Podcasts about identity in christ

In today's episode, Nicolette and Tara L. Cole talk about praying for our children's friendships and what it really looks like to help kids build healthy, God-centered relationships. They cover everything from anchoring identity in Christ to practical tips for finding community, navigating friendship changes, and recognizing when a friend group needs to shift. LINKS: Freebie: Drive Time Conversations Fruit of the Spirit Download How to Pray God's Word for Your Children Follow Everyday Prayers @millionprayingmoms Get today's devotion and prayer in written form to keep for future use! Support the ministry with your $5 monthly gift through Patreon. Friendships, Bullying, and our Prayers by Nicolet Bell & Tara L. Cole Reference: Proverbs 17:7 Prayer: Father, help my children to make friends that point them to you. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Peace the World Can't Give: The Promise of the Holy Spirit – John 14:15–31 In Episode 150 of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane finish John 14 with one of Jesus' greatest promises: we will never have to walk alone. As Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, He promises the coming of the Holy Spirit—the Advocate, Helper, and Teacher who will remain with them and remind them of everything Jesus has taught. Then, in the middle of uncertainty about what comes next, Jesus gives them something the world cannot manufacture: His peace. Together, Jamie and Jane explore what it means to recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives, how love for Jesus shapes our obedience, and the difference between temporary peace based on circumstances and the lasting peace that comes from Christ. Jesus never promised His followers a life without trouble, questions, or uncertainty. He promised something better: His presence in the middle of it. If your heart has been anxious, overwhelmed, or searching for peace, pull up a chair. John 14 reminds us that we have a Helper, we have His presence, and we have a peace the world cannot give. Reflection Question: Am I looking to my circumstances to give me peace—or am I learning to receive the peace Jesus has already given me? ____________________________________ Connect with Jamie: Website: www.jamieklusacek.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacek Connect with Jane: Website: www.janewwilliams.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams

This one's for warriors, not the faint of heart. We're activating our victory in Christ and confronting the enemy's schemes head-on. I take you into my own story: growing up with torment and inner destruction that started in childhood, chasing answers in the paranormal because I didn't know yet where real power lived. Then I met the Holy Spirit, and everything shifted. Now I'm passionate about being a bloodline breaker, ending generational curses so my lineage honors the Lord instead of repeating what came before. God has a plan for your life...and so does the enemy. The question is which one you're agreeing with. I break down four tactics the enemy uses against you: intimidation, fear, deception, and stolen destiny. Each one shows up different, but all of them are designed to make you feel powerless. I'll show you how to spot them and how to reclaim your authority through the blood of Jesus. Here's the truth: you can't control the enemy, and you can't control other people. You can only control you. Your healing, your freedom, that's what ripples out to your family and your community. Next week we pray over all of it. This week, we fight. The enemy's time is up.     TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:01 - Welcome to Wisdom's Table Introduction to the podcast and its purpose. 00:00:26 - Activating Victory in Christ Discussion on overcoming challenges and activating victory in Christ. 00:01:19 - Refusing to Break Exploration of resilience and standing firm against the enemy's plans. 00:01:50 - Personal Testimony Rachel shares her personal experiences with torment and the supernatural. 00:03:34 - Breaking Generational Curses The importance of being a bloodline breaker and the cost involved. 00:04:37 - The Enemy's Plans Introduction to the plans of the enemy and how to recognize them. 00:05:48 - Intimidation Understanding how intimidation is a tactic used by the enemy. 00:19:29 - Fear Discussion on fear as a natural response and how the enemy manipulates it. 00:21:13 - Deception The subtlety of deception and its impact on our lives. 00:22:28 - Stolen Destiny Exploration of destiny swapping and the importance of recognizing what we trade. 00:24:35 - Conclusion and Encouragement Encouragement to resist the enemy's plans and reaffirming our identity in Christ. 00:28:17 - Upcoming Prayer Episode Teaser for the next episode focused on prayer.

Thought to share? Send me a text...What if temptation isn't always about wanting something bad—but about being tempted to stop trusting God and take matters into your own hands?When you're exhausted, lonely, disappointed, impatient, or waiting for God to move, it can be easy to reach for something that promises relief, control, or a faster way forward. In Luke 4, Jesus faces three temptations that reveal how subtly the same struggle can show up in our everyday lives: meeting our own needs, taking shortcuts, and asking God to prove Himself.Rather than simply showing us how to “try harder,” Jesus shows us what it looks like to remain rooted in what we know to be true about God—even when our circumstances make trust difficult.In this episode, you'll discover: How to recognize three subtle forms of temptation that can pull you toward self-reliance and away from trusting God.  Why even a good desire can become dangerous when you pursue it through shortcuts, control, or something God never intended to meet that need.  How knowing God's Word and character can help you respond to temptation with confident trust instead of allowing your circumstances to redefine who God is. Press play to learn how Jesus' response to temptation can help you recognize where you're taking matters into your own hands and choose to trust God's provision, His way, and His character instead.New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday mornings.To connect with Betsy for speaking, resources, or curriculum head to https://betsymarvin.com/contact-me/For access to past podcasts and transcripts, head tohttps://betsymarvin.com/podcasts/A Christian podcast centered on Jesus, the Bible, and God explores faith through the Old Testament and New Testament, sharing Bible stories and Bible explained insights to help women of faith and Jesus followers grow in faith, strengthen their relationship with God, and know God more deeply through Bible study, women Bible study, and practical Christianity, all while encouraging spiritual growth, understanding identity in Christ, and learning to understand Bible teachings to become closer to God.

What do you do when your life doesn't look anything like you thought it would?When the relationship falls apart, the opportunity disappears, the finances become uncertain, the prayer seems unanswered, or you find yourself walking through a season you never expected?In this episode of the Dream Creation Podcast, we're talking about one of the most important truths you can hold onto in a difficult season:God may not always remove you from the hardship—but He will never abandon you in it.Throughout Scripture, we see faithful people who experienced incredible pain, uncertainty, rejection, loss, and fear—and yet God was still with them.We'll walk through the stories of:✨ Joseph — betrayed by his brothers, thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, and imprisoned, yet Scripture repeatedly tells us that the Lord was with Joseph.✨ Job — who experienced devastating loss and suffering without understanding why, reminding us that we can bring our questions and pain honestly before God.✨ Hagar — alone in the wilderness with her son, discovering that God is El Roi—the God who sees.✨ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to compromise their faith, showing us that God can meet us in the fire.✨ Paul and Silas — beaten and imprisoned, yet praying and worshipping God at midnight, reminding us that we can trust and praise God even before we see the prison doors open.If you're currently going through a hard season, waiting season, wilderness season, spiritual battle, loss, disappointment, or uncertainty, this episode is for you.You'll be encouraged to:• Stop interpreting God's silence as His absence• Bring your honest emotions and questions to God• Focus on today's obedience instead of trying to control tomorrow• Seek godly community instead of isolating yourself• Remember that your circumstances do not define your identity• Trust God one day—and one faithful step—at a timeYou don't need to understand everything God is doing to trust Him.You don't need to see the entire path to take the next step.And you don't have to walk through the fire alone.God is still with you.

