Podcasts about In Jesus

Geraldine Mock became the first woman to fly around the world in 1964. Landing for a short stop in Saudi Arabia, she watched as a man approached her plane. When he saw her, he shouted to his friends that this was no man.They applauded!Jerrie Mock's steadiness at the wheel and in her encounters on the ground were the very picture of self-control. Her journey was wildly successful.Titus 2:11–12 says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly…”In order to navigate this crazy world, we have to be steady, and the Fruit of the Spirit ends with a reminder to practice self-control in all we do. Be steady. As Scripture reminds us, don't look right or left, but ahead. God sees real value in this trait, because He knows we cannot possibly succeed if we let our emotions rule us, or we run ahead on our own instincts.Let's pray.Lord, help us practice discipline and love doing good as we walk through life. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

October 1, 2026Hope Alive: Applying God's Word to Your Daily LifeJudges 7:1-3I am Chad Harrison, and I am the teaching pastor of Lake Community Church and had been serving as a pastor for over 25 years. This podcast is designed to help you study God's word verse-by-verse and find God's will for your life. The purpose of studying scripture is that you might know the character of Jesus Christ, and that you might see the world from the Father's perspective. That you gain wisdom that changes your life. I pray in the name of Jesus right now that God would open His word to you and allow you to see Him and to know Him. To know His will, that you might glorify Him and that you might walk in faith and power each day, especially today. In Jesus name.If you would like to revisit today's Bible study, please visit our website at https://hopealive.buzzsprout.com/ to download the transcript. If this podcast ministered to you, please subscribe, and leave us a review. Reviews help us reach more people and spread the wisdom of God. Please follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopealivewithgod/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hopealiveministry/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LakeComChurch/ -Lake Community Church Support the show

What If Today Were Your Last Day?Hebrews 9:27: And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgmentIf you knew today was the last day of your life, what would matter most? Would it be the money in your bank account? The promotion you've been chasing? The house you've worked so hard to buy? The number of followers on your social media? Or would your thoughts immediately turn to your family… Your relationships… Your unfinished conversations… And most importantly… Your relationship with God?Join Life's Word Academy: https://tinyurl.com/lifeswordacademyAccept Jesus today. https://youtube.com/shorts/bIwAUlz7Kg4?si=BNOhv44iLWIR4eVJIf you would like to accept Jesus into your heart today, pray this simple prayer:****God, I have sinned against You. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, who died and rose for my sake. I ask you to forgive me for my sin. I place my trust in You for salvation. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, I am forgiven! Amen!****Congratulations! You are now a child of the Most High. John 1:12 says, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."****If you just prayed this prayer to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, I welcome you to the family of God. Subscribe to my channel and type in the comments right now, “I just prayed that prayer.”****Click here for FREE eBook download: https://tinyurl.com/ISAIDTHEPRAYERShow your love and support the channel:*PayPal: PayPal.me/malachimitchellministry*Cash App: https://cash.app/$MalachiMitchNote Journals and Puzzles:https://tinyurl.com/WalkinFaithPublishingAuthored Books: https://tinyurl.com/PastorMalachiBooksHNO Crypto Coin Investing Opportunity: https://tinyurl.com/HNOCoin-ReferralFREE Ways to Support Me:

Sanctification — being set apart, made holy, conformed to the image of Christ — is not a self-improvement project. It is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer, and 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 makes the most encouraging promise imaginable: the One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. Emily reminds us that our position in Christ is forever fixed — nothing can snatch us from His hand. But while we rest in the finished work of the cross, we are also called to partner with the Spirit through Scripture, prayer, service, and discipleship, allowing Him to renew our minds and gradually loosen the grip of worldly thinking and fleshly desire. The goal is not perfection this side of heaven — it is a life that, day by day and year by year, looks a little more like Jesus. Today's Bible Verse "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." — 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, NIV Ponder Today Sanctification is God's work, not yours alone. You partner with the Holy Spirit in the process — but the deep, transforming work of making you holy belongs to the faithful God who called you. Rest in that. Your position in Christ is forever fixed. No failure, no stumble, and no season of spiritual dryness can change what Christ has already secured for you. Sanctification flows from that settled foundation — it does not establish it. Holiness grows gradually, not overnight. The goal is not perfection this side of heaven but a life that, day by day, looks increasingly like Jesus. Small, steady steps of obedience matter more than dramatic overnight transformations. Spiritual disciplines are how we partner with the Spirit. Bible study, prayer, serving others, discipleship, and evangelism are not how we earn God's favor — they are how we open ourselves to the mind-renewing, desire-transforming work of the Holy Spirit. The longer you walk with God, the less the world's pull satisfies. As your mind is renewed through His Word, worldly thinking and fleshly desires gradually lose their grip. That shift in desire is itself evidence of God's sanctifying work in you. A Prayer for You Today Father God, thank You for saving me, setting me free, and continually sanctifying me. I know that I fail every day, but I lean into Your grace all the more. Your grace is sufficient for each day and is such a gift in my life. You are a God who transforms and purifies — so help me renew my mind with Your Word, that I may know Your good, acceptable, and perfect will and see my life conformed more and more to the image of Your Son. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Fighting one day in the tough Iraqi city of Fallujah, a Marine sergeant decided to put himself at risk in order to get a frightened family to safety. He stepped into a courtyard and spoke quietly for a few minutes with the father. He took time to make sure the kids had water, and the toys his men gave them.Then it was back to the war.Gentleness can be misunderstood. Too often we think, for example, that a man is not masculine if he's gentle.Not true. This Fruit of the Spirit is a real strength, no matter one's gender. But for men, it can be more than that; gentleness can be an asset.Romans 15:7 says, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”No matter where we are, we are to conduct ourselves with a gentle nature. In every encounter, we are to model the love of Christ, to show a damaged world that good is stronger than evil.Let's pray.Lord, you are so gentle with our tangled spirits! In our sin, you look at us with love. Thank you so much for that. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

September 30, 2026Hope Alive: Applying God's Word to Your Daily LifeJudges 6:33-40I am Chad Harrison, and I am the teaching pastor of Lake Community Church and had been serving as a pastor for over 25 years. This podcast is designed to help you study God's word verse-by-verse and find God's will for your life. The purpose of studying scripture is that you might know the character of Jesus Christ, and that you might see the world from the Father's perspective. That you gain wisdom that changes your life. I pray in the name of Jesus right now that God would open His word to you and allow you to see Him and to know Him. To know His will, that you might glorify Him and that you might walk in faith and power each day, especially today. In Jesus name.If you would like to revisit today's Bible study, please visit our website at https://hopealive.buzzsprout.com/ to download the transcript. If this podcast ministered to you, please subscribe, and leave us a review. Reviews help us reach more people and spread the wisdom of God. Please follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopealivewithgod/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hopealiveministry/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LakeComChurch/ -Lake Community Church Support the show

To every listener and follower of Hallelujah EVERYDAY Podcast, thank you for your love, prayers, and unwavering support. As we wrap up September and step into October, may God reward your faithfulness, strengthen you, open new doors for you, and surround you with His favor and peace.May your next season be greater than the last. In Jesus' name, Amen. Hallelujah!

The Narrow Road Still Exists He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6)Many people want Jesus as Savior. Far fewer want Him as Lord. The narrow road requires us to lay down our pride. Our sin. Our self-rule. Our own definitions of right and wrong.Join Life's Word Academy: https://tinyurl.com/lifeswordacademyAccept Jesus today. https://youtube.com/shorts/bIwAUlz7Kg4?si=BNOhv44iLWIR4eVJIf you would like to accept Jesus into your heart today, pray this simple prayer:****God, I have sinned against You. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, who died and rose for my sake. I ask you to forgive me for my sin. I place my trust in You for salvation. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, I am forgiven! Amen!****Congratulations! You are now a child of the Most High. John 1:12 says, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."****If you just prayed this prayer to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, I welcome you to the family of God. Subscribe to my channel and type in the comments right now, “I just prayed that prayer.”****Click here for FREE eBook download: https://tinyurl.com/ISAIDTHEPRAYERShow your love and support the channel:*PayPal: PayPal.me/malachimitchellministry*Cash App: https://cash.app/$MalachiMitchNote Journals and Puzzles:https://tinyurl.com/WalkinFaithPublishingAuthored Books: https://tinyurl.com/PastorMalachiBooksHNO Crypto Coin Investing Opportunity: https://tinyurl.com/HNOCoin-ReferralFREE Ways to Support Me:

Send us your feedback — we're listeningGalatians 5:22 — The Fruit of the Spirit: An Early Evening Prayer for Peace When the Day Has Been Difficult Themes: Peace · Love · Self-Control Scripture Galatians 5:22 — The Fruit of the Spirit “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” Spoken Prayer Father, as evening comes, we look back over the day. Perhaps it has been good. Perhaps it has been difficult. Maybe somebody said something that hurt, a plan went wrong, or the pressure of the day brought out emotions we wish we had handled differently. Lord, meet people in South Korea, Spain, Zimbabwe, Austria, Botswana and the United States. Bring peace to homes where tension has followed people through the door. Bring patience where frustration has taken hold, and kindness where words have become sharp. Jesus, we want Your character to shape us. We do not simply want peace when everything is peaceful; we want the peace of Christ when circumstances are difficult. Holy Spirit, grow Your fruit within us. Where anger needs surrender, give us humility. Where disappointment has become resentment, bring grace. Where we reacted too quickly, help us make things right. Teach us that self-control is not weakness; it is strength submitted to God. Father, let love have more authority in our hearts than irritation. Let kindness become stronger than frustration. Let patience give us room to breathe before we speak. God of Israel, bring Your peace into our homes tonight. Help families listen to one another. Help friends forgive one another. Help us recognise the person behind the behaviour and respond with compassion. Jesus, we place this day into Your hands. We cannot change every conversation that has already happened, but we can surrender our hearts now. Let the Holy Spirit continue His work within us. As this evening settles, let Your peace become deeper, Your love become clearer, and Your character become more visible in us. In Jesus' name, Amen. Gentle pause before the 8:00 p.m. prayer. Blessing May the Holy Spirit fill your home with peace tonight, soften difficult conversations, and grow the character of Christ within you. About This Prayer An early evening prayer for peace after a difficult day. Galatians 5:22 directs our attention towards the fruit the Holy Spirit produces within a life surrendered to God. Early evening prayer for peace; prayer after a difficult day; prayer for anger and frustration; Christian prayer for patience; prayer for peaceful relationships; prayer for self-control. evening prayer, peace, love, patience, self-control, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Christian prayer, difficult day, DailyPrayer evening, peace, love, patience, self-control, Holy Spirit, Jesus, prayer, faith, DailyPrayer Support the Ministry — Buy Us a Coffee If these daily prayers are helping you, please consider supporting the ministry or sowing a seed into this work. You can buy us a coffee and help us continue creating prayer for people around the world.Support the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper is now reaching people across 189 countries and territories and 3,845 cities worldwide, with an incredible 114,274 downloads since launch.Through Daily Prayer and the Global Blend Radio network, biblical prayer, Scripture, encouragement and Christian teaching continue to reach people across the nations every day.Daily Prayer is a listener-supported ministry, and your support helps us continue recording, hosting and broadcasting these prayers while keeping them freely available to anyone who needs encouragement, hope or a moment with God.If Daily Prayer has encouraged you, strengthened your faith or helped you through a difficult season, you can support the ministry with any amount you choose. There is no fixed donation — every contribution, whether one-off or regular, helps us continue sharing prayer and biblical encouragement around the world.You can support the ministry through:Global Blend Radio:https://globalblendradio.com/Buy Me a Coffee – Reverend Ben Cooper:https://buymeacoffee.com/reverendbencooperFor daily prayers, biblical encouragement, live broadcasts and to submit a prayer request, visit:DailyPrayer.ukhttps://dailyprayer.uk/Together, we can continue keepi...

Send us your feedback — we're listeningMatthew 6:33 — Seek First the Kingdom of God: A Mid-Morning Prayer for Stability When Life Feels Uncertain Themes: Stability · Trust · God's Kingdom Scripture Matthew 6:33 — Seek First the Kingdom of God “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Spoken Prayer Father, as the morning gathers pace, we bring You the things that are already demanding our attention. Messages, responsibilities, work, family and decisions can quickly make the day feel bigger than our ability to handle it. So Jesus, You call us back to what matters first. Lord, bring stability to people in Germany, Australia, Kenya, Hungary, New Zealand and Nigeria. Some are living with uncertainty about work, relationships, finances or the future. Others simply feel that everything around them is moving too quickly. Give them a settled heart. Jesus, teach us to seek Your kingdom first. Not because our problems are imaginary, but because You are greater than our problems. Holy Spirit, help us recognise what deserves our attention and what we need to release. Father, when the world feels unstable, anchor us in Christ. When circumstances change, remind us that Your character does not change. When we are tempted to make fear our guide, bring us back to trust. Help us do the work that is in front of us today without carrying every possible tomorrow. Give us wisdom in our conversations, patience with people and grace when plans change. God of Israel, establish our hearts in Your presence. Let our priorities become clearer. Let anxiety lose its grip. Let faith become practical in the way we speak, work and care for others. Jesus, You are our centre. So we seek You first and trust You with what follows. Let this morning become calmer, steadier and more purposeful because our eyes are fixed on You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Gentle pause before the 12:00 p.m. prayer. Blessing May Jesus steady your heart today, order your priorities, and give you peace when circumstances around you feel uncertain. About This Prayer A mid-morning prayer for stability when life feels uncertain or overwhelming. Matthew 6:33 brings the heart back to God's kingdom and helps us place Jesus at the centre of the day. Mid-morning prayer for stability; prayer when life feels uncertain; prayer for peace in an unstable world; Christian prayer for anxiety and priorities; prayer to trust God with your day. Buzzsprout Keywords mid-morning prayer, stability, trust God, uncertainty, kingdom of God, Jesus, peace, Christian prayer, anxiety, DailyPrayer midmorning, stability, trust, uncertainty, kingdom, Jesus, peace, prayer, faith, DailyPrayer Support the Ministry — Buy Us a Coffee If these daily prayers are helping you, please consider supporting the ministry or sowing a seed into this work. You can buy us a coffee and help us continue creating prayer for people around the world.Support the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper is now reaching people across 189 countries and territories and 3,845 cities worldwide, with an incredible 114,274 downloads since launch.Through Daily Prayer and the Global Blend Radio network, biblical prayer, Scripture, encouragement and Christian teaching continue to reach people across the nations every day.Daily Prayer is a listener-supported ministry, and your support helps us continue recording, hosting and broadcasting these prayers while keeping them freely available to anyone who needs encouragement, hope or a moment with God.If Daily Prayer has encouraged you, strengthened your faith or helped you through a difficult season, you can support the ministry with any amount you choose. There is no fixed donation — every contribution, whether one-off or regular, helps us continue sharing prayer and biblical encouragement around the world.You can support the ministry through:Global Blend Radio:https://globalblendradio.com/Buy Me a Coffee – Reverend Ben Cooper:https://buymeacoffee.com/reverendbencooperFor daily prayers, biblical encouragement, live broadcasts and to submit a prayer request, visit:DailyPrayer.ukhttps://dailyprayer.uk/Together, we can continue keepi...

