https://bit.ly/MHDaffirmationsFollow manifestHERdaily on Instagram: https://bit.ly/MHDInstagramSupport the showIf you enjoyed this episode, rate this podcast and subscribe! For inquiries, email info@manifestherdaily.com.Learn More About manifestHERdaily: https://www.manifestHERdaily.comFollow manifestHERdaily on YouVersion: https://bit.ly/MHDYouVersionWatch manifestHERdaily on YouTube: https://bit.ly/MHDonYouTubeStart Getting Erin Marie's Inspirational Texts: https://bit.ly/MHDaffirmationsFollow manifestHERdaily on Instagram: https://bit.ly/MHDInstagramJoin Erin Marie's Inner Circle: https://bit.ly/MHDComeCloser

Faith is meant to grow.In this episode of More Than Conquerors, Terry and Reneé Mize teach how believers grow spiritually as they continue walking with God and applying His Word in everyday life. According to Scripture, the Christian life is a journey of moving from faith to faith, where trust in God deepens and confidence in His promises becomes stronger over time.Terry explains that a believer's life can be centered around three foundational priorities: prayer, faith, and reaching the world with the Gospel. When believers stay focused on these biblical foundations, their faith develops strength, endurance, and effectiveness for the Kingdom of God.The program also explores why Christians stand with Israel and how God's covenant with Abraham continues to matter today. God's promises are everlasting, and His Word still works in the lives of believers who stand firmly in faith.When faith grows, believers become stronger in their walk with God and better equipped to fulfill His purpose in the earth.FEATURED RESOURCEBasics of Faithhttps://shop.terrymize.com/products/basics-of-faithMore Teaching from Terry Mize MinistriesWebsitehttps://terrymize.comWatch More Teachinghttps://youtube.com/@terrymizeministriesListen to the Terry Mize Podcashttps://cutt.ly/TfnK8I6Give / MissionsGive Herehttps://terrymize.com/giveOrphan Giving Sitehttps://orphan1.com

Hi, I'm John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you're listening to Share Life Today. Do you ever fear what others might think of you? Does it impact your decisions or what you talk about? You know, Hebrews 13:6 says, “We can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'” Jesus told us Himself before He ascended into heaven that He will be with us always, even to the end of the age. And we can take Him at His Word. There is no competition— the fear of what others may say or do to us should pale in comparison to the reverential fear and awe that we have for our Savior and Lord. Let our anthem be the same as Paul's: to live is Christ; to die is gain. You know, there's too little time that we have here on this earth not to share the Gospel with others! So the question is: will we? Or will we give in to our fears? For resources to help you in sharing your faith, visit our website at sharelife.today. That's sharelife.today.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that, as disciples, we're devoted followers of Christ, denying ourselves, even our pursuits, by putting Him first in all that we do. And, as we're united in our journey with the Lord, we're committed to His Word, and faithful in prayer.

In today's Mornings with Jesus, Deb leads you into the presence of the Lord with a powerful reminder: You are planted, rooted, and strengthened in Him.Through Psalm 1, we reflect on what it means to be like a tree planted by streams of living water — nourished, steadfast, and fruitful in every season. If you're feeling weary, overwhelmed, or unsure about the day ahead, this episode will anchor your heart in God's Word and remind you that you never walk alone.Jesus is with you. His Word is your strength. And today, you can walk in His wisdom and peace.

Send a textThe Book of Numbers shows God's faithfulness to His covenant despite Israel's repeated rebellion. When the first generation refused to trust the Lord at the edge of the Promised Land, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years, yet God preserved a second generation to fulfill His promise. Through Moses' intercession and Balaam's failed curses, Numbers reveals that God's blessing rests on His people by His sovereign will. The discipline Israel faced was correction from a faithful God who continues to accomplish His redemptive purposes according to His Word.Support the showStay engaged with new and up-to-date content, including newsletters, articles, podcasts, etc. Download the Teach Me the Bible App from any app store or Apple TV/Roku device.

Our Daily Scripture Readings and Reflection: Loving the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength changes everything. When love for God is real, obedience to His commandments stops feeling like a calculation and becomes a natural response. In today's Gospel reflection, we explore how perfect love drives out fear and forms the foundation of true discipleship. The commandments are not burdens when they are rooted in love. Join this Daily Scripture Reading and Reflection as we examine how loving God fully transforms the way we live and respond to His Word.

