Podcasts about Galatians

Psalm 113 Psalm 147:12-20 Philippians 2:6-11 Galatians 4:4-5 Prayer Requests to psp@sqpn.com

Episode: Jason Staples and Stephen Carlson try to ruin your Nativity! Jason discusses Stephen's essay "The Accommodations of Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem: Κατάλυμα in Luke 2:7." They also discuss when and how Mary and Joseph get married, the census in Luke 2:2, and ... (wait for it) ... the Spanish Inquisition.  Guest: Dr. Stephen Carlson is Associate Professor in the Biblical and Early Christian Studies program at the Australian Catholic University. He's the author of three books, The Gospel Hoax: Morton Smith's Invention of Secret Mark (Baylor, 2007), which debunked the "Secret Gospel of Mark"; The Text of Galatians and its History (Mohr Siebeck, 2014), which applied state-of-the-art computer phylogenetic software he wrote himself to produce a family tree of ninety-two manuscripts and witnesses of Galatians; and Papias of Hierapolis' Exposition of Dominical Oracles (Oxford, 2021), the most complete edition of the fragments of Papias of Hierapolis, a second-century Christian commentator. He is also the author of numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, including his article on the so-called "inn" in Luke's infancy account (under discussion in this episode) and essays on the donkeys in Matthew's triumphal entry: Stephen C. Carlson, “‘The Jenny and the Colt' in Matthew's Messianic Entry, Part 1: Matthew 21:5 as a Reading of Zechariah 9:9 in Light of Mark 11:1-10,” in the Catholic Biblical Quarterly, volume 81, number 1 (January 2019), pages 62-84 (link). Stephen C. Carlson, “‘The Jenny and the Colt' in Matthew's Messianic Entry, Part 2: Matthew 21:7 as a Reading of Mark 11:7 in Light of Zechariah 9:9,” in the Catholic Biblical Quarterly, volume 81, number 2 (April 2019), pages 235-251 (link). HERE is a link to the article "Luke 2:2 and the Census."  

This episode explores what I call the miracle before the miracle of Christmas. Before Bethlehem. Before the manger. Before angels filled the sky. God was already at work. In this teaching from Luke chapter 1, we walk through the story of Zacharias and Elizabeth, the priesthood, and the grace of God that moves even when prayers feel unanswered and seasons feel barren. This is a message for anyone who has: - Remained faithful while waiting - Served God without seeing change - Wondered if time has passed them by - Felt marked by past mistakes, family history, or reproach You'll see how God's grace: - Qualifies who we think are disqualified - Answers prayers we've stopped believing for - Removes shame and restores calling - Prepares the way for His promises This message is deeply rooted in Scripture, moving from Exodus to Luke, Galatians, 1 Peter, and Revelation, revealing how God establishes a royal priesthood and remains faithful across generations. Whether you're listening during the Christmas season or any time of year, this teaching is a reminder that God is faithful, even in the waiting. Chapters 00:00 The Christmas Spirit and Its Relevance 03:05 Exploring God's Kingdom and the Priesthood 08:51 The Role of the Levites and Their Significance 14:55 The Miracle of John the Baptist's Birth 20:52 Faithfulness Amidst Barrenness 27:01 The Power of Prayer and God's Faithfulness 36:09 The Role of Faithfulness in God's Plan 45:04 The Prophetic Words of Zacharias 57:11 The Christmas Miracle: Hope and Redemption About your host: Jaime Luce' testimony has daunting personal mountains and treacherous financial valleys. She was trapped in day-to-day stress and couldn't see a way forward. But how she started is not how she finished! And she wants you to know God has a plan for your life too, no matter how tough it seems. Today, Jaime has been married to the love of her life for almost three decades, owns two companies, and has become an author and podcaster. God's way is always the blessed way! Free chapter of Jaime's new book: You Don't Need Money, You Just Need God: https://jaimeluce.com/book/ Connect: - Website: https://jaimeluce.com - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaime.luces.page - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaime_luce/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-luce-00395691/

Galatians 2:16 TPTwe know that no one receives God's perfect righteousness as a reward for keeping the law, but only by the faith of Jesus, the Messiah! His faithfulness has saved us, and we have received God's perfect righteousness. Now we know that God accepts no one by the keeping of religious laws!

Tuesday, 23 December 2025   Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” Matthew 15:14   “You leave them! They are blind, blind-conductors. And blind, if they should conduct, both – they will fall into a pit” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus told His disciples that every plant His heavenly Father had not planted would be uprooted. He now says, “You leave them!” The words are imperative. Their instruction is based on corruption, not the truth. What the Father plants is truth, but the devil only sows lies, confusion, etc. To explain further, Jesus says, “They are blind, blind-conductors.”   A new word is seen here, hodégos. It is from hodos, way, and hégeomai, to lead. Thus, it speaks of one who leads in the way, and thus a conductor. With the adjective blind attached to the thought, they are conductors of the blind.   And yet, Jesus notes that they, too, are blind. Paul, speaking to the Jews in Romans 2, uses the opposite terminology to describe the way they felt about themselves, even though they acted contrary to their teachings –   “Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, ‘Do not commit adultery,' do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For ‘the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,' as it is written.” Romans 2:17-24   This is the attitude that Jesus rebukes in these leaders of Israel. They were blind leading blind people. It is a recipe for disaster. He next says, “And blind, if they should conduct, both – they will fall into a pit.”   It is an obvious truth. When a blind person is conducted, it is where the conductor takes him. He is placing his trust in the one leading him. But if the conductor himself is blind, any step he takes could bring him to the edge of a pit. The next step will see him tumbling in along with the one he was charged to lead.   Now imagine one who is willfully blind, like these leaders of Israel. They were disregarding the law and causing others who were untrained in the law to follow them –   “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. 10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He himself will fall into his own pit; But the blameless will inherit good.” Proverbs 28:9, 10   Isaiah prophesied of Israel's blindness. It was a chronic condition with them –   “Hear, you deaf; And look, you blind, that you may see. 19 Who is blind but My servant, Or deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is blind as he who is perfect, And blind as the Lord's servant? 20 Seeing many things, but you do not observe; Opening the ears, but he does not hear.” Isaiah 42   Life application: Think of the variety of doctrinal disputes between Christian instructors:   *Israel are God's people vs. Israel are not God's people. *The church replaced Israel vs. Israel and the church are separate entities. *Salvation is eternal vs. Salvation can be lost. *There is such a thing as the rapture. There will be a pre-trib rapture. There will be a mid-trib rapture. There will be a post-trib rapture. *The church began at Pentecost vs. the church began with Paul's conversion. *Believers are free from the law. Believers must adhere to the law. Believers are free from the civil law but are bound to the moral law. *The Sabbath must be observed. A Christian Sabbath must be observed. No Sabbath is necessary. *Bacon is bad vs. bacon is good.   On and on it goes, with ten thousand points of doctrine. When a teacher is wrong in his doctrine, he is blind, at least in that area. But he is now leading others who are blind because they have never been taught to see properly. Imagine something as critical as law observance, and what Paul says about that –   “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8, 9   People who teach observance of the law, the subject of Paul's letter to the Galatians, are exactly the type of people Jesus was speaking about. They are blind, and they are leading others into the same pit they are in.   How can you know if you are being taught something incorrectly? The only way to even have a hint of it is by at least being aware of the source of what you are being taught. In the case of Christianity, the source is Jesus. The place to find instruction about Him is in His word. So be sure to read your Bible daily. It is important.   Glorious God, wisdom is found within You. Help us to pursue You and to desire to know the truth of what Your word tells us. So many people teach so many different things. So, Lord, as we read Your word, give us sound and proper insight into what it says. Help us to be wise as we look for instructors of Your word to guide us. Amen.

