Podcasts about In Heaven

Secretary Marco Rubio delivers a powerful speech at the Munich Security Conference, laying out a bold vision for the future of the West. We break down what he said — and how prominent Democrats responded. Meanwhile, the long-awaited Charlotte diocesan video finally drops. And finally, as Lent approaches, how should Catholics prepare? All this and more on the LOOPcast!00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast04:30 Munich Security Conference39:55 Good News 49:00 Church Corner54:56 Charlotte Video56:51 Twilight Zone1:10:20 Closing PrayerEMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org SUPPORT LOOPCAST: www.loopcast.orgSubscribe to the LOOP today!https://catholicvote.org/getloop   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-loopcast/id1643967065 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08jykZi86H7jKNFLbSesjk?si=ztBTHenFR-6VuegOlklE_w&nd=1&dlsi=bddf79da68c34744 FOLLOW LOOPCast: https://x.com/the_LOOPcast  https://www.instagram.com/the_loopcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@the_loopcast https://www.facebook.com/LOOPcastPodcast Tom: https://x.com/TPogasic Erika: https://x.com/ErikaAhern2  Josh: https://x.com/joshuamercer MAY THE MOST HOLY, MOST SACRED, MOST ADORABLE, MOST INCOMPREHENSIBLE AND UNUTTERABLE NAME OF GOD BE ALWAYS PRAISED, BLESSED, LOVED, ADORED AND GLORIFIED, IN HEAVEN, ON EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH, BY ALL THE CREATURES OF GOD, AND BY THE SACRED HEART OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, IN THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR. AMEN.All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

Read OnlineWhen he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” Mark 7:17–19We experience varying levels of intimacy in our relationships. Some acquaintances, such as neighbors or colleagues, we only know superficially, while with a spouse, sibling, or close friend, we share a much deeper bond. Yet, even in the most intimate human relationships—such as that of a longtime married couple—we never achieve perfect knowledge of the other person.Similarly, our relationship with Christ must continually deepen. Unlike human relationships, however, God already knows us perfectly—better than we know ourselves. Still, He invites us to grow in knowledge and love of Him as He gradually reveals Himself to us. This ongoing process will continue not only in this life but even in eternity, as we behold the Beatific Vision. In Heaven, our union with God will be ever-expanding, as we enter more deeply into the infinite mystery of His divine presence.In today's Gospel, Jesus revealed Himself more clearly to His closest companions than He did to the crowds. His self-revelation came by way of an intimate teaching about the “parable” He taught to the people. In this context, Jesus' parable was not a traditional parable but a short and direct statement that used symbolic language to convey a deeper spiritual truth. He taught the crowd: “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile” (Mark 7:14–15). While seemingly straightforward, this teaching is called a parable because it invites contemplation and requires deeper understanding to grasp its full spiritual significance.In this parable, Jesus' teaching challenged the crowd's preconceived notions regarding purity and holiness. By addressing the heart as the true source of defilement, He invited His listeners to move beyond mere external observance of the law and to focus instead on the inner disposition of their souls. It's also important to understand that He taught His close disciples in a more intimate way than He taught the crowds. After teaching the crowds, Jesus and His disciples went “home,” where they questioned Him about the parable. This intimate moment teaches us that personal prayer is our own “home,” where we encounter Christ away from the distractions of the world. It is there that we must approach Him daily with questions—not out of doubt, but from a desire to know Him more deeply. Questions lead to attentive listening, understanding, and intimacy.At the beginning of our relationship with God, He often speaks in more general terms. For those going through an initial conversion, Jesus' general teachings are life-changing. As we mature in our faith and seek to deepen our relationship with God, we must see ourselves among Jesus' close companions as they grew in holy intimacy. Doing so requires daily effort and intentionality. Just as a married couple cannot grow closer without meaningful communication, so too must we open our hearts to God each day, speaking honestly and listening attentively to His voice. Without this, our relationship with Him risks remaining superficial. Reflect today on the ways you approach your relationship with Christ. Do you seek Him in the quiet of your personal “home,” asking questions and listening attentively? Consider how you can make your prayer life more intentional, opening your heart to deeper understanding and communion with Him. Just as a loving spouse or a close friend takes time to speak and listen, so too must you dedicate time daily to converse with our Lord, allowing Him to lead you into the depths of His divine wisdom and love. My intimate Lord, You desire to reveal Yourself to me, to draw me into Your presence, and to converse with me more profoundly each day. Grant me the desire to know You, the resolve to listen attentively, and the grace to understand the depths of Your truth. Draw me ever closer, dear Lord, into a loving and intimate relationship with You. Jesus, I trust in You!Image via Adobe StockSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