Whether it's due to a health issue, financial crisis, problems at work, or at home, we all have cares, concerns and we may even worry at times. So how do we rightly handle these cares or anxieties in life? Peter would tell us, cast them upon God! That's the encouragement in front of us today on a Daily Walk. Pastor John Randall is about to finish up his study of First Peter. Maybe you're troubled and worried about something right now? Allow the Lord and His Word to encourage you as only He can! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1368/29?v=20251111

Today on the show, I present part 3 of my series, "Speaking the Truth in Love." We explore five lies that our culture believes and provide biblical responses to each one. I encourage you to listen and give thanks to God for the clarity of His Word. Take a moment to ask Him how He wants you to share the truth in love with those around you!

In a world filled with information, knowledge is easy to find—but wisdom is much harder to obtain. Ideas and philosophies often come packaged attractively, appearing thoughtful, progressive, or insightful. Yet appearances can be misleading. Just as a beautifully designed book may contain poor content, teachings that seem appealing can still lead us away from truth. The Bible reminds us that true wisdom has a very specific starting point: “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom” (Job 28:28). This “fear” is not terror, but reverence—a deep respect for God’s authority, holiness, and truth. It means recognizing that God’s understanding far surpasses our own. From the very beginning, humanity has struggled to distinguish between worldly knowledge and godly wisdom. In the Garden of Eden, the serpent presented deception in an appealing way, making disobedience appear wise and desirable. That same pattern continues today. Sin often looks attractive, and worldly ideas are frequently praised as enlightened or progressive. Yet Scripture consistently points us in another direction. Godly wisdom flows from knowing God and aligning our lives with His Word. It is cultivated through studying Scripture, praying for understanding, and surrounding ourselves with voices that strengthen our faith. Sometimes choosing God’s wisdom may look foolish to the world. Obedience, humility, and holiness are not always celebrated in modern culture. But what appears foolish to the world is often the path of true wisdom before God. The greatest treasure we can pursue is not influence, wealth, or intellectual achievement—it is a heart that reveres God and seeks His truth. When we begin there, our choices, priorities, and understanding start to align with His perfect wisdom. Main Takeaways Knowledge is abundant, but true wisdom comes from God. The fear of the Lord—reverence and obedience—is the beginning of wisdom. Worldly ideas can appear appealing but may lead away from truth. Godly wisdom grows through Scripture, prayer, and faithful community. Obedience to God may seem foolish to the world but reflects true wisdom. Today’s Bible Verse “Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? … And he said to the human race, ‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding” (Job 28:20, 28, NIV). Your Daily Prayer Prayer excerpt for listeners: “Teach me to value Your wisdom above the knowledge of the world.” Listen to the full prayer here. To view the prayer in written format, visit the links below. Want More? Relevant Links & Resources Continue growing in faith and encouragement: LifeAudio.com – Christian podcasts and devotionals Crosswalk.com – Daily prayers, articles, and Bible study resources This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.orgTrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome to Day 2815 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2815 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 119:1-8 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2815 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand eight hundred fifteen of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Aleph of Obedience – Walking in the Cosmic Order In our previous trek, we concluded the magnificent Egyptian Hallel with Psalm One Hundred Eighteen. We marched in a triumphant, royal procession. We saw the stone that the builders rejected become the glorious cornerstone. We shouted, "Hosanna!" and stepped through the gates of righteousness, moving out of the chaotic, hostile world and into the sacred presence of Yahweh. We bound the festival sacrifice to the horns of the altar, and we celebrated the unfailing, eternal love of God. But now that we are inside those gates, a profound question arises. How are we supposed to live? How do the citizens of God's Kingdom conduct themselves in a world that is still contested by rebel spiritual forces? To answer this, we turn to the Mount Everest of the Psalter: Psalm One Hundred Nineteen. Psalm One Hundred Nineteen is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is a masterpiece of Hebrew poetry, constructed as an intricate acrostic. It contains twenty-two stanzas, matching the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza has eight verses, and every single verse within a stanza begins with that specific Hebrew letter. Today, we are exploring the very first stanza, the "Aleph" section, covering verses one through eight, in the New Living Translation. This entire, massive psalm is dedicated to one singular theme: the beauty, authority, and life-giving power of God's Word—His Torah. In the Ancient Israelite worldview, the Torah was not merely a list of restrictive rules. It was the architectural blueprint of the cosmos. While the surrounding pagan nations stumbled in the dark, manipulated by the deceptive, rebel gods of the Divine Council, Israel was given the ultimate gift. They were given the very mind of the Creator. To follow God's instructions was to align oneself with the grain of the universe, stepping out of chaos and into cosmic order. Let us begin our ascent up this great mountain of wisdom. Psalm One Hundred Nineteen: verses one through three. Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. The psalm opens with a double declaration of blessing. "Joyful are people of integrity... Joyful are those who obey his laws." The Hebrew word translated here as "joyful" is Ashrei. It can also be translated as "blessed," "happy," or "flourishing." It describes a life that is deeply rooted, stable, and completely satisfied, regardless of external circumstances. It is the exact same word that opens the entire book of Psalms in Psalm Chapter One. But who gets to experience this profound, flourishing joy? The psalmist tells us it is the "people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord." The word for "instructions" is Torah. For the ancient Israelite, the Torah was the loving, fatherly guidance of Yahweh. It was the boundary line that kept them safe from the destructive, degrading practices of the surrounding nations. To follow these instructions requires a specific posture of the heart. The psalmist says that these joyful people "search for him with all their hearts." Obedience to God is never meant to be mindless, robotic compliance. It is a passionate pursuit. You cannot accidentally stumble into a life of integrity; you must hunt for it. You must desire the presence of the Lawgiver even more than you desire the law itself. This wholehearted pursuit leads to a radical separation from the ways of the world. "They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths." When we consider the Divine Council worldview, this idea of walking "only in his paths" is a statement of fierce, exclusive loyalty. The pagan world was filled with alternative paths. The rebel spiritual principalities constantly offered shortcuts to power, wealth, and pleasure through idolatry and compromise. But the person of integrity refuses to negotiate with chaos. They will not mix the holy with the profane. They recognize that any path other than Yahweh's path inevitably leads to the realm of death. Psalm One Hundred Nineteen: verse four. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. The psalmist shifts his focus directly toward God, acknowledging the divine mandate. "You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully." God did not offer His Word as a series of helpful suggestions or optional lifestyle upgrades. He "charged" us. He commanded it. Why? Because He is the Sovereign King, and we are His earthly representatives. We are His imagers. If we are going to accurately reflect His character to a dark, rebellious world, we must handle His instructions with extreme care and diligence. The word "carefully" implies diligence, vigilance, and strict attention. Imagine you are carrying a priceless, fragile vessel through a crowded, dangerous marketplace. You would not swing it around carelessly; you would hold it tightly to your chest, watching every step you take. That is how the believer is commanded to handle the Word of God. The instructions of Yahweh are the most valuable possession humanity has ever received, and they must be guarded and obeyed with absolute vigilance. Psalm One Hundred Nineteen: verses five through six. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. Here, the tone of the psalm suddenly changes. We move from the objective, lofty heights of the divine mandate, down to the gritty, frustrating reality of human weakness. The psalmist lets out a deep, heartfelt sigh: "Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!" This is the great, agonizing tension of the spiritual life. The psalmist knows what the law says. He knows that the Torah is beautiful, perfect, and life-giving. He wants to obey it with all his heart. But he is painfully aware of his own inconsistency. He knows how prone his feet are to wander off the path, and how easily his heart can be distracted by the compromises of the world. We all feel this tension. We read the Scriptures, and we are inspired by the standard of holiness. We want to be patient, generous, pure, and courageous. But then the pressure of daily life hits, and we find ourselves reacting with anger, selfishness, or fear. Like the Apostle Paul in Romans Chapter Seven, we cry out, "I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate." The psalmist's sigh is the universal groan of the redeemed soul, longing for complete transformation. And why does he want this consistency so desperately? "Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands." In the ancient Near Eastern culture, honor and shame were the primary forces that drove human behavior. Shame was not just a private feeling of guilt; it was a public loss of face, a devastating failure to live up to the standards of your community and your God. When we hold our lives up to the perfect, unyielding mirror of God's Word, the cracks and blemishes become glaringly obvious. The Word of God exposes our mixed motives and our hidden sins. But the psalmist realizes that the antidote to this shame is not to throw away the mirror, or to lower the standard. The antidote is to align his life so closely with the decrees of God, through the empowering grace of the Holy Spirit, that when the comparison is made, there is harmony, rather than hypocrisy. Psalm One Hundred Nineteen: verses seven through eight. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don't give up on me! The Aleph stanza concludes with a beautiful promise of gratitude, followed by a desperate plea for grace. "As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!" Notice the order of operations here. First comes the learning. We have to immerse ourselves in the Word of God to understand His character and His expectations. We have to study the rulebook of the cosmos. But the learning is never meant to stay trapped in our intellect. The ultimate expression of gratitude to God is not merely singing a song, or offering a verbal prayer. The highest form of thanksgiving is an obedient life. "I will thank...