Daniel Mingo has spent decades following Jesus while navigating unwanted same-sex attraction, sexual addiction, marriage, recovery, and ministry.In this conversation, Daniel joins Brady Cone to share his story and discuss what it actually looks like to pursue Christ when same-sex attraction doesn't simply disappear. They talk about prayer, repentance, accountability, identity in Christ, sanctification, and why Daniel rejects the label “gay Christian.”They also discuss Side B Christianity, Revoice, the difference between temptation and identity, and why genuine discipleship requires more than simply changing behavior.This is a conversation about what it means to deny yourself, take up your cross, follow Jesus, and trust God with the process of sanctification—even when that process takes a lifetime.Learn more about Daniel Mingo and ABBA's Delight.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction03:00 Daniel's Story of Same-Sex Attraction09:08 Following Jesus While Attractions Remained17:00 Marriage, Temptation & Secret Struggles27:20 Confessing to His Wife29:17 Recognizing Sexual Addiction36:59 God Calls Daniel Into Ministry44:22 Is Change Actually Possible?47:24 “Pray Away the Gay” vs. Side B Christianity49:44 Why Daniel Rejects the “Gay Christian” Identity51:17 Daniel's Warning About the Gay Christian Movement54:15 The Problem With Side B Christianity56:18 Sanctification Takes Time1:02:48 Why Discipleship Requires Community1:03:37 Helping Christians With Same-Sex AttractionJoin us weekly as we strive help people embrace God's standard for sexuality! Other ways to listen:https://linktr.ee/calibrateconversations#Christianity #SameSexAttraction #FollowingJesus

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Michelle for an honest and encouraging conversation about what it looks like to find peace with food after decades of dieting, striving, and struggling with body image. Michelle shares how she first discovered Thin Within (later Revelation Within), walked away when things seemed “good,” and eventually returned when her efforts to control food began to unravel. Together, we explore spirit-led eating, the difference between restriction and freedom, and why grace—not willpower—is at the heart of lasting change. Michelle also vulnerably shares about early image pressure, trauma, and using food as comfort, and how she is learning to let Jesus meet her in those tender places without condemnation.We also get practical as Michelle shares the mind-renewal tools she uses in everyday life, including the simple question, “What is true, God?” We talk about using Scripture to challenge lies like “I'm no good” and “I have to fix this to be okay,” while discovering how a secure identity in Christ affects not only our relationship with food and our bodies, but also fear of man, conflict, disappointment, and anxiety. If you're longing for Christian eating freedom, healing from diet culture, or a calmer relationship with food and your body, we hope Michelle's story gives you both encouragement and a next step toward experiencing God's grace right in the middle of everyday life.Support the showLearn more about our Revelation Within Community: https://www.revelationwithin.org

In this episode of After The Message, we finally settle the debate on if this is season 2 or 3, discuss whether Jonny is nice or not, and talk through how our identity in Christ should shape our lives and how we live it.  Be sure to check out our series hub for this series for more resources and to submit your questions that we can answer on the next episode. https://www.frontrange.org/series-hub 

Send us Fan MailYour strongest beliefs are already steering your next decision. Ron Myers digs into a question that sounds simple but can change everything: what are you believing about God, about yourself, and about what you're walking through right now? We lay out the chain reaction from belief to behavior to movement to evidence, and why “biblical optimism” is not pretending life is easy. It's trusting the God who is still working even when the moment hurts, feels unfair, or makes no sense.Ron shares a personal story about getting rattled by another Christian's opinion and how fear can sneak in wearing religious language. From there, we ground confidence in grace and identity in Christ, including the stabilizing promise of “no condemnation” and what it looks like to renew your mind by rewriting the script playing in your head. If you've been stuck in “I'm too old,” “I'm not qualified,” or “nothing works for me,” you'll hear practical language shifts that move you from shame to growth.We also talk about action when you can't see the whole plan: walking through fog one visible step at a time, turning the handle before calling the door locked, and treating closed doors as potential redirection. Plus, we answer a big faith question: can a Christian stop believing and forfeit salvation? The takeaway is security, not pressure and it reshapes how we see God and ourselves.Listen now, then share this with someone who needs to believe again, and subscribe, rate, and review to help more people find these grace-filled conversations. What's one belief you're ready to challenge today?Support the showThank you for listening! Please help us by sharing this podcast with your friends and telling someone about what Jesus has done for you. If you would like to share your story, visit our website https://thepromoter.org/

In Week 4 of our Good News series, Pastor Jason Britt dives into 1 Corinthians 5 and 6 to address biblical sexual ethics and identity in Christ. Comparing and contrasting ancient Corinth and modern culture, the sermon exposes the flawed belief that bodily actions carry no spiritual weight. Rather than approaching the topic with shame or behavior modification, the message delivers gospel clarity: our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought with an unthinkable price, and designed to honor God.  

What happens when a Christian sins? Does our behavior change our identity in Christ or can we even lose our salvation? In Episode 262 of The Hope Rescue Podcast, we continue our series on salvation by looking at what Scripture teaches about being born again, our identity in Adam versus our new identity in Christ, repentance, and what happens to our relationship with God when believers fall into sin. We'll also talk about why the security of our salvation never gives us an excuse to live however we want.