Send us your feedback — we're listeningActs 2:42 — Devoted to the Fellowship of Believers: A Midday Prayer for Strength, Belonging and Hope Themes: Belonging · Strength · Fellowship Scripture Acts 2:42 — Devoted to the Fellowship of Believers “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Spoken Prayer Father, here we are at the middle of the day, and we remember that You never intended us to walk through life completely alone. Around the world there are people surrounded by crowds who still feel lonely. There are homes where someone quietly wonders whether anybody truly understands. Lord, meet people in Rwanda, France, China, Ireland, Singapore and Uganda. Bring encouragement to those who feel isolated and fellowship to those who long for meaningful Christian community. Let someone who has been praying alone discover that they are part of something much larger than themselves. Jesus, You gathered people around Yourself. You welcomed the overlooked, the searching and the broken. Holy Spirit, create within us the heart to notice others. Help us become people who listen, encourage and make room. Father, where someone has been wounded by relationships, bring healing. Where trust has been broken, give wisdom. Where loneliness has become normal, open a door towards healthy friendship and fellowship. Teach us not merely to ask, “Who will help me?” but also, “Who can I encourage today?” Let our homes, churches and communities become places where people experience something of the welcome of Jesus. God of Israel, strengthen those who feel forgotten. Remind them that they are seen by You. Give courage to take one small step towards connection, whether that means making a phone call, joining a Christian community, sharing a meal or simply telling someone honestly how they are doing. At this midday hour, let hope return through fellowship. Let prayer connect hearts across nations. And let the love of Christ make us people who carry one another gently. In Jesus' name, Amen. Gentle pause before the 6:00 p.m. prayer. Blessing May God surround you with good people, strengthen you through fellowship, and remind you that you are seen, known and loved by Christ. About This Prayer A midday prayer for anyone experiencing loneliness or longing for Christian fellowship and belonging. Acts 2:42 shows the early believers sharing teaching, fellowship, prayer and life together. Midday prayer for loneliness; prayer when you feel alone; Christian prayer for belonging; prayer for fellowship; prayer for finding Christian community; prayer for strength and encouragement. midday prayer, loneliness, belonging, fellowship, Christian community, encouragement, Jesus, prayer, hope, DailyPrayer midday, loneliness, belonging, fellowship, community, encouragement, Jesus, prayer, hope, DailyPrayer Support the Ministry — Buy Us a Coffee If these daily prayers are helping you, please consider supporting the ministry or sowing a seed into this work. You can buy us a coffee and help us continue creating prayer for people around the world.Support the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper is now reaching people across 189 countries and territories and 3,845 cities worldwide, with an incredible 114,274 downloads since launch.Through Daily Prayer and the Global Blend Radio network, biblical prayer, Scripture, encouragement and Christian teaching continue to reach people across the nations every day.Daily Prayer is a listener-supported ministry, and your support helps us continue recording, hosting and broadcasting these prayers while keeping them freely available to anyone who needs encouragement, hope or a moment with God.If Daily Prayer has encouraged you, strengthened your faith or helped you through a difficult season, you can support the ministry with any amount you choose. There is no fixed donation — every contribution, whether one-off or regular, helps us continue sharing prayer and biblical encouragement around the world.You can support the ministry through:Global Blend Radio:https://globalblendradio.com/Buy Me a Coffee – Reverend Ben Cooper:https://buymeacoffee.com/reverendbencooperFor daily prayers, biblical encouragement, live broadcasts and to submit a prayer request, visit:DailyPrayer.ukhttps://dailyprayer.uk/Together, we can continue keepi...

Send us your feedback — we're listeningEphesians 2:10 — God's Handiwork, Created in Christ: A Closing Prayer of the Day for Purpose, Peace and Tomorrow Themes: Purpose · Peace · Tomorrow Scripture Ephesians 2:10 — God's Handiwork, Created in Christ “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Spoken Prayer Father, as we reach the closing prayer of the day, we become quiet before You. The day may have been full of activity, yet tonight someone may still be asking a deeper question: Did today matter? Does my life have purpose? Where am I going from here? Lord, be near to people in Belgium, Israel, the United Kingdom, Ghana, the Philippines and New Zealand. Meet the person who feels disappointed with today, the person who is questioning their direction, and the person who feels that their contribution is too small to matter. Jesus, Your Word reminds us that we are God's handiwork, created in Christ. Our worth is not determined by productivity, applause or comparison. We belong to You. Holy Spirit, renew our understanding of purpose and help us see the good that can grow from an ordinary faithful life. Father, perhaps today did not go according to plan. We surrender that disappointment. Perhaps we achieved more than we expected. We surrender that success too. Keep our hearts free from pride and despair. God of Israel, show us how to live faithfully in the season You have given us. Help us recognise the small acts of love that matter: encouraging someone, caring for family, praying for another person, showing kindness, forgiving, serving and simply remaining faithful. As night approaches, we release tomorrow into Your hands. We do not need to have the whole future mapped out tonight. Give us peace for this evening and enough hope to meet tomorrow when it comes. Jesus, You are our purpose, our peace and our hope. Let us rest knowing that our lives are held by You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Blessing May Jesus remind you tonight that your life has purpose, your faithfulness matters, and tomorrow remains safely within the hands of God. About This Prayer A closing prayer of the day for anyone questioning their purpose, feeling disappointed by the day or uncertain about tomorrow. Ephesians 2:10 brings identity and purpose back to Christ. Closing prayer of the day; night prayer for purpose; prayer when you feel your life has no direction; Christian prayer for purpose and hope; prayer before sleep; prayer for peace about tomorrow. night prayer, closing prayer, purpose, hope, peace, tomorrow, Jesus, identity, Christian prayer, DailyPrayer night, purpose, hope, peace, tomorrow, Jesus, identity, prayer, faith, DailyPrayer Support the Ministry — Buy Us a Coffee If these daily prayers are helping you, please consider supporting the ministry or sowing a seed into this work. You can buy us a coffee and help us continue creating prayer for people around the world.Support the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper is now reaching people across 189 countries and territories and 3,845 cities worldwide, with an incredible 114,274 downloads since launch.Through Daily Prayer and the Global Blend Radio network, biblical prayer, Scripture, encouragement and Christian teaching continue to reach people across the nations every day.Daily Prayer is a listener-supported ministry, and your support helps us continue recording, hosting and broadcasting these prayers while keeping them freely available to anyone who needs encouragement, hope or a moment with God.If Daily Prayer has encouraged you, strengthened your faith or helped you through a difficult season, you can support the ministry with any amount you choose. There is no fixed donation — every contribution, whether one-off or regular, helps us continue sharing prayer and biblical encouragement around the world.You can support the ministry through:Global Blend Radio:https://globalblendradio.com/Buy Me a Coffee – Reverend Ben Cooper:https://buymeacoffee.com/reverendbencooperFor daily prayers, biblical encouragement, live broadcasts and to submit a prayer request, visit:DailyPrayer.ukhttps://dailyprayer.uk/Together, we can continue keepi...

Send us your feedback — we're listeningRomans 8:11 — The Spirit Who Raised Jesus Gives Life: A First Prayer of the Day for Hope When You Wake Up Afraid Themes: Hope · Life · Holy Spirit Scripture Romans 8:11 — The Spirit Who Raised Jesus Gives Life “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.” Spoken Prayer Father, as this first prayer of the day begins, we come to You in the quiet before everything starts. Some people are waking with hope, but others are opening their eyes already carrying fear. The mind begins asking questions before the feet have even touched the floor. What will happen today? Will I cope? Will everything be alright? Lord, breathe hope into people in South Africa, Brazil, Japan, Ghana, Romania and Canada. Let the person who woke frightened know that they are not waking into this day alone. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is the Spirit who gives life, strength and hope to Your people. Jesus, we place this day before You. We do not know what lies ahead, but we know who walks with us. Holy Spirit, settle anxious thoughts before they become overwhelming. Where there is fear, bring life. Where there is heaviness, bring hope. Where someone feels that they simply cannot face another day, meet them with Your gentle presence. Father, let resurrection hope become stronger than morning fear. We do not need to predict every difficulty. We can take this day one step at a time with Christ. God of Israel, cover our homes and those we love. Give wisdom for every decision, strength for every responsibility and peace for every unknown. As the morning light rises, let hope rise within us. Jesus is alive. Your Spirit is with us. And because You are with us, we can begin this day. In Jesus' name, Amen. Gentle pause before the 9:00 a.m. prayer Blessing May the Holy Spirit fill you with hope this morning, quiet your fears, and remind you that the life of Christ is greater than anything you may face today. About This Prayer A first prayer of the day for anyone who wakes feeling afraid, anxious or uncertain about what today may bring. Romans 8:11 points us towards resurrection life and the presence of the Holy Spirit. First prayer of the day; morning prayer for hope; prayer when you wake up scared; early morning prayer for anxiety; prayer for strength when you feel afraid; Christian prayer to start the day. morning prayer, first prayer of the day, hope, anxiety, fear, Holy Spirit, Jesus, resurrection, Christian prayer, DailyPrayer morning, hope, anxiety, fear, Holy Spirit, Jesus, prayer, faith, strength, DailyPrayer Support the Ministry — Buy Us a Coffee If these daily prayers are helping you, please consider supporting the ministry or sowing a seed into this work. You can buy us a coffee and help us continue creating prayer for people around the world.Support the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper is now reaching people across 189 countries and territories and 3,845 cities worldwide, with an incredible 114,274 downloads since launch.Through Daily Prayer and the Global Blend Radio network, biblical prayer, Scripture, encouragement and Christian teaching continue to reach people across the nations every day.Daily Prayer is a listener-supported ministry, and your support helps us continue recording, hosting and broadcasting these prayers while keeping them freely available to anyone who needs encouragement, hope or a moment with God.If Daily Prayer has encouraged you, strengthened your faith or helped you through a difficult season, you can support the ministry with any amount you choose. There is no fixed donation — every contribution, whether one-off or regular, helps us continue sharing prayer and biblical encouragement around the world.You can support the ministry through:Global Blend Radio:https://globalblendradio.com/Buy Me a Coffee – Reverend Ben Cooper:https://buymeacoffee.com/reverendbencooperFor daily prayers, biblical encouragement, live broadcasts and to submit a prayer request, visit:DailyPrayer.ukhttps://dailyprayer.uk/Together, we can continue keepi...

Sitting on a porch in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico, a woman shared through a gifted translator that she had been praying for over a year for someone to come and fix her roof. She had never imagined the answer would arrive in the form of a group of people from South Carolina — but that is how God works sometimes, on a different timeline and by a different method than we could have anticipated. For the person listening, who had grown frustrated after only a few weeks of waiting for clarity about a career decision, the Holy Spirit used that moment to do something quietly convicting. Habakkuk 3:16 captures what honest, faithful waiting actually looks like in the body: heart pounding, lips quivering, legs trembling — and yet, still choosing to wait patiently for God to act. Habakkuk cried out to God for relief from the pain and suffering he witnessed, received an answer on God's timeline and for God's purposes, and ultimately chose trust over certainty. Some of his prayers were not answered in his lifetime. Yet in the final verses of his book, he declared that he would rejoice in the Lord regardless. That is not passive resignation. It is one of the most active and courageous postures of faith available to a believer. Waiting well does not mean waiting without feeling — it means choosing, in the middle of uncertainty and the very human desire to take matters into our own hands, to trust the God who is always working all things for our good and His glory. Bible Verse "Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us."— Habakkuk 3:16, NIV Ponder Today God's timeline and method are rarely what we imagined — and they are always right. A year of prayer answered by strangers from another state. A career question that feels urgent to us and unhurried to God. His ways are higher, and His timing is perfect, even when it does not align with our expectations. Waiting well is an active choice made in the middle of trembling. Habakkuk's heart pounded and his legs shook — and he still chose to wait. Faithful waiting does not require the absence of fear or frustration. It requires the decision to trust despite them. The temptation to take matters into our own hands is one of waiting's greatest dangers. When uncertainty persists and answers seem slow, the pull toward control is strong. Asking God for patience specifically in those moments is both honest and wise. Some prayers are not answered this side of eternity — and God is still faithful. Habakkuk's prayer was not resolved in his lifetime. That did not make God unfaithful. Romans 8:28 assures us that He is always working all things for our good and His glory, even when we cannot see how. Remembering God's past faithfulness is one of the most powerful tools for waiting well. When anxiety rises and answers feel absent, turning back to what God has already done reinforces what we believe about who He is — a God who keeps His promises, yesterday, today, and for all eternity. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, You are a God who sees Your people and hears their prayers. You are always present, always listening, and always actively working on my behalf for my good and Your glory. Please help me to wait well. You know Your creation and fully understand that in my humanity I struggle with control, and my lack of knowing can lead me to fear and anxiety. When I am tempted to manipulate or take matters into my own hands, please grant me patience. Help me feel at peace, rid my heart and mind of anxious thoughts, and give me the strength to wait patiently. And if the answer to my prayer does not come during my time on earth, let me remember Your past faithfulness. You are a God who keeps Your promises, yesterday, today, and for all eternity. I love You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome to Day 2959 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2959– “People Get Ready” – Luke 12:35-48 Putnam Church Message – 09/20/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “People, Get Ready”   Last week, our message was “The Testimony of a Fool,” and we learned that wherever your treasure is... your heart will follow, and we need to make certain our hearts are headed toward home. Today, we continue with our thirty-ninth message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “People, Get Ready.” Our core passage today is Luke 12:35-48, starting on page 1618 of your pew Bibles.  “Be Ready for the Lord's Coming” 35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn.[d] But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready. 39 “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” 41 Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?” 42 And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 45 But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won't be back for a while,' and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. 47 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn't prepared and doesn't carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Opening Prayer Father, we come before You today as people living between promise and fulfillment. Your Kingdom has come near in Jesus Christ, yet we still wait for the day when the King returns and all things are made new. Lord Jesus, teach us to live ready. Keep us from drifting into complacency, distraction, fear, or selfishness. Make us faithful stewards of the time, truth, resources, and responsibilities You have placed in our hands. Holy Spirit, give us wisdom to live today in light of eternity. May we not merely talk about Christ's return, but live in such a way that we are prepared to welcome Him. In Jesus' name, amen. Introduction: Prepared Before the Crisis On March 18, 1979, Stephanie May received news no person is prepared to hear. A twin-engine airplane had crashed shortly after takeoff near Aspen, Colorado. In a single moment, she lost her husband, John Edward; her twenty-two-year-old son, Davin; her eighteen-year-old daughter, Karla; and her son-in-law, Richard. / Four people she loved were suddenly gone. / There is no way to prepare emotionally on March 17 for something like March 18. Yet over the following weeks Stephanie kept a journal. She poured her grief onto its pages, and eventually she wrote words that reveal something important about readiness. / She admitted she was not strong. / She did not pretend she was brave. She simply said, in essence: “I am a Christian carrying a burden. My faith has survived. My life belongs to God. I have walked through hell, but now I walk with God in peace.” How could she say that? Because the spiritual foundation she needed on March 18 had been laid long before March 18. That is the kind of readiness Jesus is talking about today. Last week, in “The Testimony of a Fool,” Jesus told us not to build bigger barns while neglecting eternity. He told us not to worry about food or clothing, but to seek God's Kingdom first. He told His “little flock” not to be afraid because the Father delights to give them the Kingdom. Now Jesus continues: If the Kingdom is really your treasure... If the Father really is trustworthy... If eternity really matters more than earthly accumulation... Then: People, get ready. Do not wait until tragedy comes. Do not wait until persecution comes. Do not wait until the end of life comes. Do not wait until Christ returns. Prepare your heart now. Let's explore four truths for today's lesson as found on your bulletin insert on the side that says: People, Get Ready! Truth 1: Live Ready Because the Master Is Returning Luke 12:35–40 Jesus begins with a vivid command: “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning.” The literal image is to have your loins girded. That sounds strange to us because we wear clothing differently. / In the first century, men wore long tunics. If someone needed to run, work, climb, or fight, the flowing garment would get in the way. So, the person would gather the fabric, pull it upward, and tuck it securely into the belt. It meant: Ready for action. We might say today: “Keep your shoes on.” “Have your bags packed.” “Keep the engine running.” “Stay ready.” Then Jesus adds: “Keep your lamps burning.” Oil lamps required attention. / A neglected lamp could go out. / A servant waiting late into the night had to trim the wick, replenish the oil, and stay awake. / Jesus is describing a disciple who lives with spiritual alertness. The Returning Master Jesus pictures servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet. / Ancient wedding celebrations could last several days. / The servants knew the master would return. / They simply did not know when. / Maybe early. / Maybe midnight. / Maybe near dawn. The question was not: “Will he return?” The question was: “Will the household be ready when he does?” That distinction matters. / Christian hope is not built on speculation about whether Christ will return. Jesus says He will. The issue is readiness. The Astonishing Reversal Then Jesus says something remarkable. If the master returns and finds the servants ready, the master will dress himself to serve them. (NLT) he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!  That would have shocked His hearers. / Masters did not return home and serve servants. / Servants served masters. / Yet Jesus says the returning Lord will seat His faithful servants at the table and serve them. Does that sound familiar? John 13 shows Jesus removing His outer robe, wrapping a towel around His waist, kneeling, and washing His disciples' feet. The King becomes the servant. / And one day, the...

