Podcasts about Horatio Spafford

In this message from our sermon series “Jesus, What Do I Do With…”, Pastor Brett guides us through Psalm 107:4–32 to explore one of the most universal human experiences: suffering. Whether it comes from our own decisions, the brokenness of the world, or divine redirection, suffering is something no one escapes—and everyone has to make sense of. Psalm 107 presents four case studies that illustrate the different ways people experience and respond to suffering: • The Wanderer – Spiritually disoriented, this person is seeking fulfillment but hasn't found a place to belong. Brett shares a personal story of getting lost in Tokyo to illustrate how spiritual wandering wears down the soul. But the text reminds us: those who cry out to the Lord are delivered and led home. • The Rebel – This is the person who resists God outright. Maybe out of hurt, cynicism, or pride, the rebel pushes back on God's wisdom and builds their own version of truth. Brett connects this to our modern culture's emphasis on self-definition and control, warning that these paths lead to despair. Yet even here, when the rebel cries out, God answers, breaks the chains, and sets them free. • The Fool – Not in overt rebellion, but through small, quiet compromises, the fool slowly loses their appetite for the things of God. They may still go through the motions of faith, but sin has dulled their spiritual senses. Brett calls us to examine our habits, cravings, and compromises, reminding us that Jesus didn't just come to forgive—He came to heal and restore what sin has emptied. • The CEO – Driven and successful, this person trusts more in their strength, hustle, and planning than in God. But storms come—sometimes divinely allowed—to expose our illusions of control. Brett describes this kind of suffering as “divine disruption,” a mercy that brings us back to dependence on God. When the storms rage, God hears our cries, calms the waters, and brings us to a place of peace. The heart of this sermon is a powerful reminder: suffering is not always something to escape—it might be an invitation into the steadfast love of God. Psalm 107 repeats the same chorus throughout: “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man.” No matter the cause of the pain—wandering, rebellion, sin, or striving—God responds to cries for help with mercy, not condemnation. The message concludes with the story of Horatio Spafford, who wrote the hymn It Is Well With My Soul after losing his four daughters at sea. His suffering, though unimaginable, led to one of the most powerful declarations of faith the Church has known for over 150 years. His story reminds us that sometimes, songs of faith are born not in triumph, but in tragedy. This message invites all of us to examine our lives honestly. Are we numbing our ache, blaming others, or pretending we're fine? Or are we willing to cry out and let Jesus meet us in our distress? Through Psalm 107 and personal testimony, Brett reminds us that Jesus is not far off—He's close to the brokenhearted and ready to transform pain into praise. ⸻ Text: Psalm 107:4–32 Speaker: Brett Series: Jesus, What Do I Do With… Location: Flourishing Grace Church ⸻ Key Themes: Suffering, God's Steadfast Love, Wandering, Rebellion, Sin, Control, Deliverance, Healing, Redemption, Hope in Hardship, Worship in Suffering, Biblical Wisdom ⸻ If this message encouraged you, follow us on SoundCloud and share with someone who needs to be reminded that they are not alone in their pain. God hears. God heals. God delivers. #Psalm107 #Suffering #ChristianSermon #FaithInHardship #JesusHeals #GospelHope #FlourishingGraceChurch #ItIsWellWithMySoul #SpiritualFormation #BiblicalTeaching #ChristianPodcast #ChristianEncouragement #TheologyOfSuffering

Scripture Reading: Psalm 3 (2 Samuel 13-16) Sometimes we can read the stories behind our hymns, like the loss of Horatio Spafford's four daughters before he wrote “It Is Well With My Soul.”   The stories enrich our understanding of these songs.  One of the things that makes Psalm 3 interesting is the superscription before verse 1, which tells us the background behind the Psalm.  It reads “A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom, his son.”  The story is found in 2 Samuel 13-16 and it is the heartbreaking account of rape, revenge, and an extremely strained relationship between David and his son Absalom.  It was strained to the point that Absalom orchestrated a coup to take the throne of Israel for himself, in opposition to his own father.  As a result of this treasonous conspiracy David is forced to flee his own throne and country, running for his life from his own flesh and blood.  His cry to God in this terrible circumstance is recorded in Psalm 3. David's strength and hope lies in (1) the nature of God (Psa 3:3), who is a deliverer and comforter; (2) the faithfulness of God in the past, when God answered David's prayers (Psa 3:4); and (3) the reign of God over this situation (Psa 3:8; cf. 2 Sam 15:25,26; 16:11,12).  The result of this consideration in David's heart was courage and the shattering of the grip of fear.  “I will not be afraid of many thousands of people” (Psa 3:6).  This Psalm is a great encouragement to us as we face difficulties of every kind.  Let us not live in fear.  Let us learn to say, as George Whitefield said, "We are immortal until our work is done."

In a world which seems to be becoming increasingly polarised, fractious and bitter - when life feels like a battle - how are those who have centred their lives on Jesus to live? Paul's encouragement to the church in Ephesus is to shift their perspective; remembering that people are not the enemy, but that there is a spiritual battle going on which can be easily missed. In light of that reality, what's needed is supernatural support, and that's what God gives to His people in the form of a spiritual armour which gives the strength to stand. This week, Adrian explores the final piece of the armour: shoes, which are to be the peace that comes from the Good News, which enables the wearer to be fully prepared. NOTE: Towards the end, Adrian accidentally says the wrong name of the author of 'It Is Well With My Soul' - the correct author is Horatio Spafford.

Subscriber-only episodeSend me a Text MessageWhat does it truly mean to have faith? It's easy when life is going well, but what about when everything falls apart? In this episode, we explore the concept of soul planning—why we come to this world, what we are here to experience, and how faith plays a crucial role in our journey. Through the powerful story behind the hymn It Is Well with My Soul, we'll uncover how even our deepest tragedies hold purpose.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why faith isn't about blind belief, but about trust in the bigger pictureThe purpose of soul planning and why we choose to experience both joy and hardshipHow labeling experiences as “good” or “bad” affects our perception of themThe inspiring story of Horatio Spafford and the creation of It Is Well with My SoulHow to navigate life's challenges with faith, courage, and resilienceMemorable Quotes:

If Thou Endure Well by Neal A. Maxwell and Song- It is Well With My Soul.  ACU Sunday Series. None of us can or will be immune from the trials of life. However, if we learn to endure our struggles well, they will be turned into blessings in eternity. If Thou Endure Well. Neal A. Maxwell.  1984 Watch this video at-   https://youtu.be/t023RmGUF6Y?si=hZpDhGPIurrmjwqv BYU Speeches 228K subscribers 753,022 views Aug 25, 2020 Introduction: 0:00 Enduring Well: 0:50 The Savior Endured: 2:26 The Role of Faith: 3:42 Endurance is for Everyone: 4:49 A Scripture About Endurance: 6:42 Disappointing Ourselves: 7:31 Life is not Linear: 8:33 Enduring Temptation: 9:17 Be Steady: 10:29 Intellectual and Behavioral Endurance: 11:35 The Gospel Feast: 13:17 Don't Give Up: 14:55 Conversion Process: 18:33 Enduring Uncertainty: 20:05 A Schooling Process: 26:01 Gethsemane: 31:09 Lightening Our Loads: 37:10 Cares of the World: 42:24 The Business of Living: 49:12 Conclusion: 50:44 This speech was given December 4, 1984. Listen to the speech here: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/neal-a... Read more about Neal A. Maxwell here: https://speeches.byu.edu/speakers/nea... Subscribe to BYU Speeches for the latest videos:     / byuspeeches   Read and listen to more BYU Speeches here: https://speeches.byu.edu/ Follow BYU Speeches: Podcasts: https://speeches.byu.edu/podcasts/ Facebook:    / byuspeeches   Twitter:    / byuspeeches   Instagram:    / byuspeeches   Pinterest:    / byuspeeches     It Is Well with My Soul (arr. Mack Wilberg). The Tabernacle Choir Life can be so unpredictable—joys and sorrows, beautiful blessings and distressing difficulties, can come unexpectedly. Our life's dreams and plans can change in an instant. We all know this to be true. So how can we find peace amid such turbulence? Horatio Spafford knew something about life's unexpected challenges. He was a successful attorney and real estate investor who lost a fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Around the same time, his beloved four-year-old son died of scarlet fever. Thinking a vacation would do his family some good, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to England, planning to join them after he finished some pressing business at home. However, while crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship was involved in a terrible collision and sunk. More than 200 people lost their lives, including all four of Horatio Spafford's precious daughters. His wife, Anna, survived the tragedy. Upon arriving in England, she sent a telegram to her husband that began: “Saved alone. What shall I do?” Horatio immediately set sail for England. At one point during his voyage, the captain of the ship, aware of the tragedy that had struck the Spafford family, summoned Horatio to tell him that they were now passing over the spot where the shipwreck had occurred. As Horatio thought about his daughters, words of comfort and hope filled his heart and mind. He wrote them down, and they have since become a well-beloved hymn: When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll— Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know It is well, it is well with my soul. Perhaps we cannot always say that everything is well in all aspects of our lives. There will always be storms to face, and sometimes there will be tragedies. But with faith in a loving God and with trust in His divine help, we can confidently say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”   Watch this video with subtitles at-  https://youtu.be/Eg5O2y1UXw4?si=JvgZ32hBe4iqMK3J   The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square 891K subscribers 5,209,607 views Aug 2, 2017 For the story behind this song:     • It Is Well with My Soul - The Spoken ...   The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square perform Mack Wilberg's arrangement of "It Is Well with My Soul," by Philip P. Bliss. Follow The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square Instagram:    / thetabernaclechoir   Facebook:    / thetabernaclechoir   Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2ZOowwN   Lyrics to "It is Well with My Soul"   When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.   Refrain: It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.   Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.   My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!— My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!   For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll, No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.   But, Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!   And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul   Aired June 25, 2017.   General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ 586K subscribers 12,448 views Feb 12, 2015 https://www.lds.org/general-conferenc... 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En el año 1871, el abogado Horatio Spafford sufrió una serie de tragedias devastadoras. Primero, perdió gran parte de su fortuna en un incendio en Chicago. Luego, envió a su esposa e hijas a Inglaterra, pero el barco naufragó y solo su esposa sobrevivió. En medio de su dolor, mientras viajaba para reunirse con ella, escribió el famoso himno que dice: “It Is Well With My Soul” (Alcancé Salvación). Esta es una declaración de fe en medio de la tragedia.Aunque el sufrimiento es una realidad de la vida, pero en Cristo, nunca es el final de la historia. Dios es experto en redimir lo que parece destruido. Él transforma las cenizas en belleza y el lamento en danza. A veces, no entendemos por qué pasamos por ciertos dolores, pero podemos confiar en que Dios usará incluso lo más difícil para Su gloria y nuestro crecimiento.Si estás atravesando una temporada de pérdida o dolor, recuerda que Dios sigue escribiendo tu historia. No todo está perdido. En Sus manos, tu dolor puede convertirse en un testimonio de restauración y esperanza. La Biblia dice en Joel 2:25a: “ El Señor dice: «Les devolveré lo que perdieron“(NTV).