What does it look like to raise a girl who is creative, courageous, resilient, and willing to step into the opportunities God places before her? On this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, Melissa Bearden and Natalie Ambrose shine a spotlight on the entrepreneurial spirit in Christian girls—and explore how parents can help their daughters discover and steward the gifts, passions, and talents God has uniquely given them.  Entrepreneurship isn't simply about starting a business. For a Christian girl, it can be an opportunity to learn confidence, leadership, problem-solving, perseverance, and faithful stewardship while keeping Christ at the center. Melissa and Natalie discuss the qualities they see in Christian women who blaze new trails, from faith and vision to humility, teachability, diligence, and a willingness to wrestle through the ups and downs of success. They also explore the importance of helping girls pursue God's purpose rather than simply chasing a personal passion.  In a Raising Godly Girls Minute, AHG Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay encourages parents not to hold back young entrepreneurs simply because they are young. Whether a girl loves baking, making jewelry, designing, strategizing, or solving problems, small opportunities can teach her to take healthy risks, learn from failure, and invest her gifts in God's Kingdom. Melissa and Natalie offer practical ways families can give girls room to explore new interests, praise resilience rather than perfection, and keep their identities firmly rooted in Christ rather than in a particular talent or hobby.  The conversation also highlights how American Heritage Girls provides girls ages 5 to 18 with opportunities to explore passions, develop skills, practice Biblical leadership, and grow in resilience. From the Entrepreneurship and Biblical Leadership Badges to the many possibilities within AHG's Badge Frontiers, girls have countless opportunities to discover how God has wired them and consider how their gifts can be used to serve Him and others. Listeners will also hear about Heritage Headlines and the inspiring stories of AHG Alumnae who are following God into new territories.  Whether your daughter is already dreaming up her first business or simply loves creating, solving, leading, or serving, this episode offers encouragement to nurture her gifts while teaching her the most important lesson of all: her identity is not found in what she can accomplish, but in who she is in Christ.    Three Things to Consider:  Give your girl space to explore new hobbies, skills, and passions.  Praise her resilience and willingness to learn through failure—not just her performance or success.  Help her keep her identity rooted in the Lord, because passions may change, but her identity in Christ endures.    Scriptures Referenced:  1 Corinthians 12  Luke 14:28  Matthew 25:40    Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.       Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.    

Do you really know your identity in Christ? Knowing your identity in Christ changes the way you see yourself, respond to rejection, seek validation, and live your everyday life. In this video, we're talking about what it really means to know who you are in Christ and how to stop allowing other people's opinions, your accomplishments, your roles, or your performance to define you. We'll talk about: ✨ How God's Word reveals the truth about who you are ✨ How to recognize what you've allowed to define you ✨ People-pleasing, validation, comparison, rejection, and overperforming ✨ How to stop trying to earn your identity and start living from who you already are in Christ

Thought to share? Send me a text...What if repentance is less about feeling guilty over what you've done—and more about turning toward God and allowing Him to change how you live today?The word repentance can sound harsh, condemning, or even intimidating. But in Luke 3, John the Baptist shows us a different picture. Repentance isn't simply feeling bad, saying you're sorry, or trying harder to be a “good Christian.” It's a change of mind that leads to a change of direction—turning away from what is keeping you from God and turning toward Jesus.And for the busy Christian mom who wants a deeper relationship with God, that change often shows up in surprisingly ordinary places. It's in how you speak to your family when you're tired, whether you choose contentment over comparison, how willing you are to apologize when you're wrong, and whether you obey God when no one else is watching.In this episode, you'll discover:A biblical understanding of repentance that moves you beyond guilt and toward a deeper relationship with Jesus.How to recognize the everyday “fruit” of genuine repentance through generosity, integrity, contentment, and the way you treat others.Why preparing the way for Jesus doesn't require a dramatic spiritual gesture—and how your next ordinary act of obedience can become an expression of everyday faith.Play this episode to discover what it means to truly turn toward Jesus and take one practical step of obedience that allows God's Word to change the way you live today.New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday mornings.To connect with Betsy for speaking, resources, or curriculum head to https://betsymarvin.com/contact-me/For access to past podcasts and transcripts, head tohttps://betsymarvin.com/podcasts/A Christian podcast centered on Jesus, the Bible, and God explores faith through the Old Testament and New Testament, sharing Bible stories and Bible explained insights to help women of faith and Jesus followers grow in faith, strengthen their relationship with God, and know God more deeply through Bible study, women Bible study, and practical Christianity, all while encouraging spiritual growth, understanding identity in Christ, and learning to understand Bible teachings to become closer to God.

Does your son have a gremlin? An author named Rick Carson created a metaphor out of the destructive creatures from the popular 80s movie. He suggests that negative thoughts are like gremlins– destroying our self esteem. With the rates of depression continuing to rise for young men today, it's safe to assume that our sons struggle with their own thought-gremlins. So what can we do to help them “tame the beast,” so to speak? Proverbs 23:7 reminds us that, “as someone thinks within himself, so he is.”  First, model positive self-talk.  When you mess up, instead of saying, “I am dumb,” say, “I need to work on that.” And memorize scripture with your son that reminds him of his identity in Christ. Jeremiah 1:5 is a great place to start. To learn about the five critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Can good thing like your career, ministry, family, hobbies, or even serving God, become idols? In this episode of the 9941 Podcast, Granger Smith and the crew explore how to recognize when a God-given gift begins competing with God for your identity, security, and attention. Through honest stories about country music, pastoring, football, money, grief, and family, the group shares practical warning signs of idolatry and explains how prayer, Scripture, accountability, and an open-handed posture can help keep priorities in order. Drawing from the rich young ruler, Zacchaeus, Psalm 61, and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, they discuss what it means to surrender control and sincerely pray, “Not my will, but Yours.” If you’ve ever wondered whether something important in your life has become too important, this biblical conversation offers encouragement for finding freedom, protecting your relationship with God, and placing your identity in Christ.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recording from Men's Advance 2024:Do you really know who you are? Very few believers truly live from their identity in Christ. In this teaching from Andrew Wommack, learn to see yourself beyond your natural appearance and discover who you became when you were born again—you are now just like Jesus (1 John 4:17).

Dr. Jim Wilder has been thinking about the relationship between brain science and spiritual formation since before most people knew the question existed. He trained under one of the inventors of the EEG machine, spent years working alongside Dallas Willard, and has spent decades building what he calls the Life Model — a unified account of what it looks like to grow up into the likeness of Christ, neurologically and spiritually. This conversation is an hour inside that work.Michael and Jim talk about why the right brain runs faster than the conscious mind — and what that means for every Christian who has tried to think their way into a changed life. They talk about why joy isn't a rare gift but the baseline the brain was designed to run on, and what happens when it isn't. They discuss identity, shame, and what it means for the brain to perceive itself only through how other people see us. And Jim tells the story of a professor who looked at a kid who couldn't spell and said, "You might want to consider being a writer." Eighteen books later, that moment still explains everything.Support the showENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:- Follow us on YouTube - Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS- Like us on Facebook- Follow us on Instagram & Twitter- Follow Michael on Twitter- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com Thanks for listening!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores our desire for a hero and the competing stories that promise to lead us toward freedom and human flourishing. He contrasts cultural narratives represented by figures like Odysseus and Barbie with the gospel, which points us to Jesus as the one true hero who brings freedom and flourishing to all people. Pastor Zach challenges listeners to consider who is at the center of their story and reminds us that following Jesus means laying down false heroes and divisions and finding our identity in Christ.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at podcast@ccchapel.com!

Did you know that just like forgiveness, healing has already been provided? Daniel shares how God is waiting on you to receive this great news!