Jacob and Aaron take a look at the readings for the First Sunday after Christmas Day, which are Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7, and John 1:1-18.

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2 NLT) Christmas is a time of giving, and I’ve found it to be true that it’s more blessed to give than to receive. If you’re like me, you can’t wait to give your gifts. When you get something for someone, you want to see the joy they have in receiving it. Matthew 2:11 tells us that the wise men “entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (NLT). Gold, frankincense, and myrrh—what kind of gifts were those for a child? Myrrh, after all, is an embalming element. Why give an embalming element to a baby? I believe that these wise men had insight into who Jesus was. They gave Him gold because they recognized it was a proper gift for a King. They gave him frankincense because that’s what a high priest used when he went into the temple to represent the people before God. They gave Him myrrh because they recognized that this King would die for the world. That begs the question, what can we give God during this holiday season? What can we give to God, who has everything? What does He want from us? The answer is our lives. He wants our lives. The apostle Paul wrote, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:1–2 NLT). Paul also wrote, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 NLT). These passages make it clear that God is pleased when we turn over to Him that which is most personal to us. The greatest gift you can give God this year is yourself. The most meaningful thing you can do is enter into a brand-new year of opportunities and say, “Lord, I give You my life. I give You my talents. I give You my abilities. I give You my dreams. I give You my future. I give You my weaknesses. I offer myself to You. Here is my gift to You.” Be like the wise men who worshipped the Lord and give Him something meaningful. You’ll be glad you did because you can never outgive God. Reflection question: What would it look like for you to give your life to God in the coming year? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seven Ways to Know You're in the Will of God • Sunday Service Website: www.PastorTodd.org To give: www.ToddCoconato.com/give Seven Ways to Know You're in the Will of God (And How You Know When You're Not) Let me tell you something up front: The will of God is not a mystery! Religion paints this picture like God is hiding His will from you, and you've got to stumble around in the dark hoping you trip into it. No! God's will is clear, God's will is knowable, and God's will brings you into blessing and kingdom advancement. If you're not in the will of God, you're wasting time, spinning your wheels, and giving the devil a foothold in your life. But when you're in His will, you don't just survive—you multiply, you advance, and you shake the nations for Christ. 1. Peace in Your Spirit Scripture: “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” — Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) 2. Confirmation by the Word of God Scripture: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) 3. Fruitfulness and Multiplication Scripture: “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?” — Matthew 7:16 (NKJV) 4. Open Doors by God's Hand Scripture: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” — Revelation 3:8 (NKJV) 5. The Witness of the Holy Spirit Scripture: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” — Romans 8:16 (NKJV) 6. Provision in the Assignment Scripture: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) 7. Advancing the Kingdom of God Scripture: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) How You Know You're NOT in the Will of God Let me hit this quickly and clearly. The Bible shows us markers of being outside His will: 1. Confusion and unrest. “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace.” — 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV) 2. Compromise against Scripture. “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you… let him be accursed.” — Galatians 1:8 (NKJV) 3. Lack of fruit. “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered.” — John 15:6 (NKJV) 4. Constant striving with no breakthrough. “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV) 5. Ignoring conviction. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” — Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV) 6. Living in lack. “You have sown much, and bring in little… he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” — Haggai 1:6 (NKJV) 7. Self-glory instead of God's glory. “I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another.” — Isaiah 42:8 (NKJV) Conclusion Friend, the will of God is not something you have to stumble into—it's something you step into by faith and obedience. When you're in His will, peace rules your heart, doors open, fruit multiplies, provision flows, and the Kingdom advances. When you're out of it, confusion reigns, doors slam shut, provision dries up, and your life feels like pushing a boulder uphill. Make up your mind tonight: I will live in the center of God's will. I will not be distracted. I will not compromise. I will not settle. Because when you're in His will—you're unstoppable.

The curse of sin runs deep, touching every part of creation, every part of who we are. And the law, even God's good law, cannot remove it. But the gospel can. Christ became a curse for us so we could be brought into blessing: the blessing of Abraham, the blessing of life with God, the blessing of the Spirit who dwells in us. This is why Jesus came. This is why Advent matters. The curse is not the final word. Blessing is. Galatians 3:10–14

In order to achieve success in your calling, you first have to believe you deserve success. However, many people feel like they are unworthy of success due to past sins, mistakes, and/or missteps. Most of us have done things we are not proud of, but God stills finds you worthy of success. You are worthy of achieving the calling that He has placed in your heart. James 1:6–8 KJV, Isaiah 53:4–5 KJV, 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV, Romans 8:1 KJV, Galatians 2:16 KJV, Luke 22:60–61 KJV, Luke 22:31–32 KJV, Acts 7:58 KJV, Acts 8:1,3 KJV, 2 Corinthians 7:2 NLT, 1 Corinthians 15:9–10 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com Leave a Comment: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/comments __________    

Apostle Jim Raley delivers an inspiring sermon titled 'Your Promise Has a Due Date.' Drawing from biblical passages like Luke 1 and Galatians 4, Raley emphasizes faith, divine timing, and God's unwavering promises. He encourages listeners to trust in God's timing and to hold on to their faith, as their promises from God have a due date. The sermon is filled with encouragement, hope, and a call to trust in divine intervention during challenging seasons.