Emma used her hand to brush her husband's white hair from his forehead…Edgar was near death.Their marriage had been happy, and now she was saying goodbye. The nursing staff talked about the love between the two. Only three days after Edgar went into eternity, Emma joined him.The Bible often uses marriage as a backdrop for what God has done for us. We know that in earthly marriages, it's important to persevere. When we think of the Fruit of the Spirit, patience is very closely linked to faithfulness. It is the act of sticking with someone or something, all the way to the end.Proverbs 3:3 says, “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.”Our loving Father has been with us every step of the way. The faithfulness of God is an awesome thing to see and experience, and we know His promises always come true.He is waiting for us at the end, with outstretched arms. In the tough times, think about that—imagine Him there. It makes the wait worth it.Let's pray.Lord, you are faithful to your people all the time, in every circumstance. We are grateful that you love us this much. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Jesus Followers “also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation" While We Are Still Sinners MESSAGE SUMMARY: No one, including you, can separate you from the love of God. While we were and are still sinners, Jesus the Christ died for us. God loves you exactly where you are; God loves you no matter what you said about Him; and He loves you no matter what you have done. In Romans 5:8-11, Paul confirms God's unconditional love for us: “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I now take a deep breath and stop. So often I miss your hand and gifts in my life because I am preoccupied and anxious. Grant me the power to pause each day and each week to simply rest in your arms of love. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 132). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Compulsions. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Patience. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV):  Romans 6:23; John 17:1-26; John 5:24; Psalms 139b:13-24. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Remembering “he who is forgiven little, loves little”, Is Your Focus Outward in the Love and Service of Others?”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

September 29, 2026Hope Alive: Applying God's Word to Your Daily LifeJudges 6:28-32I am Chad Harrison, and I am the teaching pastor of Lake Community Church and had been serving as a pastor for over 25 years. This podcast is designed to help you study God's word verse-by-verse and find God's will for your life. The purpose of studying scripture is that you might know the character of Jesus Christ, and that you might see the world from the Father's perspective. That you gain wisdom that changes your life. I pray in the name of Jesus right now that God would open His word to you and allow you to see Him and to know Him. To know His will, that you might glorify Him and that you might walk in faith and power each day, especially today. In Jesus name.If you would like to revisit today's Bible study, please visit our website at https://hopealive.buzzsprout.com/ to download the transcript. If this podcast ministered to you, please subscribe, and leave us a review. Reviews help us reach more people and spread the wisdom of God. Please follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopealivewithgod/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hopealiveministry/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LakeComChurch/ -Lake Community Church Support the show

Welcometo Pastor's Chat. Today we continue our journey through 2 Thessalonians chapter2, looking at verses 9 and 10. Yesterday we saw that the coming lawless one,whom I believe to be the Antichrist, will ultimately be destroyed by the LordJesus Christ at His coming. But before Paul tells us more about hisdestruction, he tells us something about the source of his power. Verse 9 saysthat the coming of the lawless one will be: “according to the working ofSatan.” That tells us immediately who is behind him. The Antichristwill be Satan's counterfeit Christ. AndPaul says his coming will be accompanied by “power, signs, and lyingwonders.” That is very important. We sometimes assume that if somethingsupernatural happens, it must be from God. But the Bible warns us that Satan isa deceiver. Not every miracle proves that the person performing it representsGod. Not every supernatural manifestation comes from God. Our standard mustalways be: What does the Word of God say? Paulcalls these things “lying wonders.” The wonder may appear real,but it is being used to promote a lie. Satan has always been a counterfeiter. Godhas truth. Satan has lies. God has Christ. Satan will present Antichrist. Godhas His children. Satan has those who follow him. God performs signs andwonders. Satan will have his counterfeit signs and lying wonders. That is whyspiritual discernment is so important. Butthen Paul tells us why people will be deceived. And I believe this is the mostimportant statement in these verses. Verse 10 says they perish: “becausethey did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” Noticethat Paul doesn't merely say they didn't know the truth. He says theydidn't love the truth. There is a tremendous difference between knowingsomething about the Bible and loving the truth of God's Word. A person can knowBible stories. A person can attend church. A person can know the plan ofsalvation. A person can even agree intellectually that Jesus lived, died on thecross, and rose again. But salvation involves personally receiving the truth ofthe Gospel and receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Jesussaid in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Ultimately,receiving the truth means receiving Jesus. Years ago, I heard someonesay: “The same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay.” The differenceisn't in the sun. The difference is in what is exposed to it. And the same istrue of God's truth. When we hear God's Word and respond to it with faith, itchanges us. But when we continually hear God's truth and reject it, our heartscan become hardened. That's why whenever God speaks to our hearts, we shouldrespond. Maybeyou've heard the Gospel hundreds of times. You know John 3:16. You know Jesusdied for your sins. You know He rose again. But the important question is: Haveyou personally received Him? Paul says these people did not receive thelove of the truth “that they might be saved.” God wants people tobe saved. Jesus went to the cross so that we could be saved. The Gospel isstill being proclaimed today so people can be saved. And that is why we shouldshare it while we have opportunity. Myfriend, don't simply admire the truth. Don't merely study the truth. Don't justlisten to the truth. Receive the truth. Believe the truth. Love the truth. Andmost importantly, receive the One Who said: “I am…the truth.” Let'spray. Father, thank You for giving us the truth of Your Word and the truth ofthe Gospel. Protect us from deception and give us spiritual discernment. May wenot merely know Your truth intellectually, but love it, believe it, obey it,and share it with others. And if someone listening today has never personallyreceived Jesus Christ, may today be the day they place their faith in Him andare saved. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Sin We No Longer Call Sin Isaiah 5:20 "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"We are living in a time when what God calls holy is often mocked… And what God calls sinful is often applauded. Right is called wrong. Wrong is called right. Truth is dismissed as intolerance. Holiness is labeled outdated. Conviction is mistaken for judgment.Join Life's Word Academy: https://tinyurl.com/lifeswordacademyAccept Jesus today. https://youtube.com/shorts/bIwAUlz7Kg4?si=BNOhv44iLWIR4eVJIf you would like to accept Jesus into your heart today, pray this simple prayer:****God, I have sinned against You. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, who died and rose for my sake. I ask you to forgive me for my sin. I place my trust in You for salvation. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, I am forgiven! Amen!****Congratulations! You are now a child of the Most High. John 1:12 says, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."****If you just prayed this prayer to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, I welcome you to the family of God. Subscribe to my channel and type in the comments right now, “I just prayed that prayer.”****Click here for FREE eBook download: https://tinyurl.com/ISAIDTHEPRAYERShow your love and support the channel:*PayPal: PayPal.me/malachimitchellministry*Cash App: https://cash.app/$MalachiMitchNote Journals and Puzzles:https://tinyurl.com/WalkinFaithPublishingAuthored Books: https://tinyurl.com/PastorMalachiBooksHNO Crypto Coin Investing Opportunity: https://tinyurl.com/HNOCoin-ReferralFREE Ways to Support Me:

Father, Establish Covenant Friendships Around My Destiny! "After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself." 1 Samuel 18:1 The world says you need a crowd and a lot of connections, but heaven teaches something deeper: one faithful friend can stand beside your purpose when an entire crowd walks away. Not every person near you is assigned to your future. Some applaud your gifts but quietly resist your growth. Yet God is able to surround you with covenant company—loyal, life-giving people who pray for you, speak truth to you, and protect what He has placed within you. As September comes to its close, ask the Lord not merely for more people around you, but for the right people around your destiny. Jonathan and David reveal the beauty of covenant friendship. First Samuel 18:1 says, “The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David,” and Jonathan loved David as himself. Though Jonathan was the king's son, he did not compete with David's calling. He recognized God's hand on David and strengthened him instead. He gave David his robe, sword, bow, and belt (1 Samuel 18:3–4)—signs of honor, support, and covenant. Remember, Godly friendships do not drain purpose; they help carry it. Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity" Take a moment to examine the company around your life. Who helps you move closer to Jesus? Who can lovingly correct you when your heart is weary, or your steps are uncertain? And are you becoming that kind of friend to someone else? Covenant friendship is not built only through shared laughter; it is forged through prayer, honesty, sacrifice, and steadfast presence. Send an encouraging message. Pray for a friend by name. Choose forgiveness where offense has tried to build a wall. Ask God for wisdom to release unhealthy attachments and receive relationships that bear the fruit of His peace. Hear this: May God plant you among faithful friends who protect purpose. May He disconnect you from every relationship that pulls you away from His will, and connect you with people who recognize His grace on your life. Like Jonathan stood with David in a dangerous season, may God raise up intercessors, encouragers, and wise companions around you. You will not walk alone into what God has called you to do. This month will close with favor, speed, and open doors—and covenant company will help you walk through them with humility, courage, and faith. Amen. Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor." Amen. Prayer for the Day!Father, thank You for establishing covenant friendships around my destiny. Lord, plant me among faithful friends who protect purpose, speak life, and stand with me in prayer. Heal every wound caused by betrayal, and give me discernment to recognize the people You are sending into my life. Make me loyal, loving, and truthful in my own relationships. Lord, seal September with Your favor, speed, and open doors. Let Your presence be the third strand in every godly connection You build around me. In Jesus' name, amen.https://maglife.org

Send us your feedback — we're listeningJoshua 1:9 — Be Strong and Courageous: A Closing Prayer of the Day When You Need Courage for Tomorrow Themes: Courage · God's Presence · Tomorrow Scripture Joshua 1:9 — Be Strong and Courageous “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you.” Spoken Prayer Father, as we come to the closing prayer of the day, we remember that courage is not pretending we have no fear. Courage is trusting You when fear is present. Your Word calls us to be strong and courageous because You are with us wherever we go. Lord, watch over people in Belgium, Israel, the United Kingdom, Ghana and New Zealand. Be especially close to those facing tomorrow with uncertainty. Some are worried about a difficult conversation, a medical appointment, a financial concern, a journey, a family situation or simply what the next day may bring. Jesus, we surrender tomorrow into Your hands. We do not need to rehearse every possible problem tonight. Holy Spirit, quiet the imagination when it begins creating fears that have not happened. Bring the mind back to the presence of Christ. God of Israel, strengthen those who feel weak. Give courage to those who feel afraid. Give peace to those who are waiting. Give wisdom to those who must make decisions. And give rest to those who have carried too much today. Father, thank You for bringing us through this day. Where we have fallen short, give us grace. Where we have been faithful, keep us humble. Where we have been hurt, begin Your healing work within us. We leave the unfinished things with You. Tonight we choose trust. Tomorrow belongs to You, and when morning comes, You will still be God. Let that truth settle our hearts. Watch over our homes, our families and those who have nobody praying for them tonight. May the presence of Jesus surround us as we rest. Give us courage for tomorrow, peace for tonight and confidence that we are never walking alone. In Jesus' name, Amen. Blessing May Jesus give you peace tonight, courage for tomorrow, and the deep assurance that wherever you go, you never walk alone. About This Prayer A closing prayer of the day for anyone facing tomorrow with fear, uncertainty or a difficult situation. Joshua 1:9 brings the heart back to courage grounded not in ourselves, but in the presence of God. Closing prayer of the day; night prayer for courage; prayer when you are scared about tomorrow; prayer before a difficult day; Christian prayer for courage and strength; prayer for God's presence; prayer before sleep. night prayer, closing prayer, courage, tomorrow, strength, God's presence, Jesus, Christian prayer, faith, DailyPrayerSupport the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper is now reaching people across 189 countries and territories and 3,845 cities worldwide, with an incredible 114,274 downloads since launch.Through Daily Prayer and the Global Blend Radio network, biblical prayer, Scripture, encouragement and Christian teaching continue to reach people across the nations every day.Daily Prayer is a listener-supported ministry, and your support helps us continue recording, hosting and broadcasting these prayers while keeping them freely available to anyone who needs encouragement, hope or a moment with God.If Daily Prayer has encouraged you, strengthened your faith or helped you through a difficult season, you can support the ministry with any amount you choose. There is no fixed donation — every contribution, whether one-off or regular, helps us continue sharing prayer and biblical encouragement around the world.You can support the ministry through:Global Blend Radio:https://globalblendradio.com/Buy Me a Coffee – Reverend Ben Cooper:https://buymeacoffee.com/reverendbencooperFor daily prayers, biblical encouragement, live broadcasts and to submit a prayer request, visit:DailyPrayer.ukhttps://dailyprayer.uk/Together, we can continue keepi...

Send us your feedback — we're listeningJeremiah 29:11 — Plans to Give You Hope and a Future: A Midday Prayer for Hope When Life Feels Uncertain Themes: Hope · Future · Trust Scripture Jeremiah 29:11 — Plans to Give You Hope and a Future “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Spoken Prayer Father, at midday we stop and remember that You have carried us this far. The morning may have gone well, or it may have brought difficulties we never expected. Yet Your Word reminds us that You know the plans You have for Your people, plans marked by hope and a future. Lord, meet people in Rwanda, France, Ireland, Singapore and Uganda. Speak hope to those who are discouraged about their future, worried about their family, uncertain about work, or wondering whether their circumstances will ever change. Let them know that uncertainty is not the same as abandonment. Jesus, You are our hope. We do not place our confidence in a perfect set of circumstances; we place it in the One who walks with us through imperfect circumstances. Holy Spirit, breathe fresh hope into anyone who feels that their future has become smaller than their dreams. Father, where disappointment has settled in the heart, bring fresh perspective. Where waiting has become painful, give patience. Where someone feels forgotten, remind them that they are seen. Where fear is speaking about tomorrow, let Your promises speak more deeply. God of Israel, lead us through this day with wisdom. Help us to be faithful with what is in our hands today without becoming consumed by what we cannot yet see. Let hope become more than a word. Let it become a quiet confidence that You are still God, Jesus is still Lord, and our lives remain within Your care. So at this midday hour, we release the future into Your hands. Give us grace for today and courage for tomorrow when it arrives. Let the hope of Christ rise again within us, steady and alive. In Jesus' name, Amen. Gentle pause before the 6:00 p.m. prayer. Blessing May God renew your hope today, strengthen your trust, and remind you that an uncertain future is still held within His hands. About This Prayer A midday prayer for hope when life feels uncertain, disappointing or difficult. Jeremiah 29:11 turns our hearts toward God's faithfulness and the hope He gives. Midday prayer for hope; prayer when life feels uncertain; prayer for the future; Christian prayer when you feel discouraged; prayer when you are worried about tomorrow; prayer for hope in difficult times. midday prayer, hope, future, trust God, encouragement, uncertainty, Jesus, Christian prayer, prayer for hope, DailyPrayer midday, hope, future, trust, encouragement, uncertainty, Jesus, prayer, faith, DailyPrayer Support the Ministry — Buy Us a Coffee If these daily prayers are helping you, please consider supporting the ministry or sowing a seed into this work. You can buy us a coffee and help us continue creating prayer for people around the world.Support the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper is now reaching people across 189 countries and territories and 3,845 cities worldwide, with an incredible 114,274 downloads since launch.Through Daily Prayer and the Global Blend Radio network, biblical prayer, Scripture, encouragement and Christian teaching continue to reach people across the nations every day.Daily Prayer is a listener-supported ministry, and your support helps us continue recording, hosting and broadcasting these prayers while keeping them freely available to anyone who needs encouragement, hope or a moment with God.If Daily Prayer has encouraged you, strengthened your faith or helped you through a difficult season, you can support the ministry with any amount you choose. There is no fixed donation — every contribution, whether one-off or regular, helps us continue sharing prayer and biblical encouragement around the world.You can support the ministry through:Global Blend Radio:https://globalblendradio.com/Buy Me a Coffee – Reverend Ben Cooper:https://buymeacoffee.com/reverendbencooperFor daily prayers, biblical encouragement, live broadcasts and to submit a prayer request, visit:DailyPrayer.ukhttps://dailyprayer.uk/Together, we can continue keepi...