En el año 1871, el abogado Horatio Spafford sufrió una serie de tragedias devastadoras. Primero, perdió gran parte de su fortuna en un incendio en Chicago. Luego, envió a su esposa e hijas a Inglaterra, pero el barco naufragó y solo su esposa sobrevivió. En medio de su dolor, mientras viajaba para reunirse con ella, escribió el famoso himno que dice: "It Is Well With My Soul" (Alcancé Salvación). Esta es una declaración de fe en medio de la tragedia. Aunque el sufrimiento es una realidad de la vida, pero en Cristo, nunca es el final de la historia. Dios es experto en redimir lo que parece destruido. Él transforma las cenizas en belleza y el lamento en danza. A veces, no entendemos por qué pasamos por ciertos dolores, pero podemos confiar en que Dios usará incluso lo más difícil para Su gloria y nuestro crecimiento. Si estás atravesando una temporada de pérdida o dolor, recuerda que Dios sigue escribiendo tu historia. No todo está perdido. En Sus manos, tu dolor puede convertirse en un testimonio de restauración y esperanza. La Biblia dice en Joel 2:25a: " El Señor dice: «Les devolveré lo que perdieron"(NTV).

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because Gods love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous personthough perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Rom 5:1-11 ESV) As we begin a new year, many of us are filled with hope and expectation. We set resolutions and goals in anticipation of making even more of the year ahead. However, we dont really have control over the actual outcomes. Illness can beset us. We may experience the sudden loss of someone close to us. National or global events beyond our control can intrude upon our lives, affecting our businesses, jobs, or financial situations. On top of the uncertainty of life, we are constantly bombarded with stories of what could potentially go wrong. Will the stock market crash and take your retirement fund along with it? Will the economy enter a recession and cause my company or department to downsize? What if this country goes to war with that country? Now, the question that I want to address today is: how do we, as Christians, think about and address the uncertainty of this world and suffering when it happens to us and those close to us? When contemplating this passage in Romans, I thought of a story and what it means to rejoice in suffering as a believer in the risen Messiah. This story is about a Chicago lawyer and businessman named Horatio Spafford. Now, Horatio had invested much of his wealth in real estate in the city. Unfortunately, most of these properties, and thus much of his investment, were reduced to ash during the Great Fire of Chicago in 1871. The fallout from this loss and the work that he and other property owners in Chicago had to undertake to rebuild and restore would take years. The scale of this tragedy cannot be overstated. Over 17,000 buildings were destroyed, and more than 100,000 people (1/3 of Chicagos population) were homeless. If this were not enough, the Spaffords young son died of scarlet fever at the age of four not long after the fire. A couple of years after the fire, Horatio decided to take his family on a trip to Europe to escape the constant work and stress of rebuilding. Who wouldnt want to get away after all that had happened? He and his family were also going to meet up with and help the famous evangelist D.L. Moody, who was working on the continent at the time. However, some urgent business came up that needed his attention as the trip neared, so Horatio sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him. One week after the ship set sail, it was violently struck in an accident by another boat at two in the morning. Because of how the ships collided, the vessel the Spafford family was on sank within 12 minutes. Of the 313 people on board, 226 perished. All four of Horatios daughters perished that night. His wife, Anna, was found unconscious, held up by floating debris. Nine days after the accident, Anna landed in Europe and sent a telegram. It read, Saved alone. What shall I do? Upon receiving the message, Horatio booked the first passage he could find. However, this was during the 1800s, so this was far from a rapid process. One night, the captain called Horatio aside and informed him that they were currently sailing over the location where the ship carrying his family had sunk. As I contemplate this situation, I cant help but ask myself how I would have responded. Would I be overcome by anguish or anger? Would I have broken down and wept or shouted out words of rage at God for allowing such a thing to happen? Instead of either of these things, Horatio returned to his cabin to attempt to try to sleep and felt a sense of comfort and hope overcome him. He wrote down these words, It is well; the will of God be done. These words would soon become his timeless hymn that resounds with so many gospel truths. The name of that hymn is It Is Well with My Soul. It is worth reflecting on that there is a similar story in the Bible. Job, the man God Himself called blameless and upright, lost everything he owned in a single day. Additionally, his sons and daughters all died that very same day. Job responded to these events with the statement, Naked I came from my mothers womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21). Notice the similarities? These are not words of quiet resignation or defeat. The LORD may give, and He may take away. In the words of Horatio, the will of God will be done. However, regardless of what happened to these two men, their response is instructive and encouraging beyond belief. Despite what comes, the believer can say, Blessed be the name of the LORD, and It is well with my soul. Now, these stories may be inspiring, but youd be right in asking, How do I develop that kind of abiding faith and trust in God? It is so easy to marvel at the faith of others. But the reality is that knowing the stories is not enough. These same types of tragedies, and many more besides, can happen in our lives. Thankfully, as in all things, God does not leave us alone. And I know this because the verses we are looking at today have been my anchor through the most challenging times in my life. They acted as my north star, the way that God guided me through trials and kept me traveling on the path that leads to Him. So, lets dive in. 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. The chapter opens with the word, therefore. This means that what Paul, the apostle who wrote this letter, is about to say directly follows what he has already said. It is essential to keep this at the forefront of our minds as we read scripture; what is the context? Uncountable numbers of irresponsible teachings have come through taking verses out of context and misapplying them. So, lets take a high-level view of what was said in the letter before our passage today. Paul was writing to the believers in Rome in anticipation of him traveling there, something he had long wanted to do. He wanted to accomplish several things. The letter to the Romans primarily concerns the gospel; Paul wanted to unify the church in Rome around the good news of Christ. Romans is a great place to start if you want a comprehensive understanding of the gospel message. Additionally, Paul wanted to prepare for the missionary journey he was planning to Spain; he wanted the Roman believers to help him on his way after he was able to visit them. Finally, Paul wanted to get in front of a growing division in the church between Jewish and Gentile believers. The focus for our study today aligns with the primary purpose for which Paul was writing: the good news of what Jesus has done. Or, as we more commonly call it, the gospel. Paul starts his letter by pointing to the grandeur of the universe as proof of Gods existence and that we can even learn some things about Him through creation. However, many, instead of worshiping the God who created everything, worshiped the things He made. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but theybecame futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.22Claiming to be wise, they became fools,23andexchanged the glory ofthe immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24ThereforeGod gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, tothe dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,25because they exchanged the truth about God fora lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator,who is blessed forever! Amen. (Rom 1:20-25) Paul addressed this because pagan worship was the norm in the Roman Empire. It is important to note here that the people Paul is talking about were the ones who exchanged God for created things in nature. God allowed them to choose and gave them up to what they wanted. N.T. Wright perhaps sums up this concept best. You become like what you worship. When you gaze in awe, admiration, and wonder at something or someone, you begin to take on something of the character of the object of your worship. N.T. Wright This is a critical point that Paul made. It spoke directly to the heart of Roman culture and society. And it speaks directly to ours as well. The Romans, like the Greeks, worshipped a pantheon of gods who were very human in nature. They were spiteful, filled with lust, and sought their own pleasure above the good of others. Paul was saying that if you venerate that type of activity, you will act the same way. Now, consider our culture today; we may not wrap it up in religious language and ritual, but it is the same. Think about the lyrics of many of the most popular songs today. Consider the lives and actions of celebrities and others that our society lifts up and puts on a pedestal. Reflect on how often we are told in advertising by the rich, powerful, and famous how if we only buy this item or consume this service, we will be as happy and fulfilled as they are, or supposedly are. Think about how society as a whole treats marriage as trivial or that it is entirely ok to objectify other human beings, especially with what is deemed acceptable to view on the internet for our own pleasure. Paul then addresses those who did know about the one true God, namely the Jewish nation. However, instead of commending them, Paul has a very different message. What he said was precisely what Jesus did. It doesnt matter that you come from the line of Abraham or how well you know the Old Testament Law. God cares about and judges people based on what we actually do. 12For all who have sinnedwithout the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.13Forit is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. (Rom 2:12-13) And if we stop for a minute and honestly look at our own lives, this is what we see. We know at our core that there is an absolute standard for good and evil. We know that saying one thing and then doing another is both hypocritical and wrong. We have all, myself included, done things that genuinely hurt other people, damaged relationships, and were contrary to what we know in the deepest parts of ouor being are good and right and holy. Paul quoted the Psalms to sum up this point. 10None is righteous, no, not one;11no one understands;no one seeks for God.12All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;no one does good,not even one. (Rom 3:10b-12) Now, this is a pretty bleak letter so far. This is not something that you read at the beginning of a year to feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Were left with all of these questions that seem pretty important and rather urgent. What if there is a creator of the universe? Spoiler alert: there is. And what if He genuinely cares about right and wrong and how we treat each other? Another spoiler alert: He does. If weve all fallen short, and there are consequences for that, is there something that can be done to restore ourselves to God? And here is the best spoiler alert: There is. Paul tells us how this happens. 21But now apart from the law the righteousness of Godhas been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.22This righteousnessis given through faithinJesus Christto all who believe.There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,23for all have sinnedand fall short of the glory of God,24and all are justifiedfreely by his gracethrough the redemptionthat came by Christ Jesus.25God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,through the shedding of his blood (Rom 3:21-25a, NIV) And there it is, the gospel, the good news that Paul based his entire letter around. There is a God who created both us and the universe we live in. He is perfectly good and, therefore, has made a moral law that we all are to live by. However, all of us fall short and sin. This causes a separation between us and God. However, God did not see fit to leave us as we are. He sent Jesus to live the life we never could and die the death we deserved so that we could be reconciled to Him. This is the good news that Paul was proclaiming. So, we return to the opening verses of our passage today. 