What does it look like to pursue your calling without allowing success, numbers, or recognition to become your identity?In this episode of Rooted in Christ, Eric sits down with Christian artist and producer The Prodigal Joe for an honest conversation about faith, identity, purpose, music, and what it means to genuinely follow Jesus.Jose shares his journey growing up as a pastor's kid, moving from a faith that felt largely rooted in religion and routine to discovering a deeply personal relationship with Christ. He opens up about the struggles, questions, and experiences that shaped his faith—and how God ultimately used music as a way for him to express emotions and experiences he once struggled to communicate.The conversation also dives into the meaning behind The Prodigal Joe, his approach to creating Christian music, and why he wants people to see themselves in his story rather than simply look up to him.Eric and Joe discuss:• Finding your identity in Christ rather than your accomplishments• The difference between religious routine and a genuine relationship with Jesus• How God can use the gifts He's already placed inside of you• Music as a tool for communication, healing, and reaching people• Staying faithful when the culture rewards compromise• The pressure of social media, streams, views, and numbers• Why authenticity frees us from the pressure to perform• Pursuing excellence without making success the goal• Learning to be present and intentional with the people God has placed around you• Trusting God with the results after you've been obedient to His calling• Leaving behind a legacy that points people back to ChristAt the heart of this conversation is a powerful reminder: our job is obedience; the results belong to God. Jose shares why he's content to give God his absolute best, regardless of how big or small the platform becomes.If you're struggling to figure out what you're supposed to be doing with your life, feeling pressure to measure your worth by numbers, or wondering whether your gifts can really be used by God, this episode is for you.Don't waste your time. Seek Him, be faithful, and let God make something beautiful out of your life.---Want to be a guest on Rooted In Christ? Send Eric Stephens a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1759833790503730c0e0ceb0e

This passage records Judah's family line. The genealogy preserves the real history of God's covenant people and the line from which Jesus, the Lion of Judah, came. Study and transcript: https://sharonrpc.org/devotions/1-chronicles-4-1-23-identity-in-christ

Marriage was never meant to be a game, but so many of us treat it like one.What if the way you've been playing is what's actually breaking it?This is Week One of our series More Than a Game. Marriage isn't a contract you keep when it's convenient, it's a covenant that reveals who you really are. This message asks a challenging question: What if God designed marriage less to make you happy and more to make you holy?Whether you're single and want to prepare well, in a good marriage that needs attention before it drifts, or in a painful season wondering if it's too late, this message is for you.In this message you'll discover:— Why the real battle in your marriage isn't against your spouse— How God uses marriage as a refining tool to expose and grow your character— What it means to draw a circle around yourself and take ownership of your part—- Why finding your identity in Christ is the foundation for a healthy marriageKey Scriptures: James 4:13-14, Ephesians 6:12, Malachi 2:16, Psalm 139:23-24Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campusStay ConnectedWebsite: https://flatironschurch.comFacebook: https://Facebook.com/flatironsInstagram: https://Instagram.com/flatironschurchJim BurgenYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.BurgenFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.burgenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimburgenBring the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world. This is the mission of Flatirons Church, led by Jim Burgen and based in Lafayette, CO, with multiple locations in Colorado and online.

As followers of Christ, we are called, loved, and kept by God—but we must also be alert and ready to defend the truth. In a world filled with spiritual deception and compromise, we must take our calling seriously and live boldly for Jesus. In this powerful message, Pastor Jeff Schreve issues a clear call for us to stand firm, to embrace our identity in Christ and to contend earnestly for the faith.

Psalm 133 opens with a simple declaration: how good it is when God's people dwell in unity. But unity is more than showing up in the same room. It's a shared identity in Christ, a shared commitment to one another, and a shared mission to a world that desperately needs the gospel. When those three things come together, something remarkable happens. Come see what that looks like.

The sermon establishes that true self-worth is derived solely from being created in the image and likeness of God, rather than from external factors such as work, possessions, or physical appearance. It identifies sin as the practice of error and highlights how lies about inferiority create barriers to experiencing God's grace and love. The speaker emphasizes that believers are fundamentally spiritual persons with inherent rights and privileges granted by their Creator. By accepting the truth of their identity in Christ, individuals can dismantle the enemy's influence and live in the freedom intended for them. The message calls for a shift from self-centered striving to a reliance on the Holy Spirit and the legal standing of holiness received through the new birth.

Matthew was one of the most hated men in his community. As a Jewish tax collector working for Rome, he extorted his own people, was barred from the temple, and cut off from everyone around him. Yet Jesus walked straight up to him, looked him in the eye, and called him to follow. No conditions. No cleanup required. Just grace.This message digs into the story of Matthew, also known as Levi, and what his encounter with Jesus reveals about the nature of grace, identity, and the call God has placed on every person's life. If you have ever felt too far gone, too broken, or too defined by your past to be used by God, Matthew's story speaks directly to that.Topics covered include the difference between religion and relationship, how grace transforms identity, why Jesus ate with sinners instead of avoiding them, and what it looks like to extend grace to the people around you the way Matthew did after his own encounter with Jesus.Key themes and keywords: saved by grace, grace through faith, Matthew the tax collector, calling of Matthew, Ephesians 2:8, Luke 5:27-32, Psalm 139, God with us, Emmanuel, identity in Christ, repentance and grace, Jesus and sinners, Christian faith, following Jesus, transformation through Christ, what is grace, how to follow Jesus, Bible story of Matthew, New Testament, Gospel of Matthew, church sermon, Christian living, faith and identity, God sees you, you are not too far gone, grace changes everything.Matthew did not clean himself up before Jesus called him. He was sitting at his booth, doing exactly what he always did, and Jesus came to him. That is the gospel. It is not about earning your way to God. It is about God crossing the distance you could never cross on your own.After receiving grace, Matthew threw open his doors and invited everyone he knew to come and meet Jesus. Grace is not meant to stop with you. It is meant to flow through you. Who in your life might be waiting for that invitation right now?Reflection questions to consider this week: Are you truly receiving God's grace, or are you still trying to earn your place with Him? Has your identity been shaped more by what others think of you or by what Jesus says about you? Who in your life is waiting for an invitation, and what is stopping you from extending one?The same Jesus who walked up to a hated tax collector and said follow Me is the same Jesus who sees you right now. He is not waiting for you to get it together. He is already reaching.

The sermon expounds on Ephesians 1, emphasizing that believers possess all spiritual blessings exclusively through their union with Christ. It contrasts eternal spiritual realities with temporal material gains, highlighting the doctrine of imputation where God counts Christ's righteousness to those who believe. The preacher explains that being chosen before the foundation of the world results in a status of holiness and blamelessness, not by human effort but by divine grace. This theological framework calls listeners to live out their new identity in Christ, putting off the old self and walking in the reality of their redeemed position. Ultimately, the message invites individuals to trust in the finished work of Jesus for salvation and eternal life.