In the second installment of our series, The Invitation, Pastor Alvin explores the vital distinction between being "free from" something and being "free for" someone. Drawing from the story of Moses and the Israelites, this message reveals a powerful truth: God didn't liberate His people just so they could live however they pleased; He set them free so they could finally belong to Him. In this episode, we confront the reality that every person is choosing between two masters—one that offers fleeting pleasure ending in destruction, and another that offers a narrow road leading to life, rest, and eternal joy.    Scripture References: Isaiah 43:19 Galatians 5:1 John 8:36 2 Corinthians 3:17 Exodus 1:8 1 Corinthians 7:21-23 John 10:10 Matthew 11:28-30   ABOUT US At Nashville Life Church, our vision is dedicated to following Jesus & building leaders. We are here to point every person to Jesus Christ. CONNECT Ready to connect? Click this link so we can stay in touch and get you connected here at Nashville Life: http://www.chrch.es/ap9bd GIVE To support this ministry & help us continue to reach people all around the world: http://www.chrch.es/3a843   PRAYER REQUESTS If you have a prayer request or need, we'd love to pray with you. Click this link to let us know how we can pray with you: https://bit.ly/3fVDSDh Follow Nashville Life Church: YouTube:     / @nashvillelifechurch   Instagram:    / nashvillelifechurch   Facebook:    / nashlifecc   Website: https://nashvillelifechurch.com/

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-6Preacher: Brian Lowe

Welcome to the Podcast of Southwest Bible Fellowship in Tempe, Arizona. WHO ARE WE? • We are a group of people who are committed to living the grace life as set forth by the apostle of the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul. • We come together to study our Bibles, and yes, we believe we have God's perfect Word in the King James Bible. It and it alone is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice! • We do not come together and study our Bibles for the intent of being smarter than others. We understand that knowledge for the sake of knowledge is purely vain and serves no Godly purpose. • We do come together and study our Bibles for the intent of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that we have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless we live; yet not us, but Christ liveth in us: and the life which we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. (Galatians 2:20) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that because Jesus Christ shed His blood for us and we should not live for ourselves but for Him, who died for us and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:15) • We do not claim to have attained to these lofty goals, but we press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) You can donate to this ministry through www.butnow.org and the PayPal button on the homepage.

Welcome to the Podcast of Southwest Bible Fellowship in Tempe, Arizona. WHO ARE WE? • We are a group of people who are committed to living the grace life as set forth by the apostle of the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul. • We come together to study our Bibles, and yes, we believe we have God's perfect Word in the King James Bible. It and it alone is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice! • We do not come together and study our Bibles for the intent of being smarter than others. We understand that knowledge for the sake of knowledge is purely vain and serves no Godly purpose. • We do come together and study our Bibles for the intent of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that we have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless we live; yet not us, but Christ liveth in us: and the life which we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. (Galatians 2:20) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that because Jesus Christ shed His blood for us and we should not live for ourselves but for Him, who died for us and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:15) • We do not claim to have attained to these lofty goals, but we press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) You can donate to this ministry through www.butnow.org and the PayPal button on the homepage.

20 Proverbs 9-10; Genesis 24-28; 19 Psalms 20-24; 48 Galatians 4-6; 49 Ephesians 1-3

Click here to WATCH LIVE STREAM Worship Service on our Youtube Channel. “Christmas, Part 2” Matthew 2 Micah 5:2-6 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. 5 And he shall be their peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men; 6 they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod at its entrances; and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and treads within our border.   Matthew 2:1-2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”   Numbers 24:17 …a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel…   Matthew 2:3-4 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.   Matthew 2:5-6 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'”   Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.   2 Samuel 5:2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.'”   Matthew 2:7-8 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”   Matthew 2:9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.   Matthew 2:10-12 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.   Matthew 2:13-15 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”   Exodus 4:21-23 And the LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.'” Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.   Galatians 3:16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.    Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.   Genesis 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.   Matthew 2:17-18 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”   Jeremiah 31:15-17 Thus says the LORD: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” 16 Thus says the LORD: “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, declares the LORD,   and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. 17 There is hope for your future, declares the LORD, and your children shall come back to their own country.   Jeremiah 33:14-16 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.'   Mathew 2:19-21 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.   Matthew 2:22-23 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. John 1:46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”   Jesus is our true deliverer.   Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.   Jesus is our true comforter.   Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.   Jesus is our true King.   Isaiah 11:1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. Isaiah 53:2-3 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Respond | Connect | Next Steps The post Christmas 2 appeared first on Charleston Baptist Church.

Advent Love 2025   Mark 12:26-27 ESV   26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? 27 He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong."       Mark 12:28-31 ESV   28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" 29 Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."       Galatians 5:22-23 ESV   22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.       John 13:34-35 ESV   34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."         John 8:48b ESV   "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?"       Luke 6:27-28, 32, 35-36 ESV   27 "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.       32 "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them…       35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.       John 3:16 ESV   16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.       1 John 4:8 ESV   8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love       James 2:14-17 ESV   14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.       Galatians 5:6 ESV   6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.       1 John 3:16-18 ESV   16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.       "Agape love is the greatest virtue of the Christian life. Yet that type of love was rare in pagan Greek literature. That's because the traits agape portrays—unselfishness, self-giving, willful devotion, concern for the welfare of others—were mostly disdained in ancient Greek culture as signs of weakness. However, the New Testament declares agape to be the character trait around which all others revolve. (MacArthur, J. The Power of Integrity : Building a Life Without Compromise, page 133. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books)       1 Corinthians 13:1-7, 13 NIV   If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.       13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.      