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. We now see what the therefore is there for. We were separated from God, but we can now be justified before him by faith. And because of this good news, that we have been justified by faith, certain things happen in the believer's life. First, we have peace with God. You see, it wasnt that we were just separated from God. We were, in fact, working against Him and were enemies. In another letter, Paul said, 21Once you were alienated from God and were enemiesin your mindsbecause ofyour evil behavior. But now he has reconciledyou by Christs physical bodythrough death to present youholy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (Col 1:21-22, NIV). We just wrapped up an extremely deep study of the book of Ephesians here at Meadowbrooke. Remember what we were told in that letter about the state we were in before being saved? And you weredead in the trespasses and sins2in which you once walked, following the course of this world, followingthe prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work inthe sons of disobedience3among whom we all once lived inthe passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the bodyand the mind, andwere by naturechildren of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (Eph 2:1-3) When Paul says that we now have peace with God, he doesnt mean that we have a tranquil state of mind or something like that. Instead, when we become followers of Jesus, we go from being against God or an enemy of God to having peace with Him. Remember what Paul said earlier in the letter. Nobody is righteous; nobody does good. But it doesnt stop there. We arent just in some truce or ceasefire with God. What has happened is so much more glorious and incredible than that. We also, through Jesus, have obtained grace. Now, grace can be a mysterious-sounding religious word. All it means is that somebody has received unmerited or unearned favor. It means we dont deserve the favor or good things God freely bestows on us. Remember, we all sin and fall short of the glory of God; we all were, by nature, children of wrath. The Greek word that is translated here as access literally means to approach or to bring into. We are brought into Gods grace and can actually have a personal relationship with Him. How much has changed because of what Jesus has done for us. We who were enemies not only have peace with God but also can draw near to Him and have a personal relationship with our Creator. Finally, we can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And given what we have just read, there is so much to rejoice in. But again, there is something even more glorious behind these words. We rejoice not just in our newfound peace with God or our ability to be brought into His grace. We rejoice in the hope of something else. The word hope in our English language is quite weak. Typically, it means something like, I hope this year is better than the last or I hope my team wins the Super Bowl this year. It expresses the desire for something to be true, but with the realization that it may not turn out that way. However, the Greek word employed here means something more like joyful and confident expectation. Our hope is in something that we are confident and sure of. Tim Keller remarked on this passage that, Christian hope is not a hopeful wish it is a hope-filled certainty. But what is it that we are hopeful for? If we were to poll random people about what they most hoped for or were most looking forward to regarding the promises of God, we would likely get a broad range of answers. Many would almost certainly revolve around seeing loved ones again or being eternally happy and without pain or suffering. However, notice what Paul says here. His focus is on the glory of God. More than his own happiness or desires, the reason for Pauls rejoicing is in the hope of being in the presence of Gods glory. John Murray remarked on this passage, [Believers] are interested in the manifestation of the glory of God for its own sake. The glory of God is their chief end and they long for and hasten unto that day when with undimmed vision they will behold the glory of God in its fullest exhibition and vindication. What this means is that the hope of the Christian is not in the hope of our wants, desires, and comfort. Instead, our hope is in being with and living within the glory of God. The focus is on God, not on us. John Piper put this better than anybody else I have heard. He said, The critical question for our generationand for every generation is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there? Pauls answer would be a resounding no. What makes the restored heaven and earth what they will be is that we will finally be with God in all His infinite glory. Everything else pales in comparison to that. And any heaven without that is no real heaven at all. Now, Paul has covered a lot of ground in his letter so far. The people listening to this being read for the first time would have been on a real rollercoaster of a ride. First, they heard about this God who is powerful and mighty enough to create the entire universe in which we live. But then they heard that this God is also perfectly good and, therefore, has a moral law. They, just like all of us, broke that law. And they, just like us, broke it repeatedly. They heard about how this created a separation between humanity and God, a chasm we could not overcome ourselves. However, when everything seemed lost and without hope, they heard about how God, through Jesus, redeemed them, and they were now justified. This justification was not through anything they had done but what Jesus had done for them. They heard that they did not have to try to earn Gods merit, and in fact, they never could. They heard that what God really sought after was their hearts and faith in Him. Finally, because of that faith, the believer has peace with God, access to Gods grace, and the hope-filled certainty of witnessing God in His full glory one day. What an experience it must have been to be the first people to hear this letter being read. Can you imagine hearing this fantastic news? Then, the church in Rome would have heard the words, Not only that Wait! There is more!?! What more could there be after being told this fantastic news? I can only imagine sitting there and anticipating new promises and hopes the apostle was about to relay. Instead, the audience heard, Not only that, but werejoice in our sufferings. Wait what? We rejoice in our suffering? Werent we talking about drawing close to God and witnessing His glory? But this is reality, isnt it? When we decide to follow Jesus, all the hardships and suffering weve experienced dont magically disappear. We still get sick. Our finances dont magically improve; we all dont suddenly receive private jets and mansions. We still lose loved ones, and we all certainly still experience getting older and all the wear and tear that comes from that. As I reflect upon this past year, the single word that comes most to mind is difficult. This was a challenging year for our church family, and we had to go through things, including church discipline and the termination of a staff person in a pastoral role. Individuals and families in our church have also been going through extremely difficult things. There have been cancer diagnoses, losses of family members, struggles with chronic illnesses, sudden visits to the ER, heart issues, urgent and completely unexpected surgeries, and many, many more things besides. Personally, this last year, especially the past six months, has, if Im being completely honest, been extremely difficult. Due to an autoimmune disease, my health spiraled to a place I have not experienced in over a decade. This resulted in a 10-day stay in a hospital after losing 15% of my body weight and a substantial amount of internal bleeding. But, more importantly, it put a lot of strain on my marriage and meant I was less present as a father than I should be. The stark reality is that suffering is still a part of our lives. It has real impacts on us and those around us. But, as well see, faith in Jesus is not about the cessation of pain and suffering but instead giving that suffering over to God in faith that He will use it for good. Paul lays out how this looks for us: 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because Gods love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Notice here that Paul says we rejoice in our sufferings, not because of our sufferings. Paul does not say that suffering suddenly becomes pleasurable for us or trivially easy to endure. He does not say that God is giving us a way to prove ourselves to Him or earn His favor by persevering through hardship. Instead, we rejoice in our sufferings because of something we know. We know that suffering can produce something within us. That something is endurance. For most of my life, and by that, I mean since I was eight, I have participated in endurance sports. This has included distance running, cycling over 100 miles in a day over multiple mountain passes, and summiting 20,000 ft peaks. I bring this up because I have learned a lot about myself and quite a bit about endurance through these activities. The first is that endurance is not something magical you hope to have on the day of your event. It is something that you train for diligently. It may take months or even years in some cases to train your body and mind to accomplish the goal you have set before yourself. It is possible to train and not reach the goals you set. However, if you dont train, the goals will forever remain out of reach. And the thing about training is that a substantial amount of suffering can be involved. Mile repeats hurt. Hill training on a bike can be painful. Interval sessions have left me draped over the handlebars of my indoor trainer like a rag doll. Watching cyclists or other endurance athletes achieve the incredible can be awe-inspiring, often making it look easy. However, it isnt. What we witness when we watch world-class athletes is the outcome of a lifetime of training and preparation. And I can tell you from experience, every day Ive had where Ive looked like this, cycling up mountain passes feeling in great shape and like I could tackle the biggest of obstacles, Ive had many more days where Ive looked a bit more like this. The key here is that, like in athletics, in life, endurance is not something that happens automatically or magically. It is something that is produced. And often, the production of endurance happens through the crucible of suffering. But, unlike endurance training for sports, the type of endurance Paul talks about is not the end goal. It serves a greater purpose. You see, our character is also changing when we develop spiritual endurance. Now, this word in Greek doesnt just mean something like, He is a really good person and has good character. Instead, it is about something proven, or something tested and found to be approved. An example of this can be seen in Pauls letter to the Philippians concerning his protg, Timothy. 22But you know Timothy'sproven worth, howas a sonwith a fatherhe has served with me in the gospel.(Phil 2:22) The phrase proven worth is the same word that is translated as character. And to some extent, weve all experienced this. If we have endured something before, when we have to endure it again, there is a confidence we didnt have before. Or, thought of in a different way, if you had to go into battle with somebody, would you rather go with a special forces soldier who had been on multiple deployments or somebody who has never been through military training but plays their fair share of Tom Clancy video games? The choice is easy, right? What Paul is saying here is that when we go through suffering, endurance is produced. And when we endure our trials and tribulations, we are tested successfully or, as Paul says, our worth is proven. But Paul does not stop there. He says that this testedness produces something else: hope. And here we return to this idea of hope. Remember, this idea Paul is talking about can be best thought of as a hope-filled certainty. As we go through suffering, the endurance and character that result produces an ever-greater certainty that God is exactly who He has said He is and that His promises are sure. Paul then offers a proof of this. He states that hope will never put us to shame because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. In fact, the relationship between the believer and the Holy Spirit is so close that he has been poured into our hearts. I had mentioned earlier that these verses have been my anchor verses through suffering. That is not an understatement in any way. I had grown up in the church. In fact, I heard hymns and the words of the Bible before I was born. As I grew up, I did all the church things, camps, and confirmation; I even started participating in lay-level leadership roles in my church. If any of those things sound a bit foreign, it is because I grew up in the Episcopal tradition. Ultimately, instead of letting God into my heart and being the Lord of my entire life, I was going through the motions. Especially in college, my life looked no different than anybody elses. Remember those verses from Ephesians about living in the passions of our flesh and carrying out the desires of the body and the mind? That was me. Until that is, God got ahold of my heart. A group of us in ROTC decided that we wanted to start getting serious about our faith and started going to church together. We formed our own Bible study and as a small community of college-aged believers, we began trying to figure out what it meant to be Jesus followers. To make a long story very short, one of the members of this group would ultimately become my wife. As we deepened in our faith together as a group, I was drawn to what God was doing in her life. However, two weeks after we started dating, I started noticing an immense amount of pain in my abdomen and, even more concerning, evidence of internal bleeding. I started losing weight at an alarming rate and was ultimately diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called ulcerative colitis. Effectively, my immune system goes into overdrive and starts attacking and causing ulcers and a crazy amount of inflammation in my large intestine. Unfortunately, I have a rather severe form of the disease that affects not just a part of the intestine, but the entire thing. As is common with autoimmune diseases, finding the therapy that worked for me took a long time. Because of the severity of my diagnosis, this ultimately led me to being hospitalized seven times in the first 18 months following the onset of my symptoms. In addition to the pain, frustration, and confusion over what was happening, other things also started falling apart. A military career was now no longer an option for me. Because of the impact the disease was having on my body, I was sleeping 12-16 hours a day and was unable to continue pursuing my master's program. What is more, because of how the insurance I had purchased through the university was structured, it did not cover costs from chronic illnesses beyond $20,000. But through it all, God was working on my heart and my mind. He was showing me things about himself that I would likely never have learned had it not been for this. He was teaching me that my future job was not what defined me. Who I am in Jesus is what defines me. He was teaching me that the highest goal in life is not academic or professional achievement (Im a bit of an A-type personality and struggle with making my life about accomplishments). Instead, He showed me that following Him is the highest purpose in life. Now, perhaps the most incredible thing about this entire story is that Michaela stayed by my side throughout all of it. We had only recently started dating, but she was there for everything. I can still remember her voice as I was coming out of anesthesia after the scoping procedure that resulted in the diagnosis of the disease. I was insanely sick, my planned career was completely shattered, treatments werent working, and I had a sum of medical debt that was growing increasingly large. There were so many times when I felt absolutely lost and without hope. Yet, because of this community of people, especially Michaela, I was constantly reminded of God's goodness and how He works all things for the good of those who love Him, even if we dont see it in the moment. The Bible was my source of refuge, reminding me of the eternal promises of God that transcend our momentary afflictions. Things ultimately improved for me, and through a lot of help from my doctors and a lot of prayer, my condition was able to be controlled. There were still some rough points, and I experienced the occasional flare-up, but things returned to normal. Michaela and I got married, we found a way to pay off the medical debt, and life seemed to be going just fine. But what I didnt know at the time was that as I was going through all my medical issues and seeing Michaelas character displayed, God was showing me what it means to stand beside somebody as they are suffering. About two years after we got married, Michaela started showing symptoms of something, but the doctors couldnt figure out what it was. Finally, they had her stay on a heart monitor for an extended time, and the results were so concerning that the hospital in Laramie told us that we needed to come to the hospital here in Cheyenne because they were not prepared to deal with whatever the issue was. When Michaela arrived here, they took an Xray, and they found out that there was a mass about 12cm in diameter in her chest next to her heart. We were once again told that she needed to go to another hospital because the one here had no idea what was going on. However, this time, she had to travel via ambulance. We had come in the same vehicle, but as she was leaving in an ambulance, I followed in the car we brought over. It was such a good thing that it was the middle of the night because I was an absolute mess. If there had been any traffic whatsoever, I probably would have crashed. On that drive, I was confronted with an absolutely petrifying truth. There was nothing I could do for my wife but pray. I was helpless in the face of whatever it was that she had to face. I could not protect her, and I could not save her. And this was an earth-shattering realization for me. Of course, we all intellectually know that our time here is limited and that when it is time for us to leave this world, there is nothing we can do to stop it for ourselves or those we love. However, facing that reality directly is an entirely different notion. The radical realization that I had was that in this situation, she was entirely in the Lords hands. The even more radical realization I would only have reflecting later on, was that this is true every moment of every day. I just dont live like it. To capture this idea in his book The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis wrote, God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. This has been precisely my experience. The eternal truths that God exists, that we desperately need Him, and that He alone is sufficient for all our needs are sometimes most clearly heard when we are in our most desperate times of need. Upon arriving at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, we learned that the mass was a tumor, and it was an advanced stage of lymphoma. The doctors recommended that she start an aggressive form of chemotherapy immediately. We didnt have time to go home and talk about it. We didnt have time to prepare in case the therapy made it difficult or impossible to have kids. It was almost as if everything had been put onto tracks, and we were just along for the ride. Now, soon after all of this happened a good friend of mine who has been a mentor in many ways to me came by and prayed with us. Her prayers included pleas for healing, comfort, and everything else we typically lift up to God during these types of events. However, she prayed something else as well. She prayed that our hearts and minds would be open to what God had to teach us during this time of trial. It literally felt like a physical switch turned in my head. Despite all that I had been through, and all God had done in my own heart during my battles with illness, I had not stopped to consider that God may have something to teach us here as well. And teach He did. I learned how incredibly strong of a woman He made when He created my wife. I learned that I am not sufficient for her; only Jesus is. I learned that life can be extraordinarily fleeting and what we consider normal and act like will go on forever can end in an instant. Michaela spent the following months going to Denver for a week of treatment every three weeks. I tagged along and slept on the pullout bed on the couch in her room. That was our lives for almost four months: two weeks at home and one in the hospital. When I had to travel for work, her mom took my place. Now, you may be wondering who the better caretaker in our relationship is when the other is undergoing adversity. The answer is Michaela. You may also be wondering who deals with suffering better. The answer is also Michaela. Ultimately, Michaela completed the chemo regimen and has been in full remission for almost 10 years. Despite not being able to make alternative preparations, we have two incredible boys who are miracles in the fullest sense of the word. It can be easy to praise God and extol His greatness when things work out the way we hope and pray they will. However, there will come a day when I and everybody else whom I love will draw in their last breath. And in those moments, God still deserves all the glory and all the praise. I want to relay one more story before I wrap up about one of those times. My stepmoms father, my grandfather, or as we called him, Papou (that part of my family is Greek), had been extremely sick for a long time. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt. His wife, my Yaiyia, was a missionary in Kenya when he proposed to her in a letter. After starting their young family, they moved to Athens so he could pastor a church while they served as missionaries. When they moved back to the States, their home was always a place of love where all were welcome. Toward the end of his life, he was unable to care for or even feed himself and had to be placed in a home to receive the care he needed. As the end of his life was drawing ever closer, he came down with a severe infection that left him almost entirely incapacitated. One day, some of our dearest family friends were visiting him. As they prepared to leave, everybody gathered to pray, potentially for the last time, over this man who had lived his life faithfully for God. However, before anybody else had a chance to speak, this saint (by the way, if you are a follower of Jesus, you are a saint as well) who could not feed himself or even sit up started to pray. I was not there to hear these words, but they still reverberate in the deepest part of my being more than a decade later. Our precious heavenly father, he said, we just cant thank you enough. You have been so good to us. That is the strength that a life lived in the service and love of God bestows upon a person. The Christian lives not in quiet resignation in the face of a world that can be so cruel and cause so much suffering. Instead, the Christian can raise a triumphant cry that in our weakness, the strength of the Lord will be made perfect, and that is enough. We can, as Job did, bless the name of the Lord, come whatever may. We see this in the letter to the Corinthians: 9But he [God] said to me [Paul],My grace is sufficient for you, formy power is made perfect in weakness.Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so thatthe power of Christ may rest upon me.10For the sake of Christ, then,I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. Forwhen I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:9-11) This is why Paul ends this passage with a reiteration of the gospel message. Even though each of us who follow Jesus has the real experience of having the Holy Spirit residing within us, there also is an objective truth for all to see. Christ came and died for us while we were still sinners. And this point is even more important than the point that we are physically broken and endure sufferings in this world. That point is that we are spiritually broken and separated from God, desperately in need of a Savior. Reflect with me on these closing verses. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous personthough perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Jesus did not wait until we were perfect and had everything figured out before he came to die in our place. Instead, he came when we were still in sin, weak, and enemies of God. Unlike us, who so often act out of self-regard or do something because we view somebody as good and deserving, Jesus came to save us while we were still standing in complete opposition to God. This is the incredible news of the gospel. As much pain and suffering, as much physical brokenness that we may experience in this world, it is nothing compared to the spiritual sickness we suffer because of our separation from God. We all were far from God before coming to Christ, but he died in our place regardless and rose again, conquering death. We are justified, reconciled, and saved by what he did. And if you dont know Jesus yet, all you must do is accept him as your Lord and Savior and begin walking with him. Before we leave, I wanted to review some of the things I have learned from other believers and scripture about how to endure times of suffering. None of this is groundbreaking, but it works. Dont wait until you are in suffering to prepare If you wait until the morning of a marathon to train, it wont go well for you. The same is true here. If you wait until the moment of your trial to prepare, you are too late. Be in your Bible daily The stories of those who suffer in scripture are incredibly instructive and helpful. The principles you will learn from this book will help you in your time of need. But I never would have had these verses constantly in my mind and nourishing my soul if I had not read them. God uses scripture to help His followers in their time of need. Build relationships with fellow believersWhen Michaela and I have experienced times of suffering, it is the people of God, the Church, who have helped us more than anybody else. I have experienced the benefit of having somebody just come sit with you. Recently, while I was in the hospital, several friends visited throughout my stay. Mostly, we talked about the goodness of God. It helped me raise my eyes above my situation and stay focused on my Lord and Savior. Pray without ceasing Pray for those who are going through trials. Ask others to pray for you as you endure suffering. The Church was designed so that each member could help one another. And as you pray, follow Gods Spirit in how you can help. If you feel drawn to visit somebody who is ailing, go. If you feel called to cook them a meal, do it. Look for what God is trying to teach you Until our dying breath, we are running our race. As believers, we are walking down that narrow path that leads to Jesus. That path can be difficult and filled with obstacles sometimes. But even in our worst suffering, God is faithful, and He works all things for the good of those who love Him. If you let Him, He will develop in you: endurance, character, and a hope which will never be put to shame. Even in our greatest trials, He is still so incredibly good.