7 takeaways from this study Heaven provides a fresh start. “New garments” symbolize inward transformation and renewed calling, not merely external change. Ordination means being filled and equipped for ongoing service, reaching readiness rather than an endpoint. Anointing signifies overflowing empowerment from the Spirit to perform ministry — hands filled to give and serve. Messiah's work is to fulfill and bring righteousness to fullness, not to abolish God's covenantal purposes. Spiritual gifts are for the common good. Desire prophecy and gifts that build the body, avoiding covetousness that harms others. True leadership requires inward faithfulness. External appearance or position alone can't substitute for devotion to God. The Incarnation and high priesthood of Messiah make Him a relatable, suffering Savior who defeats evil and removes fear of death, enabling bold service. Imagine standing at the entrance of ancient Israel’s Mishkan (Tabernacle), watching Aharon's empty hands slowly fill with oil, bread and sacrificial portions. Those hands, once ordinary, now carry a visible sign: Heaven is putting him to work. This study traces that movement — from empty to filled, from clothed to commissioned. God doesn't just forgive; He clothes, fills and sends. “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,My soul will exult in my God;For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness…” Isaiah 61:10 NASB95 This isn't someone admiring a costume. It's someone overwhelmed by transformation. The “garments of salvation” and “robe of righteousness” wrap not only the body but the whole self — “my soul will exult.” The prophets elsewhere describe this same renewal (New Covenant) as a “new heart” and a “new spirit” (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 36:25–27). The outside should illustrate what Heaven does on the inside. Otherwise, it’s just a show. Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) warned against “whitewashed tombs” — beautifully maintained yet full of decay (“dead men’s bones,” Matthew 23:27–28). Similarly, Isaiah's garments become a test: Am I asking God to decorate my life, or to renew it? Like we studied last Shabbat, the clothing metaphor refuses superficial religion. It invites a deeper honesty: if God robes, He also remakes. Ordination as filling, not finishing Exodus 29 takes that robe imagery and pushes it into vocation. The English word “ordination” can sound like a static status: once ordained, box checked. The Hebrew under it goes in a different direction. The term מְלוּאִים mĕlu'im (“filled, filled up, ordained”), from the root מלא malé (“to fill”), appears in the context of placing offerings, bread, and other items into the hands of Aharon and his sons. This is more than ceremony. The text presents ordination as literal and symbolic “filling of the hands.” The priests stand there with empty hands; the ritual fills them. The message: you are not being set aside (“made holy”) to sit; you are being filled to act. Heaven does not hand Aharon a title; Heaven hands him tasks. This reframes how to think of calling and ministry. Instead of asking, “Am I ordained?” as if ticking a checkbox, the more searching question is, “What has God placed in my hands — and for whom?” When ‘end’ means ‘goal’ The Greek translation of the Torah, the Septuagint, sometimes uses τελέω teleó (“to bring to completion”) to capture this idea of completing a consecration or making something ready. That Greek word translates mĕlu'im in Exodus 29:31. This use in the Septuagint is key to understanding one of apostle Paul's frequently misinterpreted statements: For Christ is the end (τέλος telos) of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4 NASB95 On a surface reading, “end” might sound like “done with, discarded.” But telos in Greek can mean goal, intended outcome, completion in the sense of maturity. A journey reaches its telos not when the path vanishes, but when the traveler arrives where the path was always leading. Within this framework, Messiah does not abolish the Torah's significance for righteousness; He brings its purpose to its full expression. What ordination does for the priest — bringing him to readiness — telos language does for Torah — it names the destination God always had in mind: righteousness realized in and through Messiah. Oil purity and overflow Oil saturates the priestly ordination ritual described in Exodus 29 (cp. Leviticus 8–9). There is unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil. The key word here is שֶׁמֶן shemen (“oil”). In the ancient world, oil doesn't only function as fuel or food; it signals richness, blessing, and consecration. Clarified olive oil gives a particularly helpful analogy. The more refined the oil, the more purely and cleanly it burns. Likewise, the ritual calls for “pure” elements to make the point: God refines His servants, like oil, by removing impurities, not to make them delicate but to make their light more clear. The more refined the oil, the less smoke; the more purified the life, the less spiritual “smoke” obscures who God is. Seven and the power of eight Under the hood of the Hebrew original text about oil and consecration are numbers that communicate. In Hebrew, the words for seven and oath are bound up in the same root: שֶׁבַע sheva / שָׁבַע shavá. Like an oath, seven signifies completeness, a full cycle, a pledged seriousness. What has been committed will be done. On that backdrop, eight — שְׁמֹנֶה shᵉmōneh — is connected to the verb שָׁמֵן shāmēn (“to be fat”) and the noun שֶׁמֶן shemen (“oil”). That points to what comes after completeness: overflow, newness beyond the cycle. (See how seven and eight are teaching tools in Israel’s annual festival of Shemini Atzeret, Convocation of the Eighth Day, the day after Sukkot, or the Festival of Tabernacles.) In the priestly narratives, the priests undergo seven days of consecration, and then on the eighth day they begin to function in their role. The eighth day doesn't cancel the seven; it activates them. It is not the closing ceremony; it is the first day on the job. Spiritual “high points” (dedications, ordinations, festivals) are not endpoints. They stand as launchpads into long obedience. God's pattern suggests, “Let Me fill you for seven; then live it out on the eighth.” Fulfillment: Not abolition The same logic runs underneath Yeshua's words about the Torah and the Prophets, His preface to the Sermon on the Mount: “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-19 NASB95 The verb “fulfill” translates a verb similar to teleo: πληρόω pleróō (“to fill, bring to fullness, accomplish”). Yeshua explicitly rejects an “abolish” model and offers a “fill to the brim” one instead. He presents His mission as bringing Scripture's intent to its full expression, not tearing its foundation away. Teleo also shows up in Yeshua's final cry at His execution: Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 19:30 NASB95 “It is finished” here reads as a declaration of work that has reached a goal. In Heaven’s view, the past, present and future are in view at once. That’s reflected by the statement “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8 margin). Heaven's redemptive plan centers on Messiah's work, and that work radiates backward and forward through time. God doesn't improvise; He fulfills. The danger of hollow splendor In a recent study of the Mishkan, we explored how the inner sanctuary is filled with objects made entirely of or covered with זָהָב טָהוֹר zahav tahor (“pure gold”), and how Revelation's image of transparent gold presses the point: God seeks not just shine but purity — substance transformed all the way through. Unleavened bread and clarified oil operate the same way. Leaven often symbolizes corruption; its removal during consecration underscores singular devotion. The physical signs do real work in teaching: they train Israel to see holiness as separation from moral decay, not mere ritual fussiness. Yet the prophets, especially Ezekiel, expose how easily people can keep the externals and lose the center. His visions of abominations inside the temple reveal a brutal truth: a community can polish its gold and keep its liturgy while its heart runs after other gods. The priestly garments then become not a sign of holiness but a cover for hypocrisy. The study draws a clear warning: external forms — robes, rituals, structures — have value only when they match an internal reality of loyalty to the God who gave them. Spirit on the many Numbers 11:24–30 expands the filling imagery into the realm of the Spirit. Moses gathers 70 elders; God takes of the Spirit upon Moses and places it upon them; they prophesy. Two men, Eldad and Medad, remain in the camp yet also receive the Spirit and prophesy. When Joshua urges Moses to stop them, Moses responds: “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” Numbers 11:29 NASB-style This response cuts against the instinct to hoard spiritual experiences or status. Rather than guarding a monopoly on prophetic activity, Moses welcomes its spread. The ideal in this passage is not a lone gifted figure but a community saturated with God's Spirit. For understanding calling and gifts, this stands as a crucial insight: the Spirit's abundance does not run on scarcity logic. One person's anointing does not reduce another's; it can invite and encourage it. Spiritual gifts as tools for the common good Paul's description of spiritual gifts in 1Corinthians 12–14 fits squarely within that Numbers 11 perspective. He writes of “varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit,” “varieties of ministries, and the same Lord,” “varieties of effects, but the same God” (1Corinthians 12:4–6). Then he states that “to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1Corinthians 12:7). The key phrase, “for the common good,” reorients the entire discussion. Gifts are not badges; they are tools. They exist so that a community can sustain faith, grow in love, and carry out its mission. Under this framework, the question shifts from “What gift will make me significant?” to “What has God entrusted to me for others' sake?” The study draws a particular line around coveting. Biblically, coveting involves more than strong desire; it involves desiring in such a way that another must lose. When applied to spiritual gifts, coveting appears in attitudes like resenting another's calling or secretly wanting their influence diminished. That posture stands as the opposite of Moses' wish and Paul's “common good.” Saul and David: Bad and better ways to handle anointing The narrative of Saul in 1Samuel 10–15 offers a vivid example of how anointing can go wrong. In 1 Samuel 10, Samuel anoints Saul; the Spirit of the LORD comes mightily upon him, and he prophesies, becoming “another man.” God publicly marks Saul as king. Over time, however, Saul disobeys, fears people more than God, and refuses to fully submit. Eventually, Heaven falls silent: no dreams, no prophets, no answers through priestly means. In this silence, Saul seeks help from a medium at Endor, violating his own earlier decree and Torah's clear prohibitions. Instead of returning to trust and repentance, he attempts to force access to divine guidance through forbidden channels. Simultaneously, David emerges — not as the obvious first choice, but as the overlooked youngest son. When Samuel arrives, Yishai (Jesse) presents seven sons; only after God rejects each does Samuel ask if another remains. David comes in from shepherding and receives the anointing. The contrast becomes stark: Saul, the tall, impressive figure, clings and spirals; David, the unexpected one, eventually takes the throne as God's chosen. This contrast embodies two responses to God's shifting work: grasping or yielding. Saul clings to title and position, even to the point of hunting David. David, for his part, repeatedly refuses to kill Saul, recognizing another's anointing even while he himself has already been anointed. The study uses this to illustrate how callings overlap and transition, and how jealousy can poison what began in genuine anointing. Messiah, the sympathetic High Priest Hebrews 2:10–18 gathers many of these strands into a christological center. The passage describes how God makes “the author of their salvation” perfect through sufferings, so that He can bring “many sons to glory.” Messiah shares “flesh and blood” so that, “through death,” He might “render powerless him who had the power of death,” and “free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives” (Hebrews 2:14–15 NASB95). Here, the High Priest does not remain in a distant holy place untouched by human pain. He enters it. His perfection through suffering does not imply previous moral imperfection; rather, it indicates a completed qualification. He knows the path of obedience from the inside. That qualification places Him in a unique position to represent humans to God and God to humans. For service and calling, this reshapes fear. If death — the ultimate threat — has lost its enslaving power, service no longer needs to orbit self-protection. A community can embrace costly obedience because its High Priest has already walked that road and broken its enslaving grip. Leadership, vulnerability, and God's reputation Prophets repeatedly warned that God's name is blasphemed among the nations because of Israel's behavior (Ezekiel 36:20, 23; Isaiah 52:5). The same principle applies to any community claiming to serve Him: conduct shapes perception of God. When leaders — religious or otherwise — use power to harm, cover abuse, or protect institutions over people, the damage reaches beyond immediate victims. It stains the public sense of who God is. The frequent biblical mention of widows, orphans, and the sojourner (ger) highlights where God's scrutiny often falls: how do His people treat those with the least leverage? Within this frame, ordination and anointing carry weight. They do not only authorize ministry; they heighten responsibility for the vulnerable and for God's reputation. Living as a filled-hands people Messiah sends His followers, empowered by the Spirit, to participate in an ongoing mission. every believer becomes part of an eighth-day people — consecrated, clothed, filled, and then sent. God does not merely rescue individuals from something; He consistently equips them for something: for service that reflects His character, honors His name, and blesses others. The post Called, filled, sent: What the Torah says about anointing, service and spiritual fruit (Exodus 29; Isaiah 61–62; Hebrews 2) appeared first on Hallel Fellowship.