Dr. Darrin Wright,FBCW,FBC Wheeling,Galatians Sermon, Galatians, In The Fullness of Time, Galatians 4,

God is always at work! Even when we don't see it or know about it. There is so much more to the Christmas story than just the little manger scene we imagine in our minds. Join Pastor Mike and Tyler as they dive into some passages from Isaiah, Luke, and Galatians to try and get a better idea of how big the birth of Jesus was. Support the show

Galatians 4:4-7

On his way to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus was confronted by the risen Lord Jesus Christ, and his life was changed forever. Today, Derek Thomas examines the dramatic significance of Saul's conversion. Donate any amount to request R.C. Sproul's commentary on Galatians and Derek Thomas' video teaching series No Other Gospel on DVD. You'll also receive lifetime digital access to all 14 messages and the study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4510/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the Galatians commentary ebook, digital teaching series, and digital study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global    Meet Today's Teacher:   Derek Thomas is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow and Chancellor's Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

For those of us who are personally acquainted with the Savior who was born that first Christmas day, Christmas holds particular significance. However, we’ve romanticized the story of Christmas to the place that the manger scene and the people involved seem like actors in a play. We rarely stop to think that they were real people, in anything but a romantic setting. That's why I’d like to bring a little reality to the Christmas story. I want to talk about the most blessed woman who ever lived. And I want to focus on the heart of Mary. What was it about this lady that qualified her for this incredible privilege of bearing the Savior of the world? What was in her heart? Let me begin by pointing out that nowhere in Scripture are we given any indication that Mary is to be worshipped. If she were here, I think Mary would be the first to tell us that she was just a woman, a very simple young lady, chosen by God for a special purpose. But like all of the rest of mankind, she was born of Adam’s race—born according to man—and she inherited the same sin nature that all of us have. When I speak of Mary’s heart, I’m not elevating her to some divine place of sinless perfection. We'd have a hard time relating to her if that were true. But in fact, it is because Mary was just like us—a  regular lady—that we can look at her heart and can identify with her and learn from her. Try to erase all those images of Mary with a halo over her head, and see instead a lady with a wash bucket and children, a small, poor home, with few luxuries or conveniences, and a very special heart. Though Mary came from the line of David, she was a humble lady from a very small, insignificant town, Nazareth. We don’t know anything about her parents, except that they must have been godly people because Mary had a very good knowledge of Old Testament Scripture. We begin to get an idea of the heart of Mary when we think about Gabriel’s announcement to her that she had been chosen to bear the Messiah. Let’s look at that passage in Luke 1:28-38: Gabriel said to Mary: “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her (Luke 1:28-38). Certainly, Scripture makes it clear time and again that Mary was then a virgin and remained a virgin until after the birth of Jesus. Not many people who will be celebrating Christmas this year really believe that Jesus was born of a virgin. Why is it so terribly important that we believe and accept that Mary was indeed a virgin until after Jesus’ birth? Because we know from Scripture that sin entered the world through the seed of man. Had Jesus been conceived through an earthly man’s seed, he could not have escaped the sin nature that is born into all of us. And if Jesus were not sinless, he could never become the sacrifice demanded by God’s righteousness. The virgin birth is not an optional theology. Your whole destiny—and mine—depends upon whether or not it is true. We are acceptable to God when we accept the redemption and forgiveness of our sins made possible because the perfect sacrificial Lamb, Jesus Christ, paid the debt for our sins. And Jesus Christ was perfect because there was no sin in him passed on to him by the seed of man. He was born of a virgin; the only man who has ever been born of the seed of a woman. That is critical. Can you imagine what Gabriel’s words meant to a little Jewish girl, probably only 15 or 16 years old, of the humblest means, who has heard all her life about David, his kingdom, his reign as King of Israel? And now, she is told her son is going to take David’s place and reign forever. I’m sure Mary had often heard the prophecies of the coming Messiah. But surely she never seriously thought she would be selected as his mother. Can you put yourselves in her shoes, and think of how you might have reacted? It was an incredible declaration requiring enormous faith on Mary’s part. Would you have accepted such a statement face value? How does Mary react? She asks a very simple question, not a question of doubt, not a challenge to the truth of the angel’s statement, but a question of curiosity and logic. To paraphrase she asked: “How can I have a baby, when I’ve never known a man? If you’re not going to use an earthly man for this, how are you going to do it?” To a simple, honest question, Gabriel gives a simple answer: The Holy Spirit will cause this child to be impregnated in your womb, Mary. Therefore, he will be the Son of God (Luke 1:35). Mary’s acceptance of this announcement is absolutely remarkable. Once Gabriel answers her simple question, in the same simple faith and openness, she accepts. Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word (Luke 1:38). Instead of plying Gabriel with hundreds of questions, instead of giving place to all the doubts and fears and insecurities that she must have felt at that time, Mary accepts. Let’s think of some of the normal, natural questions and objections that Mary could have legitimately raised at that point. She could have said: What will I tell my friends and relatives? No one will believe that I have not slept with some man. What will happen to my reputation? What will I tell Joseph? He probably won’t want to marry me now. And if Joseph doesn’t marry me, what will I do to support myself and this baby? I will be an outcast. Worse still, Gabriel, if Joseph so desires he could divorce me or he could have me stoned to death for adultery. Why don’t you, Gabriel, tell everyone else what you have told me? I would appreciate you doing that. Then maybe they will believe me. At least tell everyone in Nazareth, please. Wouldn’t you have asked some of these questions or made some other requests of Gabriel? I’m sure I would have. But not this Mary. Her immediate, unquestioning response is be it done to me according to your word. Now we’re beginning to see the heart of this special lady. An accepting heart. What is required of us in order to have an accepting heart? First, we must stay very simple, and by that I mean uncomplicated. Mary didn’t try to see exactly how everything was going to work out before she accepted. She didn’t let her imagination run wild with all the “what if’s” or “why’s”, as many of us tend to do. She kept it very simple. She accepted from God’s hand what he had asked of her. Do you keep your heart simple? Or do you waste emotions and time and effort in complicating issues? When you know what God wants you to do, do you get all tied up in knots, trying to see every possibility and make sure you know every step of the way before you do anything? You’ll save yourself a lot of grief if you can ask God to give you a simple heart, to help you learn how to un-complicate decisions and situations by simply accepting. Another thing required for an accepting heart is trust. Mary believed with unwavering faith. Can you appreciate the enormity of what she was asked to accept by faith? She was asked to believe that she would become pregnant without ever having relations with any man. And Mary believed. Why do you think Mary so readily believed what Gabriel told her? Do you think it’s possible to just have that kind of trust and faith without any preparation? Was she just born that way? I don’t think so. We know faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We know from what Mary says later to Elizabeth, her cousin, that Mary knew the Word of God. She had established her faith in God’s Word, so when Gabriel brought this further Word of God to her, she was accustomed to trusting it, and it wasn’t difficult for her to trust it once more. May I say again what I know I’ve said time and again: You’re never going to be able to trust God until you spend consistent, quality and quantity time in his Word. If some great thing comes on you which requires a lot of trust and faith on your part, and you are unprepared because you don’t consistently saturate yourself with God’s Word, don’t be surprised to discover that your faith falters, and you fail the test. You won’t be able to muster up tons of faith on the spur of the moment if you don’t make trusting God a part of your everyday life. And that comes by knowing him through his Word. Are you in the midst of some testing now? Are you under some stress or pressure that requires faith on your part? I hope you’ve been staying in the Word of God, because that’s where that instant faith comes from at those unexpected times when you need it. You need to know the Word of God to have the kind of trust that Mary had. How marvelous it is that, as Paul says in Galatians 4:4: But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law. I pray that you have become a child of God through placing your trust in his Son, the One who was willing to come and be born of a woman so that you and I could be redeemed from the curse of the law and sin. If not, you can have that right now by confessing your sin and allowing that One born in a manger to cleanse you and give to you the full rights as his child. Until you have done that, you can never really understand what Christmas is all about.