In times of turmoil and uncertainty, finding peace can feel like an insurmountable task. This message delves into the powerful stories behind two timeless hymns, 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day' and 'It Is Well with My Soul.' Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the former during a period of deep despair, while Horatio Spafford penned the latter after experiencing unimaginable loss. Both hymns serve as poignant reminders of God's enduring presence and the peace that surpasses all understanding. The Apostle Paul provides a 'prescription for a tough faith' in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, offering five imperatives: be alert, stand firm in faith, be courageous, be strong, and do everything in love. As we enter a new year, let us resolve to cultivate a tough faith that can withstand life's storms, trusting in God's guidance and strength. First Baptist Church depends on faithful and generous giving. Make an impact in the lives of others and promote the gospel of Christ by making an online contribution: https://fbclagrange.org/give/CCLI Streaming+ License 21007595Visit our website: https://fbclagrange.org

En 1873, Horatio Spafford, un abogado exitoso, perdió a sus cuatro hijas en un trágico naufragio mientras viajaban a Europa. Poco después, mientras cruzaba el océano para reunirse con su esposa, escribió el famoso himno "It Is Well with My Soul" (Está bien con mi alma). A pesar de su dolor, Spafford encontró consuelo y esperanza en la presencia de Dios. El Adviento nos recuerda que, aunque enfrentemos tormentas en la vida, Jesús es nuestra ancla. Su nacimiento nos asegura que Dios está con nosotros en medio de cada dificultad. Su paz y Su presencia no eliminan las pruebas, pero nos sostienen y nos dan esperanza para el futuro. Hoy, cualquiera que sea tu tormenta, recuerda que Jesús está contigo. Él es tu refugio y tu esperanza. Como Spafford, confía en que Dios tiene el control, incluso cuando no entiendes el porqué. La Biblia dice en Hebreos 6:19: "La cual tenemos como segura y firme ancla del alma, y que penetra hasta dentro del velo."

En 1873, Horatio Spafford, un abogado exitoso, perdió a sus cuatro hijas en un trágico naufragio mientras viajaban a Europa. Poco después, mientras cruzaba el océano para reunirse con su esposa, escribió el famoso himno "It Is Well with My Soul" traducido al español como Estoy bien. A pesar de su dolor, Spafford encontró consuelo y esperanza en la presencia de Dios. El Adviento nos recuerda que, aunque enfrentemos tormentas en la vida, Jesús es nuestra ancla de fe. Su nacimiento nos asegura que Dios está con nosotros en medio de cada dificultad. Su paz y Su presencia no eliminan las pruebas, pero nos sostienen y nos dan esperanza para el futuro. Hoy, cualquiera que sea tu tormenta, recuerda que Jesús está contigo. Él es tu refugio y tu esperanza. Como Spafford, confía en que Dios tiene el control, incluso cuando no entiendes el porqué. La Biblia dice en Hebreos 6:19: "La cual tenemos como segura y firme ancla del alma, y que penetra hasta dentro del velo".

20241201 6PMp RI Vision and Hope On Vision Sunday, we look forward to what lies ahead.  In a year, or in the next four years.  There are various kinds of Hope. “Wishful thinking” type hope, or “Wait and see type hope”  e.g. Christmas,  exams, growth of children.   What is your hope?  What is your hope in Christ? In times of blessing, or in times of agony? Do we yearn for God himself, or just yearn for the blessings that God gives? Horatio Spafford in times of trying, he wrote:  When peace like a river attendeth my way , when troubles like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, “It is well with my soul.”  The Hope that comes from God is also different in that it is not dependent on us, but it depends on Him.  It is sure and certain. It is a relationship with the Living God.  Hope rests with God.  “Hopeful people are prayerful people.”  People with Hope are Bold people.  May our hearts yearn for the Living God.          Speaker: Ron Irving.

2 Timothy 1:12 — In his sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that the gospel will benefit anyone who believes in Jesus Christ— it is good news for all people. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that the Apostle Paul was a natural pessimist, and yet, he found hope through the gospel. He boldly proclaimed “I am not ashamed.” Scripture's promises are not dependent upon a person's temperament or tendencies; it has power for all. Many today hold to a stoic view of life and believe that all are born to die, but this view provides no hope for people. Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts this with the Christian view, using the real-life example of songwriter Horatio Spafford who penned the well-known hymn, “It is Well with My Soul.” Spafford wrote this hymn soon after the tragic drowning of his children and losing most of his wealth. Though all here on earth could be going horribly wrong, and though evil and its results seem to prevail, followers of Jesus have hope. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that this is not automatic — though salvation is received through faith alone, the Christian journey is one in which its followers must play an active part in living out the gospel. He closes by stating that Christianity has no comfort or consolation if one does not believe its truth. Paul's comfort was deduced from his faith — repent from sins and believe the gospel today in faith.

2 Timothy 1:12 — In his sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that the gospel will benefit anyone who believes in Jesus Christ— it is good news for all people. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that the Apostle Paul was a natural pessimist, and yet, he found hope through the gospel. He boldly proclaimed “I am not ashamed.” Scripture's promises are not dependent upon a person's temperament or tendencies; it has power for all. Many today hold to a stoic view of life and believe that all are born to die, but this view provides no hope for people. Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts this with the Christian view, using the real-life example of songwriter Horatio Spafford who penned the well-known hymn, “It is Well with My Soul.” Spafford wrote this hymn soon after the tragic drowning of his children and losing most of his wealth. Though all here on earth could be going horribly wrong, and though evil and its results seem to prevail, followers of Jesus have hope. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that this is not automatic — though salvation is received through faith alone, the Christian journey is one in which its followers must play an active part in living out the gospel. He closes by stating that Christianity has no comfort or consolation if one does not believe its truth. Paul's comfort was deduced from his faith — repent from sins and believe the gospel today in faith. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind the hymn, It Is Well With My Soul, along with a short biography of the life of the hymn's composer, Horatio Spafford. Dennis also couples his song, Hide Me In The Cleft of the Rock, with that old hymn. This medley is from his recording, HYMNS I. That mp3 is available at https://dennisjernigan.com/store/product.php?c=24&p=2777 or on iTunes. You can join Dennis and the people of All In All Church for live-stream worship on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/therealdennisjernigan at 7 PM CST. Mark it in your calendar. Worship with All in All Church - First Wednesday of each month. Daily Devotions for Kingdom Seekers, Vol. 3 is available at https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Devotions-Kingdom-Seekers-Vol-ebook/dp/B081K8TZLX Check out my Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/DennisJernigan and read through the various tiers of support and discover the myriad of benefits you will receive based on the level of support you choose. If you're willing, go ahead and sign up!

In this episode of "Rhythms That Restore," Cherisse explores the concepts of soul care and self-care. She shares her enthusiasm for the New "Summer Series" on soul care, inviting listeners to join in self-discovery and spiritual growth. Cherisse emphasizes the importance of reflection, using Psalm 143 to discuss surrender and the need for spiritual restoration. She differentiates between soul care and the popular self-care movement, sharing her own battles with anxiety to connect with broader societal issues. The episode also recounts Horatio Spafford's story from the song IT IS WELL, encouraging reflection on what brings peace to one's soul and highlighting the importance of internal and spiritual wellness. Welcome to Rhythms That Restore (00:00:02) Cherisse welcomes the audience and expresses excitement for the soul care series. Connecting Through Summer Soul Care (00:00:27) Cherisse encourages listeners to share their experiences and insights from the summer soul care series. Exploring Psalms and Surrender (00:03:20) Cherisse discusses the significance of spending time in the Psalms and focuses on Psalm 143 as a cry for help and surrender. Delving into "Soul Keeping" (00:05:39) Cherisse introduces the book "Soul Keeping" by John Ortberg and emphasizes the importance of nurturing the soul over the self. Distinguishing Soul Care and Self Care (00:06:51) Cherisse discusses the difference between soul care and self-care, highlighting the significance of focusing on the soul. Challenges of Self-Focus (00:10:15) Cherisse shares a story about the challenges of finding worth in external factors and the impact on the soul. The Impact of Neglecting the Soul (00:11:36) Cherisse discusses the consequences of neglecting the soul while focusing solely on self-care. Relevance of Faith and Community (00:15:35) Cherisse emphasizes the importance of faith, community, and gathering for the well-being of the soul. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Join our "Rythms that Restore" Community: Click below and pull up a chair with us and walk through life IN COMMUNITY and beside others who are learning and putting these new Rhythms in place. Click: https://www.facebook.com/groups/339272845793051/ -------------------------------------- Follow "Rhythms that Restore Podcast" on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhythmsthatrestorepodcast?igsh=Z3lmY2UzcXZzMTlq&utm_source=qr -------------------------------------------- Tune In- Subscribe, Rate, and Share: If you found value in this episode, be be sure to subscribe, rate, and share with "Rhythms that Restore" Podcast with a friend who can be encouraged through the message. Help us share this incredible transformative message of Gods word through the beautiful act of "ceasing to strive" and learning to "simply BE". ------------------------------------ Connect more with me on Instagram, Facebook and Email: Lets Chat: cherissehixson@hotmail.com  Facebook: Cherisse Mathias Hixson  DM on Instagram: @cherissehixson01

