Podcasts about in john

Thomas believed when he saw the risen Christ—but Jesus pronounced a blessing upon those who would believe without seeing. In John 20–21, we discover that biblical faith is not wishful thinking, blind optimism, or confidence in ourselves. It is resting the full weight of our convictions upon what God has said. And when that faith moves from belief to obedience, it produces fruitfulness that human effort alone never could. In this message, we consider what faith is, where it begins, and how it manifests in the life of a disciple. If skepticism has made your faith cautious, your obedience hesitant, or your expectations small, John's Gospel gives us a compelling invitation: believe the Word of Christ, cast the net, and discover the abundance of true faith.

ABOUT THIS MESSAGE: Everybody's got a hungry heart. In John 6, Jesus feeds thousands, walks on water, and then makes the most audacious claim imaginable when he claims that He alone can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart. This week: eating the bread of life vs. the spiritual junk food that never satisfies. ABOUT THE HEIGHTS CHURCH: We are a church making disciples of Jesus for the renewal of Denver. Have a question or want more information about The Heights Church? Learn more by visiting: theheightsdenver.com FIND US ONLINE: Website: theheightsdenver.com YouTube: @theheightschurchdenver Instagram: @theheightsden

I AM: Seven Signs of the Savior "I Am the Door" (John 10:1-10) In John 10, Jesus makes a claim that both comforts and confronts: "I am the door of the sheep." Pastor Peter Finch teaches through the sheepfold imagery of the ancient Near East to show what Jesus meant, and why the religious leaders who first heard it were so unsettled. Jesus is the one door, and everyone who enters by Him is saved, kept secure, and satisfied, while false shepherds only come to take from the sheep. You walk away with a clear picture of who Jesus is as the door, and three honest questions to sit with: have you come through the door, are you trusting Him to lead you, and do you find your satisfaction in Him? August 26, 2026 Pastor Peter Finch • Administrative Pastor Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026 Visit Our Website at McGregorPodcast.com New to McGregor? Plan a visit at mcgregor.net/plan-a-visit

In John 6v30-69 Jesus gives a teaching that even his disciples call scandalous.   His very literal statements about eating his flesh and drinking his blood and identifying himself as a God who gives his life away, offend the human mind and our desire to be great.   Jesus' words here show us that the only way to truly live is to die to yourself, and let go of everything that could benefit you in this life. The beauty of it all is that as we partake in the Eucharist meal, our scattered selves come to rest in Him. 