Read OnlineRising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee. Mark 1:35–39Jesus' prayer was unique. He did not pray because He needed God in His life—He was and is God. Yet, in His human nature, He regularly withdrew to be alone and to pray to His Father. Jesus' prayer teaches us two primary lessons.First, Jesus' prayer reveals Who He is. He is the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. As a member of the Trinity, Jesus prayed in solitude, not to become closer to the Father, for He and the Father are eternally one in essence; rather, His prayer expressed and revealed that perfect union to us. Unity with and love of the Father are at the center of Who He is.Though we are not God, we are made for oneness with God. This is not an external invitation but an essential part of who we are and who we must become. In Heaven, our lives will be one ongoing and eternal expression of prayer—a perfect union with God. That union must begin now, and the foundation of its growth is prayer.By going off alone to pray to the Father, Jesus also models for us the way to the Father. His action is prophetic, calling us to set aside moments each day for nothing other than prayer. While we are called to pray continually throughout the day, this habit is nourished by intentional moments of silence in which we immerse ourselves in God's presence. In our fallen nature, daily moments of focused prayer are necessary for clearing the distractions of life, overcoming sin, and allowing God's grace to draw us into deeper union with Him.Jesus' prayer invites us to examine our own daily prayer life. How often do you pray each day? How do you pray? Does your prayer change you, transforming you into who God made you to be? Most people easily find time every day for less important things, such as entertainment, idle conversations, and daily work. Though these things have their place, they must never overshadow that which is most important. We must learn to pray and be faithful to prayer every day.One of the best ways to pray is to participate in the Mass. In the Mass, we most fully share in Christ's human life, sacrifice, and divine presence. The Mass is the summit of prayer and the foundation of our spiritual life. We receive Him into our lives as we consume His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. To participate in the Mass well, daily moments of prayer are essential. At times, we must silence every other thought and actively offer our praise to God. Meditation on the Word of God is also essential. Taking time to read the Gospel, in particular, and meditating on those passages disposes us to hear God's voice. His Word counters the many lies and temptations we face during our daily activities, preparing us to live more fully as God's sons and daughters.Reflect today on your commitment to daily prayer by following Jesus' example. Resolve to find a moment of solitude in which you silence your heart and simply dwell in God's presence. Let this time of prayer become the cornerstone of your day and a foretaste of the union with God in Heaven for which you were created. Prayer is not an option; it is the very path to becoming who we are meant to be—united with God in love, now and for all eternity. My prayerful Lord, Your prayer revealed Your perfect union with the Father and set an example for us to follow. Grant me the wisdom and strength to remain faithful to daily moments of personal prayer—times when I can simply be with You and express my love for You. May these moments transform every part of my day, leading me to greater charity here on earth and preparing me for perfect union with You in eternity. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via rawpixelSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

As believers, are we really ever "faithless"? But don't we experience doubt and struggle? How does 2 Timothy 2:12 speak to this? My emotions are all over the place, and my family doesn't agree with me about God's grace. I struggle with this! Sometimes, I'm not sure that Christianity is more than a story, especially the resurrection part. Can you help me? Where is Jesus right now? In Heaven?