Opening Song: Create in Me (Psalm 51) (https://open.spotify.com/track/5VRrlv8EdgFD8Ht2358dTe?si=bce481c99a1c4e15) by Paul Zach Lyrics: Create in me A clean heart oh Lord Create in me A clean heart oh Lord Against you only I've sinned Done evil in your side But you've shown me what I've done With mercy in your eyes Then wash my shame and guilty way My wearies all renew From all my sin into your face Let me turn to you Create in me A clean heart oh Lord Create in me A clean heart oh Lord So I will give you what you asked A humble broken heart A spirit burning down to ash With a flame oh God Then ask will be your mercy Lord Transforming all of me To every act and every way Your love and glories speaks Create in me A clean heart oh Lord (Create in me a clean heart oh Lord) Create in me A clean heart oh Lord (Create in me a clean heart oh Lord) Have mercy on me According to your endless love Have mercy on me According to your endless love Oh have mercy on me According to your endless love Have mercy on me According to your endless love According to your endless love According to your endless love Passage: 1 Be gracious to me, God, according to your faithful love; according to your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. 2 Completely wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you ​— ​you alone ​— ​I have sinned and done this evil in your sight. So you are right when you pass sentence; you are blameless when you judge. 5 Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. 6 Surely you desire integrity in the inner self, and you teach me wisdom deep within. 7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Turn your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt. 10 God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach the rebellious your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God — God of my salvation — and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; you are not pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God. 18 In your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar. -- Psalms 51:1-19(CSB) Musical Reflection: It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss Reflection Notes: A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God's goodness. Spafford's immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford's children had died. Prayer: Hear, Lord, my prayer; let not my soul faint under your discipline, nor let me faint in confessing unto you all your mercies, whereby you have drawn me out of all my most evil ways, that you might become a delight to me above all the allurements that I once pursued; that I may most entirely love you, and clasp your hand with all my affections, and you may yet rescue me from every temptation, even unto the end. -Augustine

As the melodies of Easter ring through the air, we welcome you to a season marked by reflection and song. Join me, Andy Peavyhouse, as we uncover the story and enduring impact of Philip P. Bliss's "Man of Sorrows, What a Name!" A hymn that weaves a timeless narrative of Christ's journey from sorrow to joy. This episode is not just an exploration, but a heartfelt thanksgiving, an offering to the shared spirit that resonates within each verse of this priceless hymn. Together, we'll celebrate the life of Bliss, whose humble beginnings and innate musical talent led to some of the most influential hymns in Christian worship, including his work with Horatio Spafford on "It is Well with My Soul."Feel the depth of Jesus' sacrifice anew, as we traverse the theological landscape painted by "Man of Sorrows." Inspired by the words drawn from Isaiah 53, this hymn invites believers to contemplate the dual nature of Christ, his role as the sacrificial lamb, and the transformative grace of his atonement. We'll explore the rich symbolism Bliss employed to connect Old and New Testament teachings, revealing the promised salvation that comes only through Jesus Christ. Embrace this opportunity to deepen your understanding of a hymn that has comforted and inspired generations, as we honor the legacy left by a man whose music speaks of a Man of Sorrow but rings of a Savior who brings eternal notes of joy.SHOW NOTES:"Man of Sorrows" performed by Nathan Drake of Reawaken Hymns with chord charts and many other church music resources."Man of Sorrows" appears on the album Hymns of the Son available here.Support the show www.thebrightforever.comAll songs used by permission.

Josh Hawkins aka Hi Josh describes himself as a "Comedian for the Lord and for the lols". Known for his Lip Reading vids, Google Reviews and online antics but today we see a different side of Josh. We've all sung this song a thousand times before at church but the story Josh shares will blow your mind!To get in touch with host Aiden Grant, email aideng@hotmail.com or head to Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Kristen faced a daunting health diagnosis, her world seemed to topple, but through faith, she found an unexpected source of resilience. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and a cornerstone of our heartfelt discussion on navigating life's tumultuous seas. In this episode, we lay bare the often-unspoken truth: life's trials spare no one, righteous or otherwise. Yet, it's not about seeking a life devoid of problems but finding solace in the promise of divine support. Drawn from the wisdom of Psalms and Isaiah, our conversation turns personal as we share narratives of struggle and the discovery that prayer and unwavering faith can be the instruments of profound personal growth and fortitude.Reflecting on the extraordinary faith of Horatio Spafford, we unravel the myth that we are only given what we can bear. Instead, we shed light on the idea that it's through God's strength we find the ability to endure and emerge stronger. Challenging the 'It Gets Better' sentiment, we emphasize the significance of welcoming life's challenges as mechanisms for building a more resilient self. We discuss how children who gradually face adversity often grow into well-adjusted adults, illustrating the importance of not shying away from life's tests. Our episode culminates with an open invitation to listeners to seek companionship and strength in their spiritual walk, reinforcing that the journey of faith is marked not by the absence of storms but by the courage to sail through them. Support the show

Opening Song: No Longer Slaves (https://open.spotify.com/track/63Ewmqu1gZ7ZaQ5Q4mnuXz?si=20603ed2935945a4) by Brian Johnson, Joel Case, and Jonathan David Helser Lyrics: You unravel me with a melody You surround me with a song Of deliverance from my enemies Till all my fears are gone I'm no longer a slave to fear I am a child of God I'm no longer a slave to fear I am a child of God From my Mother's womb You have chosen me Love has called my name I've been born again into Your family Your blood flows through my veins Bridge You split the sea so I could walk right through it My fears were drowned in perfect love You rescued me so I could stand and sing I am a child of God Passage: 23 Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. 24 The law, then, was our guardian until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith. 25 But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus. 27 For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. 28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, heirs according to the promise. 1 Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. 2 Instead, he is under guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elements of the world. 4 When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir. (Galatians 3:23-4:7 CSB17) Musical Reflection: It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss Reflection Notes: A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God's goodness. Spafford's immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford's children had died. Prayer: Almighty God, heavenly Father, we ask you to work in us by your Holy Spirit, so that we may rightly know you, and sanctify, glorify, and praise you in all your works, in which shine forth your omnipotence, wisdom, goodness, righteousness, mercy, and truth. Grant us also that we may so direct our whole life—thoughts, words, and deeds—that your name is not blasphemed because of us, but honored and praised. Amen.  -Zacharias Ursinus

Habakkuk 3:2-6O Lord, I have heard of your renown, and I stand in awe, O Lord, of your work. Habakkuk3:2Song: “It is Well with My Soul” (hymnist Horatio Spafford and composed by Philip Bliss.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump Power Move In Florida. Donald Trump outflanks DeSantis in Florida, goes on stage with five legislator defectors from DeSantis, causing more humiliation for the single-digit Governor. Trump hits an amazing 64% in the GOP Primary, as DeSantis fends off questions about his height and his high heels. Talking teleprompters and candidate authenticity. Meanwhile, studying the logic of low-confidence Democrats on the 81 million votes. Tracing the Soros money behind the effort to knock Trump off the ballot in Colorado, in the name of “democracy” no less. Advising a strong NO vote on HH in Colorado. Tributes to Douglas Bruce and his TABOR legacy. Discourses on smart pop singer Morrissey. To the hymnal with Horatio Spafford's “It Is Well With My Soul.” With Great Listener Calls.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this lesson, Nick shares his thoughts inspired by the Hymn "It Is Well With My Soul" by Horatio Spafford. During the lesson, we viewed the video by Hymns of Note about the story of the hymn which you can view here.

Opening Song: Press On (https://open.spotify.com/track/65UVuTBch1XnAKSARcfSFZ?si=5ffbd6208aad41c3) by Ben Shive and Kristyn Getty Lyrics: Where two or three are gathered In the name of the Lord He is here He is here in our midst And we will sing together Be renewed by the Word When we part may we go in His peace Press on all you saints Press on till the end Christ with us ever with us Until He comes again Press on all you saints Run and run to win Christ with us ever with us Until He comes again Now let the Word be scattered Llike the seed on the soil Day by day Watch it grow in His care And may you be a shelter As you reach to the lost Glad in hope calm in pain true in prayer And may He find us waiting With our lamps burning still Keeping watch through the night Til He comes For soon it will be morning And the sun will appear Christ who brought us this far Brings us home Passage: 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:14–21 ESV) Musical Reflection: It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss Reflection Notes: A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God's goodness. Spafford's immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford's children had died. Prayer: Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in continual godliness, that through your protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly serve you in good works, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Everyone thinks they know the story of the 19th century hymn, "It Is Well" but it's much richer and deeper than most realize. And there's a bit of a Paul Harvey's "Rest of the Story" in the years after.  This is Anna's story.Ad Links:The 1513 Collection - A Faith-based Apparel CompanyEverything Nash - One-stop shop for all things Music City, USA