It's Thursday, August 27th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus Haitian gang members killed 50 people in church Gang members attacked a church in Haiti on Sunday, killing nearly 50 people. Displaced people were sheltering in the building of Church of the Ark of the New Covenant. The evangelical church is located near Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. Up to 90 percent of the area is controlled by gangs. The gang members killed 47 people and injured another 22 people.  Please pray for Christians in Haiti who face much of the widespread gang violence in the country.  In John 10:10, Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Germany first country to display Muslim prayer times on official signs Evangelical Focus reports a German town became the first in the country to display Muslim prayer times on its official signs. The municipality of Penzberg previously listed Sunday service times for the Catholic and Lutheran parishes in town. Signage now includes prayer times for the local mosque established in 1990. Muslims with a migrant background make up about eight percent of Germany's population, up from five percent in 2016. New U.S. economic sanctions against Iran The Trump administration announced aggressive economic sanctions against Iran on Monday.  Operation Economic Outcast aims to cut Iran's financial connections with the rest of the world. The sanctions will also affect any country doing business with the regime.  Listen to comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. BESSENT: “We want to make clear here today that no one is above the reach of U.S. sanctions. That if they facilitate transactions and are part of the ecosystem that turns Iranian oil into money, into repression, they will be targeted.” Facebook/Instagram pay $18 billion over addictive algorithms for kids Meta Platforms agreed to pay up to $18 billion over the next decade in a settlement announced yesterday. Nearly every U.S. state accused the social media company of designing its platforms to be addictive to children. The tech giant is being held accountable for the role its platforms played in undermining children's mental health. These platforms include Facebook and Instagram.  California will get the largest sum of $1.5 billion, but several other states will still collect hundreds of millions of dollars each over the decade. The money will be used to pay for legal fees, mental health care for children, after-school programs, and education about the risks of social media use. According to the Associated Press, Meta will eliminate push notifications during weekday school hours and bring in “robust” age-assurance measures and “age-appropriate” content controls to prevent bullying and harmful material about eating disorders and self-harm. The case also argued that Meta violated federal laws by routinely collecting data on children under 13 without their parents' consent. As part of the settlement, Meta agreed to limit teenagers' use of Instagram and Facebook to a couple of hours a day. 1,235 assisted suicide deaths in California last year The state of California reported 1,235 assisted suicide deaths last year. The death toll is up nearly 150 percent over the past five years.  The California End of Life Option Act allows adults, expected to live six months or less, to obtain life-ending drugs. The state has authorized the deaths of at least 6,758 people since the law went into effect in 2016. 3 California homeschoolers sue over prohibition from participation Three homeschool families petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court last week after California excluded them from a state program. Some of California's tuition-free charter schools allow homeschool academy programs. However, families cannot use state funds from these charter schools for religious curriculum.  In one case, the state rejected a grammar exercise simply because it used the sentence: “God sends the rain to help plants grow.”  Acts 14:17 says God “did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from Heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” Protestant churches are multigenerational Most Protestant churches report being multigenerational.  A survey from Lifeway Research found 91 percent of churchgoers agree their church has a good number of active members from all generations. Seventy-eight percent of pastors also agree.  Being multigenerational was more frequently reported by pastors of larger churches, younger pastors, and evangelical pastors.  Dolly Parton, who died at 80, championed a false gospel And finally, PARTON:  “Workin' 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin' Barely gettin' by, it's all takin' and no givin'” Dolly Parton, the country singer, actress, and businesswoman, died peacefully at her home in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday. She was 80 years old. Known as the Queen of Country, the singer-songwriter is among one of the best-selling music artists of all time.  She wrote and sang this song in 1974 which Whitney Houston would later famously cover.  PARTON: “And I will always love you I will always love you.” Parton grew up in a Pentecostal church and described herself as a person of faith.  PARTON: “My grandpa was a preacher. So, my grandpa pastored this little church called the House of Prayer. He was a very positive, uplifting person. And I learned to love Jesus, and learned that Jesus loved me when I was a little bitty kid. “And all those things that Mama used to say, you know, that through God all things are possible. I kept all those things kind of tucked away into my subconscious mind and in my heart. And those are the things that have helped me through the years. I never do anything that I don't pray about it, and I always ask God to lead me and to show me and direct me into what I'm doing.” She was married to her husband Carl Thomas Dean for nearly 60 years until his death in 2025. As a philanthropist, Parton supported children's literacy and medical research. Sadly, she was also known as an advocate for unbiblical causes like homosexual behavior and faux homosexual marriage.  Appearing with Larry King, she defended homosexuality. KING: “Didn't you recently, though, throw support to the [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender] community?” PARTON: “Oh, I've always encouraged, not encouraged. They've made me the poster child I think only because I'm so outspoken as far as just being accepting of people in general.  “I do not believe that we should criticize and judge other people. I think we should be accepting and loving. We are all God's children. We are who we are, and we should allow, be allowed to be who we are.” Kate Newman, a Christian YouTuber, objected to Parton's bad theology, referencing John 1:12. NEWMAN: “We are not all children of God, contrary to popular belief. We receive the Spirit of adoption from God when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and we are led by His Holy Spirit. But until then, we're actually all children of the devil.” Larry King asked Dolly Parton this follow-up question. KING: “Did any of the faith-based communities that deeply believe the other way take umbrage with you?” PARTON: “Oh, absolutely. KING: “They did?” PARTON: “Oh, yes. I get it all the time. I keep saying, ‘Well, if you're the fine Christian that you think you are, why are you judging people? That's God's job. We're not God. We're not judges.' You know, we're supposed to love one another. We're supposed to not judge.  “If you're gay, you're gay. If you're straight, you're straight. And you should be allowed to be, you know, how how you are and who you are.” In 2024, Ericka Andersen wrote a column for The Federalist entitled “There's nothing loving about Dolly Parton's false gospel.” She argued that, “Parton's version of love, which includes condoning immoral sexual behavior  is unaligned with God's vision for humanity. Like so many secularized spiritual leaders, Parton equates love with agreement, but the two are not reciprocal. Love doesn't mean we must accept sinfulness as good to avoid hurting someone's feelings. “To be sure, the culture is on a constant witch hunt for those who would call homosexuality sinful. I understand wanting to avoid the avalanche of criticism, but calling sin out by name isn't judgment. It's adhering to Scripture. “She's right that all should be treated with love and kindness, but when we refuse to label sin a sin, we're doing more harm than good.  The gospel of Dolly Parton is popular with the masses, but don't bank your eternity on it.” Leviticus 18:22 says, “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, August 27th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Every serious follower of Jesus Christ has to be tested with a season that holds no answers. Discipleship that cannot be tested should not be trusted. God develops our trust-muscle in some seasons by not giving easy answers to questions that we feel are crucial for us. We often find ourselves asking, “Why…how…when?” When Heaven's response is silence, it can produce in us feelings of alarm, dread, or frustration. In John chapter 9, we meet a man whose life has been dramatically changed. The miracle he experienced causes quite the stir among others which produces no fewer than 17 different questions. The answers do not come, and the man himself is left for a moment in heaviness. When Jesus comes to him personally, we see an example of what it looks like to believe without answers.