Never grow weary of exploring and exulting in the inexhaustible privilege of being “in Christ Jesus.”

We sit down with Savannah to trace how fear, secrecy, and image-management in church culture fed a long cycle of shame and sexual sin, even while she tried hard to be a “good Christian.” A breakthrough in Hebrews 9 reframes everything, moving her from dead works to a confident identity in Christ that actually empowers lasting change.• growing up in a Christian home where weakness feels unsafe• chasing affirmation and confusing performance with closeness to God• a youth leadership “contract” that teaches secrecy over confession• the weekly cycle of temptation, crossing lines, guilt, and condemnation• how shame spreads through family and friend reactions• Hebrews 9 and “dead works” as the turning point• learning righteousness, forgiveness, and freedom through Jesus as High Priest• Romans 6 and renewing the mind as a daily practice• redefining humility as receiving what God already gave• helping others through coaching that targets limiting beliefs and gospel truth

In this episode, Derwin Gray and I talk about what it actually takes to heal. He noticed years ago that people were making their wounds into their identity, and It's Time to Heal is his answer - be honest, expect it to be hard, accept what happened without letting it define you, live from love instead of for it. We get into salvation as healing rather than a one-time event, why the fleshly desires still call after we become believers, and what forgiveness cost him in his own story. We also talk about why healing that stays personal has stopped short of the gospel.Dr. Derwin L. Gray is the co-founding and Lead Pastor of Transformation Church, just outside of Charlotte, NC. Dr. Derwin L. Gray was named the recipient of the John M. Perkins Justice Award. The award is given to a visionary leader whose life and work exemplify the principles of biblical justice. He is also an award-winning author who has published several books, including “How to Heal Our Racial Divide: What the Bible Says, and What the First Century Christians Knew about Racial Reconciliation" and NEW RELEASE "Lit Up With Love: Becoming Good-News People To A Gospel-Starved World". You can follow him at @derwinlgray on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, as well as www.derwinlgray.com.Derwin's Book:It's Time to HealConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeSupport the podcast and the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show

Ask, Believe, Dream Bigger: The Greater Things Jesus Promised – John 14:12–14 In Episode 149 of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane slow down and dive into just three powerful verses—John 14:12–14—where Jesus makes an astonishing promise about faith, prayer, and the “greater works” His followers will do. What did Jesus mean when He said, “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these”? And what do we do with His invitation to “ask me for anything in my name”? Together, Jamie and Jane explore the difference between dreaming with God and simply asking Him to bless our plans. They talk about bold prayers, surrendered dreams, expectations, and what it means to believe that God can accomplish more through our lives than we could ever manufacture on our own. Maybe we've been praying too safely. Maybe we've allowed disappointment to shrink what we're willing to ask God for. John 14 invites us to believe again, ask boldly, dream with God—and remember that ultimately, it is all for the glory of the Father. Reflection Question: Have I allowed fear, disappointment, or past unanswered prayers to make my prayers smaller—and what might God be inviting me to ask Him for again? ____________________________________ Connect with Jamie: Website: www.jamieklusacek.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacek Connect with Jane: Website: www.janewwilliams.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams

In this episode, David Wollen opens God’s Word to explore what it means to live out our new identity in Christ by abiding in Him.

Send us Fan MailFollow Elana on Instagram @elanavdeventerSome stories are not for scrolling past. This one belongs to Elana van Deventer.She had a serious brain injury at four years old. She had to learn to walk again and speak again. She forgot the whole thing until her sister reminded her years later, but her mind never forgot the beliefs it built around it.School labeled her learning disabled. In grade eight her math teacher told her she was stupid and would get nowhere. She says the hardest part was not the insult. It was that he only said out loud what she already believed.So she found her worth somewhere else. In South Africa she became the pretty one. Photo shoots, invitations, and finally a modeling contract. She thought she had made it.Then her family immigrated to a tiny town in Northwest Ontario, and the first winter hit minus fifty.No events. No photo shoots. No identity. She fell into a deep depression and became suicidal, and she blamed her husband for taking everything from her.Then COVID made the world go quiet.She calls that season the soil. There was nothing left to strive for, so God took her all the way down to the root and started over. Out of that she built her own work, the Revive Method, around identity alignment. The picture she used before she knew anything about the science was a tree.There is a line in this episode worth writing down. There is a difference between the journey and the decision. The journey being hard does not mean the decision was wrong.The turn comes later. She got an email from Dr. Caroline Leaf's office and deleted it. When the second one came announcing the first round of neurocycle facilitator training, she applied with her eyes closed and hit send scared. She was accepted.She had never read one of Leaf's books. Today the girl who was told she was stupid at math sits in the room helping build Leaf's new strategist offer.She also talks about why sixty three days changed her life when twenty one never did, and why knowledge without mind renewal stays knowledge forever.Find Elana on Instagram at elanavdeventer.This is The Calling Table Sessions on the Stuck No More Voices Podcast. One seat. One woman. One story handled with care.If you are a Christian woman leader with a story that could reach the woman you used to be, there is a seat here for you. Come tell it at theresacroft.com/yourseat.Share this episode with the woman who came to mind while you were listening.Subscribe on YouTube. Share on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.Hosted by Theresa Croft, a Visibility Strategist who helps Christian women move from their calling to their story to being found with a message for their ideal audience.Register Click HERE:  The Calling Activation Study; Discover the Story That Connects Your Calling to the People You're Meant to Serve.To be a guest on the Calling series:  https://theresacroft.com/your-seatHome TheresaCroft.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/theresacroftFacebook: https://Facebook.com/theresamcroftYouTube: https://YouTube.com/@theresacroftMore Podcast Episodes on Apple and Spotify

Whose voice has shaped the way you see yourself? Today we're revisiting one of our favorite Hope Talks conversations about identity and learning to see yourself through God's eyes instead of through the opinions of others, your past, or the lies you've come to believe. Together, Haley and Dustin explore why so many of us struggle with shame, insecurity, guilt, and feeling like we're never enough. They discuss how our identity shapes our thoughts, choices, relationships, and spiritual growth—and why lasting change begins by replacing lies with the truth of God's Word. If you've ever struggled to believe you're truly loved, accepted, forgiven, or enough, this conversation will encourage you to see yourself the way God already does: as His beloved child. Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.   So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.   Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.   Listen in    --------------   Hope for the Heart resources   Join us this fall at the Hope Together Conference! Learn more and sign up here: https://hopetogether.com/    Connect with Hope for the Heart on social!    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart    Learn more about the ministry and resources of Hope for the Heart: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/    Learn more about Hope Talks and catch up on past episodes: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/hopetalks/    Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night     God's plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you      Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://hopefortheheart.donorsupport.co/page/hope-talks    --------------   Bible verses mentioned in this episode   Psalm 145:8 – “The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.”   Isaiah 43:4 – “You are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.”   Isaiah 41:9 – “I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant' I have chosen you and have not rejected you.”   Matthew 3:16-17 – “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”   John 13:23 – “One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.” (See also: John 21:7 and John 21:20 for the phrase “the disciple whom Jesus loved”)   Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”   Romans 15:7 – “Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory”   Ephesians 1:4 – “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes”   1 Thessalonians 1:4 – “God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people”   1 John 3:1 – “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

A lifelong craftsman questions his purpose and calling. Andrew clarifies the freedom of identity in Christ—your purpose isn't your job but expressing Jesus—inviting believers to live creatively, without guilt, and enjoy meaningful roles without pressure.