Opening Song: (https://open.spotify.com/track/5iC83vBtNrDDj7ioeg56Pt?si=0e5dc05911694d2e)I Will Exalt You by Amanda Cook, sung here by Shane & Shane Lyrics: Your Presence is all I need It's all I want it's all I seek Without it without it there's no meaning Your Presence is the air I breathe The song I sing and the love I need And without it without it I'm not living (REPEAT) I will exalt You Lord I will exalt You Lord There is no one like You God I will exalt You Lord I will exalt You Lord No other name be lifted high There will be no one like You And no one beside You You alone are worthy of all praise Your Presence is all I need It's all I want all I seek Without it without it there's no meaning Passage: 10 Enter into the rock and hide in the dust from before the terror of the LORD, and from the splendor of his majesty. 11 The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. 12 For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low; 13 against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up; and against all the oaks of Bashan; 14 against all the lofty mountains, and against all the uplifted hills; 15 against every high tower, and against every fortified wall; 16 against all the ships of Tarshish, and against all the beautiful craft. 17 And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. (Isaiah 2:10–17 ESV) Musical Reflection: It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss Reflection Notes: A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God's goodness. Spafford's immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford's children had died. Prayer: Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen. -Old Anglican Prayer

Like, Comment, and subscribe to stay updated with latest content from Hope Church. Connect With Us Here: Website: https://www.ehope.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopechurchdbq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopechurchdbq/ May 28, 2023 | Matt Collins, Pastor Emeritus | Philippians 4:4-9 Sermon Guide: https://ehope.sermon.net/pdf/22131292 Pastor Matt explores the concept of peace in Philippians 4:4-9, emphasizing that true peace goes beyond the absence of conflict and is found in being complete and whole. He explains that peace is not something that comes naturally to us but can be learned and grown into. By thinking biblically, praying with thanksgiving, and loving cautiously, we can cultivate peace in our lives. Pastor Matt emphasizes the importance of trusting in God and believing in His ability to bring peace, highlighting that worry and anxiety stem from a lack of trust. He concludes by sharing the story of Horatio Spafford, who found peace in God despite experiencing immense loss and tragedy, reminding listeners that Jesus sacrificed His own peace so that we could find true peace.

Like, Comment, and subscribe to stay updated with latest content from Hope Church. Connect With Us Here: Website: https://www.ehope.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopechurchdbq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopechurchdbq/ May 28, 2023 | Matt Collins, Pastor Emeritus | Philippians 4:4-9 Sermon Guide: https://ehope.sermon.net/pdf/22131292 Pastor Matt explores the concept of peace in Philippians 4:4-9, emphasizing that true peace goes beyond the absence of conflict and is found in being complete and whole. He explains that peace is not something that comes naturally to us but can be learned and grown into. By thinking biblically, praying with thanksgiving, and loving cautiously, we can cultivate peace in our lives. Pastor Matt emphasizes the importance of trusting in God and believing in His ability to bring peace, highlighting that worry and anxiety stem from a lack of trust. He concludes by sharing the story of Horatio Spafford, who found peace in God despite experiencing immense loss and tragedy, reminding listeners that Jesus sacrificed His own peace so that we could find true peace.

Opening Song: Nothing to Fear (https://open.spotify.com/track/4iI8AJDQSWb1j3zGzlno8a?si=eddb1131ad2c4331) by The Porter's Gate and Audrey Assad Lyrics: When you pass through the waters I will be with you And the depths of the rivers Shall not overwhelm When you walk through the fire You will not be burned I am the Lord I am the Lord And there is nothing to fear nothing to fear There is nothing to fear nothing to fear For I am with you always In the depths of your sorrow I wept beside you When you walked through the shadow I drew you near Yesterday today tomorrow Always the same I am the Lord I am the Lord What can separate you from my perfect love Do not fear do not fear do not fear Passage: When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. 18 I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. 19 I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive. I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, 20 that they may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it. Musical Reflection: It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss Reflection Notes: A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God's goodness. Spafford's immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford's children had died. Prayer: Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen. -Old Anglican Prayer

Today we're going to talk about Horatio Spafford, the author of the famous hymn “It Is Well With My Soul”. As we'll see, Spafford went off the rails in his later life and, so, he's relegated to a Bonus Episode as we wind down are focus on the great hymn writers. This is probably going to stand as the longest episode in season 4 and I had to trim a lot of crazy stuff from it just to keep the episode to a reasonable length. So if you are interested go check out the source articles, particularly Leben, that I've linked in the show notes.RESOURCESBethel Church Ripon: https://www.bethelripon.com/life-stories/horatio-gates-spaffordCovenant Protestant Reformed Church: https://cprc.co.uk/articles/spafford/Isabellaalden.com: https://isabellaalden.com/2017/08/28/horatio-spaffords-second-chapter/Leben: https://leben.us/shipwreck-american-colony/

No doubt you are familiar with the hymn. Sung the world over, it has ministered to millions. And probably why it resonates so deeply, is that for Horatio Spafford, the author, these lyrics are autobiographical. Despite the years of tragedy he and his wife had endured, these lyrics are a testament to his faith and trust in God. It is this idea that even in the midst of great loss and sorrow, we can find peace and comfort knowing that God is sovereign and that He cares deeply for His children. Read the transcript for It is Well with My Soul: Can You Say That? Sign up for the Wisdom In All Things weekly email

In 1876, Horatio Spafford published the first version of this hymn. In this episode, we dig deep into the story behind the lyrics. We then contemplate the rich theology of the song. Songs sampled in this episode: It is Well with my Soul by Grace Community Church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h32qcka7DW0 It is Well by Redeemer Presbyterian Church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tQiLIFPFI0 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/worship-review/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/worship-review/support

This podcast episode tells the story behind the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul." The hymn was written by Horatio Spafford after he experienced a series of tragic events, including the death of his young son. Despite his grief, Spafford turned to God for strength and comfort. The result was this beautiful hymn that has been a source of comfort to Christians all across the world. God can turn our tragedies into a masterpiece telling of His grace. Check us out on Facebook and Instagram @healingfromtheinsideoutpodcast

Opening Song:  Speak Peace (Psalm 85) by Daniel Snoke Lyrics: Speak peace to Your people Speak peace to Your saints Speak peace to Your people Speak peace to all the earth   Surely His salvation is at hand Unfailing love and truth have met  Righteousness will cover all the earth And His glory now fills the land   Speak peace to Your people Speak peace to Your saints Speak peace to Your people Speak peace to all the earth   Lord, revive Your joy in us again And let us hear what You will say Will Your anger always be on us Will You not restore us again   You have covered all our sin  We have been restored again  Show us Your unfailing love Grant us salvation    Speak peace to Your people Speak peace to Your saints Speak peace to Your people Speak peace to all the earth Passage:  Psalm 85 Lord, you were favorable to your land;     you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;     you covered all their sin. Selah 3 You withdrew all your wrath;     you turned from your hot anger.   4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,     and put away your indignation toward us! 5 Will you be angry with us forever?     Will you prolong your anger to all generations? 6 Will you not revive us again,     that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,     and grant us your salvation.   8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,     for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;     but let them not turn back to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,     that glory may dwell in our land.   10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;     righteousness and peace kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,     and righteousness looks down from the sky. 12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good,     and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before him     and make his footsteps a way. Musical Reflection:  It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss Reflection Notes:  A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God's goodness. Spafford's immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford's children had died.  Prayer:  O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Opening Song: Nothing to Fear (https://open.spotify.com/track/4iI8AJDQSWb1j3zGzlno8a?si=eddb1131ad2c4331) by The Porter's Gate and Audrey Assad Lyrics: When you pass through the waters I will be with you And the depths of the river shall not overwhelm When you walk through the fire you will not be burned I am the Lord, I am the Lord And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always In the depths of your sorrow I wept beside you When you walked through the shadow I drew you near And yesterday, today, tomorrow, always the same I am the Lord, I am the Lord And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always What can separate you from My perfect Love? Do not fear Passage: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10–20 ESV) Musical Reflection: It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss Reflection Notes: A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God's goodness. Spafford's immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford's children had died. Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and grant us your peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. -The Gregorian Sacramentary

Opening Song: Trust in You (https://open.spotify.com/track/2MUKRBgYAQC6Wyi7htkrm8?si=75fb0a9c434143a2) by Antoine Bradford Lyrics: If perfect love cast out fear Then why should I ever be afraid When I know that you will always Be right next to me But still my vision's kinda blurry And sometimes I can't see your hand But even in the darkest night You'll always be there 'Cause when I trust in you I do the thing I that was made to do To live a life that fully rests in you And all your promises for me Oh, when I, when I trust in you When I trust in you When I trust in you When I trust in you Jesus, I know you're the good shepherd That never, ever lost a sheep So I lay down all my worries Lay 'em down at your keep 'Cause when I trust in you I do the thing that I was made to do To live a life that fully rests in you And all your promises for me Oh, when I, when I trust in you When I trust in you When I trust in you When I trust in you Passage: 1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. 2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore. 3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong. 4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! 5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the LORD will lead away with evildoers! Peace be upon Israel! (Psalm 125:1–5 ESV) Musical Reflection: It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss Reflection Notes: A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God's goodness. Spafford's immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford's children had died. Prayer: O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Opening Song: Nothing to Fear (https://open.spotify.com/track/4iI8AJDQSWb1j3zGzlno8a?si=eddb1131ad2c4331) by The Porter's Gate and Audrey Assad Lyrics: When you pass through the waters I will be with you And the depths of the river shall not overwhelm When you walk through the fire you will not be burned I am the Lord, I am the Lord And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always In the depths of your sorrow I wept beside you When you walked through the shadow I drew you near And yesterday, today, tomorrow, always the same I am the Lord, I am the Lord And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always What can separate you from My perfect Love? Do not fear Passage: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10–20 ESV) Musical Reflection: It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss Reflection Notes: A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God's goodness. Spafford's immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford's children had died. Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and grant us your peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Gregorian Sacramentary

Each week we will look at a classic hymn, learn the history of it, and how to apply the biblical truths to our own lives. This week we will focus on "It Is Well With My Soul" written by Horatio Spafford

The context of a song impacts its significance. Horatio Spafford's "When Peace Like a River" is a prime example. Psalm 34 is another. When we reckon with the experience of God's deliverance celebrated, we gain a greater appreciation for tasting God's goodness and hoping in his redemption. Listen to Pastor Brian's sermon on Psalm 34 for more.