In John 10:10, Jesus says, “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” But what exactly does abundant life mean—especially for families whose lives include disability, dependence, limitation, or suffering?In this episode, Larah looks at John 10 in its larger biblical context and challenges the assumption that abundance means health, independence, success, comfort, or a life untouched by hardship. With help from Puritan theologian William Gurnall's reflections on redemption, she explores how God's plan in Christ is not merely to repair what sin ruined, but to bring His people into a redemption that sin can never ultimately destroy.You'll hear why the presence of suffering does not mean the absence of abundant life, why disability does not put someone at a theological disadvantage, and why the greatest thing we can pursue for our autistic children is not normalization or independence—but life in Christ.In this episode: What John 10:10 actually means in context Why John 9 helps us understand Jesus as the Good Shepherd The difference between good gifts and gospel promises Why abundant life cannot be defined by ability, health, or independence Why suffering and abundant life can exist at the same time What this means for discipling autistic children Why our ultimate assignment is still the Great CommissionKey Scriptures: John 9–10, John 1:4, John 6:35, John 11:25, John 14:6, Romans 5, Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 15, Ephesians 1, Revelation 21Main takeaway: The abundant life Jesus promises is not a life untouched by the effects of the fall. It is life with God, secured by Christ, that the effects of the fall cannot ultimately take away.The gospel message doesn't change, but the method in which it's delivered might have to for learning's sake. Our assignment is not normalization. Our assignment is to make disciples.Willian Gurnalls, Daily Readings from The Christian in Complete Armour:https://www.moodypublishers.com/daily-readings-from-the-christian-in-complete-armour?srsltid=AfmBOooNZ4x7-xXmX67OZs_XDTjNngyY37dCaC6ku4DWk_rgLc-R_5s5

The experts voice is rarely God's voice. In John 10, Jesus tells us about the stranger's voice and God's voice. The strangers voice can sound very reasonable and logical, even "smarter" than what God is speaking. But remember God uses the foolish things to confound the wise. Many times there can be a level of foolish to what God is asking you to do but when you obey the results are better than that of the experts. Reasoning and fear demand to be heard but God's voice is waiting for us to listen. 

Read OnlineYou Are the Son of God!Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” John 1:45–46The name “Bartholomew” is listed in the Synoptic Gospels as one of Jesus' chosen Twelve Apostles. His name means, “son of Tolmai.”In John's Gospel, he is traditionally identified as Nathanael. It's possible that his full name was Nathanael, son of Tolmai. In John's Gospel, Andrew and John—two fishermen from Capernaum—were the first to be called by Jesus. Andrew then told his friend Philip, who subsequently told Nathanael, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”Nathanael's immediate response was one of doubt: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” This reflected the fact that Nazareth was a small and seemingly insignificant town at that time; moreover, the Messiah was expected to come from Bethlehem, the City of David. Neither Philip nor Nathanael knew Jesus had actually been born in Bethlehem. Yet Philip's response opened the door to a dramatic transformation in Nathanael's life: “Come and see.”Because Nathanael was open, he did go to see Jesus. When Jesus saw him approaching, He said, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Jesus had seen Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier, and upon revealing this, Nathanael responded in a way that must have surprised even himself: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”According to ancient tradition, after Pentecost, Nathanael evangelized in regions that included India, Armenia, and Mesopotamia, ultimately giving his life as a martyr, possibly by being flayed alive. What a change from his initial skepticism to his final act of witness! Little did Nathanael realize that the humble carpenter from Nazareth would change not only his life, but the entire world.As we honor Saint Bartholomew today, ponder the one quality Jesus attributed to him: “There is no duplicity in him.” To be without duplicity is to be sincere, honest, and transparent before God and others. It is to possess an integrity of heart that seeks the truth and responds wholeheartedly when that truth is revealed. Bartholomew's journey from skepticism to a bold profession of faith reveals the transformation that takes place in a soul open to grace. His life teaches us that God can use even our hesitation to draw us deeper into faith if we are only willing to “come and see.”In what ways do you hesitate in your response to God? Today, we do not meet Jesus for the first time, as did Bartholomew. We know Him through prayer, through the witness of the saints, and especially through the Sacred Scriptures. There are many profound and life-altering truths contained in God's Word. We are called to approach these truths as disciples ready to be transformed. Like Nathanael, we may initially struggle with doubt, indifference, or preconceived notions, but the invitation stands: “Come and see.” Jesus continues to reveal Himself to us in countless ways, if we are only open. If we approach Him with sincerity and without duplicity, He will speak to our hearts, reveal our true selves to us, and call us into deeper communion with Him.Reflect today on the witness of Saint Bartholomew's life. See in him any hesitation you may have about wholeheartedly following Christ. With him, come and see our Lord. Seek Him in prayer and in His Word. Let Him speak to your heart. Approach Him without duplicity. Be open, attentive, sincere, and honest. And when He speaks, do not hesitate to follow Him, declaring with Saint Bartholomew: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”My humble Lord, You did not present Yourself to Nathanael as a powerful king or a mighty military leader, but as a humble resident of Nazareth. Yet upon meeting You with an open heart, Nathanael made a life-changing profession of faith in You. Like Saint Bartholomew, may I always come to You with an open and sincere heart. And when You come to me, grant me the grace to cry out with conviction and love, “You are the Son of God!” Jesus, I trust in You.Image: St. Bartolomew the apostle in the church, by Nicola ColonnaSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Pastor Russell Johnson opened the Like Never Before series with the movie cameo, the famous face that flashes on screen and disappears. He said that is how Gentiles looked in Israel's story: Rahab, Ruth, Naaman, Nineveh, rare. Then Jesus arrives and the cameos become regular cast. In John 4:4, the word behind "had to pass through Samaria" is not geography. John uses it for divine necessity, the same compulsion behind the Son of Man being lifted up. Samaria was not a detour. It was the destination. Devout Jews would add days to their journey to avoid that ground, carrying centuries of contempt back to the Assyrian resettlement of 722 BC and the rival temple on Mount Gerizim. Jesus went straight through, sat down tired at Jacob's well at noon, and asked a Samaritan woman with five husbands behind her for a drink. Samaritan, woman, sinner: three walls, walked through on purpose. Pastor Russell showed this was always God's heart, from Genesis 12:3 to Isaiah 49:6, but in the Old Testament grace flowed through the nation. Now God sits on the well Himself. He closed with the first two pastors of Faith Bible Church, Bill Elkins and Dave Anderson, and fifty years of grace now handed forward.