Presented by Ariel from the Parish of Saint Albert the Great from the Parish of Saint Albert the Great in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Isaiah 52: 7-10; Rs psalm 98: 1.2-3ab.3cd-4.5-6; Hebrews 1: 1-6; John 1: 1-18.INCARNATION,THE ETERNAL WORD BECOMES HUMAN Ourreflection on this Christmas day is themed: Incarnation, The Eternal WordBecomes Human. The word "incarnation" aptly describes the mystery ofthe Son of God, who is the eternal Word in heaven, transforming Himself to havea human body. Thus, He adopts human ways by being born through a woman in theworld. Meanwhile, the word "reincarnation", also familiar in ourconversations, has no connection to "incarnation". Today'sGospel reading focuses on the Word of God becoming human. The question to openour reflection is: Why did the Word of God need to become human? It's likeasking a village child: Why work so hard to study far away in the city? Orasking a father: Why work so hard  dayand night with many sacrifices? Allthese questions have one common answer: because of a desire or will beingcarried out. Thus, the eternal God became human because of a desire, will, orplan of God. Compared to our human desires, which are many, overlapping, andoften unfocused, God's will is singular for humanity. Inheaven and in the divine life of the Holy Trinity, there are no desires becausethey are already full and eternal. God has desires because He is involved withhumanity. And that one desire is to save humanity from sin, which has resultedin a broken relationship between God and humans. Theeternal Word of God becoming human is the Redeemer humanity needs. Incarnationbrings this together in a harmonious union, all because of the power of theHoly Spirit. It's like a man wanting to express love to his beloved, and shealso needs the love of her chosen one. Incarnationmarries heaven and earth, symbolizing the union between God the Creator and Hiscreation, humanity. Incarnation is the door for God to enter our human historyand take full part in human life. This event remains a mystery, the act of theeternal Word becoming human, but it's a reality over 2000 years ago. Lastnight, we celebrated His birth as a baby Jesus lying in a manger. Today, wecelebrate His presence surrounded by God's chosen ones who made thisincarnation happen. They are all witnesses, so this great mystery is told,shared, and celebrated to this day. Besides believing and celebrating thismystery of faith, we should live the Word in our real lives. Let us pray. In thename of the Father... O Lord Jesus Christ, bless us to live always with thespirit of Your Word in every moment of our lives. Hail Mary, full of grace... Inthe name of the Father...

When Heaven came down, it didn't stay silent—it spoke. In Heaven's Declaration, part three of the Heaven Came Down series, we look at the moment Heaven announced the greatest news the world has ever heard: a Savior has been born. Walking through Luke 2:15–20, this message challenges us to respond immediately when God speaks, to stop delaying obedience, to boldly share what we've encountered, and to return changed through worship. The shepherds didn't hesitate, stay silent, or leave the same—and neither should we. Heaven declared it, angels announced it, shepherds shared it, and now the question is personal: what will you do with Heaven's declaration?

“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.

What if Christmas wasn't calm and cozy, but a divine rescue mission? In Heaven's Invasion, part two of the Heaven Came Down series, we explore how the birth of Jesus was Heaven breaking into a broken world on purpose. God didn't wait for perfect conditions—He stepped into chaos, pain, and mess to bring peace, hope, and salvation. From a manger instead of a palace to shepherds instead of royalty, this message speaks directly to anyone who feels forgotten, unworthy, inadequate, or overwhelmed. Discover how the peace Jesus brings isn't the absence of conflict, but His presence in the middle of it—and how that same Heaven-sent peace is still invading hearts and lives today.

BADVRIL is an active American grunge band based in San Francisco, known for their "chaotic, narcotic grunge sound" that blends small-town isolation with the energy of city life. The band is led by Becket Schroeder and closely accompanied by Tessa Piccillo."BADVRIL is a band that thrives on the tension between small-town isolation and the frenetic energy of city life. Originally from the backwoods of Washington, Badvril now calls San Francisco home. The contrast between two worlds is central to their chaotic, narcotic grunge sounding visually arresting art. Led by Becket Schroder and closely accompanied by Tessa Piccolo, the duo brings their personal experiences together to create the narrative that defines the Badvril identity." "Badvril's debut album “IN HEAVEN” didn't premier at a trendy club or online drop-it was first played for inmates at Washington State Penitentiary. A bold introduction that speaks volumes about what Badvril stands for: unfiltered honesty, defiance of convention, and a deep connection to the overlooked." Thanks for listening!!! Please Follow us on Instagram @hiddentracks99Pre and Post roll music brought to you by @sleepcyclespa

In Heaven there will be No More death. Their will be no more separation from God. Chris wraps us this mini-series focused on being near to God.

In Heaven, Part 2, hosts Jeremy Agosto and Pastor Robey Barnes continue the City Rev Life series by exploring what heaven is really like—beyond the clouds and halos. Drawing from Philippians 1:21, Romans 8, and Revelation 21, they discuss how Scripture paints heaven as a real, physical, and beautiful new creation where God dwells with His people. This episode challenges listeners to develop a robust view of heaven that gives meaning to suffering, motivates mission, and inspires hope. When we truly grasp the reality of heaven, it changes how we live on earth.

“Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” (Romans 15:4 NLT) You will not find the hope that you need in people or things. You will not find it in a politician or political cause, no matter which side of the aisle you’re on. You will not find it in technology or science or in a relationship or in an accomplishment. Job 8:13–15 says, “The hopes of the godless evaporate. Their confidence hangs by a thread. They are leaning on a spider’s web. They cling to their home for security, but it won’t last. They try to hold it tight, but it will not endure” (NLT). In contrast, Psalm 42:5 says, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!” (NLT). This is the hope that gives us the strength to go on in life. This hope is not wishful thinking or blind optimism. It is quiet confidence. It is a supernatural certainty. We find this hope in the pages of Scripture. True and lasting hope comes from God and His Word. The apostle Paul wrote, “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled” (Romans 15:4 NLT). Psalm 119:114 says, “You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope” (NLT). So, if hope seems in short supply in your life, you can replenish it by spending time in God’s Word. There will be times when you need to replenish because things don’t always work out well in this life. Not all marriages survive. Not all prodigal children return. Not all medical tests have benign results. Not all crises end happily. That’s when you need to embrace the reality that whatever happens in this life, be it wonderful or painful, is only temporary. We make so much of this life because it’s the only one we’ve known. But it comes and goes rather quickly. First Chronicles 29:15 says, “We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace” (NLT). Heaven—our ultimate hope—is forever. In Heaven, God will right all wrongs. He will answer all questions. He will ease all pain. He will replace our tears with laughter and joy. In Heaven, our losses will be more than compensated for. That’s why Paul wrote, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth” (Colossians 3:1–2 NLT). Heaven is where our ultimate hope is found, so Heaven is where our thoughts should be when we struggle here on earth. Reflection question: What would setting your sights on the realities of Heaven look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" 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.

MEEKNESS & HONOR — CURRENCIES OF THE KINGDOM | MAN OF PEACE

“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT) Will we recognize one another in Heaven? The short answer is yes, absolutely. Why would we know less in Heaven than we know on earth? In Heaven, we are perfected. We are glorified. Look at the apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13:12: “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (NLT). In Heaven, there will be no more mysteries. No more questions. Everything will be resolved. Everything will be known. You will still love your family and friends. In fact, you will love them with a stronger, purer, and sweeter love. Death may break our bonds on earth, but God restores them in Heaven. We don’t change identities in Heaven. We’ll be the same people there that we are on earth. I’ll still be me. You’ll still be you. But we’ll be perfected versions of ourselves. Without the flaws. Without the shortcomings. Without the sinful tendencies. We’ll be glorified in the presence of God. And we’ll know all things that Scripture says. Matthew 17 records the Transfiguration of Jesus. He took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain, where they saw Him in His glory. Verse 3 says, “Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus” (NLT). But how did anyone know that it was Moses and Elijah? Those men lived centuries before the events of the New Testament. Do you think Moses was holding two commandment tablets and saying, “Hi, I’m Moses. Recognize these?” Do you think Elijah was calling down fire from Heaven so that he’d be more recognizable? Do you think they were wearing name tags? “Hi! My name is Moses.” I don’t think so. The point is that even after being called back from glory momentarily to appear with Christ, Moses and Elijah were recognizable. Just as we will be recognizable when we get to Heaven. And it won’t be just your appearance that’s familiar. You’ll have the same thoughts, feelings, and desires that you had on earth. But they’ll all be perfected. You will be the purest version of you in Heaven. So, the people who love you will love you even more. When Jesus appeared to His frightened disciples after His resurrection, He said, “Why are you frightened? . . . Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do” (Luke 24:38–39 NLT). In other words, “You know who I am.” One of the countless joys of Heaven will be reuniting with our Christian loved ones. One of the challenges of earth is making sure that our loved ones will be in Heaven. Reflection question: Who are you eager to reunite with in Heaven? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" 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.