In this episode, Mike Zwick is joined by very special guest Whitney with "The Invictus Project" to share a powerful journey their non-profit has performed to serve those that need help the most. For more information please visit https://www.theinvictusproject.org/   "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." -Galatians 2:20

20 Proverbs 7-8; Genesis 18-23; 19 Psalms 17-19; 2 Corinthians 11-13; 48 Galatians 1-3

Send us a textWhat if the smartest theology in the room still misses the person in pain? We revisit Job 9 and the aftermath of Bildad's blunt counsel to uncover a deeper issue: not whether God is just, but how anyone can be just with God. Job accepts the proposition “God will not cast away the upright,” yet he refuses to let the conversation stop at abstractions. He presses the only question that matters in suffering and beyond: by what means does the guilty stand as innocent before a holy God?Together, we examine the subtle ways religious certainty can turn into a wrecking ball. When counsel aims to win rather than heal, Scripture becomes a weapon and people become collateral. Our panel contrasts that posture with Job's humility under fire—no self-justification, no presumption, just a sober reverence for God's sovereignty and a relentless search for true reconciliation. We trace this cry forward to Galatians 2:16, where the Bible says plainly that justification is never earned by the works of the law, but received by faith in Jesus Christ. That truth subverts our favorite yardsticks—ritual habits, visible piety, and moral performances—and invites a life anchored in grace.Expect honest talk about the limits of human explanations, the danger of tidy answers to complex pain, and the kind of presence that comforts rather than crushes. We explore how to offer counsel that is both true and tender, how to invite the Holy Spirit's conviction without shaming the wounded, and how to keep our eyes on God when suffering withholds reasons. If you've ever been bruised by “help” or wondered what actually makes a person right with God, this conversation will give you language, courage, and hope.If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs gentler counsel, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Your feedback helps more people find conversations that heal.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

What Actually Converts in 2026 and What Freakin' DOESN'T! Bc your time and energy is so precious and I don't want you wasting it on things that no longer work!Sis.This one? This one is for the woman who's done everything right on paper... and still hearing crickets and not landing the clients/sales she knows she should be!So this client story I'm sharing in this episode?She had under 1,500 followers.Less than 400 views.No ad spend. No funnel. No viral moment.But after one session, one shift, and one ICON Method™ move! She made $20K. In 7 days. From one post.This isn't a fluke. It's not luck. And it's definitely not another “how I hacked the algorithm” story.It's what happens when a woman decides she's done spinning and starts moving with strategy.Inside this episode:

Today is day 353 and we are studying The Tenth Commandment. 353. Why do you covet? I covet because I do not trust God to provide what I need, and I do not remain content with what I have; rather, I persist in envy and desire. (Proverbs 14:30; 23:17–18; Luke 12:13–21; Galatians 5:17–21) We will conclude today by praying the Collect for the Seventh Sunday of Epiphany found on page 603 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Jesus Followers Have the Important Gospel Communication Tool – Their Life in Christ Lets Others See Jesus in Them MESSAGE SUMMARY:  In 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, Paul writes a complex statement that tells you, as a follower of Jesus, about the most important tool that God gives you for communicating the Gospel -- God lets others see Jesus in you through your life in Christ! Therefore, by living in Christ, your life becomes the most compelling argument for the Gospel – an argument that far surpasses written or spoken words. Paul's 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 text reads: “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”. Do others, from your life, see Jesus in you?     TODAY'S PRAYER: Father, I confess that when difficulties and trials come into my life, large or small, I mostly grumble and complain. I realize the trials James talks about are not necessarily “walls,” but they are difficult to bear, nonetheless. Fill me with such a vision of a transformed life, O God, that I might actually consider it “pure joy” when you bring trials my way. I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief. In Jesus' name, amen.  Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 94). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Inconsistencies. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Faithfulness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Isiah 35:1-9; John 1:14; Isaiah 11:1-2; Psalms 44b:14-26. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Why We Do Christmas” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

When God sent His Son into the world, it wasn't random—it was purposeful. In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld unpacks four reasons why the Father sent Jesus at Christmas: to redeem us from the curse of the law, to adopt us as His children, to place His Spirit in our hearts, and to free us from slavery forever. This isn't just the story of a baby in a manger—it's the story of a God who planned our rescue with precision and love.Christmas From Galatians: This Christmas, Dr. John takes an unprecedented approach to the season by exploring why Jesus' coming was absolutely necessary. Through the book of Galatians, this series traces God's plan from Abraham's promise through the giving of the Law to the arrival of Christ. Discover why the Law was never meant to save us but to diagnose our condition, how Jesus fulfilled what we could never accomplish, and how Christmas opened the door for all people to become sons and daughters of God.