Unfortunately, today there seem to be so many people serving the great I was. But that is not how God revealed Himself to Moses. God revealed Himself as the great I AM. God is working and moving NOW in the present, not just in past history. The problem with faith is that God confirms His Promise to us after we step out in obedience, not before. So we will never fully see the result of God's Promise until we fully step out in obedience to His Word.  

Feeling forgotten by God can happen during seasons of unanswered prayer, depression, or overwhelming hardship. This Christian devotional rooted in Isaiah 49:15 reminds us that even when life feels heavy, God’s love never disappears. Vivian Bricker reflects on how painful seasons can create the illusion that God has forgotten us, when in truth He remains present and faithful. Scripture assures us that God’s care is even stronger than a mother’s love for her child. While life in a broken world includes suffering, spiritual battles, and emotional struggles, God walks with us through every moment. His promises remain steady, and His love never leaves us—even when we struggle to feel it. Highlights Difficult seasons can make it feel like God has forgotten us, but His Word promises otherwise. God’s love is stronger and more constant than any human relationship. Unanswered prayers do not mean God is absent or indifferent. Life in a fallen world includes hardship, but God’s presence remains with us through it all. Scripture reminds us we are deeply loved and never forgotten by our Heavenly Father. God’s mercies are renewed every morning, offering fresh hope each day. This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: Has God Forgotten about Me?By Vivian Bricker Bible Reading:“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15). When dreadful things happen, it is hard not to wonder if God has forgotten about us. A few years ago, I was going through a particularly hard patch in life, and I was feeling as though God had forgotten about me. Unanswered prayers and depression were getting the best of me. I did not want to leave my house, stopped seeing friends, and isolated myself from the rest of the world. I did not want to be a part of the world anymore because I was only seeing terrible things happening. Therefore, I thought the best solution was to hide away and drown out all the hurt by keeping busy at work. During this time, I felt so far away from God. I reasoned that if God had remembered me, I wouldn’t be going through such challenging times. The hard truth is that God doesn’t promise us bright and sunny days. Instead, He promises us something even better—eternal life with Him. This life will become overwhelming, stressful, and painful at times, but we have all of eternity to look forward to with the Lord. Just as God didn’t forget about me, neither has He forgotten about you. You might feel like He has forgotten about you, but I want you to challenge those thoughts. Why do you feel God has forgotten about you? Is it because a prayer wasn’t answered the way you wanted? Or is it because you are going through a challenging time? Like you, I was under the impression that God would keep me safe from all things. Mental health struggles, physical health problems, and spiritual attacks—I thought I would never have to worry about these things again. However, facing mental health struggles, physical health problems, and spiritual attacks are all part of living in this fallen world. God does not cause these things, but He can give us support, encouragement, and hope as we walk through these challenging times. He will not take us out of these troubles, but He will be with us every step of the way (Psalm 23:1-6). Intersecting Faith & Life: Isaiah 49:15 tells us, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” Mothers love their children beyond words; however, God loves us even more. There may be times when our own mother forgets about us, but God never does. This is because we are forever written on the palm of His hand, and we are kept safe by His love. There is not a day that goes by that God does not think about us. He will always remember us and love us. We are His beloved children (1 John 3:1). God’s love for us is always present, even if we cannot see it with our own two eyes (Romans 8:37-39). Allow these truths to bring your heart comfort, hope, and solace today. Open your heart to God and accept His compassion. Although you may have gone through many troubling times, He is still with you. His mercies are new every morning; great is His faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23)! Pray with me: Dear God, I often wonder if You have forgotten about me due to the tough situations in my life. However, now I know that You will never forget me. Thank You for always remembering me, loving me, and caring about me. Keep these promises close to my heart and surround me with your love. Help me walk in the confidence that You are always with me. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen. Have you ever felt God has forgotten about you? What helped you to remember that God loves you and that He will never forget about you? Further Reading: Psalm 27:10 Jeremiah 29:11 Jeremiah 31:3 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God never intended His Word to simply sit on a shelf; He intended it to dwell inside His people. In this episode, we explore why Scripture memorization matters and how God uses hidden truth to transform our thinking, strengthen our resistance to sin, and prepare us for the moments when truth is needed most.