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post The Hymn, “Jesus Priceless Treasure” – Dr. Arthur Just, 8/22/25 (2343) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Thursday August07JoyfulHearts Sharing His GospelLuke 24:48-5348And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of MyFather upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued withpower from on high." 50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, andHe lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while Heblessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 Andthey worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 andwere continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.Aswe look at the last verses of Luke 24, we remember that after the crucifixionof Christ, the disciples faced disappointment, discouragement, and all thatcomes with it. The women went to the tomb with perplexed hearts,expecting a sealed tomb. Today, many in our Christian community love the Lordand live for Him, like these women, but get perplexed trying to figure it allout. What is happening? Where is His body? He shows them the open tomb and evengives His first appearance to Mary Magdalene.  Then,we have the two disciples on the road to Emmaus with discouraged hearts,thinking Jesus was going to set up His kingdom. Many believers today arediscouraged because things aren't turning out as expected. Jesus opens theireyes to see Him. In the upper room, the disciples have troubled hearts,afraid and wondering what is going on. Jesus opens their understanding to theScriptures, explaining all things concerning His death, burial, andresurrection, beginning with Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms. Andwhat happens next? We find out in verse 52.  They have joyful hearts and Jesus nowopens their lips to share the Good News of His resurrection. My friend, whenyou know there's an empty tomb, keep your eyes on Jesus Christ, and realize Heis there with you, and He opens your understanding to all the Scriptures, youwill experience a joyful heart and be willing to open your lips too! Luke24:50-52 should be compared with Mark 16:19-20 and Acts 1:9-12. Think of whatit meant to Him to return to heaven and sit on the throne of glory! (John 17:5,11) His ascension is proof that He has conquered every enemy and that He reignssupremely "far above all" (Eph. 1:18-23). Inheaven today, our Lord ministers as our High Priest (Heb. 7:25) and ourAdvocate (1 John 2:1). As High Priest, He gives us the grace we need to facetesting and temptation (Heb. 4:14-16); and if we fail, as Advocate He forgivesand restores us when we confess our sins (1 John 1:6-10). As the glorified Headof the church, Jesus Christ is equipping His people to live for Him and serveHim in this present world (Eph. 4:7-16; Heb. 13:20-21). Through the Word of Godand prayer, He is ministering to us by His Spirit and making us more likeHimself. Ilove this book. It started with Zacharias in the temple and the angelsappearing to shepherds, proclaiming, a message “of great joy whichshall be to all people." Now the book ends with these disciples fullof great joy. Jesus opens their lips, and they go everywhere worshiping,praising, and telling the nations that Jesus Christ is alive. He is risen, andyou can trust Him today to be your Lord and Savior. It will change everything,and your perplexed, troubled, discouraged hearts will become joyful heartsliving for eternity.  That'swhat the Great Commission is all about. Over the next couple of days we will betalking about how you can also participate in fulfilling the Great Commission. Godbless!

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post Angels, Saints and Our Departed Loved Ones at the Lord's Table – Dr. Arthur Just, 7/30/25 (2113) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

In Heaven, will we actually JUDGE ANGELS?Support the show

Read OnlineMary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. John 20:11–12Early in His ministry, Jesus cast seven demons out of Mary of Magdala. As a result, she became an exceptionally faithful follower of Jesus. She was most likely one of His followers who provided for Jesus and the disciples out of her own resources as they traveled. She listened to His teachings, witnessed His miracles, was present when He was condemned, stood at the foot of the Cross with Jesus' mother, helped to prepare His body for burial and was the first person recorded in Scripture to whom Jesus appeared after His Resurrection.The Gospel for today's Mass tells the story of Mary going to the tomb early Sunday morning to complete the anointing of Jesus' dead body as He laid in the tomb. But much to her surprise, the tomb was empty. Therefore, she ran to tell the Apostles, which makes Mary Magdalene the first of His followers to witness to the Resurrection. After telling the Apostles, she returned to the tomb with Peter and John; and, after Peter and John left, she remained outside the tomb weeping, as is mentioned in the Gospel passage quoted above.Mary's tears are beautiful. They are an expression of her deep devotion to her Lord. She did not yet understand that He had risen, but her fidelity to Jesus is a testimony to her love. Jesus had restored her dignity. He freed her from the seven demons who tormented her. She most likely had been a sinful woman in the past, but now she was singly devoted to the Savior of the World.The witness of Mary of Magdala is one that should inspire us all. Though few people are possessed by seven demons, we are all tormented in one way or another. We all sin. We all are weak. We all have a past we regret. And we all are invited to do better. Mary's “better” was a life that was given to Jesus with the utmost fidelity. She didn't care if the authorities saw her at the foot of the Cross. If they were to persecute her as a result, it did not matter. She was faithful. She didn't care if the soldiers would have harassed her when she went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus—she only thought of that last act of love she could offer Him. And when she saw Jesus risen and thought He was the gardener, she didn't care if He saw her heartbroken and in tears—she only wanted to see the body of her Lord.As a result of her unwavering fidelity, Jesus gave her a gift beyond imagination. He appeared to her, after being resurrected from the dead, and sent her to be an apostle to the Apostles. He sent her to go to the Apostles to tell them that Jesus had risen and that He was preparing to go to His Father in Heaven. Reflect, today, upon the holy soul of this woman. She was a repentant sinner who turned her whole life around. She devoted everything to Jesus and, in return, received even more. In Heaven, Mary Magdalene will forever cling to Jesus and adore His Sacred Heart. May we all strive to imitate her by turning from our own life of sin and becoming unwaveringly faithful to our Lord. My resurrected Lord, You appeared first to Mary of Magdala after Your Resurrection. You now invite her to share in Your glorious life in Heaven. Help me to learn from her by turning away from all sin and becoming deeply devoted to You. May my fidelity to You, dear Lord, be absolute and unwavering, so that I, too, will one day share in the glory of Your Resurrection. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Fondazione Cariplo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

In Heaven, On Earth and in the Vast Universe

In Heaven, On Earth and in the Vast Universe

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post The Hymn, “O Christ, Our True and Only Light” – Dr. Arthur Just, 7/17/25 (1981) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

For some, this may be the saddest part about Heaven, but it shouldn't be! Fr. Mike dives into the deeper meaning behind this teaching and explains why it's actually good news. He reminds us that Heaven isn't a loss of love, but the fulfillment of it. In Heaven, you won't love your spouse less… you'll love them more than ever before.