A remarkable meeting!   “When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son.” - Galatians 4:4 (KJV)

Was Jesus an accident of history or was His life, death, and resurrection foretold centuries in advance? In this Radiant Midweek Christmas Special of Escaping Babylon, we go deep into Daniel 9:24–27, one of the most significant prophetic passages in the Bible. Written hundreds of years before Jesus was born, Daniel's vision outlines a divinely determined timeline that points directly to the arrival and death of the Messiah. This episode is designed for those who want to go deeper in Scripture, while still being accessible to seekers exploring faith. In this episode, we explore: Daniel's prayer in exile and God's immediate response The meaning of the “seventy sevens” and why the Hebrew word ḥāṯak (“decreed”) matters How biblical prophecy unfolds in stages The six redemptive purposes of Daniel 9:24 Why the prophetic clock begins with the decree to rebuild Jerusalem, not the temple How the prophetic timeline aligns with the historical period of Jesus' ministry Why scholars focus on AD 30 and AD 33 for the crucifixion The significance of Passover, the Day of Preparation, and the “high Sabbath” How dozens of Old Testament prophecies converge on Jesus Why fulfilled prophecy should lead us to awe, worship, and trust in God's faithfulness The power of Daniel 9 is not that it gives us a modern calendar date. The power is that it places the Messiah's arrival and death exactly where history says Jesus lived and died. Jesus was not an accident. The cross was not a backup plan. God was unfolding His plan of salvation at precisely the right time. This Christmas message reminds us that our greatest problem is not circumstances or suffering — it's a broken relationship with God. And God, in His love, sent His Son to reconcile us back to Himself. Salvation is not found in effort or religion. It is found in a person... Jesus Christ. Key Scriptures Daniel 9:24–27 • Jeremiah 25; 29 • Nehemiah 2 • Isaiah 53 • Micah 5:2 • Zechariah 9:9 • Matthew 1–2; 21; 27 • Luke 3 • John 2; 6; 11; 19 • Romans 5; 11 • 2 Corinthians 5 • Galatians 4 • Hebrews 9–10 • Revelation 11–12; 22 About Radiant Midweek Radiant Midweek exists to go deeper than Sunday mornings — slowing down, asking harder questions, and letting Scripture stretch us while always pointing back to the gospel. Invitation Is Jesus your Savior and your King? “Repent and believe, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” (Mark 1:15) Merry Christmas. May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

Our homes are shaped by what—and who—we draw near to most. Psalm 145:18 reminds us that the Lord is near to all who call on Him in truth, and when we intentionally seek His presence, it changes not only our hearts but the atmosphere of our homes. As we draw closer to Jesus individually and together as families, the fruit of the Spirit becomes more evident in our lives—bringing peace where there was tension, joy where there was weariness, and love where there was frustration. No matter our stage of life, prioritizing time with the Lord invites Him to transform our attitudes, relationships, and daily rhythms. Main Takeaways You’ll learn why drawing near to Jesus personally impacts the spiritual health of your home. Discover how time spent in God’s presence produces the fruit of the Spirit in everyday life. Understand why shared prayer and Scripture reading strengthen families spiritually. Reflect on practical ways to prioritize faith amid busy schedules. Be encouraged that seeking the Lord together brings lasting peace, joy, and renewed perspective. Bible Verse References Psalm 145:18 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/145-18.html Psalm 16:11 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/16-11.html Galatians 5:22 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/galatians/5-22.html 1 Corinthians 13 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/1-corinthians/13.html Jeremiah 29:13 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/jeremiah/29-13.html Your Daily Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise that when we seek You, we will find You. Help us draw near to You each day and reorient our lives so You remain at the center of our homes and hearts. Teach us to surrender control and trust You fully, allowing Your love, peace, and joy to shape our families. May our time with You never feel rushed or wasted, but treasured and life-giving. Help our love for You and for one another grow deeper as we walk closely with You.Amen. Want More? Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer for daily Scripture-based encouragement. Leave a rating or review to help others discover the podcast. Visit LifeAudio.com for more Christian podcasts and devotionals. Read more family-focused faith articles at Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com. Relevant Links & Resources Family faith and spiritual growth articles:Crosswalk.com – https://www.crosswalk.comChristianity.com – https://www.christianity.com Scripture study and Bible reading tools:BibleStudyTools.com – https://www.biblestudytools.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Dr. Jori discusses with her listeners Paul's discussion of how GOD appoints the members of our physical bodies and the members of the body of Christ just as HE desires, for HIS glory. Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:18; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; Romans 1:16-17; Acts 9,22,26; Acts 18; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:1-25 Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.comFIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishafferCHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain  Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a commission, at no extra cost to you,  if you decide to make a purchase through my links.Here is a link to some of my favorite bible study tools on Amazon:https://geni.us/cHtrfEMr. Pen Bible Journaling Kitshttps://lvnta.com/lv_PTrHSCogbRim4yhEDnhttps://lvnta.com/lv_mkaMOuGe6m4oHR88uqhttps://lvnta.com/lv_dgvsxOc99t663A628z  JOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING IN 2025Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com  Support the show

Welcome to the Podcast of Southwest Bible Fellowship in Tempe, Arizona. WHO ARE WE? • We are a group of people who are committed to living the grace life as set forth by the apostle of the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul. • We come together to study our Bibles, and yes, we believe we have God's perfect Word in the King James Bible. It and it alone is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice! • We do not come together and study our Bibles for the intent of being smarter than others. We understand that knowledge for the sake of knowledge is purely vain and serves no Godly purpose. • We do come together and study our Bibles for the intent of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that we have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless we live; yet not us, but Christ liveth in us: and the life which we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. (Galatians 2:20) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that because Jesus Christ shed His blood for us and we should not live for ourselves but for Him, who died for us and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:15) • We do not claim to have attained to these lofty goals, but we press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) You can donate to this ministry through www.butnow.org and the PayPal button on the homepage.