Thought to share? Send me a text...Have you ever wondered why, if God is growing you or calling you toward something, your life still looks so ordinary?When you're raising kids, caring for family, managing responsibilities, or simply waiting for what's next, it can feel like the meaningful parts of your life have been put on hold. You may sense God stirring something in your heart while wondering why there doesn't seem to be room to pursue it.But what if this ordinary season isn't an interruption at all?In Luke 2, we get the Bible's only glimpse of Jesus as a boy. At just 12 years old, Jesus demonstrated an awareness of His unique relationship with His Father. Yet instead of rushing into public ministry, He returned home to Nazareth, lived in obedience, and grew.His example offers a powerful reminder: knowing doesn't always mean going.In this episode, you'll discover:Why seasons that feel ordinary or “on hold” can be significant seasons of spiritual formation.How Jesus' years in Nazareth can help you trust God's timing instead of rushing toward what's next.How to recognize what God may be growing in you as you faithfully serve Him right where you are.Press play to discover how Luke 2 can help you stop seeing your ordinary season as wasted time and start recognizing how God may be using it to deepen your faith and prepare you for what comes next.New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday mornings.To connect with Betsy for speaking, resources, or curriculum head to https://betsymarvin.com/contact-me/For access to past podcasts and transcripts, head tohttps://betsymarvin.com/podcasts/A Christian podcast centered on Jesus, the Bible, and God explores faith through the Old Testament and New Testament, sharing Bible stories and Bible explained insights to help women of faith and Jesus followers grow in faith, strengthen their relationship with God, and know God more deeply through Bible study, women Bible study, and practical Christianity, all while encouraging spiritual growth, understanding identity in Christ, and learning to understand Bible teachings to become closer to God.

Homeschooling and family life can drain the life out of us. How do we maintain a right attitude and perspective in our families for the long haul? In an episode from the archive, Carol talks with consulting client Mellany Zepelak about how learning to create margin in her life and receive God's love has transformed her family life. They discuss how adding personal downtime, encouraging a positive home environment, and embracing your identity in Christ can radically improve your family dynamics. Don't miss this hope-filled conversation!RESOURCES+The Blessing Seminar+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!+Build Your Family's Library: Grab our FREE book list here+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!CONNECTHomeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | PinterestEPISODE LINKSUnplugged Children BundleMentioned in this episode:Get your lessons with Voetburg Music Academy for 25% off your first month! Use code HOMESCHOOL25Voetberg Music Academy

Let me know what you think of this episode? Most people think HR and faith don't mix—until they discover how biblical principles can transform workplace culture from the ground up. Brett Billups, an HR veteran with over 35 years of experience, reveals how applying scripture to everyday work challenges not only benefits employees but also drives business success.In this episode, Brett shares his journey from struggling with the disconnect between faith and HR to developing a groundbreaking biblical HR model. You'll discover how biblical truths can reshape difficult conversations, improve performance, and foster a healthier, more motivated workforce. We break down practical tactics Brett used to navigate tough situations—like firing with grace, confronting unethical behavior, and extending forgiveness—while aligning with legal and corporate policies.You'll also learn why traditional HR policies fall short without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and how relying on spiritual wisdom can lead to wiser, more compassionate decisions in complex workplace scenarios. Plus, Brett discusses the importance of true identity in Christ and how understanding this shifts the way we view our roles and responsibilities at work. From navigating secular environments to leading with biblical integrity, his insights challenge listeners to rethink what it means to serve in a workplace kingdom.If you're a business leader, HR professional, or believer trying to live out your faith in a secular workplace, this episode offers actionable steps to bring biblical principles into your daily routines. The stakes are high—without this mindset, workplace toxicity and disconnection grow. With it, you unlock transformational leadership rooted in grace and truth.Brett Phillips is an HR consultant and author dedicated to integrating faith and work. His biblical HR framework has helped countless organizations create environments where employees thrive and are seen as divine creations, not just assets.Perfect for anyone seeking inspiration to align their faith with their professional life—whether you're in HR, management, or simply looking to lead with biblical integrity. Listen now to start transforming your workplace into a kingdom-minded space where purpose and productivity go hand in hand.Support the showWant to be a financial supporter of the show, click here, https://www.buzzsprout.com/1754677/supporters/newFollow and subscribe to the podcast here, and get weekly updates on when new episodes are released.  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dorsey-ross-show/id1495921329Social Media Links,  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsey.ross/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DROCKROSS/ My Book Amazon Book Overcomer https://bit.ly/4h7NGIPWant to be a guest on Dorsey Ross Show? Send Dorsey Ross a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1615423845838x127949785844303500Affiliate Link For Podmatch https://www.joinpodmatch.com/dorseyross

Experience Saul's transformation as he boldly declares his faith and embarks on a spiritual journey to deepen his connection with Christ, leaving behind his old life and embracing the new.In this episode of The Jesus Podcast, Saul, now a follower of Christ, publicly proclaims Jesus as the Messiah in the synagogue, leading to his expulsion. As he faces rejection, Saul begins to meditate on his new identity in Christ and sets out on a journey to seek deeper understanding and guidance from the Lord in the wilderness of Arabia.Today's Bible verse is Galatians 2:20, from the King James Version.Download the ⁠Pray.com⁠ app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2 Timothy 1:7 • 1 Corinthians 16:13–1 Learning to stand strong in the Spirit without losing the softness of your heart.In this powerful episode of The Beautiful Messy Show, Sister Heather invites women to discover what it truly means to stand tall in faith while keeping a tender heart.Through 2 Timothy 1:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:13–14, we explore how God gives us the power to be courageous, the love to remain tender, and the self-control to walk through difficult seasons without allowing them to harden our hearts.Life can be beautiful and messy. We will face disappointment, rejection, challenges, change, and moments that test our faith. But being a strong woman of God doesn't mean becoming cold or closed off. Tough skin doesn't have to mean a hard heart.This episode is a reminder to:

Dr. Lorenzo A. Watson is joined by Elizabeth Perkins to discuss the history of Christian Community Development and share stories of some of the people and experiences that helped shape this work. Elizabeth also reflects on how CCD has shaped her life and ministry, and how she is carrying her father's legacy forward.Want to learn more about Christian Community Development? Join Lorenzo and Elizabeth for a free online training on September 2nd on practicing CCD. Learn more at citycollectiveseries.com.Elizabeth Perkins lives with a profound sense of calling shaped by her faith in Jesus Christ and a passion for justice, reconciliation, and discipleship. She often reflects on how God's faithful hand has guided her steps, not simply for her journey, but to empower others to walk boldly in their purpose and become instruments of change in a broken world.With over 25 years of ministry experience, Elizabeth has poured into the lives of both men and women, mentoring and guiding them in their spiritual, personal, and leadership development. She has a heart for equipping the next generation to rise with courage and conviction. As part of this work, she founded and led She-ciples, a discipleship group for teen girls focused on purity, purpose, and identity in Christ—demonstrating her commitment to nurturing young women with truth, grace, and love.She aims to help future generations encounter and follow Jesus, becoming agents of hope, healing, and justice. Through her work at the John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation, Elizabeth remains steadfast in her pursuit of biblical justice and reconciliation, believing that through Christ, lives—and communities—can be made whole.Learn more about CCDA and how you can get involved at ccda.org. Connect with CCDA on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Follow CCDA on YouTube.

Do you know how to share the truth in a way that's bold but not belligerent?  Host Tina Yeager sits down with Christian business leader and author Peter Demos at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville to discuss how to be "bold, not belligerent" when sharing your beliefs. Discover insights on standing for truth without being overbearing, the power of forgiveness, how self-protection and entitlement can get in the way of our faith, and the difference between cultural and biblical love. Peter Demos shares wisdom from his personal journey, equipping you with tools and encouragement to speak truth with love, shift your mindset and heartset, and trust God more deeply as you fulfill your purpose. Stay tuned for inspiration that will empower you to move from surviving to thriving in all areas of life. Highlights from the Conversation 1. Prepare Your Heart First According to Peter Demos, true boldness begins with spiritual disciplines like forgiveness, repentance, and prayer. Before you stand for the truth, check your own heart for unresolved anger or unforgiveness that may distort your message. 2. Approach with Redeeming Love Love isn't always "sweet and flowery." Real love means wanting the ultimate best for others. Speak truth motivated by a desire to help—not to shame or "win" an argument. 3. Distinguish Meekness from Weakness Meekness is strength under control. Peter Demos reminds us that we don't have to contribute to the cultural noise or respond with anger. Instead, we should act with wisdom and grace—even when we must correct a fellow believer. 4. Trust That It's Not About "Winning" We're not single-handedly responsible for changing hearts; we're called to add "water to the bucket" by planting seeds in each conversation. Trust God with the results. 5. Check Your Motives Ask yourself: Am I motivated by love or by self-protection, fear, or insecurity? Peter Demos urges us to ground our identity in Christ, not in our roles, accomplishments, or safety nets. Stay Connected For practical encouragement and wisdom, subscribe to Peter Demos's podcast and follow his work at peterdemos.org. We're thrilled to accompany you on this journey of faith, growth, and transformation. As always, we appreciate your support! Please subscribe and share this episode. We can't wait for you to join us for future episodes of Flourish-Meant. To book Tina as a speaker, connect with her life coaching services, and more, visit her website: https://tinayeager.com/ Optimize your mind and body with my new favorite, all-inclusive supplement, Cardio Miracle! I love the energy and focus this health-boosting drink mix provides without toxins, caffeine, or sugar! Get a discount on your purchase with my link: http://www.cardiomiracle.com/tinayeager Live your healthiest life with Sustainable Healthy Weight Loss! Tina Yeager's unprecedented whole-person program is bundled with profound insights and tools to help you embrace the revitalized, slimmer you that you might never have dreamed possible! OR Manage stress and anxiety in 10 minutes a day with the course presented by 15 experts, Subdue Stress and Anxiety https://divineencouragement.onlinecoursehost.com/courses Connect with Tina at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyeagerwriting/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinayeager/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina.yeager.9/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TinaYeager Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tyeagerwrites/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3865622.Tina_Yeager

"In this solo episode, host Terry Gwaltney tackles a question most men never stop to ask themselves: who are you when the job, the title, the role, or the reputation you've built your identity around gets stripped away? Through the story of a successful businessman who lost it all, along with illustrations from Florence Chadwick's famous swim and Alfred Nobel's obituary, Terry unpacks how isolation, pride, and performance-based identity set men up for a fall — and how failure is an event, not an identity. Drawing from Ephesians 2:10 and Romans 8:1, he challenges men to stop performing their way into worth and instead let a secure identity in Christ produce the action. The episode closes with a call to find a "corner man," get honest about past failure, and use that story to bring hope to someone else still stuck in it — plus an invite to the October Man Up Adventure Camp.Ready to go deeper? Pick up Terry's book Mantality: A Tactical Field Guide for Men — a blueprint for becoming the kind of man this world desperately needs. Get your copy at https://manupadventure.com/product/mantality/Want to connect with Terry or learn more about Man Up Adventure Camp?Visit manupadventure.com to register for camp, step up as an Adventure Captain, or explore everything Man Up has to offer."Main Quote:"Real strength doesn't start with 'I got this.' It really starts on your knees, guys."