Psalm 16:11, "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." This is the language of one who knows his God, who has walked with Him, and who has learned that there is no joy like that which comes from the conscious nearness of God. How great is the mercy of our God, that He has not left us to grope in darkness or stumble blindly through a world cursed by sin. Earthly joys always disappoint, decay, and die. But in His infinite grace, He has made known to us the path of life--a path not known by the wisdom of man, nor paved by human merit, but graciously revealed through His Word and perfectly embodied in Jesus. He is the only path of life--the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Outside of Him, there is no life at all--only despair, death, and damnation. The world offers many paths--broad paths of avarice, pleasure, and pride--but these all lead to eternal destruction. The path of life is narrow. It is marked by humility, faith, repentance, and obedience. It leads upward, against the sinful customs of the age, and can only be walked by those whose eyes have been opened by the sovereign working of the Spirit. For those who walk this path, even though it is steep and narrow, it ends in the presence of God, where there is fullness of joy. Not the hollow joys of earthly gain, or temporary relief; but deep, abiding, soul-satisfying joy--in the presence of Jesus, our precious Savior. In Heaven, sin will be gone, sorrow will vanish, and every holy longing will be satisfied. The pleasures that await are not fleeting or shallow--they are everlasting delights; pure, perfect, and ever-increasing--

The Sadducees, a group ofJewish leaders who do not believe in angels, resurrection, or spirits pose a hypothetical question about a man who marries a woman and dies, andaccording to the law of Moses, his brother must marry her. Seven brothers endup marrying this woman, all die without children, and the Sadducees ask, inheaven, if there is a resurrection, which one of these men will she be marriedto? They think they have Jesus in a dilemma, but He answers them. InMatthew 22:29, Matthew records Jesus immediate response to their question. Jesussaid, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power ofGod." Jesus points out their ignorance of the Scriptures and the power ofGod. They only recognize the first five books of Moses, while Jesusacknowledges all 39 books of the Old Testament in the Septuagint (the Greek translationof the Old Testament available in the time of Jesus). Yet even from the Law ofMoses, Jesus affirms there is a resurrection.  Asa young pastor, I sometimes preached at funerals, stood by the casket, andsaid, "This is just a body." I wish I could go back and tell thosedear people I was wrong. God created us individually, uniquely, with a body wewill live in for eternity. Your spirit, soul, and body are eternal in a sense.According to Scripture, such as Job 14:14; 19:25-27; Psalms 16:9-10; 17:15; Isaiah26:19; Ezekiel 37; and Daniel 12:2, the bodies of both the lost and the savedwill be resurrected one day. These bodies will either go to heaven or to aneternal lake of fire, where they will be tormented day and night forever. Jesusand the Bible teach this truth. My friend, Jesus believed that God has thepower to raise us from the dead. Inheaven, we will have glorified bodies, with no need for procreation. Regardingthe Sadducees' question about the seven brothers, I've always thought after thethird or fourth brother, I'd say, "I'm not marrying her; I'm not takingthe chance of dying like the rest!" When we question Scripture and try tofigure it out logically, we miss the point and like the Sadducees we will misinterpretand wrongly apply the Scripture to our lives. ButJesus went beyond logic and referred them to the Word of God, particularly whathappened to Moses as recorded in Exodus 3. There God identified Himself withAbraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and thus affirmed that these three patriarchs werevery much alive. But if they were alive, then they were "out of thebody," for they had died (James 2:26). There must be a real world ofspirit beings or Moses would not have written these words. (By the way, Mosesalso affirmed the existence of angels: Genesis 19:1, 15; 28:12; 32:1.) ButJesus is also basically saying that Exodus 3:6, 15-16 teaches not only thetruth of life after death but also the reality of the resurrection. In whatway? Not by direct statement but by inference. God is the God of the wholeperson—spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23), because He created thewhole person. He does not simply "save our souls" and ignore the restof our being. Inherent in the very nature of God's creative act is His concernfor the total person. Hence, He will not keep us disembodied spirits foreverbut will give us glorious bodies to match our heavenly perfection.  ForGod's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to be fulfilled, they willneed resurrected bodies to rule and reign with Him in the millennial reign ofJesus Christ. We have something to look forward to. God knows our future. Ilove what Job says in Job chapter 19, verses 25-26: "For I know that myRedeemer lives, and He shall stand on the earth. And after my skin isdestroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God."  Godis not the God of the dead, but of the living and He made us whole—soul,spirit, and body—and He knows how to take care of all of them. Godbless!

InLuke 20, the Jewish priests, elders, scribes, and the Herodians confront Jesuswith different questions or situations seeking to find a reason to have Himkilled (v.19). They have questioned Him about His authority and Jesus respondswith a question for them about the authority of John the Baptist and also aparable (vv. 1-19). The spies, sent by the Pharisees and the Herodians (Mark12:13), question Him about paying taxes to Caesar and Jesus shuts them downwith His answer (vv. 20-26).   Inverses 27-40, we find next in line were the Sadducees with a hypotheticalquestion based on the Jewish law of "levirate marriage". You willfind where they get this teaching from in Genesis 38 and Deuteronomy 25:5-10.The word levirate comes from the Latin levir, which means "a husband'sbrother." The Sadducees accepted as Scripture only the Five Books of Moses.Also in Acts 23:8 we are told they did not believe in angels, spirits, or theresurrection of the dead. They claimed that Moses did not write about any ofthese doctrines.  Itis interesting to also note that the priestly party in Israel during the timeof Jesus was mostly composed of Sadducees, which explains why the priestsopposed the Apostles' preaching of the Resurrection (Acts 4:1-2) and why theywanted to kill Lazarus, who was raised from the dead (John 12:10-11). Jesuspointed out that His opponents were wrong and that their question revealedassumptions that limited God's power and denied God's Word. Resurrection is notreconstruction; it is the miraculous granting of a new body that has continuitywith the old body. Paul compared our present body to a planted seed and thefuture resurrection body to the glorious flower and fruit (1 Cor. 15:35-50).Our Lord's resurrection body was the same as before His death and yetdifferent! Remember after Jesus' resurrection His disciples recognized Him andeven felt Him; He could eat food and yet He could also walk through closeddoors, change His appearance, and vanish suddenly.  Thefuture life with God is not a mere continuation of the present life only on"a higher scale." We will maintain our identities and know each other(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), but there will be no more death-hence, no need formarriage and procreation. Christians do not become angels.  Inheaven we will share the image of Jesus Christ and be much higher than theangels (1 John 3:2). Angels appear in Scripture as men, but they are spiritbeings without sexuality. It is in this regard that we will be like them; therewill be no need for marriage or childbearing in heaven. Isnot God powerful enough to raise the dead and give them new bodies suited totheir new environment? If today He can give different bodies to the variousthings in creation, why can He not give people new bodies at the resurrection? (1Corinthians 15:35-44). In their attempt to be "rational," theSadducees denied the very power of God! Paulunveils the mystery of when and what takes place concerning the believer'sresurrection body in both 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:47-58. Ibelieve that Jesus is coming back soon and “in a moment, in the twinkling of aneye” the living believers will experience a great change! Our perishable bodywill put on the imperishable, and our mortal body will put on immortality.  Hallelujah!!!What a day that will be! Are you prepared for that great day! It could betoday!