Send us your feedback — we're listeningIsaiah 41:10 — Do Not Fear, for I Am With You: A First Prayer of the Day When You Wake Up Worried or Afraid Themes: Fear · God's Presence · Courage Scripture Isaiah 41:10 — Do Not Fear, for I Am With You “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” Spoken Prayer Father, as this first prayer of the day begins, we come to You before the noise of the morning takes hold. For some people, waking up does not feel peaceful. The eyes open and the worries arrive: What will today bring? Will everything be okay? How will I cope? Lord, meet that person right here. Be near to people in South Africa, Brazil, Japan, Ghana and Canada. Before they reach for their phones or face the demands of work and family, let them hear Your quiet assurance: do not fear, for I am with you. You are their God, their strength and their help. Jesus, we place this whole day into Your hands. We do not know what conversations will happen, what news may come, or what challenges we may face, but we know You will not leave us to face them alone. Holy Spirit, settle the heart that woke frightened. Turn anxious thoughts toward the presence of Christ. God of Israel, cover our homes, our families and our journeys. Give courage where there is fear, wisdom where there is uncertainty, and peace where the mind is already imagining the worst. Help us take today one step at a time. Father, we do not need to know everything that will happen today. We simply need to know that You are with us. Let hope rise with the morning light. Let the person who woke scared discover that they are not alone. Hold us firmly, guide us gently, and keep our eyes upon Jesus. We receive Your strength for this day, trusting that whatever comes, Your presence will meet us there. In Jesus' name, Amen. Gentle pause before the 9:00 a.m. prayer. Blessing May God strengthen you this morning, guard your heart, protect those you love, and give you courage for everything this day brings. About This Prayer A first prayer of the day for anyone who wakes feeling worried, frightened or uncertain about what today may bring. Isaiah 41:10 brings the heart back to the reassuring presence of God. First prayer of the day; early morning prayer when you wake up scared; morning prayer for anxiety and fear; prayer because I am worried about today; Christian prayer for protection and courage. morning prayer, first prayer of the day, prayer for fear, prayer for anxiety, protection prayer, courage, Jesus, God's presence, Christian prayer, DailyPrayer morning, fear, anxiety, protection, courage, Jesus, prayer, faith, hope, DailyPrayer Support the Ministry — Buy Us a Coffee If these daily prayers are helping you, please consider supporting the ministry or sowing a seed into this work. You can buy us a coffee and help us continue creating prayer for people around the world.Support the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper is now reaching people across 189 countries and territories and 3,845 cities worldwide, with an incredible 114,274 downloads since launch.Through Daily Prayer and the Global Blend Radio network, biblical prayer, Scripture, encouragement and Christian teaching continue to reach people across the nations every day.Daily Prayer is a listener-supported ministry, and your support helps us continue recording, hosting and broadcasting these prayers while keeping them freely available to anyone who needs encouragement, hope or a moment with God.If Daily Prayer has encouraged you, strengthened your faith or helped you through a difficult season, you can support the ministry with any amount you choose. There is no fixed donation — every contribution, whether one-off or regular, helps us continue sharing prayer and biblical encouragement around the world.You can support the ministry through:Global Blend Radio:https://globalblendradio.com/Buy Me a Coffee – Reverend Ben Cooper:https://buymeacoffee.com/reverendbencooperFor daily prayers, biblical encouragement, live broadcasts and to submit a prayer request, visit:DailyPrayer.ukhttps://dailyprayer.uk/Together, we can continue keepi...

The Daily Devotion — God's Wonders Await | 30 September 2026Welcome to The Daily Devotion from Refinery Life Australia. Today's devotion: God's Wonders Await.Faith looks forward with expectation because God is not limited by what we can see. We prepare our hearts through obedience and trust, believing He is still able to work beyond our expectations.Reflection: What step of faith and obedience can you take today while trusting God with what you cannot yet see?Lord, prepare my heart for what You desire to do. Keep me faithful in the present, obedient in the next step and expectant without presumption. Let my life display Your goodness. In Jesus' name, Amen.Refinery Life Australia Limited — Equipping believers. Strengthening the Church. Contending for nations.Until next timeStay in the BlessingsI really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!You're important to God, and you're important to us at The Refinery.When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you.So whatever you're concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us at www.refinerylife.org2026 WILL BE A TIME OF WARFARE.This episode is brought to you by Refinery Life Australia:If you enjoy The Refinery Life Radio Podcast you can help support The Refinery by doing the following:Join our Telegram Channel https://t.me/IntercessorsforAustralia Sow an offering:Bitcoin: bc1qqh6720t2zagj72dyfj348az698tdut3hlecaj4Online: https://www.refinerylife.org/donate/If you do send an offering then please email us so that we can say thank youSubscribe oniTunes | Spotify  | YouTube | TuneIn | Rumble | Zap.Stream | Fountain |Share The Refinery with your friends and familySubscribe to the newsletter on www.refinerylife.orgFollow The Refinery on Twitter | Nostr | Instagram | Fountain 