Pastor Todd Coconato provides five ways to break free from what he calls "the matrix"—the system of globalists, elites, propaganda, psychological warfare, mainstream media, Hollywood, and social media. He characterizes this system as the "Babylon system" that is constantly inundating believers. Website: www.PastorTodd.org To Give: www.ToddCoconato.com/give The five ways to break free from the matrix: Saturate your mind with the word of God. The world programs the mind, but the Word transforms it. This involves replacing lies with the truth, which sets people free, and daily reading, speaking, meditating on, and praying scripture. The speaker emphasizes that biblical illiteracy is a major problem. Guard your gates. Be disciplined about input, as the enemy programs through entertainment, news, fear, social media, and culture. The speaker references Proverbs 4:23, advising listeners to "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life". He encourages choosing purity over pollution, setting boundaries, and fasting from worldly noise. Walk in the Holy Spirit, not the flesh. The Bible, in Galatians 5:16, says to "Walk in the spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh". The Holy Spirit reveals truth, breaks strongholds, and provides discernment and wisdom, which is necessary to avoid manipulation. This involves testing the spirits and confirming them against God's word. Submit to Christ's lordship, not the world's agenda. Freedom comes when Jesus is Lord, not just Savior. Citing John 8:36, the speaker states, "If the son of man makes you free, you shall be free indeed". Breaking the matrix occurs when you stop agreeing with culture and start obeying Christ. Practice spiritual warfare. This means destroying false beliefs at the root using God's power. The speaker cites 2 Corinthians 10:4–5, noting that "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty... For pulling down strongholds". This is done by rebuking lies, casting down imaginations, declaring God's word, and taking thoughts captive to Christ. The speaker concludes by encouraging viewers to walk in the freedom of the Lord. He states that the kingdom of God awakens, strengthens, renews, and sets you free, in contrast to the world's matrix, which wants to numb, distract, conform, deceive, and control. Freedom is found in surrender to Jesus.   At the end of the video, he mentions he has a forthcoming book called The Isaiah Blueprint, which explains how to survive the current times based on what God has shown him in the book of Isaiah.

December 14, 2025

What do you do when God's promise feels delayed? When the waiting stretches on so long that you start to wonder if He's forgotten? In this second message of "The Promise Kept" series, Bradley Medford tackles one of the hardest parts of faith: waiting. For 400 years between the Old and New Testaments, God's people heard nothing from heaven. No prophets, no signs—just silence. And yet, Galatians 4:4–5 reveals the truth: God was right on time. "At the right time, God sent His Son, born of a woman, to redeem us." The waiting wasn't wasted. God's timing was perfect, even when it felt painfully slow. If you're in an "in-between" season right now—waiting for answers, healing, breakthrough, or clarity—this message will encourage you to trust God's unseen work and keep your faith alive. The promise is still coming.

Jesus didn't just happen to be born at a convenient moment in history. When Paul writes that Christ came "in the fullness of time," he's revealing something profound: from the fall of Adam to the manger in Bethlehem, God was preparing the way. In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld walks through seven pivotal moments in redemptive history, showing how each was necessary for the Messiah's arrival. Christmas wasn't an accident. It was the culmination of God's perfectly timed plan.Christmas From Galatians: This Christmas, Dr. John takes an unprecedented approach to the season by exploring why Jesus' coming was absolutely necessary. Through the book of Galatians, this series traces God's plan from Abraham's promise through the giving of the Law to the arrival of Christ. Discover why the Law was never meant to save us but to diagnose our condition, how Jesus fulfilled what we could never accomplish, and how Christmas opened the door for all people to become sons and daughters of God.

“But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” (Galatians 4:4–5 NLT) When we think of Christmas, we think of the arrival of Jesus: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NLT). In reality, it was also a departure. For us, a Child was born. But for God the Father, a Son was given. Twice in Galatians 4:4–5, God talks about sending Jesus to us (NLT). In Heaven, the time had come for the departure of God’s Son. We even have a record in Hebrews 10 of Jesus’ farewell words to the Father. He said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God—as is written about me in the Scriptures’” (Hebrews 10:5–7 NLT). It’s impossible for us to comprehend the sacrifice, the break in intimacy, involved in God’s sending of His Son. We see that intimacy between Father and Son throughout Jesus’ public ministry. Luke 6:12 says, “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God” (NIV). Jesus prioritized His relationship with His Father above all else. We see that intimacy in Matthew 26:39. As the time of His sacrifice approached, Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (NIV). Jesus knew what was coming. And in Mark 15:34, we see the unimaginable agony of Jesus’ sacrifice as He cried out in a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (NIV). God placed the sins of the world on His Son. And in that moment, Jesus was banished from His Father’s presence because sin cannot coexist with God. Jesus suffered the separation from God that we deserve. Jesus also made an unimaginable sacrifice at His birth. He went from the throne of Heaven to a feeding trough. He went from the presence of angels to a stable of animals. He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. The apostle Paul summed it up well: “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT). No one who has ever lived has even remotely affected human history the way Jesus Christ has. He has been opposed, censored, banned, and criticized by every generation since His birth. Yet His influence continues unabated. There has never been anyone like Jesus because Jesus was not just a good man. He was the God-Man who came and walked this earth because of the sacrifice of His Father. And that’s what we celebrate at Christmas. Reflection question: Where do you see evidence of Jesus’ impact on our culture today? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joy at Christmas can feel distant, but Luke 2:10 reminds us that God brings “good news of great joy for all people”—a promise still alive and powerful today. This devotional explores how joy is expressed, shared, lived, and cultivated so believers can reflect the hope and goodness of Jesus throughout the Christmas season. Whether joy comes naturally or feels a bit rusty, Scripture offers practical ways to embrace God’s presence and spread joy in everyday moments. Highlights Why joy is central to the Christmas message Four practical ways to express, share, live, and cultivate joy How joy becomes contagious through words, actions, and attitudes The connection between God’s presence and lasting joy Scriptures that anchor a joyful mindset (Luke 2:10, Psalm 21:6, Psalm 16:11, John 15:11–12, Galatians 5:22) Simple ways to nurture joy in others A reminder that joy is our inheritance in Christ Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: Spreading Joy Throughout the Christmas Season By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” - Luke 2:10 Great joy for all the people! What truly remarkable, good news for all of us down through the ages: an announcement thousands of years ago, still relevant today. Yet, how many millions of people around the world are missing out on experiencing this great joy, not just at Christmas, but their entire lives? How do we, like the angels, proclaim and spread this great joy throughout the Christmas season and all year round? What can we do to express it, share it, live it, and cultivate it in others’ lives, too? Expressing, Sharing, Living, and Cultivating Joy Because God calls us to joy, the following are four ways we can spread it while experiencing it for ourselves. Express our joy. How do individuals express joy? Many smile, some laugh, others clap, and there are those who jump for joy. Sadly, some Christians hold their joy in, perhaps feeling it on the inside, but it doesn’t make its way outward, causing some of the Christian sayings and critiques, such as “the frozen chosen.” As a child, I loved singing the kids’ song, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy,” over and over again. We would sing “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart!” Then we would follow it by shouting “where” and then respond by singing in reply “Down in my heart.” Just singing it brought joy to us and those listening. However we express joy, we want to make sure to let it out, so others might experience it too, and also to share the joyous message of Christmas that can be their own for a lifetime. Share our joy. Many of us don’t realize that joy is spreadable - it’s contagious and easily passed from one person to another. Just as we can sing songs that get stuck in others’ heads when they hear us singing, so too can joy be shared with one another. We can share joy simply by the way we look at the world, our situations, and those around us, letting the joy that comes from knowing God guide our words and actions. As Psalm 21:6 describes, “Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of Your presence.” Live our joy. We can wake up in the morning with joy, even before anything has happened in our day yet. Before we even lift our heads from the pillows each morning, we can experience joy daily in our lives because the source of it is not ourselves, but God. As Psalm 16:11 reminds us, “You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” A way to live in God’s joy is described in John 15:11-12, “If you keep my commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Cultivate joy in others. If we ask, God will lead us to cultivate joy in the lives of those around us. We may not know how to nurture it in others, but God can show us how, because He knows what it takes to help it grow in those around us. As Galatians 5:22 describes, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Just the way we speak and interact with others gives us opportunities to cultivate joy in their lives by expressing, sharing, and living it out in our own. Intersecting Faith & Life: Are you known for your joy? If not, take stock and ask God why not? See what’s holding you back from enjoying the great joy that is ours through Jesus Christ. Further Reading:Counting It All Joy Even Through the Hard Stuff Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Travel can be life-giving — and still throw your routine completely off.If you're a woman who struggles with self-doubt, overwhelm, or anxiety around “doing enough,” this episode is for you.In today's video, I am sharing how to stay in routine while traveling without guilt, pressure, or perfectionism. You'll learn how to approach consistency in a way that's faith-centered, flexible, and rooted in peace — not performance.This conversation is for faith-first women who want to:✨ Stay connected to God while traveling✨ Maintain routines without burnout✨ Release anxiety around “falling off track”✨ Experience consistency as joy, not obligationYou'll walk away encouraged that consistency is possible — and it doesn't have to be difficult.