Life is always moving somewhere, toward God or away from Him. We want to move in a spiritual direction, but it's impossible by our own effort or striving. In John 15, Jesus teaches that real growth is the fruit of remaining in Him, through surrender, through His pruning, and through an attentive trusting in him. Key Verses: John 15:1-5

In John 20, the disciples have heard the news of the resurrection, yet they are still hiding behind closed doors—afraid, uncertain, and unsure of what comes next. Jesus meets them there with a message of peace, a renewed sense of purpose, and a call to believe. But Thomas reminds us how easily skepticism can keep us from participating in what God is doing. This message challenges us to consider whether fear, disappointment, and unanswered questions have quietly become excuses for disengagement—and calls us to find our peace in the risen Christ, embrace His purpose, and be not faithless, but believing.

Our worship this morning was focused on Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In John 10:1-21, he contrasts himself with thieves and hired hands, calls his own sheep by name, and lays down his life for them of his own accord. We come to hear his voice and to follow him.

“So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it.” (Psalm 106:15 NLT) The psalmist’s words in Psalm 106:15 remind us that prayer isn’t something to be taken lightly. Referring to God’s response to the complaints and cravings of the Israelites, who were freed from slavery in Egypt but then proved unfaithful in their trek to the Promised Land, the psalmist writes, “So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it” (Psalm 106:15 NLT). Having a direct line of communication with the Creator of the universe is not a privilege to be taken for granted. God’s Word has much to say about prayer, and it all begins with the right attitude. I sometimes hear people say, “I’ve been wrestling with God in prayer.” My first thought always is “I hope you lost.” If you’re trying to bend God your way with your prayers, you might as well save your breath. That’s not how prayer works. Prayer gives us the opportunity to bend God’s way. That’s a lesson that’s probably been driven home to you time and time again if you keep a prayer journal. If you look back on some of your prayer requests, perhaps when you were a new Christian, you probably see some efforts to get God to come around to your way of thinking. To get Him to substitute your will for His will. And chances are, you cringe when you see them and rejoice that God had a better plan. I’m certainly glad that God didn’t say yes to every prayer I ever prayed. When I look back on some things I’ve prayed for, I realize that if the Lord would have allowed them, they could have destroyed me. They were not the right things or the right situations. So, God graciously and lovingly said no. Maturing as a believer includes learning how to pray—and especially, what to pray for. In John 15:7, Jesus gives an incredible promise regarding answered prayer. He says, “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (NLT). From the original language, this verse could be understood as, “If you maintain a living communion with Me, and My Word is at home with you, I command you to ask at once for yourself whatever your heart desires, and it will be yours.” When I read a promise like that, I gravitate immediately toward the part that says I can ask whatever my heart desires and it will be mine. But before that, Jesus said, “If you maintain a living communion with Me, and My word is at home with you. . . .” If this is happening in your life, then you’re going to want what God wants. If you’re maintaining a living communion with God and His words are at home in your heart, then your outlook, desires—and in time, your prayers—will change. And when you unleash the full power of prayer in your life, it will never be the same. Reflection question: What would a living communion with God look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Text of Readings Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 421 The Saint of the day is Saint John Eudes Saint John Eudes' Story How little we know where God's grace will lead. Born on a farm in northern France, John died at 78 in the next “county” or department. In that time, he was a religious, a parish missionary, founder of two religious communities, and a great promoter of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. John joined the religious community of the Oratorians and was ordained a priest at 24. During severe plagues in 1627 and 1631, he volunteered to care for the stricken in his own diocese. Lest he infect his fellow religious, during the plague he lived in a huge cask in the middle of a field. At age 32, John became a parish missionary. His gifts as a preacher and confessor won him great popularity. He preached over 100 parish missions, some lasting from several weeks to several months. In his concern with the spiritual improvement of the clergy, John realized that the greatest need was for seminaries. He had permission from his general superior, the bishop, and even Cardinal Richelieu to begin this work, but the succeeding general superior disapproved. After prayer and counsel, John decided it was best to leave the religious community. That same year John founded a new community, ultimately called the Eudists—the Congregation of Jesus and Mary–devoted to the formation of the clergy by conducting diocesan seminaries. The new venture, while approved by individual bishops, met with immediate opposition, especially from Jansenists and some of his former associates. John founded several seminaries in Normandy, but was unable to get approval from Rome—partly, it was said, because he did not use the most tactful approach. In his parish mission work, John was disturbed by the sad condition of prostitutes who sought to escape their miserable life. Temporary shelters were found, but arrangements were not satisfactory. A certain Madeleine Lamy, who had cared for several of the women, one day said to him, “Where are you off to now? To some church, I suppose, where you'll gaze at the images and think yourself pious. And all the time what is really wanted of you is a decent house for these poor creatures.” The words, and the laughter of those present, struck deeply within him. The result was another new religious community, called the Sisters of Charity of the Refuge. John Eudes is probably best known for the central theme of his writings: Jesus as the source of holiness; Mary as the model of the Christian life. His devotion to the Sacred Heart and to the Immaculate Heart led Pope Pius XI to declare him the father of the liturgical cult of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Reflection Holiness is the wholehearted openness to the love of God. It is visibly expressed in many ways, but the variety of expression has one common quality: concern for the needs of others. In John's case, those who were in need were plague-stricken people, ordinary parishioners, those preparing for the priesthood, prostitutes, and all Christians called to imitate the love of Jesus and his mother.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