Autumn is a season of beauty and anticipation — cooler temperatures, the approach of the holidays, the warm rituals of the season. And for some, it is also a season layered with grief. A father murdered. Two miscarriages. Hard losses that do not fade simply because years have passed or because faith is genuine. Pain does not ask permission before arriving, and it does not spare believers from its weight. Second Corinthians 4:17 does not promise that every painful circumstance will soon improve in this earthly life. Paul wrote it from a place of deep personal suffering — beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned, betrayed by people he had poured himself into — and yet he kept preaching, kept running the race, kept pointing others toward the hope that sustained him. The verse offers not an escape from suffering but a perspective on it: this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. The suffering is real and Paul does not dismiss it. But placed against what is coming — the resurrection, the presence of God, eternal glory — every trial this side of heaven is both lighter and shorter than it feels in the middle of it. Life is a vapor. In the blink of an eye, we will be with our Savior, where pain and sorrow cease. Until then, Jesus walks through it with us. The anchor of glorious hope has a name, and His name is Jesus. Bible Verse "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."— 2 Corinthians 4:17, ESV Ponder Today Suffering does not diminish faith — it tests and deepens it. Even in seasons of genuine belief, pain is real and the struggle is real. Pressing into God's truth and surrounding yourself with people who love you is not weakness. It is wisdom. Second Corinthians 4:17 is about perspective, not escape. Paul is not promising that circumstances will soon improve. He is offering a frame — an eternal one — that changes how we experience temporary suffering when we hold it against what is coming. The weight of the trial is light compared to the weight of glory that awaits. This is not dismissing pain. It is placing it in its proper context. What we endure here is real but temporary. What awaits us is permanent and beyond comparison. Instead of praying for God to change your circumstances, pray for Him to change you in your circumstances. That shift in prayer is one of the most powerful movements available to a believer in suffering. God has a plan and purpose for the grief, and He will not leave you to endure it alone. Keep a heavenly and eternal perspective during painful seasons. The temptation is to fix all attention on the battle. But eyes fixed on the hope of eternity — on Jesus, on what is coming — produce the endurance that no earthly solution can provide. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, my heart is heavy as I look at the storm around me. It is so easy to feel crushed under the weight of these tidal waves of grief and pain, but I trust that Your Word says the weight of this trial cannot be compared to the eternal joy and reward that awaits me in eternity. I humbly ask You to transform my perspective from an earthly one to a heavenly one. Instead of praying for You to change my circumstances, Lord, I pray that You would change me in my circumstances. I know You have a plan and a purpose for all of this grief, and I trust that You will not leave me to suffer alone. I long to be so heavenly-minded that I am of earthly good for Your kingdom and glory. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Power of Praying Scriptures over your Marriage: Special Patreon Release with Jodie Berndt   1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV) "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."   *Transcription Below*   Jodie Berndt is bestselling author of the Praying the Scriptures book series, which includes volumes for Children, Teens, Adult Children, and Life, plus the new Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage (2023). Jodie has been a trusted speaker, Bible teacher, and prayer warrior for over thirty years. She and her husband, Robbie, have four married children, and they live in Virginia Beach, Virginia.   Connect with Jodie through her website or Instagram.   Questions and Topics We Discuss: What are some ancient truths from Scripture that stand out to you, specifically as it relates to marriage? Will you share a few of the helpful questions for couples that you write in the book? How have you seen kindness open the door to changes in a marriage?   Thank You to Our Sponsors: Chick-fil-A East Peoria and The Savvy Sauce Charities (and donate online here)   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”   Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”   Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”   Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”   John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger: (0:10 - 2:47) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   I want to say a huge thank you to today's sponsors for this episode, Chick-fil-A East Peoria and Savvy Sauce Charities.   If this is your first time here, welcome! You may be wondering what it means to have a special Patreon release. So, here's the scoop. Patreon was a platform we used to generate financial support for The Savvy Sauce, and we expressed our thanks to those paying patrons by giving them a bonus episode every month. But, in 2024, we transitioned away from Patreon when we became a non-profit called Savvy Sauce Charities. The podcast is part of this non-profit, which exists to resource loved ones to inspire growth and intimacy with God and others.   So, people used to pay to support us through Patreon, but now they can just donate directly to our non-profit. We spend thousands of dollars each year to record and produce these episodes, and we do pray that they're beneficial and that God sees fit to use them to be transformational in your life. If that is the case, if you have ever benefited from an episode of The Savvy Sauce, would you consider showing your gratitude through your financial generosity? Any amount is greatly appreciated. In fact, if every listener gave only $1 per month, it would completely offset our costs. We have all the details on our website, thesavvysauce.com, but feel free to also reach out to our team anytime if you want to partner together. Our email address is info@thesavvysauce.com.   And now I'm pleased to share this episode with you that used to only be available to paying patrons. Jodie Berndt is my guest today. She is the bestselling author of the Praying the Scriptures book series, and today we're going to focus on the powerful way to pray the scriptures for our marriage. And I just want to give you a heads up that you may hear a lot of airplanes in the background during our conversation, but I hope it doesn't take away from all the goodness Jodie is about to share. Here's our chat.   Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Jodie.   Jodie Berndt: (2:49 - 2:53) Laura, thank you. It is just a huge treat to be able to chat with you today.   Laura Dugger: (2:54 - 2:59) Well, will you begin by just first telling us a bit about yourself and the work that you get to do?   Jodie Berndt: (3:01 - 4:19) Sure. Yes. Well, like you, I have four children. Mine are grown now, though. I have three daughters and then a son at the end, and they're all adults and married and having kids of their own. I met my husband back when we were in college. We both went to the University of Virginia and got married right after college, kind of jumped into the whole marriage and family thing. By today's standards, it seems ridiculously young. I look back and I think I don't know what we were thinking. But as Robbie, my husband says, when you meet the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want the rest of your life to start right now. And I think we both kind of felt that way. And so, we've been married now, I guess, nearly 38 years.   Your listeners may know that I write books. I write the Praying the Scriptures books. I've done others as well. But those are the ones that I am primarily focused on now. Praying the Scriptures for Your Children, your teens, your adult children, your life, because we needed ourselves too. And then most recently, Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage. So, I never set out to become a prayer writer or even a book writer. But golly, I have realized the power of prayer and my desperate need for God's help in all things. So, I think it sort of fell backwards into it. And it's been a fun journey.   Laura Dugger: (4:20 - 4:37) Well, and I first encountered that book that you mentioned, Praying the Scriptures for Your Children, when I was a new mom, and it was so powerful. So, when you look back to that one, what are some of the stories or takeaways that really stand out from that resource?   Jodie Berndt: (4:38 - 9:31) Oh, gosh. Well, thank you for asking about that one. That was a book that was sort of born, as I said, out of my own need for the Lord, because nothing reveals your flaws and inadequacies and need for help beyond yourself as much as having children does. At least for me, that was the case. I'd grown up in a Christian home. Prayer was a natural part of life for me but not sort of the specific intentional prayers and not praying the scriptures.   And for anybody who doesn't know what that means, it just means taking the words that we read in the Bible, the things that God actually says to us there and using them to shape how we think about things, how we long for things, kind of creating our desires as based on what we read and then animating our prayers so that, as Jesus says in John 15, he looks at his disciples, he's getting ready to go to the cross, and you think of all the things he could have talked about. He chose to drill down on staying connected to him primarily through our prayers. He says, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you." And then he explains why. He says, "This is to my Father's glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."   And I think I read that chapter in those specific verses, probably a hundred times over my life without fully comprehending what he was talking about there. And I think what he's talking about is that as we abide in him, as we remain in him, as we stay connected day in and day out, whether we're doing the laundry or running a carpool or anything else, we can allow the things we read in the Bible to shape our thoughts, shape our longings, and then give voice to our prayers. And when we do that, that really is the secret to living a difference-making, transformational, impactful life, to bearing fruit.   I loved being able to kind of look back over a 20-year history. And the stories in that book, in all my books, are real-life people who have real-life struggles and real-life prayers. And some of them have very happy endings. Some of them are still being played out. All of them represent times when we're having to trust God. And as I looked back over 20 years of praying parents and watched these families, where when I first was interviewing the mom or the dad, their kids might be five or seven or ten years old. And now, you know, these kids are in their 30s, some of them. And I'm like, wow, God, you know, it's like watching hair grow sometimes when we're praying and we don't see the needle moving. But with the perspective of history and time, you can see how God works. And so that was a huge blessing to me that I didn't expect when I went back and re-read the book and updated the book to be able to see what God has done.   And one particular chapter that I loved in that book was the chapter on praying for your child to promote God's kingdom. And there's a story in there about two little second grade boys, Brandon and Eddie. And I was part of a moms in prayer group at the time. And we were praying a verse, Ephesians 5:16, that our kids would make the most of every opportunity, that they would be wise in the way they live. We really didn't know how God would answer that prayer. But what parent doesn't want their child to be wise in the way they live and to make the most of the opportunities? Well, sure enough, we prayed that prayer. And two weeks later, one of the moms in our group came in and told the most jaw-droppingly beautiful story of how her son, a second grader, as part of an in-class assignment, had chosen to write a persuasive essay. And you can imagine what a second-grade essay looks like. But most of the kids in the class thought, I'm going to persuade my grandmother to give me a bicycle or I'm going to persuade my mom to let me stay up late and watch a TV show, whatever it is. This child chose to write to one of his classmates, who had been known as a real troublemaker in that class and in the school, about why he should accept Jesus as the Lord of his life. And he put these 10 points, things like, you know, God loves you. Jesus loves you. You can have anything you want in heaven. Just is a second grader's viewpoint. And I'm telling you what, I did that interview and wrote that story 20 some years ago. And still today, as I look back on that child and again, getting to watch him grow up, he's now a father with children of his own. And seeing how God has worked in that child's life in answer to that Ephesians 5 prayer that our child will be wise, making the most of every opportunity. I'm just dumbfounded. First, by how God answered that in a second grader's life and how he's continued to have the answer to that prayer unfold over this young man's life as he's grown. It's just we never can know when we pray what God will do.   Laura Dugger: (9:33 - 9:53) Absolutely. Because the fruit looks so different than the seed. And that's incredible to have that gift of perspective. But now with your newest title, Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage, first of all, how do you even respond to someone if they ask you, why does prayer matter in marriage?   Jodie Berndt: (9:54 - 12:29) Yeah, well, that's actually a question that I get more than you would think. And especially from people who aren't super comfortable praying. Because a lot of us, even if we've grown up in church-going Christian homes, the idea of praying with our spouse just might not come naturally. And even for Robbie and me. But I'll tell you one of the reasons we want to do it is because prayer really does matter. As I jumped into writing this book, I started doing some research and secular research points to all of these benefits that it reinforces the idea of prayer does that you're on the same team. Psychologists have found that prayer increases a sense of satisfaction in your relationship. It heightens your own sense of emotional well-being. If you're mad, it gives you a chance to calm down. It can lower your blood pressure. And there have even been studies done that shows that when couples pray together, it even leads to better sex. And so, you get all of these things that are completely separate from maybe the spiritual side of why God would want us to pray. This is just the secular research.   But when you take it a step further and look at why God wants us to pray, oh, my goodness. You know, it opens the door to intimacy, both with ourselves and with the Lord, because honestly, it's being vulnerable, isn't it? When we pray, you know, that is asking God for help. That's acknowledging our dependence on him, admitting we can't always be kind or selfless or forgiving on our own. And, you know, I don't know any husbands or wives who can do those things because we're all inherently flawed. We're broken. We're selfish people. And we can kind of start to shrivel up under what pressure to just get it all right, you know, to be a good wife, to be a good husband. And we can feel like we're failing. And yet, when we realize that through prayer, we've got this vehicle of inviting God into the mix, into our relationship, of letting the Holy Spirit step in and do the things that only he can do to work in us, giving us, as Philippians 2:13 says, the desire and the power to do what pleases God. I mean, that just changes the equation. It removes the burden from our shoulders of trying to build a strong marriage or be a good husband or wife. And just says, God, you know what? I can't do this on my own. I need you. Our marriage needs you. And that just opens up the runway, I think, for us in marriages and really gives us a new intimacy and a new confidence in our relationships.   Laura Dugger: (12:30 - 12:45) Well, and Jodie, you did so much research on marriages in preparation for this book. So, what are some of the ancient truths from Scripture that stand out to you specifically as it relates to marriage?   Jodie Berndt: (12:45 - 16:24) I'll tell you, an ancient truth that runs throughout Scripture is God's desire for us to talk to him about all of the details of our lives. There's nothing too big or nothing too small for him to care about. And I know you shared with me that you loved the Isaiah 7:11 verse in The Message translation, which is when Ahaz and the Lord are talking together. And God says, ask anything, you know, be extravagant, ask for the moon. And that's God's invitation to us to ask big. But there are also verses in Scripture where it says, you know, he delights in the details of our lives. He bends down to listen. So, we really can talk to him about the smallest things.   And I'll tell you, in terms of what you term ancient truths, I would say, and your listeners, I'm sure, know this, that the Bible is kind of one big story of God's love for us. And the covenant of marriage really is designed to reflect that. You know, we say this in our marriage vows, but I've yet to meet a bride or groom who really knows what they're talking about when they say those vows. I know for Robbie and me, we were just starry eyed and in love and speaking these vows without even really thinking what it would mean for better, for worse, you know, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish all of those things. But I'll tell you what, marriage gives us a chance to live out the gospel every day in a million little ways.   I love what Tim Keller says about the gospel. He says the gospel is this. It's that we are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe. And yet at the very same time, we are more loved and accepted in Jesus than we ever dared hope. And, you know, isn't that a picture of marriage? Because nothing reveals our flaws and our sins as much as taking two inherently selfish people and bringing them into close proximity with each other day in and day out. We are going to love against each other. We're going to be aware of our brokenness. Nobody knows my weak points as much as my husband. Nobody knows his as much as I do. So, we're so aware that we're flawed. And yet within the covenant of our marriage, we can honestly say, OK, we are more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope as we do what Christ did and give ourselves up for one another.   Ephesians 5, it's that classic New Testament passage about how human relationships are supposed to work. And Paul starts out, he says, Ephesians 5:2, "Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." And you may blow by a verse like that because it sounds very theological and holy. And you think, OK, what does that really mean in my human relationships? And more specifically, what does that mean for our marriage? OK, walking in love, giving yourself up. It could be something as simple as getting out of bed to let the dog out so that your husband or your wife can sleep in. It may be going to the in-laws for dinner when everything in us wants to stay home because we know that's what our spouse longs to do. Anytime we choose to put our partner's needs and desires ahead of our own, that's partaking of the gospel. That is giving ourselves up for them as Jesus gave himself up for us. Even as we do that in the little decisions of our lives every day, we get to live out that gospel. And what a beautiful opportunity. So, if I had to take one ancient truth from all of scripture, it would be that the Bible is one big love story of God's love for us. And in our marriages every day, we can live that out in a million little decisions.   Laura Dugger: (16:26 - 16:50) Well, in your book, you open up about your journey of learning to listen to your husband instead of interrupting him. Oh, yeah. And just a crazy side note. I'm just going to quote you here where you write, the average person pays attention for about eight seconds and can only go 17 seconds before interrupting someone. 17 seconds.   Jodie Berndt: (16:50 - 19:53) Yes. I mean, I read that in my research. I think that was out of Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, I think was the source there. But when I read that, I thought, oh, my goodness. A, that makes me just mortified. But B, it makes me feel better about myself because I am an interrupter. I always think that I have the answer, the solution or something that's going to be really either interesting to say or solving to say whatever it is. And I had to learn to give my husband space to speak because like a lot of men, I think he's not super verbose. He's not going to be letting his words tumble out. And so, I have to give space and time in our conversations for him to be able to get his words together instead of just leaping to a conclusion and saying, I know exactly what you mean or stepping in and trying to finish his sentence because he may have something that he's concerned about or worried about.   You know, I tell a story in the book, too, where when we taught a marriage class, we had to rate each other on all kinds of things, 20 different topics on a scale of like zero to four. I think it was. And he gave me a zero in meeting his emotional needs. And I thought zero, but that's not fair. I didn't even know you had emotional needs because you are such a steady, reliable, non-mercurial person. And I realized just because he's steady and not all over the map, doesn't mean he doesn't have fears and worries and concerns and emotional needs just like I do. I had to learn to kind of let him express those. And for his part, he had to learn to let me speak without immediately jumping in and wanting to fix something. I think men, a lot of our husbands are natural fixers. They love us. They want to solve our problems. They want to help us analyze what's wrong. And there have been times where I have had to just look at Robbie, sometimes even take a space in my hands and say, OK, I just want to tell you something. And I don't need you right off the bat to fix it. I just need to be heard. I need to know that you understand. So, will you just listen without trying to solve or analyze or fix and let me express myself, communicate? And that's been a really good listening tool. So so, between me trying to interrupt and him trying to solve and fix, we have really had to learn some some tools and some strategies that we talk about in the book for becoming better listeners.   And I think it only makes sense, right? We are not ever taught to listen or taught to speak. I've got grandchildren here and it's really fun to watch them at age one and two and three learn to mimic what we say when we say, can you say yes, please? Can you say, you know, I love you. And it's delightful to watch our children learn to form words. But nobody ever says to us, OK, let me teach you to listen. Let me teach you to wait. Let me teach you to reflect. Let me teach you to ask questions to help you understand more. All of those things may not come naturally to us. And so, there are things we have to be intentional in marriage and in every relationship about learning.   Laura Dugger: (19:54 - 20:07) Well, are there any of those game changing tools that you would like to elaborate on if someone really hasn't been trained to learn how to listen? Well, what has helped you and Robbie really listen and love?   Jodie Berndt: (20:07 - 22:13) Yeah, well, me not. Number one, expecting him to be a mind reader. I think sometimes we girls, because we intuit things, we think, oh, surely he'll pick this up. And I've had to learn that I need to really be clear in my communication. And just like I said earlier, you know, if I just want him to listen without fixing, I need to say that. And we've also had to learn things like I think sometimes listeners can try to reassure other people. We can minimize the problem saying, oh, it's going to be all right. You know, don't worry. That happened to me once, too. And while we might think we're doing someone a favor by that, what we're really doing is undermining their need to express themselves, to be heard, to say they really are afraid or concerned.   And so, I think a good listener doesn't just jump in immediately with the reassurance or another bad habit is deflecting, you know, saying, oh, yeah, that reminds me of the time I. And we think, oh, good, we're going to take their mind off the problem by telling them another story. And no, they don't maybe need to have their mind taken off it right then. What they might need right then is to know that they're being heard. Or even another bad habit that we had to learn to avoid is intellectualizing something or explaining something. You know, well, the reason it didn't go well for you at work today, honey, is that you probably started by just saying exactly what you felt without giving everybody else in the room a chance to speak or whatever it is. You know, we're going in trying to armchair quarterback our spouse's life by explaining and intellectualizing when, again, they just need to know we're listening, we're hearing, we're willing to be sympathetic and empathize, and we're willing to pray. And we don't have to have the answers.   We can say, gosh, that must be hard. You know, why don't we just stop right now and just say, God, we don't know what to do here. Just like Jehoshaphat had said, you know, he was facing vast armies. He said, God, I don't know what to do. We don't know what to do. But our eyes are on you. And we can say that in our marriage saying, I don't know how to help my spouse. We don't know what to do about this. But God, we're inviting you into this mix. And that's what a good listener can sound like. Sometimes you don't have to have all the answers.   Laura Dugger: (22:14 - 22:36) And I would even add, I guess it's part of the hope of this podcast, even, to ask really great questions. And our tagline is Practical Chats for Intentional Living. And the hope is that anyone listening would be inspired to also ask great questions and have their own practical chats for intentional living.   Jodie Berndt: (22:36 - 25:28) Yes, I love that you bring that up. Because in the book, there are questions at the end of every chapter. I didn't start out to write Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage. But after these other four books came out, I kept hearing from people on Instagram or via my website saying, when are you going to write something about marriage? You know, I'm in this most important human relationship. And we are grating against each other. You know, we need God's help when it comes to knowing how to handle conflict, how to handle our finances, time with our in-laws, intimacy issues, or learning, as you and I have been talking here, how to talk well, how to listen well, how to communicate, how to make friends. You'd think that would come naturally, but sometimes it doesn't. And couples struggle to find people that they want to do life with.   So, all of these things, leaving our legacy, parenting, are things marriages want God to be involved in. And so, these are what the different chapters, the topics. And at the end of each one, there are questions that we can ask our spouse. You know, hit the pause button and say, you know, say it's the chapter on having fun together. We might get to the end of that chapter and say, what's something you'd like to do that might surprise me? Because we don't always know what our spouse's idea of relaxation or fun or laughter would look like. And so, the questions in there are designed to elicit conversation. And you know what? If your spouse isn't interested in talking to you about any of those things, you can talk to the Lord about them. You can open your journal, and you can just write things out. You can listen to God. So, the discussion starters are in there for husbands and wives to use together or for you to use in your own quiet times with the Lord.   And I'll tell you, this is the only book in the series that Robbie has really written with me. He read every word of every chapter before I would send it off to the editor. And time and again, he would come back to me, and he would say, Jodie, I don't think a husband's going to really know what you mean by that. Or I don't think you have dug deep enough on this one or been as helpful as you might be on that one. And that made it hard. I mean, talk about a chance to have conflict with your spouse, invite them to edit your book. But it was so valuable because it has created a resource where I think a wife might buy the book. But I really do think a husband now might be willing to pick up the book. And even if the husband's not digging deep into the stories of every chapter, any husband or any wife can pick it up. Pray the 10 or 12 verses at the end of each chapter or just pray one verse that seems to resonate. And then avail themselves of those discussion questions and conversation starters so that it can help communication both between husband and wife and between you and God. So, thank you for bringing up that part about questions, because that really is something we need to do more about in life. We can't ever know someone without asking those things.   Laura Dugger: (25:29 - 26:18) I agree. And so, we've covered now how listening is that one important ingredient in communication. But in addition, you write, it is still important to stay current with our spouse by also talking and sharing what's going on within and around us. And you write on page 49, The things we don't say can become wedges in our relationships. Communication involves two parts, talking and listening, and we need to be good at both. And Jodie, I think that you model a helpful way to think about this through something that you taught your children. So, will you share that illustration of serving the ball and hitting it back and how that applies to conversation?   Jodie Berndt: (26:18 - 29:16) That's so funny that you pulled that out. And its funny right now because I just read that in a very important intellectual article that showed up in my inbox from one of these institutes. I follow on family studies and different things. I thought that Robbie and I had invented this idea of serving the ball. Our son was an athlete and not much of a talker. And because he was an athlete all year round, he would go to different tournaments, different places. And I remember him being a young teen and not being super eager to engage in conversation. But because we had four kids and you can relate to this, we were not always taking our kids to all the different tournaments and activities. A lot of times they'd be riding in a car with another adult, another team dad or mom. And on one occasion, I remember popping him in the car with a friend of ours who was going to go meet a lacrosse team, you know, another state away. And we knew he'd be in the car for three or four hours. And we said, OK, you know, when Mr. So-and-so asks you a question, you can't just answer with one word, you know, like I'm good or yes, sir. We want you to hit the ball back. We want you to think of something that you can ask him. Think of a conversation. That's our son's name. We said, like you're in a game where the ball has to go back and forth, like say something to keep it in play. And for him, that was a real eye opener for how to learn to talk when he mostly knew how to hit balls back and forth.   And researchers noticed that couples who paid that attention, you know, if a spouse, if a husband said, hey, look at that bird. Isn't that a pretty bird? If the wife didn't even notice the bird, that planted a seed of contempt or indifference, coldness, the cold shoulder that could grow, whereas if the partner said, wow, gosh, that is a pretty bird, and, you know, that reminds me of the one we saw last week on our walk, and, I mean, that's a silly illustration, maybe noticing the bird, maybe it's a sunset, maybe it's saying, wow, this, you know, hamburger is really good, whatever it is, whatever the little tidbits of conversation, when we pick up, when we hit the ball back, when we pay attention and say, you know, yeah, that creates an interest in our spouse and a kindness.   Laura Dugger: (29:17 - 35:00) And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Did you know you can go to college tuition-free just by being a team member at Chick-fil-A East Peoria? Free college education. All Chick-fil-A East Peoria team members in good standing can take advantage of this incredible benefit. If you're looking for a workplace that invests in your future, Chick-fil-A East Peoria is the place for you. You don't have to go into debt for college. Visit Chick-fil-A.com/EastPeoria and click on the career tab. And if you aren't located near Chick-fil-A East Peoria, make sure you check with your local Chick-fil-A restaurant to see if they also participate.   Jodie Berndt: And I'll tell you, when I started doing the kindness research, I said to Robbie, do you think some people are just more naturally kind than others? And he said, yeah, I do. I think some people are just naturally more kind. And I think he's right, but I don't think you put a period there, because kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, right? Galatians 5:22 and 23, it does talk about how love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness is what the Holy Spirit does in our lives. And researchers have found that kindness actually works with them like a muscle. It gets stronger in our lives the more we commit to using it. And I love what folks at the National Marriage Project discovered. They discovered that when we are kind to our spouse with these simple things, you know, bringing them a cup of coffee in the morning, it doesn't even have to be super important, that creates an atmosphere in which generosity toward one another can flourish. And what it does is create an upward spiral. You know, we all talk about downward spirals and how we can just descend into contempt or coldness. We can also ascend. We can create that upward spiral through simple, small words and gestures that communicate kindness in marriage. And it can change the whole climate and allow intimacy and love to flourish.   And I will tell you what, Robbie and I are in the empty nest years, and we have friends who are in our same season, and a couple of couples in particular. For the last maybe four or five years have confided to us that they're not as kind to one another as they would like to be. Their marriage is strong. They're not getting a divorce, but their kids are raised, and they each have kind of their own lanes they're in, and they're in the empty nest, and they're recognizing that they just don't treat each other with the generosity and love in their words and in their actions that maybe they did when they were younger. And you would say, oh, what a shame. Except that it's not a shame because these couples have committed to praying about it and to inviting other couples who will keep that confidential into their lives to say, hey, will you pray this for us? And I will tell you what, we are seeing the needle move in our friends' lives. It is a beautiful thing to watch someone in their 60s who thinks, you know what, I'm just not that kind, actually begin to soften and change and be kind as the Holy Spirit goes to work. So, if you're listening and you're thinking, you know what, I'm just not that nice of a person. I'm just not that kind. Or my spouse, they've been kind of cool or cold all these years. Don't give up. Keep praying. Keep trying. Keep relying on the Holy Spirit. Invite other couples into the mix who can come alongside you and pray for you and even maybe hold you a little accountable saying, okay, you know, that word was maybe harsher than it needed to be. And watch what God can do. Kindness really matters.   Laura Dugger: (45:06 - 45:45) Yes, it does. And my husband, Mark, and I love to ask questions of couples who are in the next season of life. So, we have some friends at church who are empty nesters, and we've asked them similar questions around kindness. And it was really helpful that they said what really enhanced their marital satisfaction and enjoyment of one another in those years was their tone. And I thought that was a really practical application, just to be mindful of our tone. At any season, I think of us raising little ones as well to watch our tone with our kids and our spouse.   Jodie Berndt: (45:46 - 46:16) Yeah, absolutely. And even when we speak in a tone that might, you know, I believe me, can blurt something out and it comes out sounding snippier than I meant. And I have to recognize that and say, I know that came out like I was challenging you or that I was correcting you or whatever. I didn't mean it that way. That was a genuine question of, you know, do you think we should do this or that? And I'm sorry it sounded snippy. So, we have to be aware. And when those things slip out to quickly correct that and say, gosh, sorry, let me try that again.   Laura Dugger: (46:17 - 46:38) Yeah. And I guess it's reminded me of one other quote that was really helpful. On page 63, you shared that one husband was giving a really practical definition for respect. And he said, respect looks like paying attention when I am talking, even if you have better things to do.   Jodie Berndt: (46:39 - 48:11) Yeah, I remember that couple. And I'll tell you, this was a great illustration. I'm glad you brought that one up because this is a wife who loved her husband deeply, respected what he did, said good things about him publicly and in front of people. And she would think, well, so of course he knows I respect him. Like I just praised him in front of our small group, or I just told him what a great job I thought he did on that presentation or whatever he told me about from work. And she thought, so of course he knows I respect him, but he's watching their day in, day out encounters and realizing that like so many women, you know, we do five things, 10 things at once. And he's thinking, I don't even think you're paying attention to me because I'm over here talking and you know, you're cooking the dinner or checking something on your phone or whatever. And you're listening with kind of half an ear. And she had to learn that to him, respect meant stop what you're doing and pay attention to me. And of course we can't do that all the time. Like especially if we've got little kids and they're grabbing our legs and stuff, we might have to say, hold on. I really want to pay attention to what you're saying. Can you give me five minutes to, you know, get the child settled with a coloring book or put the baby to bed or get some food in this toddler, whatever it is, because this is important to me. And I want to pay attention. So sometimes when an important need for respect is, is happening, we have to just set the stage to reassure our partner that yeah, I love you. I want to listen. I want to pay attention. I want to respect you. Let me set it up so I can do that really well. So yeah, good one.   Laura Dugger: (48:12 - 48:17) Well, do you have any other favorite stories or lessons that stand out from your book?   Jodie Berndt: (48:18 - 51:06) Well, I think a big takeaway for me is the importance of community kind of at every stage. You know, the Bible says walk with the wise and become wise for a companion of fools suffers harm. You know, that's a proverb. And I think it's really true that we need to be intentional about who we surround ourselves with. Certainly, as we're starting out young in our marriages, there's going to be adjustment phases. Even the most well-suited couples come from two different families. And as we're trying to blend our expectations, our needs, our desires, our histories, they're going to be bumps along the way. And you want to be surrounded with couples who will be able to almost laugh with you and say, yeah, you know, we had that too. And let me just tell you, here's how we navigated that. Instead of somebody who will say, oh my gosh, my husband drives me just as crazy. Like literally, I had a running group one time where I realized that there was a lot of husband bashing going on in the early morning hours as we would get out on the street, you know, before the kids went to school. And I thought this isn't really healthy. We need to change the channel on this conversation. And so, you know, and sometimes that was doable by simply changing the topic of conversation or saying something positive or just saying, “Hey, let's all list three things we're grateful about, about our spouse.”   But I think how we surround ourselves with couples really makes a difference also in the empty nest years. And I think our friendships change. Robbie and I have had friends change significantly many times over the years. Sure. There are those people that we can look back on college roommates that we're still in touch with, and that's wonderful. But we have had cross country moves four times. We have had different seasons with our kids where all of our friends might be the ones we're on the bleachers with because we are seeing them two and three times a week and traveling on the weekends to games and things like that. And now we're in the empty nest years and our friends are starting to go visit grandkids. They are in retirement, some of them and traveling for fun. Others have taken up new hobbies, new volunteer commitments. So that landscape has shifted and we've had to say, all right, let's look for life giving people, be intentional about who we want to invite over to our house for dinner, who we'd like to co-chair a project with, something where we are constantly thinking about how we can surround ourselves with people who share our faith, who will sharpen us. Again, that proverb about iron sharpening iron, our friends really matter. We want to be around people who keep us sharp and who will be intentional about pouring into our marriages. So, you know, they say divorce is catching, and it really is. If you're in a community where people are just quick to give up or quick to bash their spouse, change that, change that in your life. Look for folks who are leaning in and helping one another love well.   Laura Dugger: (51:07 - 51:27) And I think you're very encouraging to those couples that are entering or in the midst of the empty nest phase of life. And you drew out a proverb that I'd never heard in The Message version in Proverbs 4:18, where it says the longer they live, the brighter they shine.   Jodie Berndt: (51:28 - 51:58) Yeah. Isn't that a great one? I mean, you could read Proverbs 4:18 and in the NIV and the ESV and the King James, all that. And it's always good. But boy, when I hit it in The Message, and I don't know, I might've seen it around my 50th birthday or something, but I thought the longer they live, the brighter they shine. Amen. God, I want to put that on my refrigerator. Just remind me that, you know, you don't necessarily have to have all the Botox to keep shining bright. You can just have the Holy Spirit living in you and through you animating your life and making you radiant. So yeah, I love that one. I'm glad you called that out.   Laura Dugger: (51:59 - 52:06) Yeah. Are there any other ways that you see that play out as people do start to navigate these empty nest years?   Jodie Berndt: (52:07 - 53:52) I think you can become kind of insular as you get older. If we weren't being intentional about trying to have new experiences, make some new friends, your world can start shrinking because maybe your responsibilities at work aren't as demanding. So, you have more time away from work or your kids are gone. So, you're not seeing all the friends that you've done life with all that time. So, emptiness can be a time of loneliness for couples. And it can be a time when you are thinking, gosh, I'm not as active or having as much fun. But we have a friend named Jim Burns. He's written a lot of books on marriage and family issues. And he writes, he says, who would have thought that the most intimate times in a marriage aren't necessarily in the first few years, but in the empty nest. And he and his wife have navigated this transition so successfully. And I think it's in large part because they have been intentional about having fun together, about trying new things. And another couple, I know Susan and Johnny Yates, they're in their seventies. And they were like, Hey, we've never gone snowmobiling. You want to try it? Yeah, let's try it. And I just think, you know, the more we're willing to get out there and try new experiences, a new place to visit, it might even be as simple as a restaurant we've never been to, but just kind of ensuring that your world stays bigger, your friend groups stay bigger, and that you can be leaning into the fact that, you know, I think about Job where it says, God blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the former. And there is a real, a real beauty to knowing that you have a lot of runway left when you hit the empty nest years and asking God, how do you want to use me in my family, in my church, in my community, and being open to the things he puts in front of you?   Laura Dugger: (53:53 - 54:02) I love that. And Jodie, you are just such an encourager. So where can we go online to learn more from you after this conversation?   Jodie Berndt: (54:03 - 55:19) Thank you for asking that. My website is jodieberndt.com. And I would really encourage people to check that out and kind of scroll around. There's an area called resources and printables where there's a lot of free stuff like 31-day prayer calendars. You can download and print to help you pray for your marriage, a verse every day, or pray for your children or your adult children, your teens, your life, all of those calendars are on there, as well as little prayer cards, things you can tuck into your kid's lunchbox or leave on their bedside table. If you have a teenager who maybe would roll their eyes, you know, if you want to walk in there and say goodnight prayers, you might say, well, you know what? I'm just going to leave this little thing on their pillow, so they know that mom or dad is praying. And again, even if they're acting like they don't want it, I've never yet met a teen, my own included, who used to sometimes roll their eyes who will now tell me, you know what mom? I really was listening. I really did appreciate that. So, a little hang in there strategy, but yes, at jodieberndt.com all those resources. And then I'm pretty active on Instagram and that's just @jodie_berndt. So, if people want to follow there, I love to share different prayer prompts or encouragements. People can DM me with questions and it's just a fun way to, to make friends in a digital way that you might not ever be able to see someone in real life, but we can all learn from each other.   Laura Dugger: (55:19 - 55:40) Well, we will add links to all of those places in the show notes for today's episode. And you may already be familiar that we're called The Savvy Sauce because yes, I love it. I love it. And savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, Jodie, what is your savvy sauce?   Jodie Berndt: (55:41 - 57:21) That is such a great question. I love that you asked all your guests that I think for me, this might sound boring or even holier than thou, but I don't mean it that way. For me, a scripture is my savvy sauce. Like I turn to the Bible for my answers. I turn to it to shape my prayers. Like I can be so given to worry about something. I can just naturally go to a place of panic or uncertainty. And yet in the pages of scripture, I find promises that I can hold on to in a way that I can exchange my panic for peace and just trust God's provision. And the circumstances might not have changed, but what has changed as I lean into the Lord and read of his faithfulness in the past, they can help me trust for the future and it doesn't have to be this long. Like the other thing is there was a time when I thought, oh gosh, if I don't spend a half an hour, an hour, you know, reading my Bible with a candle smelling up the room and a nice cup of coffee and my journal open, it's not going to count. And I really, especially when I had younger children, it was so beautiful. An older woman, older mother set me straight. She said, Jodie, you know, you can talk to God in the carpool line. You can read three verses of scripture and meditate on those during the day. That may be more transformational than reading an entire book of the Bible and just having permission to take that in small bites, especially if you've got little ones. I think that is a great savvy sauce. Just find yourself a verse or two, hold onto it, write it out on an index card and meditate on it during the day and see what it does.   Laura Dugger: (57:22 - 57:43) That is so good. And going back to what we had talked about earlier, I experienced so much kindness in you and have really enjoyed this conversation and appreciate all that you've brought to encourage marriages. And I'm wondering if you would just close us out now with a prayer over all the marriages that are represented right now.   Jodie Berndt: (57:44 - 59:43) Oh, I would be so honored to do that. And right back at you. I mean, you're just, your voice is so very kind and welcoming. I just know your listeners love tuning in because it's like,  just having a conversation with a dear friend. So, thank you for that. But I would love, love, love to pray.   Heavenly Father, I just thank you so much for this conversation. I thank you so much for every marriage, every household represented as folks who are listening. And I just want to pray that prayer that I think I start the book with because it just jumps out at me day in and day out from 1 Thessalonians 3:12, "May our love overflow and increase for each other and for everyone else." That's something that Paul prayed for the Thessalonians. And I just want to pray it over all of our marriages, over all of our lives, over our parenting, that our love would increase, that it would overflow for one another, for our families, for our communities. And that that would be the sign that people can look at and say, you know, that as that old song says, they'll know we are Christians by our love. And it is so true in the way that we love one another, in the way that we are kind to one another. That just speaks volumes, Lord, about your love for us. I pray that we really would, as Paul writes in Ephesians, make the most of every opportunity. I pray we would live lives marked with wisdom, that we would, as he goes on in that same chapter, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Let our marriages, let our families, let our friendships be marked by that mutual submission, by that desire to not look just to our own interests, but to the interests of others, just being humble, God. Let us live humble lives, glorifying you, looking out for one another, and growing in the knowledge and grace of your son, Jesus Christ. It's in his name we pray. Amen.   Laura Dugger: (59:44 - 59:47) Amen, Jodie. Thank you so much for being my guest.   Jodie Berndt: (59:47 - 59:55) Laura, thank you so much, and Lord bless you in the work that you are doing to just equip and encourage so many. It's just wonderful.   Laura Dugger: (59:55 - 1:03:39) Thank you. One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.   Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.   First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