What if the detours in your life weren't delays but divine direction? In this season finale episode of Let It B, I reflect on how Romans 8:28 has been the foundation and recurring theme of my life. What once felt like setbacks, interruptions, and unanswered prayers were actually the very things God was using to strengthen my faith, refine my character, and realign my trust in Him. In this vulnerable conversation, I open up about the many detours I've traveled, the moments where I almost didn't make it through the season, times I felt abandoned by people I thought would walk with me, and seasons where I came close to giving up altogether. I share how I had to move out of my own place, return to living with family, and wrestle with disappointment, uncertainty, and doubt. Yet through it all, God remained faithful.  This episode explores why God allows detours, the value of staying present in the season you're in, and how learning to appreciate where you are often unlocks what's next. Drawing from the story of Joseph, I reflect on how every detour prepared him for the promise and how God is often equipping us for something we cannot yet see. You'll be reminded that God cares more about the posture of your heart than what you produce, that His promises will always come to pass, and that whether we get to participate in them often depends on our obedience and willingness to trust Him. The narrow gate isn't easy but it leads to life. This reflective episode is for anyone who can't yet see how everything will work together for good. It's an invitation to look back, recognize where God has been, steward the season you're in well, and keep pursuing Him with faith. God is a way maker, a promise keeper, and proof that nothing absolutely nothing was wasted. WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/A5mLQq0tlP4 ============================= Referenced Scriptures: Romans 8: 28 Colossians 3 : 23 Genesis 37 - 50 Galatians 6 : 9 Luke 1 : 37 Matthew 7 : 14

“But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”Galatians 5:15 ESV

What are you planting this summer? In this episode of Live the Bible, we're looking at the principle that we reap what we sow. Nature proves this is true. Just ask any gardener! What you plant is what you get, every time. But what does this basic gardening principle have to do with connecting the Bible to your life?Galatians has the answer—and it's a good one! Listen now and let's get planting.Support the show

Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller explore Galatians 4–6, unpacking Paul's contrast between the Covenant of Works, the Covenant of Grace, and the New Covenant, as well as the freedom of life in the Spirit, and the practical shape of Christian discipleship, where believers bear one another's burdens and keep in step with the Spirit. PARTNER WITH US - https://solamedia.org/partner/?sc=AS2502VWhen you become a partner today, you'll receive two remarkable books as our thanks: Rediscovering the Holy Spirit by Dr. Michael Horton and Praying with Jesus by Pastor Adriel Sanchez. We believe these books can guide you into a clearer understanding of the Spirit's work and a richer prayer life. FOLLOW US YouTube | Instagram | X/Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter WHO WE ARE Sola is home to White Horse Inn, Core Christianity, Modern Reformation, and Theo Global. Our mission is to serve today's global church by producing resources for reformation grounded in the historic Christian faith. Our vision is to see reformation in hearts, homes, and churches around the world. Learn more: https://solamedia.org/

Fr. Mike reminds us of the context of Galatians and reiterates Paul's admonition not to revert to our previous ways of life now that we have been freed from the yoke of slavery. He also discusses the works of the flesh which separate us from Christ and the fruits of the spirit which result from a life lived in God, reminding us that we will reap what we sow in due season. Today's readings are Acts 25, Galatians 4-6, and Proverbs 29:15-17. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

In Acts 24, Fr. Mike notes how Felix remained unmoved by Paul's teaching despite being compelled by it initially, showing us that unless we act on what we believe, there is no change. As we begin reading St.Paul's letter to the Galatians today, Fr. Mike highlights Paul's explanation of the role of Jewish law in the Age of the Church, clarifying that through baptism, we are all one in Christ and heirs to the promises of the Father regardless of our backgrounds. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.