JOHN 4: 1-42 SETH BAZACAS WELLSPRING CHURCH NYC 8.16.2026   What if we've misunderstood the woman at the well? In John 4, Jesus crosses every expected boundary to share a simple cup of water with a Samaritan woman whose story is far more complicated than we often assume. Rather than reducing her to her past, Jesus gets close, sees her fully, and offers her living water: a new life that begins to overflow from within. The Table of Encounter explores what can happen when we trade assumption for curiosity, distance for proximity, and secondhand stories for personal encounter. Because Jesus doesn't just want us to hear about him through someone else. He invites us to come close enough to know him for ourselves.   ➡️ Download Church Center to stay up to date on all things happening at Wellspring!  

Why Are You Weeping?In John 20:1-18, Mary Magdalene stands outside the empty tomb weeping. Jesus has risen, but Mary does not recognize Him. The world has already changed before her heart can understand what has happened.Then Jesus speaks one word:“Mary.”The resurrection is God's act for the world. Jesus speaking Mary's name is God's act for Mary.In this message, Artie Farve explores grief, resurrection, recognizing Christ's presence, and the hope that Jesus may already be near even when we cannot see what He is doing.Mary begins by saying, “They have taken my Lord.”She leaves saying, “I have seen the Lord!”Scripture: John 20:1-18 Message: Why Are You Weeping? Speaker: Artie Farveardmoreccc.com#ChristCommunityChurch #ArdmoreOK #ArdmoreOklahoma #John20 #WhyAreYouWeeping #Resurrection #Jesus #MaryMagdalene #ChristianSermon #Faith #Hope

Leave behind the lights of the city, and you can see the night sky like never before. As your eyes adjust, pupils opening wide, even the faintest light of the most distant stars begins to sparkle. The dark helps you see the light. But not always. In John 3, Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night, and the darkness in him is so great, it's impossible for him to see the light. He doesn't just need new or better eyes though, he needs to be transformed completely. He must be born again. A new life that comes only through death. John 3:1-15 shows us how Jesus, the light of life, drives out the darkness, that we might have new life in him.

Many people view prayer primarily as a way to ask God for what they want. In John 14, Jesus reveals that prayer is how His followers receive everything they need to continue His mission. Discover how Jesus prepares ordinary people to carry on His work through prayer, faith, obedience, and the Holy Spirit.

Our worship this Sunday focuses on Jesus as the giver of true sight. In John 9 Jesus heals a blind man who becomes a sign to those who do not believe and reveals that they are the ones who are truly blind.