It has been said that in the Fruit of the Spirit list, all of them collectively practically define the nature of Christ. Even David the shepherd knew his Messiah was coming. Remember what he said about following his loving God? “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life!”We instinctively know what goodness is. It is a kind touch, a gentle word, a gift that was unexpected.Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”And in life, we understand the distinction between good and evil. These two always warring with each other. The key thing to remember in this conflict is that God is good and infinitely stronger than evil. That's important to remember as we watch injustice unfold.What did Micah tell us? That goodness is wrapped up in the choices we make: oppose injustice, love what is kind, and be humble. The truth is, all of us have been given so much good by our good God that it should be second nature to model that for those we meet in our journeys.Let's pray.Lord, thank you for your sweet goodness. Sustain us with that goodness for the journey. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Jesus Asks: “But who do you say that I am?” and Jesus Answers: “you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you” MESSAGE SUMMARY: In Mark 8:29, Jesus asked His Disciples the question He asks you: “And he asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?' Peter answered him, ‘You are the Christ {Messiah}.'". As Paul writes in Ephesians 4:1-6: “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.”.  God IS Father, IS Son, and He IS Holy Spirit. Jesus told the crowd in the Temple; and He tells us, as it is recorded for us now by the Apostle John, in John 10:25,30: “Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me . . . I and the Father are one.'”. Also, Jesus provides more insights to your Trinitarian relationship with God in John 14:18-20: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.".  God is one God, but He is in three natures: God is Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, when you pray, you are praying to one triune being – God, the Creator of the Universe.       TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, help me to grab hold of you today. I need you. Set me free to begin reorienting my life around you, and you alone. Help me to pay attention to and honor how you have uniquely made me. Thank you for the gift of rest. In Jesus' name, amen.       Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 122). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Hatred. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Love. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Ephesians 4:1-8; John 10:24-30; Mark 1:9-11; Psalms 139a:1-12. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Remembering “he who is forgiven little, loves little”, Is Your Focus Outward in the Love and Service of Others?”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

September 28. 2026Hope Alive: Applying God's Word to Your Daily LifeJudges 6:25-27I am Chad Harrison, and I am the teaching pastor of Lake Community Church and had been serving as a pastor for over 25 years. This podcast is designed to help you study God's word verse-by-verse and find God's will for your life. The purpose of studying scripture is that you might know the character of Jesus Christ, and that you might see the world from the Father's perspective. That you gain wisdom that changes your life. I pray in the name of Jesus right now that God would open His word to you and allow you to see Him and to know Him. To know His will, that you might glorify Him and that you might walk in faith and power each day, especially today. In Jesus name.If you would like to revisit today's Bible study, please visit our website at https://hopealive.buzzsprout.com/ to download the transcript. If this podcast ministered to you, please subscribe, and leave us a review. Reviews help us reach more people and spread the wisdom of God. Please follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopealivewithgod/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hopealiveministry/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LakeComChurch/ -Lake Community Church Support the show

In Jesus' final instructions to His disciples, He calls them out of unbelief and back to His mission. Mark 16 reminds us how easily hurt, disappointment, pride, and personal preferences can cause us to miss what God is doing right in front of us. Rather than getting stuck in ourselves, Jesus calls His followers to recognize where God is moving, proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and put His mission ahead of our comfort.