Send a textThe Christian life isn't a casual battle—it's a lifelong spiritual fight. In this message, we're reminded that God calls us to stand strong by using the spiritual weapons He has provided.3 Major threats to your spiritual life:Not knowing God (Not knowing His Word, His Ways or His WorthWhen we forget who God is, we begin to rely n ourselvesNot knowing myself (Transparency is the key to self-awareness)You cannot change what you refuse to confrontRefusing to changeChange is not punishment - it is proof that God is working in usAsk yourself:What am I chasing or pursuing? What do I want?Do my word and actions align with God's Word?What are my weaknesses, my triggers?Where do I need to grow stronger and more confident in Christ and in God's Word?What wounds have I not healed from?What grudges, hurts, or disappointments am I holding on to? Unforgiveness blocks spiritual growth.Whose voice do I listen to the most?What is your playlist? What are you constantly listening to - spiritually and naturally? A playlist is a collection of audio or video files that are repeatedly played. Spiritually speaking, we also have an internal playlist - the voices, messages and thoughts we rehearse dailyWhat do I value most in life?How much time do I spend on what I claim to value?What you consistently listen to shapes your faith, your confidence and your direction. If your playlist is filled with doubt, fear, compassion or negativity, your life will reflect it.THE BIG DISCOVERYYou must know God, know the Word of God and live God's Word!THIS WEEK'S DEVELOPMENTEmbrace tests and trials as essentials in your spiritual growth!THIS WEEK'S DEPLOYMENTConnect information with Application. Practice and apply God's Word to every aspect of your life.Read the Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) everyday for two weeks. Joins us on Sundays! Our 9:15am worship experience takes place in-person only while our 11:15am is both in-person and online (via the DLC App & YouTube). Connect with us! https://www.discoverlifega.org Instagram & Facebook @ discoverlifega

God's image in humanity is not silent—God speaks, and He created us to do the same. Words are a divine attribute placed within us as image-bearers of a speaking God. In episode ten of "God's Image in Man", Duane Sheriff reveals from Genesis to the Gospels, Scripture shows that God creates, sustains, and governs through His Word. When God said, “Let there be light," creation responded—and that same principle of creative speech still operates today.Because we are made in His image, our words function as seeds. They have the power to produce life or death, blessing or destruction, depending on how they are sown. While God's Word brings immediate results, our words operate according to the principle of seedtime and harvest. Understanding this powerful truth should influence how we speak to ourselves, our families, and others. Click for FREE offer ➡️ https://pastorduane.com/landing/gods-image-in-man

Anna and Matt explore a wonderful truth: God wants to talk with us. Through the story of Jesus welcoming children in Mark 10:13–16, we learn that Jesus loves spending time with them and that they can talk with God anytime through prayer.

What do you do when God gives you a promise but your circumstances say the opposite? In this episode, Caroline sits down with Porshea Wilkins to talk about guarding your heart, protecting the promises God has spoken over your life, and contending for breakthrough through the Word of God. Porshea shares her powerful testimony of overcoming childhood trauma, walking through infertility, and how she and her husband chose to stand on God's promises by speaking life, renewing their minds with Scripture, and imagining the children God had shown them. This conversation will encourage you to trust God deeply, declare His Word boldly, and keep believing for the promises He has placed in your heart.  Porshea Wilkins-Agomo is a Purpose Midwife, author, and entrepreneur who resides in Houston, Texas, with her husband Jarrod, their sons, and parents. In 2014, God gave her the assignment for her Supernatural Pregnancy Ministry, where she uses biblical strategies to teach women globally how to push past their pain and give birth to their purpose. In 2022, Porshea founded the Supernatural Pregnancy Summit and the Supernatural Mamas Village to provide women with Bible-based wisdom, prayer, prophecy, fasting, and personalized counseling. She is the author of two books and proof that when you practice God's principles you can participate in His promises at any age. Visit Our Website for Show Notes: ACupFullofHopePodcast.com Follow A Cup Full of Hope on Facebook and Instagram: Instagram • Facebook Follow Caroline on Facebook and Instagram: Instagram • Facebook

God's favor rests not on the powerful or impressive, but on those who are humble, surrendered, and reverent before His Word► Gather with us live online and in person every Sunday at 9:30a and 11:00a: https://live.fbcw.org/► Watch/listen to our services: https://fbcw.org/worship-with-us/► Give to help our mission: https://fbcw.org/give/