Wes Swarthout teaches from James 1:1-6 and encourages us to choose joy in the midst of difficulty. He shares the sorrowful yet inspiring story of Horatio Spafford, who wrote the hymn "It is Well with my Soul" and helps us to see the difference between emotional happiness and the work of God-derived joy.

Opening Song: Grace in the Wilderness (https://open.spotify.com/track/111Wd3XLkQi0ZIxdqDSehb?si=21d236091f4c4fc1) by Eoghan Heaslip and Matt Redman Lyrics: Wand'rers in this wilderness Yet we find our home in You Strangers in a foreign land Yet we find our hope in You When all else changes You remain You've always been our dwelling place O Lord We find grace in the wilderness Strength enough to sing of Your unfailing love You are close closer than we know And there will be a day when all will be revealed Before the mountain peaks were formed Before the earth itself was born From the beginning to the end You have always been our God Passage: And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” 19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21 And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him. (1 Kings 19:15-21 ESV) Musical Reflection: It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss Reflection Notes: A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God's goodness. Spafford's immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford's children had died. Prayer: Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen. -Old Anglican Prayer

What is faith? Hi, I'm Mike Henry Sr. with Follower of One, I want to talk about faith for a few days. And so I turned to Hebrews chapter 11 today's passages verse one, Hebrews 11:1. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for the conviction of things not seen." That's from the English Standard Version. This is a very familiar passage. And I looked at it in a number of translations. Sometimes it's called assurance. Sometimes it's called reality. Sometimes it's called realization. In one translation in the original king James, or at least in an old version of the King James. It says that faith is a substance of things hope for. The evidence of things not seen.   Why is faith even necessary? First of all, faith is like this proof. It's the final say in what we can't see, God continues to hide from us to mask things and to make us trust him. The challenge is, is that we have to express this trust based on faith. That's what I'm doing. My word this year is trust. I want to have the faith that helps me relax, knowing that God is in control and that he's in charge of things. This faith needs to make a difference in our lives. We need to operate as if we see it, this conviction of things not seen. It means that we're confident. We have this confidence that comes from knowing that God is in charge.   Eventually we will see God, or we will see his glory. We will be blown away by him so much that every knee will bow. It says in Philippians and every tongue will confess. In the song. It Is Well With My Soul by Horatio Spafford. The author talks about a day when his faith shall be sight.   When we can see what's going on, faith isn't necessary anymore. But God has created the entire world and our entire relationship with him and all of eternity to ride on this faith. And so I wanted to talk about it for a few days. We're going to talk through different pieces of Hebrews chapter 11 and consider how faith shows up in our daily life.   Faith, I hope helps me be a better employee. It helps me take extra time for people. It helps me be a blessing to others. It helps me go beyond my job description. I'm not living in this scarce mindset where I believe that I can only give so much for what I'm paid. Faith tells me that I can trust God and I can go beyond what's expected of me.   And God will make it right. Romans 8:28 says that God causes "all things to work together for good to those who love him and who are called according to his purpose." Our faith helps us walk in what we know about God. We lean on that and we trust that because he is who he says he is. Our faith becomes this proof of what we believe. And our lives prove what we believe when we live according to faith, I believe that's the model God has for each of us. And that I believe is our challenge for today. Shall we live by faith? When we live by faith, Jesus becomes visible. He's the key to the faith that we have. He's the key to everything.   And when we live, according to that faith, other people see him, they see something different and they might even ask the question, why are you doing this? And that's our opportunity to tell other people about him. That's our goal is marketplace ministers. Today, I want to thank you for being a marketplace minister.   Thank you for considering how faith might make your day different today. That's our job is to live different lives so that others might ask. You can join a community of people who are passionate about doing that by heading to https://community.followerofone.org and creating a free profile there. You might even join us on the next marketplace mission trip.   Thanks again for listening and thanks for being a marketplace minister.

It Is Well x Horatio Spafford x Peace x Isaiah 66:12, Philippians 4:7, John 7:37-38 Your daily crossover of faith and fandom! Experience daily Biblical encouragement from nerdy Christian podcasters, bloggers and content creators. Join the Nerd of Godcast community at www.NOGSquad.com

The hymns we sing shape us. So what shaped the hymns? "It is Well with My Soul" comes from a haunting cable after a shipwreck and is testimony to the amazing faith of Horatio Spafford. See how Jesus calmed the sea in the Bible and how He can calm the rugged seas in your life, too.

When is the last time you said, "I'll be happy when....." (fill in the blank)? I (Kelsey) admit I say this ALL the time. I'll be happy when I hit that next work goal, weight goal, income goal, when this or that happens....etc... Motivational Speaker and Author Teresa Lewis takes us through a deep, authentic dialogue about how to have gratitude and calm amidst difficult times. In 1873, a man named Horatio Spafford had gone through so many trials and tribulations and the only thing that gave him peace was the Bible verse 1 Peter 4:12. He then wrote the song "It is Well With My Soul?". Check out his story: HERE BIO: Teresa Lewis is an inspirational speaker, author and essential oil connoisseur. She helps you picture new possibilities, shift perspectives and master your mindsets. She has a passion for helping people achieve well-being of body, mind and spirit. She's a lake girl at heart and she and her husband have 2 adult daughters, a brand new son-in-law and a Norwegian daughter who joined the family as an exchange student. Teresa's mission is to make a positive and profound impact on others and she inspires her audiences to do the same. Follow Teresa on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Podcast - Apple Podcast - Spotify Download our FREE 10 Proven Ways to Prevent Your Burnout Guide today! DOWNLOAD HERE --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/youflourish/support

In 1873 there was a man named Horatio Spafford and after the tragic death of his four children and two years after his four year old son's death, he took pen to paper and wrote the words, “When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul. Horatio Spafford deeply understood that no matter his lot in life, the greatest dilemma with his soul was solved by the shedding of Jesus' blood on the cross. In this week's episode, Francis Chan takes us to Luke 23 and reminds us of this unspeakable joy that comes from Jesus' death.

Opening Song:  Brighter than the Sun by Caleb Choo, Jonathan Ogden, and Nathan Stirling. Lyrics: Oh Lord You love More than anyone Oh Lord You shine Brighter than the sun   I've been searching For a love like Yours and I am seeking longing To know You more With my whole heart I was made to worship You My saviour Jesus 'Cause You're the source of my life   I love You Lord There's nothing in this world that I want more You're everything That every human heart is searching for   You are the source of the love that I need You are the river The fountain the stream You go beyond all that we can conceive So open my eyes Father I want to see   You are the way You're the truth and the life All that I need I believe You provide You will shine forth in Your glory and might 'Til even the darkness is turned into light Passage:  1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, 3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. 4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.   5 How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! 6 The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: 7 that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; 8 but you, O LORD, are on high forever. 9 For behold, your enemies, O LORD, for behold, your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered.   10 But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; you have poured over me fresh oil. 11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.   12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, 15 to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. (Psalm 92:1–15 ESV)   Musical Reflection:  It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss Reflection Notes:  A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God's goodness. Spafford's immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford's children had died.  Prayer:  Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sign-up for my free 20 day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)In the booming Chicago of the 1860s, there lived a young Christian family of six whose patriarch was a prominent lawyer and investor. All was going well for the young man and his family until the Great Chicago Fire destroyed much of his real estate. The loss was significant, but it paled in comparison to the tragedy the man would experience just two years later when his wife and daughters were in a shipwreck as they sailed from New York to England. All four daughters died in the crash. Upon arriving in England, the mother telegrammed her husband in Chicago. “Saved alone,” she said.The husband left Chicago right away, sailing off to England to meet his grieving wife. We don't know much about his journey across the Atlantic, but I have to imagine the man spent his days alone, grieving his loss and questioning his God. I can see him staring out the window at the sea, reading the biblical account of Job, a man like him who had been blessed with so much, only to see it all taken away from him in the blink of an eye. We don't know much about what happened on that ship, but we do know this: As the ship crossed over the spot where the man's daughters were now resting in peace, Horatio Spafford wrote these words:When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,When sorrows like sea billows roll;Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,It is well, it is well with my soulSpafford had a hope that wasn't rooted in himself, his ability to push through his suffering, or even the fact that his wife miraculously survived the crash and was waiting for him across the sea. No, as his classic hymn shows us, Spafford's hope was rooted in something far deeper: Jesus Christ and His work on the cross. As he wrote in verse two:Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,Let this blest assurance control,That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,And hath shed His own blood for my soulAs he was sailing across the ocean mourning the loss of his children, Spafford was writing about the cross. Why? Because his hope was rooted in a God who understood his pain, a God who watched His own innocent Son die on a cross and used that event for His glory and our eternal good.The trials you and I face personally and professionally will almost certainly pale in comparison to Spafford's. But our source of hope is the same. If you lose your job, if you're late to ship your newest product, if you're forced to lay-off an employee, even if your endeavor fails entirely, you can look to the cross as Spafford did and say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.” Romans 8:28 reminds us that “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” As we go about taking risks to create culture, failure and adversity are inevitable. But we, like Spafford, have hope that God is working everything for His glory and our good.

Even when times seem tough or unbearable, our God is here. As Chris and Blake discuss the hymn It Is Well by Horatio Spafford, they talk about how it can still be okay because of who we believe in and what he does in the highs and the lows.