Our friend had a medical procedure to repair what the doctor called "a hole in her heart." Then he told her that everyone is born with a hole in their heart. That got my attention. Really? I called a longtime friend of mine who is a highly experienced and respected heart surgeon. He told me that before we are born, there's a hole that is this passageway for blood to enter our pre-natal heart. In most people, and I'm glad I'm most people, the hole heals up within a few days after birth. But for a few, it doesn't go away, and it really needs to be repaired. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Hole in Your Heart." So everyone is born with a hole in their heart. Not just physically, but spiritually. But unlike that physical hole in your heart, the spiritual one doesn't go away unless you let the greatest physician of all fill that hole. That spiritual hole in our heart keeps letting us know that it's there through the loneliness that no relationship seems to remove. The emptiness that never goes away for very long, no matter what we do to fill up our life. The "what's it all for?" questions about life that make everything seem so ultimately meaningless. It's like there's this voice inside us that seems to be saying, "Something's missing." We keep thinking the next relationship will be what we're missing, or the next thrill, or the next accomplishment, the next spiritual experience, the next "toy," the next milestone. But every time we get to the top of the hill we think has what we've been looking for, we find there's another hill to climb. After a while, we assume that this hollowness inside, this hole in our heart is just how it is. The Bible describes King Solomon as the richest and wisest man of his time. And he had the resources to do it all. Here's his conclusion: "I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind." But just accepting that hole in your heart is ultimately deadly. It needs to be treated. It needs to be healed by the only One big enough to fill that hole in your heart; the God who made you to belong to Him. The brilliant physicist Blaise Pascal concluded that "inside every man is a God-shaped vacuum." The hole in your heart is there to tell you that you really need God and that He isn't there because of something that makes it impossible for God to live there - all the sinning you and I have done; all the wrong things. Until that's forgiven and removed, the God you were made for has to remain outside. In John 4:13-14, our word for today from the Word of God, Jesus is at a well, talking with a woman who has tried to fill the hole in her heart with one relationship after another. Jesus says to her, and to you, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst ... the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." Wow, those words, "Thirsty again" - that's the hole in our heart. "Never thirst" - well, that's the hole in our heart finally filled as Jesus erases every sin of your life with His amazing forgiveness. He can do that because He did all the dying for all the sinning you've ever done. It's paid for. Which means your heart can be clean today and the God of the universe can finally move in; your lifetime search over. But you have to reach out to Jesus. You've got to tell Him that you're done driving your life, and that you're trusting completely in His death for your sin. Would you tell Him today, "Jesus, you made me. You've got me. You paid for me with your life on the cross. I'm yours." He's alive. He walked out of his grave. He can walk into your life right now. You know, there's great information about how to be sure you belong to Him at our website. I want you to see it, check it out today. It's ANewStory.com. Haven't you lived long enough without the One you were made for. You don't have to live without Him one more day.

What if your relationship with God was never meant to feel distant?In John 15:12-17, Jesus says something extraordinary: “I no longer call you servants... Instead, I have called you friends.”In this episode of Friends with God, Joe explores the passage that inspired the name of the entire podcast and what it might mean to actually live every day as a friend of Jesus.Friendship isn't built through striving or checking religious boxes. It's built through presence, conversation, trust, love, and simply spending time together. Joe explores how prayer can become an ongoing conversation, how abiding means staying connected, and why Jesus' command to love one another may be far simpler and more powerful than we sometimes make it.What if Jesus isn't waiting somewhere far away for you to find Him? What if He's already sitting across the kitchen table?Grab your coffee. Open up John 15. And let's talk about what it means to be Friends with God.

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 10–12; John 14 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible-in-a-year podcast with 20-minute Scripture readings, Christ-centered devotion, and guided prayer. This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! On this 12th day of August, we journey through Jeremiah 10–12 and John 14 with Hunter, your Bible reading coach. In Jeremiah, we encounter the folly of idols, the faithfulness of the living God, and the prophet's struggle to understand what God is doing in the midst of injustice and suffering. Then, in John 14, Jesus draws his disciples into some of the deepest mysteries of our faith, revealing his union with the Father and promising the coming presence of the Holy Spirit. Yet amid these profound mysteries, Jesus gives his disciples something remarkably simple: follow me. There is so much about God, life, and faith that we may not fully understand, but we are not required to have everything figured out before we walk with Christ. We are invited to trust his presence, receive his peace, and go where he leads. Today's devotion reminds us that faith is not ultimately about mastering every mystery, but about learning to hear the voice of Jesus and respond when he says, "Come, let's be going." TODAY'S DEVOTION: There are some things about God that are simply beyond us. In John 14, Jesus is speaking to his disciples about some of the deepest mysteries imaginable. He tells them that he is in the Father and the Father is in him. He tells them that the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, will come and live within them. He tells them that somehow, through the Spirit, they will participate in this life and love that exists between the Father and the Son. That's a lot to take in. And you can almost feel Thomas and Philip trying to keep up. They want more explanation. They want Jesus to slow things down and make everything clearer. Thomas says, essentially, "We don't even know where you're going." Philip says, "Just show us the Father and we'll be satisfied." I understand that impulse. I think most of us do. There are so many things about faith that we want explained. There are mysteries we want solved and questions we want answered. We want greater clarity about God, about ourselves, about suffering, about the future, about what God is doing in our lives. But Jesus doesn't give his disciples a theological diagram that explains everything. Instead, he gives them himself. He tells them not to let their hearts be troubled. He promises them his peace. He promises the Spirit. He reminds them that they are not being abandoned. And then, at the end of the chapter, he says something remarkably ordinary and practical: "Come, let's be going." Come. Follow me. There is something beautiful about that. The mysteries are still mysteries. The disciples still don't understand everything. But Jesus is with them, and for now that is enough. They can follow him. And maybe that is enough for us today too. You don't have to understand everything before you follow Jesus. You don't have to solve every theological question or make sense of every circumstance in your life. There are things we may understand later that we simply cannot understand now. But we can hear his voice. We can receive his peace. We can trust the Spirit who lives within us. And we can follow. Jesus says that he is the way, the truth, and the life. The way is not simply information about God. The way is a person. And as we follow him, we begin to experience the life he has promised us. We discover his peace, his strength, his joy, and his presence along the way. So maybe today, instead of demanding an answer to every mystery, we can simply listen for the invitation of Jesus: Come, let's be going. Follow me. That's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's a prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen. Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. And now Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, Joy. Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life. Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation. Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL You are loved!