Read OnlineLifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “Holy Father, I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one…” John 17:20–22What an amazing prayer! Don't miss the meaning of this prayer. This is Jesus' High Priestly Prayer that He prayed just before He was arrested. This prayer concludes the Last Supper at which Jesus instituted the Most Holy Eucharist. It is truly His Eucharistic prayer that culminates in the offering of His life on the Cross. This prayer is not only a prayer; it is also a teaching about the life that we are invited to share in with our Lord.Note that in the passage quoted above, Jesus prayed not only for the disciples “but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” In other words, Jesus was praying for you and for everyone who would hear and respond to the Gospel. And His prayer was that you share in the perfect union that Jesus shares with the Father. He prayed that all may be one in the same way that He and the Father are one. Again, this is an amazing prayer!To begin, it is important to understand the concept of unity. Deep within each of us is a longing to be united to another. The draw to marriage, the love of a parent and child, the desire for friends and the bonding together as a community all point to this desire. We want unity. We want to be one. Unfortunately, our natural ability to form a holy union with others was deeply wounded by Original Sin. For that reason, the most central mission of the Son of God was not only to restore that which was lost but to transform it into something even greater. Now, because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we are not only able to live in peace with each other, we are also able to share in a new spiritual union with God Himself. This union goes to the heart and soul of who we are.Look within you and try to discover the innate desire you have for communion with others. When properly understood, pondering this desire is very consoling and enticing. If you can separate selfishness, lust and possessiveness from the equation, you are left with a very holy desire for union with others. Try to discover this desire within.As you discover this desire that God placed within you, learn from Jesus' High Priestly Prayer. Understand that this desire is only completely fulfilled by entering into the life and unity of the Most Holy Trinity. We are called to share in God's very life. When that happens, we also share in a perfect and holy union with one another. In this life, a holy marriage is an earthly prefiguration of that union that is to come. In Heaven, the divine marriage to which we are called will enable us to fulfill every human desire we have. Reflect, today, upon the draw you have within you to live in union with others. As you ponder this desire, know that it can only be fulfilled by accepting the invitation from the Most Holy Trinity to share in Their divine life. Prayerfully read Jesus' prayer to the Father and know that He was praying this for you. Join with Him in this prayer and make it your own so that your every human desire will begin to be fulfilled in God. Most Holy Trinity, You have invited me to share in Your glorious life. You invite me to share in the unity that You share. Please purify me of every selfish desire and fill me with a desire only for You. May this union with You perfectly fulfill me and enable me to obtain true unity with others. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Pixabay.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post The Ascension of Jesus – Dr. Arthur Just, 5/29/25 (1492, Encore) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post The Hymn, “All Christians Who Have Been Baptized” – Dr. Arthur Just, 5/22/25 (1423) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Read Online“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” John 14:12–14How is it that we are called to do greater works than the works that Jesus Himself did? Of course, it's true. This is our calling. We know that, because this is what our Lord promised us. This truth should fill us with gratitude for being used so powerfully by God.Among the “greater” works of which Jesus speaks is, first and foremost, the sharing of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. As Jesus walked the earth, His mission was primarily to the people of Israel. But when He ascended to Heaven and sent the Holy Spirit upon the Church, He also empowered all who would receive the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Thus, the conversion of hearts is the greatest work that we can cooperate with.Do you want to do great things? Most children dream of doing so because this desire is written upon our human nature. We want to make a difference. We want to be great. But too often we become confused about true greatness. We attempt to fulfill that innate desire through acts of worldly and passing greatness. We seek recognition, wealth, and other passing rewards that stem from selfish ambitions. None of these ultimately fulfill us, even if we were to achieve them to the greatest extent. For example, imagine if you won the Nobel Peace Prize, or became the leader of a nation, or became the wealthiest person alive. Would the attainment of one of these goals fulfill you? Only if it were the will of God. If not, it would be an empty and meaningless act.Begin by looking within. Do you see the desire within you to do great things? Hopefully you do. From there, remind yourself that the greatest thing you can do, so as to fulfill the desire within you, is to do that which is the will of God for your life. Jesus says, “If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” Asking in Jesus' name means asking for the fulfillment of His will. It means asking that God use you to bring His saving grace to others any way He chooses. If you ask our Lord for this grace, He will grant it.This form of prayer requires humility and a complete detachment from our own will. It requires that we ask the Father only for that which the Son asks the Father for us. But the reward of such a humble prayer is that God will bestow His grace and mercy on others through us. This is His perfect will.Reflect, today, upon this high calling. Do so by looking at the desire within your own soul for greatness and then unite that desire with God's will as the only thing that can fulfill you. Pray for this gift every day with humility and detachment and you will become an instrument of acts that give eternal glory to God. In Heaven, this will be your eternal joy. Providential Lord, Your will is perfect and glorious. Please help me to humble myself before You, every day, so that I will understand Your will for my life and choose it always. May I be an instrument of Your saving grace to all whom You wish to touch through me. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Joe Lazarus is a British drummer, best known for his current work with British Hard rock band Voodoo Sixand for his collaboration with ex-Oceansize member, Mark Vennart. He has also performed with The Worldonfire, Inheaven, British Theatre (band) and Iron Maiden tribute bands Hi-on Maiden and Maiden uniteD.

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post The Hymn, “At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing” – Dr. Arthur Just, 4/22/25 (1122) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN “Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service” by Arthur Just “Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50” by Arthur Just “Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53” by Arthur Just The post The Easter Hymn, “The Strife is O'er, the Battle Done” – Dr. Arthur Just, 4/21/25 (1111) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post The Hymn, “A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth” – Dr. Arthur Just, 4/17/25 (1072, Encore) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post The Hymn, “My Song Is Love Unknown” – Dr. Arthur Just, 4/3/25 (0932, Encore) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

In Heaven, will God bring up my past sins?

Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) Episode 576 - Phil King - Miscarriages PHIL KING OFFERS HOPE AMIDST LOSS WITH POIGNANT    ‘MISCARRIAGES' NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Unveiling one of his most emotive and powerful singles yet, acclaimed singer/songwriter and worship leader Phil King bows “Miscarriages” today. Written and produced by King with children's choir and string arrangements by Tyler Michael Smith, “Miscarriages” aims to bring comfort to grieving parents while serving as an important reminder that earthly loss is only temporal.    King, a father of twins, was moved to pen the poignant ballad upon witnessing multiple families in his own circle experience the heartbreak of miscarriage. “After grieving with some good friends who lost a child in the womb, we learned that another couple was pregnant with twins," he explains. "We were overjoyed to celebrate with them, but then my wife received a call with more devastating news—they had lost their ‘Baby B,' a reference to the second child conceived in a twin pregnancy. In our journey of becoming twin parents, ‘Baby B' would have been our son. Hearing this news and imagining the pain of losing our own son is what set me on course to compose ‘Miscarriages.'”   “After I wrote the song, I sent it to both couples with the intent of bringing comfort to them,” King shares. “Along with their reactions, and after playing it for a few others, I decided that with all the other millions of stories of miscarriages out there and so few songs on the subject, this one needed to be available for anyone to hear.”     He adds, “In Heaven, families are reunited every day. My hope is that ‘Miscarriages' reassures parents with the truth that their baby is not actually lost. Rather, their child is safe in Heaven with Jesus, waiting for them on the other side of eternity. I hope this knowledge will prevail in the hearts and minds of people who have struggled with the grief of miscarriage as they listen.”     A pro-life advocate, King performed his anthem “Not Forgotten” with GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter Francesca Battistelli before 20,000 people at Focus on the Family's 2019 “Alive From New York” gathering. Featuring 4D ultrasound footage projected on screens in Times Square, the event underscored the undeniable scientific evidence that a baby in the womb is fully human, fully alive and fully worthy of protection.    “Miscarriages” is King's second single of the year, arriving on the heels of “Heal Our Land.” A fervent prayer for America which released prior to last month's Presidential Inauguration, the song is a plea for peace, spiritual transformation and personal revival in the wake of change, tension and new beginnings.    ABOUT PHIL KING  Singer/songwriter, recording artist and worship leader Phil King is passionate about composing and sharing music that points people to Jesus. His acclaimed songs include the multilingual anthem “So Worthy,” which has been embraced by audiences around the world, as well as "Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone)," a duet with Dove Award-winning worship leader Meredith Andrews. King has also written and co-penned songs for such artists as Matt Redman, Leeland, Micah Tyler, Christine D'Clario and Rita Springer, and he has been featured on recordings and at live events with Lauren Daigle, Michael W. Smith, Jekalyn Carr and Danny Gokey, among others. Formerly a worship leader at Christ for the Nations and a worship pastor at Dallas' Gateway Church, King currently serves as a worship pastor at Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo, Texas. He and his wife Kalyn are the parents of a twin son and daughter.    For further information, visit philkingmusic.com or turningpointpr.com. Follow King on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.          ----more----     Don't forget about our music sale on Bandcamp. Use the code “10off” on RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com to get 10% off your purchase. Blessings, Rick Lee James Email: Rick@RickLeeJames.com Don't forget about our music sale on Bandcamp. Use the code “10off” on RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com to get 10% off your purchase. Blessings, Rick Lee James   Email: Rick@RickLeeJames.com Blessings, Rick Lee James     Get the new song - Whatever You Do       VINYL SALE THUNDER by Rick Lee James ONLY $9.99. (Plus you get a free digital download of the album)   VINYL SALE - “KEEP WATCH, DEAR LORD” BY RICK LEE JAMES

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post The Annunciation – Dr. Arthur Just, 3/25/25 (0841) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

In Heaven there is no guilt. The ego is the symbol for guilt and how can we get to the heavenly mindset now.

The prayer our Lord taught us to pray.The sermon today is titled "In Heaven." It is the second installment in our series "Our Father." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 6:9-13 ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 13, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under INSTILL: Core Texts.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):N. T. Wright, The Lord & His Prayer Wesley Hill, The Lord's Prayer: A Guide to Praying to Our FatherTim Keller, "Basis of Prayer: Our Father"I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post The Epiphany Hymn “Hail to the Lord's Anointed” – Dr. Arthur Just, 2/3/25 (0342, Encore) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post The Epiphany Hymn, “The Only Son from Heaven” – Dr. Arthur Just, 1/16/25 (Encore, 0162) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN “Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service” by Arthur Just “Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50” by Arthur Just “Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53” by Arthur Just The post The Christmas Hymn, “All My Heart Again Rejoices” – Dr. Arthur Just, 12/31/24 (Encore, 3662) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post The Hymn, “Jesus Name of Wondrous Love” – Dr. Arthur Just, 1/1/25 (Encore, 0012) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post The Christmas Hymn, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” – Dr. Arthur Just, 12/27/24 (Encore, 3622) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post The Christmas Hymn, “Joy to the World”- Dr. Arthur Just, 12/25/24 (3601) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Read OnlineThen he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.   Matthew 15:36–37This line concludes the second miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes as told by Matthew. In this miracle, seven loaves and a few fish were multiplied to feed 4,000 men, not counting the women and children. And once everyone ate and was satisfied, seven full baskets remained.It's hard to underestimate the effect that this miracle had on those who were actually there. Perhaps many did not even know where the food came from. They just saw the baskets being passed, they took their fill, and passed the rest on to others. Though there are many important lessons we can take from this miracle, let's consider one of them.Recall that the crowds had been with Jesus for three days without food. They were amazed at Him as He taught and continually healed the sick in their presence. They were so amazed, in fact, that they showed no sign of leaving Him, despite the obvious hunger they must have been experiencing. This is a wonderful image of what we must seek to have in our interior life.What is it that “amazes” you in life? What is it that you can do hour after hour without losing your attention? For these first disciples, it was the discovery of the very Person of Jesus that had this effect upon them. How about you? Have you ever found that the discovery of Jesus in prayer, or in the reading of Scripture, or through the witness of another, was so compelling that you became engrossed in His presence? Have you ever become so engrossed in our Lord that you thought of little else?In Heaven, our eternity will be spent in a perpetual adoration and “amazement” of the glory of God. And we will never tire of being with Him, in awe of Him. But too often on Earth, we lose sight of the miraculous action of God in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Too often, instead, we become engrossed in sin, the effects of sin, hurt, scandal, division, hatred and those things that lead to despair.Reflect, today, upon these first disciples of Jesus. Ponder, especially, their wonder and awe as they stayed with Him for three days without food. This draw of our Lord must take hold of you and overwhelm you so much that Jesus is the one and only central focus of your life. And when He is, all else falls into place and our Lord provides for your many other needs.My divine Lord, I love You and desire to love You more. Fill me with a wonder and awe for You. Help me to desire You above all things and in all things. May my love of You become so intense that I find myself trusting You always. Help me, dear Lord, to make You the center of my entire life. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes By Jacopo Tintoretto, via Jacopo Tintoretto, via Wikimedia Commons

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post 2003. The Advent Hymn, “The Night Will Soon Be Ending”- Dr. Arthur Just, 11/29/24 (3341) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post 2003. The Evening Hymn, “Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadow”- Dr. Arthur Just, 7/18/24 first appeared on Issues, Etc..