A daughter watching her mother walk through the pasture behind the house, apparently arguing with no one, asking afterward if she had been praying — because she seemed pretty annoyed. The answer was yes. The pasture is where the real conversations with God happen: the grievances aired, the frustrations vented, the things that are not easy to dress up in polished spiritual language. For a long time, that kind of raw honesty felt irreverent, even shameful. So sweet platitudes took its place — the prayers that seemed like what God wanted to hear rather than what was actually true. And then came Habakkuk. A minor prophet in a small book nestled near the end of the Old Testament, whose opening chapter is titled, simply, "Habakkuk's Complaint." He was living through political corruption, social injustice, and spiritual bankruptcy, and he brought all of it directly to God without softening a single edge. How long, Lord, must I call for help and You do not listen? What makes Habakkuk remarkable is not just the honesty — it is that God responds. The conversation is real. And by the end of his three chapters, Habakkuk is praising the God he argued with at the beginning, having encountered Him more deeply through the honest exchange than he ever could have through a scripted prayer. God already knows our thoughts before we speak them. He can handle our frustrations, our doubts, and our questions. Honesty in prayer is not irreverence. It is the beginning of real relationship. Bible Verse "How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, 'Violence!' but you do not save?"— Habakkuk 1:2, NIV Ponder Today God can handle your honesty — He already knows your thoughts before you speak them. Psalm 139:4 makes clear that nothing we bring to God surprises Him. Dressing our prayers in polished language does not make them more acceptable. It just makes them less real. Habakkuk's complaint became a conversation. Unlike most prophetic books where God speaks to the prophet, Habakkuk speaks to God — and God responds. That is the picture of genuine relationship: honest expression met with divine engagement. There is no shame in getting real with God about frustration, doubt, and questions. The prophet who cried out "How long?" in chapter one was praising God by chapter three. The honesty did not damage the relationship — it deepened it. Scripted prayers can feel safe but empty. Methods and structures for prayer are not bad, but they can create distance if they replace honest, personal communication. The prayers of Habakkuk and David in the Psalms show us that God welcomes the unfiltered heart. Honest prayer should lead us toward praise, not stay stuck in complaint. Habakkuk modeled both — the bold airing of grievances and the eager return to worship. May our time with God hold room for both our problems and our praise. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, how grateful I am for the privilege of coming to You in prayer. May I never take for granted the ability to have a personal relationship with You through faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for the presence of the Holy Spirit, who guides my words even when I do not know what to say. I ask that You grant me the ability to share the desires of my heart openly — my struggles, frustrations, and disappointments. But do not let me just bring You my problems. May my time with You always lead me to praise. Thank You for being willing to listen. Grant me discernment and patience as I wait to hear from You. Forgive me of my sin and lead me to look more like Jesus tomorrow than I did today. I love You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Does suffering mean someone has sinned more than others? In Jesus' day, many believed exactly that. But when His disciples encountered a man born blind, Jesus corrected their assumptions and revealed that suffering cannot always be reduced to a simple equation of sin and punishment.In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explores several ways God uses suffering for the good of His children. Trials can purify our faith, draw us closer to God, equip us to comfort others, and produce a testimony that points people toward the eternal hope found in Christ.Jesus reinforced this Truth when people brought Him news of devastating tragedies. Rather than affirming that the victims must have been worse sinners, Jesus turned the question back on His listeners: unless you repent, you too will perish. His message was a wake-up call against spiritual pride and false security.God's patience toward sinners is an expression of His astounding mercy. Every day is another opportunity to respond to His invitation, turn from sin, and receive salvation through Jesus Christ.Whatever suffering you are walking through today, do not assume God has abandoned you. Allow Him to use your affliction to refine your faith, deepen your dependence on Him, and polish your testimony. And remember: our greatest need is not an explanation for every tragedy, but reconciliation with God through His Son.Join me in prayer.Father, help me to see seasons of suffering as opportunities to draw near to You and point others to the hope of glory through Jesus Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

Daniel's Prayer Was “seeking him {God} by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting . . . ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God . . . we have sinned and done wrong'” MESSAGE SUMMARY: There are times when you need clarity, understanding, knowledge and insights from God about the specific issues that you, your family, your church, or your country are facing. In your personal relationship with God as a Jesus Follower, the Lord will speak to you; but sometimes it takes your listening and fasting to hear Him. For example, when Joel received a Word when the land was to be destroyed, he called a fast (i.e. Joel 1:14): “Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.”. Some things you are facing in your life must be dealt with by both prayer and fasting. Fasting releases a spiritual power – in your weakness, God is made strong in your life. Daniel's prayer, from Daniel 9:3-5, provides a context for asking direction from God: “Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.'".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus' name, amen.  Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Joel 1:13-16; Matthew 6:16; Daniel 9:3-7; Psalms138:1-8. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Remembering “he who is forgiven little, loves little”, Is Your Focus Outward in the Love and Service of Others?”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/    DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Sunday, 27 September 2026   saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Matthew 23:2   “saying, ‘Upon the ‘Moses' bench', they sat, the scribes and the Pharisees.'” (CG).   In the previous verse, it said that Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples. That continues with, “saying, ‘Upon the ‘Moses' bench', they sat.'”   In the Bible, the seat signifies the situation in which one exists. A great example of this is found in Exodus 12:40 –   “And seat, sons Israel, who they sat in Egypt: thirty year and four hundreds year.” (CG)   Thus, the situation Israel found itself in was sitting in Egypt for a lengthy period of time. Understanding this, the bench of Moses, his seat, signifies the situation of their occupying the authority of Moses in relation to the law. Moses was the lawgiver. In addition to that, people would come to him for judgment in matters related to the law –   “And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 So when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, ‘What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?' 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, ‘Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.'” Exodus 18:13-16   Jethro saw that this was too much for one man and recommended he choose able men from the multitudes to judge the people. Only when a matter was too difficult was it elevated to Moses.   Within this structure, a more refined leadership was organized in Numbers 11, where seventy men were consecrated to assist Moses in leading the people. This body eventually became known as the Sanhedrin. In Jesus' time, He recognized that such a set authority was comprised of “the scribes and the Pharisees.”   Whether this is exactly what Jesus is referring to, or the general authority given to those who made up the Sanhedrin (for example, not all Pharisees were members of the Sanhedrin, and there were Sadducees within the Sanhedrin), the point is that there was an understood authority within the Scribes and Pharisees that the people were to submit to in religious matters. Jesus calls this authority “Moses' bench.”   Life application: Within the church, there are positions of authority that have been designated by Paul in the pastoral epistles. These positions were set within individual churches. There is nothing in Scripture to suggest that a body existed or would exist that had authority over the Christian faith.   But this is exactly what large denominations began to do. The Roman Catholic church, for example, claimed special authority derived from the seat of Peter, as if Peter were the leader of the early church and his authority then transferred to other men throughout the years.   Because of this unbiblical claim, such large denominations began to claim authority over the word of God, as if they had the sole right to interpret it, translate it, and decide what the word actually says when texts with conflicting words or phrases arose.   No such body is hinted at in Scripture. No such authority was ever granted to Peter. And there is no line of succession authorized by Scripture. These are all false claims intended to trap adherents of various denominations into believing that the ticket to their salvation rests in the denomination, not in the finished work of Jesus Christ.   Jesus' words about the scribes and Pharisees will acknowledge their positions of authority, but He will excoriate them for their abusive lifestyles. The only marked difference between the scribes and Pharisees and the leaders of these large denominations is that they do not possess biblical authority for the positions they sit in.   Take time to read the pastoral epistles, see what God has determined through Paul's hand concerning church leaders and church structure, and then be content to ignore anything that does not fit into the simple model set forth there.   Other than the quality and conduct of the men chosen to lead a local body, there is very little set forth as guidelines for the church to operate. The main thing you will notice is that there is a heavy stress on honoring God through Jesus and carefully handling the word of God. If a church is not doing this, you should not waste your time with it.   Lord God, may our time in church be filled with honoring You and learning Your word. Help us not to get misdirected from these priorities. May our time there be a time of true fellowship with others and growth in our walk with You. Amen.  

Remembering “he who is forgiven little, loves little”, Is Your Focus Outward in the Love and Service of Others? MESSAGE SUMMARY: From the Gospel of Luke (7:36-50): "Compassion Unpacked" Luke 7:36-50 describes the compassion of God revealed to those who come to Him in humility and faith. In unpacking Luke's Gospel reference, Luke is relating a dinner party taking place in the home of a Pharisee. The Pharisees' thought that their attempts at righteousness would earn them more favor with God, but their focus was outward not inward and in their hearts. The Pharisees were always in Jesus face attacking Jesus and trying to dismiss His teachings. In the Scripture references from Luke and Matthew below, Jesus gave strong words of description and condemnation regarding the Pharisees' hearts and behaviors. However, there were many Pharisees that were Godly and spiritual men. We need to be careful that we do not become twenty-first century Pharisees like the Pharisees identified by Jesus in Luke 7. Like the Pharisees, many of us know the Word of God; but we need to be careful that we do not become judgmental and self-surviving, thereby, missing the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit and forgetting to apply the love and Justice of God in our lives and relationships. Jesus is at this dinner party, in Luke 7, given by a Pharisee, and we are told that a sinful woman comes into the party. The woman comes up behind Jesus and weeps with such intensity that her tears fall on Jesus' feet. The woman, after her earlier conversion, is probably overcome with the conviction of her sinful life and remorse, thereby, becoming a servant to her Lord. In these actions of conviction and love toward Jesus, Jesus explains, to Simon the Pharisee in Luke 7:47, that: “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”. Simon the Pharisee represents many modern day “church people”. We can get caught up in our personal righteousness. We get used to the presence of God and His peace in our lives, but then we encounter a new follower of Jesus. They, before their conversion, were living in the ways of the world without God's peace. Now, these new believers are so excited with their new life; and their outward manifestation of their conversion may not “fit” with our personal Christian behavioral norms. Sadly, too many modern Christians judge and condemn these new believers rather than loving, encouraging, and embracing these new believers. After all, none of us deserve the forgiveness of God: “I am who I am by the Grace of God through Jesus.“. God wants to have a heart-to-heart talk with us. Therefore, if there is anything in our lives blocking our talk with God, we must remove it – we need to open ourselves to what God will do for us if we will just let go of our life impediments. We must pray for God's guidance to keep us from becoming judgmental, self-righteous, self-centered Christians like the Pharisees in Luke 7.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus' name, amen.  Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV):  Luke 7:36-50; Matthew 5:20; Luke 11:37-44; Luke 15:1-7: Matthew 23:13-19; Matthew 23:23-36; Psalms 55b:13-23. SCRIPTURE REFERENCE SEARCH: www.AWFTL.org/bible-search/ WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Daniel's Prayer Was “seeking him {God} by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting . . . ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God . . . we have sinned and done wrong'””: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.   DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

09/27/2026 | Free Indeed | Free From People-pleasing | Galatians 2: 11-21BIG IDEA: When Christ defines who you are, other people no longer have to.THE GOSPEL FREES US FROM LIVING FOR APPROVAL1. People pleasing makes us live inconsistently (vs 11-14). The Gospel is supposed to reshape how we live right now. In Jesus, we have nothing left to prove.2. The Gospel removes our need to prove ourselves (vs 15-16). We are not accepted by God because we performed well enough, we are accepted by faith in Jesus.3. The Gospel ends the performance (vs 17-19).4.Our identity is now found in Jesus (vs 20-21). When Christ defines who we are, no one else has to.Three questions to move beyond Sunday…1. Whose approval has too much power in your life?2. Where are you tempted to pretend?3. Who gets the final say as to who you are?

The Most Excellent Way: Right Person, Right Place, Right TimePastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - We serve according to our God-given giftedness.TEXT - Ephesians 4:7, 1 Peter 4:101. God gives gifts. • Romans 12:6-8 • 1 Corinthians 12:7-112. Gifts build up the body. • Ephesians 4:7, 11-13 • 1 Peter 4:10 • Mark 10:43-453. Gifts determine service. • Right person, right place, right time. • “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.” ~ Frederick BuechnerNEXT STEPS1. Ask Jesus, what is my gift?2. Ask Jesus, what is my calling?JOURNAL: What is my gift? What is my calling (place and time)?REFLECTION  • Administration • Being an apostle • Craftsmanship • Discernment • Encouragement • Evangelism • Exhortation • Faith • Giving • Healing • Helps • Hospitality • Interpreting tongues • Knowledge • Leadership • Mercy • Music • Prayer • Prophecy • Serving • Shepherding • Speaking in tongues • Teaching  • Wisdom • Worship leadingPRAYER Dear Lord, Thank You for loving me and for giving me life and breath. You know my heart, and You know that I want to use the gifts You have given me to honor you and build up others.Lord, I am asking You to show me where You want me to serve. Open my eyes to see the needs around me, and open my ears to hear Your voice. Clear away confusion or doubt, and direct me to the specific people, places, or ministries where I can make a difference. Give me courage to step out when You open a door. Shape my heart to be a true servant, humble and willing to follow.In Jesus name, Amen

Why return to a prison when Christ has already opened the door? In Jesus, believers are truly free from the power of sin—but that freedom must be intentionally lived out. We must choose what we surrender our hearts and minds to.When sinful patterns begin to take hold, the way forward includes godly sorrow, genuine repentance, renewed commitment, and godly accountability that leads to changed habits. This message gives hope that the chains have already been broken. Don't pick them back up—walk in the freedom Christ died to give you.

Can You Be A Christian Without Repentance Luke 13:3 "I tell you, no, but except you repent, you shall all likewise perish."Many people want heaven… But not holiness. They want forgiveness… But not repentance. They want a Savior… But not a Lord. They want the benefits of Christianity… Without the cost of following Christ.Join Life's Word Academy: https://tinyurl.com/lifeswordacademyAccept Jesus today. https://youtube.com/shorts/bIwAUlz7Kg4?si=BNOhv44iLWIR4eVJIf you would like to accept Jesus into your heart today, pray this simple prayer:****God, I have sinned against You. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, who died and rose for my sake. I ask you to forgive me for my sin. I place my trust in You for salvation. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, I am forgiven! Amen!****Congratulations! You are now a child of the Most High. John 1:12 says, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."****If you just prayed this prayer to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, I welcome you to the family of God. Subscribe to my channel and type in the comments right now, “I just prayed that prayer.”****Click here for FREE eBook download: https://tinyurl.com/ISAIDTHEPRAYERShow your love and support the channel:*PayPal: PayPal.me/malachimitchellministry*Cash App: https://cash.app/$MalachiMitchNote Journals and Puzzles:https://tinyurl.com/WalkinFaithPublishingAuthored Books: https://tinyurl.com/PastorMalachiBooksHNO Crypto Coin Investing Opportunity: https://tinyurl.com/HNOCoin-ReferralFREE Ways to Support Me:

When a close friend begins to embrace theological views that feel like a personal betrayal, the temptation is not always to lash out directly. Sometimes it is subtler — social media posts crafted in response, conversations with others about what is happening, a quiet but determined effort to be the one who is right. The behavior can be dressed up in the language of righteous anger and concern for truth, and it can feel entirely justified from the inside. But James 3:16 names what is actually at work when jealousy and selfish ambition take root: disorder and every vile practice. The honest reckoning this episode offers is both convicting and freeing. The disagreement with a friend over theology was real, but the deeper issue was not a passion for truth — it was a need to win, to be right, to silence rather than to understand. James 3:17 describes what wisdom from above actually looks like: pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. These are not qualities we can manufacture through sheer effort. They require God's grace, a willingness to go directly to the person rather than around them, and the humility to be more concerned with God being right than with winning an argument. The friendship did not survive the strife, and the damage of selfishness and stubbornness left a wound that repentance healed spiritually even if the relationship did not fully recover. That loss became one of the most significant lessons available: how to handle disagreement with others-focused grace, peace, and gentleness — not with emotions at the wheel. Bible Verse "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."— James 3:17, ESV Ponder Today Jealousy and selfish ambition produce disorder — even when disguised as righteous concern. The desire to be right, to win, or to silence someone we disagree with is not the same as a passion for truth. James 3:16 is direct about what those motives actually produce. Wisdom from above looks entirely different from wisdom from below. Pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy — these qualities are the marks of heavenly wisdom at work in a conflict. They require God's grace, not just good intentions. Strife in relationships grows when we turn inward instead of toward the other person. Talking about someone rather than to them, crafting responses for an audience rather than having a direct conversation — these habits deepen division rather than address it. In disagreements about truth, be more concerned with God being right than with winning. Our goal is to point others toward Him, not to establish our own theological superiority. That shift in motivation changes everything about how we engage. Repentance opens the door to growth, even when it cannot fully restore what was lost. The willingness to honestly name our selfishness, receive God's forgiveness, and allow the experience to teach us is how strife becomes wisdom for the next relationship and the next disagreement. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, I know that because of Your Son's sacrifice, I have been freed from the power and punishment of sin — but until I see You face to face, the presence of sin still exists in me. I will often be faced with the temptation to choose my own way over Yours. Lord, I do not want strife, division, and chaos to rule in my heart and life. I long to walk in Your wisdom, becoming others-focused and showing Your mercy and pure peace to my friends. Forgive me when I choose selfishness over selflessness, especially in disagreements. I need Your empowering grace to fight the temptation to always be the one who is right. Your truth matters — but only because You are the One who is right, and I want to point others to You, not to myself. Thank You for mercy that is new every morning. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The Apostle Paul wrote that believers are in a spiritual battle all the time against forces that are wickedly strong. He also maintains that we have the power of God with us in these battles, and this New Testament promise is an echo from the days of Joshua, the fearless Israelite commander in ages past. This mindset is a model for all of us. Dick Winters was a 27-year-old first lieutenant when he jumped into Normandy, France, in 1944 with other paratroopers during the invasion of Europe. Once the Allies began moving inland, Winters' unit was given the objective of taking a key French town from the Germans.As Winters and his men approached, machine gunfire pinned them down along a road leading into the town; they had nowhere to go. All of a sudden, Winters stood straight up and began shouting orders at his men. Stunned at first, they looked up and decided that if he could do it—so could they. The entire force leaped to their feet and charged the German position. That was the last day Nazi forces controlled the current in France. The next day, Winters was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. This is precisely how we can overcome great odds, great challenges. When circumstances threatened to overwhelm us, we can fight back with confidence in Christ. He's the one leading us along dangerous roads. Psalm 27:3 offers encouragement for life's battles, “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” When the army of God is with you, who can stand against you? Let's pray. Father, only you can lead us in the battles of life. You are all we need. We believe that no enemy can stand against you and your army. Your strength holds us up above the danger and sets us on safe ground. Thank you, Lord, for your eternal faithfulness. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Jesus Followers Reach Out to God When Fear and Anxiety Seek to Take Hold of Life Because They Have a Personal Relationship with the Universe's Creator MESSAGE SUMMARY: Your problems are not too big for God because God is faithful and Sovereign. Your financial issues, your debt, your health issues, and your sins are not too big for God. God is faithful, and He is trustworthy. Why not take, to God, all those things in your life that are creating your anxiety? In Psalms 9:9-10, the Psalmist encourages you to put your trust in God: “The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.". Also, Jesus tells us, in Mathew. 6:33-34, that you can put our trust in Him and not be anxious about your problems: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”. Our God is a faithful God – reach out to God when fear and anxiety are taking a firm hold on your life.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I now take a deep breath and stop. So often I miss your hand and gifts in my life because I am preoccupied and anxious. Grant me the power to pause each day and each week to simply rest in your arms of love. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 132). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Insensitivity. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Gentleness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Mathew. 6:25-34; Mathew. 10:19-20; 1 Corinthians 7:32-35; Psalms 48:1-14. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Giving Thanks to the Lord”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

September 25, 2026Hope Alive: Applying God's Word to Your Daily LifeJudges 6:17-24I am Chad Harrison, and I am the teaching pastor of Lake Community Church and had been serving as a pastor for over 25 years. This podcast is designed to help you study God's word verse-by-verse and find God's will for your life. The purpose of studying scripture is that you might know the character of Jesus Christ, and that you might see the world from the Father's perspective. That you gain wisdom that changes your life. I pray in the name of Jesus right now that God would open His word to you and allow you to see Him and to know Him. To know His will, that you might glorify Him and that you might walk in faith and power each day, especially today. In Jesus name.If you would like to revisit today's Bible study, please visit our website at https://hopealive.buzzsprout.com/ to download the transcript. If this podcast ministered to you, please subscribe, and leave us a review. Reviews help us reach more people and spread the wisdom of God. Please follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopealivewithgod/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hopealiveministry/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LakeComChurch/ -Lake Community Church Support the show

Have you ever been in such a dark place that you wondered if God cares about you, or if He even exists? Maybe it's all some cosmic joke, right?We've all been there. Humans doubt. We doubt ourselves, we doubt product labels, we doubt our kids. We question everything.But the worst one is trying to figure out where God is in the middle of life's great difficulties. Sometimes the world is just flat-out mean, and it seems like it's an entity that's trying to break you in half.And that‘s the very moment God's ancient and eternal words come to us.Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”Honestly, it doesn't get better than that! Jesus lives so that you will live forever. And in the interim, He will walk with you and carry you when necessary. He never fails, and what's more, His willingness to never leave us has been proven over and over again, in a billion different ways.If you need Him right now, don't doubt Him. Call out to Him. Your circumstances might seem impossible and impossibly unique. Don't believe it. Believe Him instead.Let's pray.Lord, you promised that you would never leave us. We know that's true, but help us with our faith in our weak moments. God, make us believe. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

How Can a Society or Government Function When the Foundation of the Ten Commandments Is Being Removed? MESSAGE SUMMARY: Today, are we saying that the Ten Commandments are irrelevant for America? Are the Ten Commandments becoming illegal in America? If so, why? As a nation, we no longer teach or practice the Ten Commandments. We have made it illegal to post God's Law to us, the Ten Commandments, on most walls of our courts and government schools. From a spiritual perspective, how can God, the Creator of the Universe, bless a nation which mocks and/or ignores Him? Paul, in Galatians 6:6-7, cautions us, both as individuals and nations, regarding the mocking of God: “Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”. From a practical perspective, how can a society and a government function when their foundation has been removed? Our form of government was founded on the ethical base of the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments were in the thoughts and cultural norms of the people that created our country.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, help me to grab hold of you today. I need you. Set me free to begin reorienting my life around you, and you alone. Help me to pay attention to and honor how you have uniquely made me. Thank you for the gift of rest. In Jesus' name, amen.       Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 122). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Past Failures. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Grace. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Romans 1:10-12; James 5:13-18; Exodus 3:1-15; Psalms 136a:1-13. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Giving Thanks to the Lord” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

When Hurricane Katrina destroyed the church and home where E.J. Scott had pastored for 20 years, he and his wife found themselves living a bit like refugees in Dallas, Texas.After years of being strong for his flock, Pastor Scott needed something to strengthen his own faith. He was devastated.Joshua 22:5 says, “Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.”When we walk with God through a storm, we are told to hold onto Him with everything we have. In this way, we are exercising our faith. We're putting our trust in Him, because honestly, no one else can help us.Pastor Scott says today that he learned to focus on how God would raise him up, rather than the terrible circumstances he was in. His faith was strengthened, and hope sustained him.We all need to exercise our faith, so that we can stand in times of crisis. God is our refuge from the storms.Let's pray.Lord, thank you that you stand for us in times of trouble. While the enemy wants us to focus on terror, your Word teaches us to focus on your provision. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Autumn is the season of watching the old leave so that the new may appear. It arrives with a bittersweet quality — a farewell to the vibrancy of spring and summer, a slow surrender to the approaching grays of winter, and in the middle of it all, an extraordinary display of color that makes us almost forget what is actually happening. The old is not simply fading. It is being blown away in one of the most glorious processes in all of creation. Second Corinthians 5:17 gives language to what autumn enacts every year in the natural world: the old has gone, the new is here. What looks like an ending is actually a preparation. What appears to be loss is actually the condition for new growth. Jesus' death demonstrated this truth most powerfully — that dying can lead to new life, and that the deepest losses can carry the greatest promises. The disciples watching the crucifixion did not yet understand what was coming. The leaves releasing their hold on the branch do not know what spring will bring. And yet the process moves forward, faithful and beautiful, under the care of a God who holds both endings and beginnings in His hands. Autumn is an annual invitation to trust that what feels like fading is not the final word — and to ask God to do the same work in us that He does in His creation, removing what is old and creating something new from the inside out. Today's Bible Verse "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"— 2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV Ponder Today Autumn enacts the gospel every year in the natural world. The dying of leaves and the stripping of trees is not a tragedy — it is preparation. God has woven the promise of new life into the very rhythms of creation. What looks like an ending is often the condition for new growth. The disciples who watched the crucifixion did not yet understand what was coming. We can take comfort in autumn, knowing the bare and dreary season is temporary and leads to something new. Dying to the old is how we become alive to God. Romans 6:11 calls us to count ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Autumn is a vivid annual picture of that same spiritual reality playing out before our eyes. The beauty of the process can distract us from what is actually happening. The spectacular colors of autumn make it easy to forget that what we are watching is the old passing away. God clothes even endings in beauty, reminding us that His purposes are good throughout the process. Ask God to do in you what He does in His creation. Autumn is an invitation to pray for the old things inside us to be removed and for new life to be stirred and created from the inside out — not just observed in the trees outside our windows. A Prayer for You Today Dear Father, as the old passes away in preparation for the new, encourage my heart to be full and overflowing with the hope of new life. Comfort me during the autumn process, opening my eyes to see the beauty and peace that comes in dying to the old and looking forward to the new. Remove old things from inside of me and create something new from the inside out. Calm any mixed emotions I experience when seeing the old pass away, and help me keep in mind how fading beauty leads to something even more beautiful in this life and the life to come. Stir new life and new creation within me as I look forward to the earth's newness to emerge. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome to Day 2954 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2954– “Marching Orders for True Disciples” – Luke 12:13-34 Putnam Church Message – 09/13/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “The Testimony of a Fool”   Last week, our message was “Marching Orders For True Disciples,” and we learned to Live truthfully.  Fear God reverently.  Confess Christ boldly.  Trust the Spirit completely. Today, we continue with our thirty-eighth message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “The Testimony of a Fool.” Our core passage today is Luke 12:13-34, starting on page 1617 of your pew Bibles. The Parable of the Rich Fool 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” 16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I'll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”' 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Do Not Worry 22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[a]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Opening Prayer Father, thank You for every good gift You have placed in our hands. Forgive us when we confuse Your gifts with our security, when we measure life by what we own, or when worry convinces us that everything depends on us. Lord Jesus, teach us today to live with eternity in view. Free us from greed, fear, worry, and selfishness. Teach us to seek Your Kingdom first, to hold possessions loosely, and to treasure what cannot be taken away. Holy Spirit, open our hearts to Your Word and give us wisdom to live as faithful stewards of everything You have entrusted to us. In Jesus' name, amen. Introduction: What Matters at the End? Several years ago, Senator Paul Tsongas faced a life-changing diagnosis. / After years in public office, he learned that he had cancer. He chose to leave political life and focus on his health and family. A friend wrote him a letter affirming that decision and included a line that has been repeated many times since: “No man ever said on his deathbed, ‘I wish I had spent more time at the office.'” There is something about coming face-to-face with mortality that rearranges priorities. Suddenly, some things that seemed urgent are not quite so urgent. The meeting can wait. The possession is less impressive. The argument seems smaller. The people we love become more precious. Time becomes more valuable. Eternity becomes more real. Jesus wanted His disciples to learn that perspective before they reached their deathbeds. / He wanted them to understand that life is too important to waste chasing things that cannot last. Last week, in “Marching Orders for True Disciples,” Jesus told His followers not to fear people, not to live hypocritically, |but to confess Him openly, and to trust the Holy Spirit. Today He turns to another set of enemies that can quietly derail discipleship: Greed. / Worry. / Fear. / Selfishness. And all four revolve around one question: Where is your treasure? The title of our message is: “Testimony of a Fool.” And the central truth is this: A person can be rich in possessions and bankrupt toward God—or rich toward God regardless of how much or how little they own.  So, let's explore four truths today that will help us understand why being rich toward God is so important; you can find them on your bulletin insert on the side, under “The Testimony of a Fool.” Truth 1: Life Does Not Consist in What We Possess Luke 12:13–15 The scene begins with a man in the crowd saying: “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me.” On the surface, that sounds reasonable. / In first-century Jewish society, inheritance law was clearly defined. Deuteronomy 21 said the firstborn son received a double portion, while the remainder was divided among the other sons. Just like lawyers today, Rabbis were often asked to arbitrate disputes. / So this man apparently sees Jesus as a respected teacher who can settle the matter. But Jesus hears something deeper. / He refuses to become merely an estate lawyer and says: “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then Jesus turns to the crowd and says: “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” / That is the real issue. Greed Is Hard to Recognize in Ourselves Most sins are easier to identify. We know what lying looks like. We know what stealing looks like. We know what adultery looks like. But greed is sneaky. Nobody wakes up and says: “I think I'll be greedy today.” Greed usually sounds more respectable. “I just want a little security.” “I deserve what is mine.” “If I had a little more, I could relax.” “I'm not asking for too much.” And, conveniently, we usually define greed as having more than what we have. / If someone has twice our income, maybe they are greedy. / If someone owns more property, maybe they are greedy. But Jesus does not define greed by a dollar amount. / He defines it by priority. / A person can have little and still be consumed by possessions.

Nobody explains that the days before a funeral are full. Phone calls, decisions, forms, food, people in the kitchen, a program to approve, flowers to choose. Grief has a to-do list, and you work it because the working is what holds you upright. And then it is over. The casseroles go into the freezer, the cards pile up on the counter, everyone returns to their own lives — and for the first time, there is nothing left to do. And you realize that life has changed and will not change back. Not even for a season. Second Chronicles 20 tells the story of Jehoshaphat facing three armies. He is afraid, he says so out loud, and then he prays one of the most honest prayers in Scripture: we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You. The word that comes back is one everyone knows: the battle is not yours, but God's. But keep reading. Two verses later, God tells them what to do next — take up your positions, stand firm, and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. They already knew the outcome was settled. God had said so. But they still had to get dressed, get in line, and walk out into the desert to stand there. The battle was God's, but the showing up was theirs. That is what this episode carries for the person who wants to give up today. God is not asking you to win. He is not asking you to fix what happened. He is asking you to take your position — even if that position is just the laundry. Even if it is just Monday, then Tuesday, then Wednesday. The standing means something. The showing up is worth something. You can grow stronger in His strength, one small act of obedience at a time. If you're still praying and starting to wonder if it's working, I wrote Praying Through Life's Battles: 90 Days to Strengthen Your Faith for you. You can preorder it now at battleprayers.com. Until next time, remember, God sees you, hears you, and He knows your needs. Bible Verse "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."— 2 Chronicles 20:15, NIV Ponder Today The battle is God's — but the showing up is yours. Judah was told the outcome was already settled, and then they were told to get up, get in line, and walk out into the desert anyway. Taking your position matters, even when the result is not in your hands. God is not asking you to fix it. Some things cannot be fixed, and no amount of effort will change them. God does not measure your faithfulness by whether things are getting better. He asks you to stand, not to win. The smallest act of obedience is still obedience. Laundry that does not care what you have been through, groceries that still need to be bought, floors that still need to be cleaned — these small, meaningless-feeling acts of staying upright are the position God is asking you to hold today. Things may not get easier, but you can grow stronger. Life remained hard for a long time after the hardest loss. But there is a difference between circumstances improving and the person inside them growing. His strength builds in the daily showing up. As long as you are breathing, your life has meaning. Getting up is not a triumph. It is Monday, then Tuesday, then Wednesday. But there are people who need you to be there when they come home. That is enough reason to stay on your feet. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, I want to stop. You know that. I have been holding this together, and I am not sure why anymore. Today, the thought of doing one more day of it feels like more than I have. I confess I have been trying to fix something You never asked me to fix and measuring my faithfulness by whether things are getting better. But You told Judah the battle was not theirs, and then You told them to get up and take their positions anyway. So help me take my position today. Set my feet on the floor, on the next thing, and on the people who need me, even when I have nothing left to give. You have not asked me to win. You have asked me to stand. Give me what I need to do that, and let it be enough. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.