Episode Description Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 10–12; John 14 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible-in-a-year podcast with 20-minute Scripture readings, Christ-centered devotion, and guided prayer. This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! On this 12th day of August, we journey through Jeremiah 10–12 and John 14 with Hunter, your Bible reading coach. In Jeremiah, we encounter the folly of idols, the faithfulness of the living God, and the prophet's struggle to understand what God is doing in the midst of injustice and suffering. Then, in John 14, Jesus draws his disciples into some of the deepest mysteries of our faith, revealing his union with the Father and promising the coming presence of the Holy Spirit. Yet amid these profound mysteries, Jesus gives his disciples something remarkably simple: follow me. There is so much about God, life, and faith that we may not fully understand, but we are not required to have everything figured out before we walk with Christ. We are invited to trust his presence, receive his peace, and go where he leads. Today's devotion reminds us that faith is not ultimately about mastering every mystery, but about learning to hear the voice of Jesus and respond when he says, "Come, let's be going." TODAY'S DEVOTION: There are some things about God that are simply beyond us. In John 14, Jesus is speaking to his disciples about some of the deepest mysteries imaginable. He tells them that he is in the Father and the Father is in him. He tells them that the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, will come and live within them. He tells them that somehow, through the Spirit, they will participate in this life and love that exists between the Father and the Son. That's a lot to take in. And you can almost feel Thomas and Philip trying to keep up. They want more explanation. They want Jesus to slow things down and make everything clearer. Thomas says, essentially, "We don't even know where you're going." Philip says, "Just show us the Father and we'll be satisfied." I understand that impulse. I think most of us do. There are so many things about faith that we want explained. There are mysteries we want solved and questions we want answered. We want greater clarity about God, about ourselves, about suffering, about the future, about what God is doing in our lives. But Jesus doesn't give his disciples a theological diagram that explains everything. Instead, he gives them himself. He tells them not to let their hearts be troubled. He promises them his peace. He promises the Spirit. He reminds them that they are not being abandoned. And then, at the end of the chapter, he says something remarkably ordinary and practical: "Come, let's be going." Come. Follow me. There is something beautiful about that. The mysteries are still mysteries. The disciples still don't understand everything. But Jesus is with them, and for now that is enough. They can follow him. And maybe that is enough for us today too. You don't have to understand everything before you follow Jesus. You don't have to solve every theological question or make sense of every circumstance in your life. There are things we may understand later that we simply cannot understand now. But we can hear his voice. We can receive his peace. We can trust the Spirit who lives within us. And we can follow. Jesus says that he is the way, the truth, and the life. The way is not simply information about God. The way is a person. And as we follow him, we begin to experience the life he has promised us. We discover his peace, his strength, his joy, and his presence along the way. So maybe today, instead of demanding an answer to every mystery, we can simply listen for the invitation of Jesus: Come, let's be going. Follow me. That's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's a prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen. Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. And now Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, Joy. Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life. Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation. Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL You are loved!

Send me a Text Message!Here's where it starts. Overflowing life starts with Jesus offer to anyone. He said, "Anyone who is thirsty can come." That's Jesus' offer, anyone. And don't miss who  is hearing his words. In John 7 the crowd is filled with doubters and deniers, rule following religious leaders who want to kill him. It's filled with the confused and uncertain, the oppressed and discouraged, the fearfully hopeful, and even  unbelieving family members. And he says anyone, let anyone who is thirsty come.Anyone. Is there anyone who is left out of anyone?Anyone listening then or now. Anyone who is thirsty for something more. And willing to come to Christ. We come to Christ for Christ. He doesn't have what we need to satisfy our thirst.  He is who we need to satisfy our thirst. And when we believe in Him, we become life-giving stations for thirsty souls.