Welcome to The Daily. Go ahead and pick up your 1 Peter Scripture Journal now. Our text today is 1 Peter 2:9-10: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. — 1 Peter 2:9-10 Everyone wants to tell you who you are. Advertisers tell you who you should be. Politicians tell you where you belong. Social media invites you to build an identity around an image. Friends shape your sense of self. Critics label you by your failures. Even your own past whispers reminders of who you used to be. Every day, voices compete to define you. Peter knew his readers were hearing those voices. Living as scattered believers throughout Asia Minor, many of them had lost social standing because of their faith in Christ. Some had been rejected by their families. Others were viewed with suspicion by their communities. The culture around them had plenty to say about who they were. Peter reminds them that the most important thing about them isn't what others say. It's what God says. "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession." These words would have sounded familiar to Jewish ears. They come from Exodus 19, where God described Israel as His treasured people, set apart to represent Him to the nations. Yet Peter does something astonishing. He applies these titles to believers in Christ. Many of Peter's readers were Gentiles. They had grown up worshiping idols and living outside God's covenant promises. They had no ancestral claim to Abraham, no place among Israel's tribes, and no reason to think these descriptions belonged to them. Yet through Christ, they did. The outsiders became family. The exiles became heirs. The unwanted became beloved. Peter then reaches even deeper into Israel's story. In our last study through Hosea, God gave symbolic names to two of his children: Lo-Ruhamah, meaning "No Mercy," and Lo-Ammi, meaning "Not My People" (Hosea 1:6, 9). Their names illustrated a heartbreaking picture of judgment and a broken relationship. Yet even in Hosea's message of warning, God promised that mercy and restoration would have the final word (Hosea 2:23). In this text, Peter declares that the promise to Hosea has been fulfilled. "Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." This is the gospel. People who had no claim are brought near. Those who stood outside are welcomed in. Sinners receive mercy and become sons and daughters of God. Peter isn't encouraging believers to think more highly of themselves. This isn't self-esteem dressed up in religious language. He is calling them to believe what God said about them and what he says in his fulfilled promise. Identity isn't discovered by looking deeper within yourself. It is received from the God who made you and redeemed you. The voices competing for your identity never stop. Some will define you by your accomplishments. Others by your mistakes. Some by your wounds. Others by your desires. But if you belong to Christ, the truest thing about you isn't what you've done, what others have said, or what you've become. It's that you are God's. The world will spend your entire life trying to tell you who you are. But God already has. Choose to believe what God has said and no one else, including the voices in your own head. DO THIS: Write down three identities God gives believers in this passage. Then thank Him for each one, especially the one you struggle most to believe is true of you. ASK THIS: What voices most influence the way I see myself? Which truth about my identity in Christ do I have the hardest time embracing? How would my decisions change if I truly believed what God says about me? PRAY THIS: Father, thank You for calling me Your own. When I am tempted to define myself by my past, my failures, or the opinions of others, remind me of who I am in Christ. Help me believe Your voice above every other voice and live as the person You have redeemed me to be. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me."

Important Links: Dad Tired Annual RetreatHost A Dad Tired Conference at your churchJoin the FREE Family Leadership ProgramShop the Dad Tired store for best-selling gearJonathan Almonte grew up in extreme poverty in the Dominican Republic, without a father in the home and believing that joining a gang might be his best path to a better life.But God began changing his story through a local church, a childhood friend, and a Compassion International sponsor who faithfully wrote him letters from Michigan. Years later, when Jonathan's father told him he was a mistake, those relationships helped him understand that his identity was not defined by rejection, poverty, or his past.In this episode, Jerrad and Jonathan talk about father wounds, growing up fatherless, forgiveness, poverty, faith, spiritual darkness, Christian fatherhood, and the way God can redeem the most painful parts of our story.Today, Jonathan is a husband, father, and serves tens of thousands of children in the Dominican Republic through Compassion International.If you've struggled with rejection, an absent father, forgiveness, or questions about your identity in Christ, this conversation is for you.

What if the biggest problem facing men today isn't a lack of discipline, ambition, or opportunity?   What if it's that most men don't actually know who they are?   In this episode of The Super Human Life, Frank Rich sits down with Tim Couet, author of Identity Assignment, to unpack why so many men are winning externally while still feeling lost internally.   Tim believes two issues sit underneath much of the chaos men experience today: Identity and priorities.   Rather than building your identity around career, money, status, performance, or achievement, Tim argues that a man's identity has already been assigned by God.   Using Genesis 2:15 as the foundation, Tim explains why the biblical assignment of man can be summarized in two words: Serve. Protect.   From there, Frank and Tim explore what happens when a man begins living from that identity—and what happens when his priorities fall out of alignment.   They discuss marriage, fatherhood, work, lust, pornography, achievement, the modern church, the loss of initiation into manhood, and why the thing many men are ultimately chasing may not actually be more success.   It may be peace.     In This Episode, You'll Learn Why identity and priorities are two of the biggest issues facing men today   Why men often confuse what they do with who they are   What Genesis 2:15 reveals about the assignment of men   Why Tim believes men are called to serve and protect   How work quietly becomes the highest priority for many men   Why trust in marriage is rebuilt through evidence and consistency   How identity can change a man's relationship with lust and women   Why you cannot simply achieve your way out of internal struggles   The difference between being a biological male and becoming a mature man   Where the modern church may be falling short in developing men   Why young men need intentional initiation into adulthood   Why many men are chasing achievement when what they really want is peace   How this framework applies to married men, single men, fathers, and men rebuilding their lives   Why Jesus is the ultimate example of both a servant and protector     About Tim Couet Tim Couet is the author of Identity Assignment and founder of Prodigal Man, a ministry focused on helping men understand their identity in Christ and become the leaders God has called them to be.   He also hosts Altar'd Manhood and Mentoring Christian Men Worldwide.   Tim and his wife, Mettina, have been married for more than 17 years and have four children. He currently serves as the Chief Deputy Tax Collector of Pasco County, Florida and is actively involved in men's ministry at Grace Family Church.   Resources Identity Assignment — Tim Couet Available on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H3B6TLL3/?bestFormat=true&k=identity%20assignment   Altar'd Manhood Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8eR00lwKHlNck4sBbRbclA   Final Question After listening, ask yourself: Do my actions reflect the man I say I am—and are my priorities actually in the right order?   -- Connect with Frank and The Super Human Life on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachfrankrich/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/584284948647477/   Website: http://www.thesuperhumanlifepodcast.com/tshlhome   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjB4UrpxtNO2AFtDURMzoKQ  

Pop culture is everywhere—shaping the way your kids see the world and often teaching lessons that go against God’s Word. Dr. Holly Brand explains why you as a parent play such a crucial role in helping your children develop a strong faith, discern truth from lies, and build godly character in the middle of today’s confusing culture. She’ll share how you can help your kids find their identity in Christ, work through doubts, and stand firm on God’s truth, even when life gets tough. Those small, intentional choices you make every day can have a lasting impact on your child’s heart and beliefs.Receive a copy of the "Christ & Culture 2.0" bundle and an audio download of "Teaching Your Children How to Engage the Culture" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.Get more episode resources Do you have a story or comment on how Focus on the Family impacted you or your family? Leave a message for Jim Daly!If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

It's Mailbag Friday! You've got questions, we've got answers. Segment 1 • Can a Christian celebrate Indian holidays like Diwali, even if the Hindu religious elements aren't emphasized? — Troy • Why don't you baptize babies? — Anonymous Segment 2 • How can I stop being controlled by other people's opinions and find my identity in Christ? — JD Segment 3 • What should I do if I want to serve more at church but keep getting overlooked? — Anonymous • Is it appropriate to dance with someone who isn't your spouse? — Jana Segment 4 • How do I respect my husband when I feel like there's nothing about him to respect? — Nancy • What is your view of the baptism of the Holy Spirit? — Jeremy ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!