In Spiritual Authority: Sons & Daughters - Identity, Chad Everett continues the Spiritual Authority sermon series from Galatians 3:26 with a foundational question: Who am I? “Your identity is found in your relationship with Jesus. That you were created to be a son or daughter of God.” The world offers countless ways to define identity through careers, accomplishments, titles, status, or success, but Scripture points us somewhere deeper. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are brought into the family of God as sons and daughters with a Father who loves us and calls us His own. That truth changes more than how we see ourselves. It changes how we relate to God. In John 17, Jesus reveals the depth of the Father's love for His children, even saying that the Father has loved them as He loved Jesus. Galatians also reminds us that this relationship is received through faith, not earned through performance or determined by emotion. And faith is not about trying to manufacture enough belief. “It's not about the intensity of my faith. It's about the object of my faith.” If God is truly our Father, who has the final say in our lives? Sonship is a relationship that shapes our obedience, our choices, and the way we reflect the character of the One we belong to. This message is an invitation to stop building identity on what can change and begin living from what God has already declared: through faith in Christ, know whose you are and live surrendered as a son or daughter of God. The Roads Church - https://theroads.church

Jesus gave His disciples a simple but demanding command: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”In John 13:34–35, Jesus defines love by pointing to Himself. His love serves, sacrifices, gets low, and costs something. And He says this kind of love will be the defining mark of His people.In this message, Pastor James challenges us to move beyond knowing about love and actually put it into practice. As our love for God grows deeper, our love for people should grow wider.Love one another. It's more than a sermon to hear. It's a life we're called to live.Support the show

What does Christian unity actually look like? In John 17, Jesus doesn't simply pray that his followers will agree or get along. He prays that they will become one in a way that allows the world to see God through them. In this sermon, Justin explores the difference between a community built around people who already think, vote, live, and believe alike, and the much more interesting community Jesus imagines: people with different stories, backgrounds, convictions, and experiences who choose to share a table, serve one another, forgive each other, and refuse to walk away. In a world that is remarkably good at uniting people around common enemies, Jesus invites us to become a people united around a common Savior. Through ordinary acts of hospitality, reconciliation, generosity, and love, the church can become the answer to Jesus' prayer: a community where people encounter us and catch a glimpse of God.

In John 6, we read the powerful story of Jesus feeding more than 5,000 people with just five small barley loaves and two fish offered by a young boy.It didn't seem like much for such a great need. But when the boy gave what he had to Jesus, everything changed.This story reminds us of something we often forget: God doesn't need much to do a miracle. He just wants us to give Him what we have and trust Him with the rest.Jesus could have created food out of nothing, but instead He chose to multiply what was given to Him.In this episode of Hope for Today, we talk about what happens when we bring what we have, no matter how small it feels, to Jesus, and how a heart of gratitude prepares us to see God do immeasurably more than we could ever imagine.Because in God's hands, what seems like “not enough” can become more than enough…immeasurably more.Music: “River,” an original piano piece written and performed by Benjamin Waggoner.We would like to pray for you. Please click here to share your prayer needs with us.To learn more about Beau's Blessings click here.Please consider becoming a Hunter's Hero and supporting Hunter's Hope and this podcast by clicking here.Shop HH x MH Collection here.Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

In a world of 15-second videos, endless scrolling, headlines, and soundbites, our attention is constantly being trained to consume information quickly. But what happens when we bring that same mindset to God's Word? In John 8:31–36, Jesus calls His followers to do more than simply hear His words—He calls us to abide in them. In this episode of the Other Six Podcast, we unpack what it really means to “abide” in Jesus' Word and why biblical growth is about far more than increasing our knowledge. We explore the Greek ideas behind menō and logos, the meaning of discipleship throughout the New Testament, and how we can recognize whether Scripture is actually transforming the way we live. We also dive into our identity as adopted children of God and the incredible freedom Jesus offers—not only freedom from the penalty of sin, but freedom to live differently because we belong to Him.

Our Daily Scripture Readings and Reflection: On the Feast of St. Lawrence, we reflect on Jesus' call to serve and to give our lives for others. In John 12:24-26, Christ reminds us that the grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die in order to bear much fruit. St. Lawrence understood that the true treasures of the Church are the poor, the weak, and the vulnerable. His witness challenges us to recognize Christ in those most in need and to serve them with selfless love. Join us for today's Scripture reading, reflection, and prayer as we ask God for the grace to faithfully follow Christ and serve the treasures He has entrusted to us.

Part of "Proverbs: How to Build a Life," Grant Clark opens the first of a two-part look at wise counsellors, asking why we need trusted voices speaking into our lives at all. The argument is simple: to build the kind of life Jesus has for us, we need other people. Next week's message turns to how to choose those voices.Grant opens with a scene from the BBC comedy "Amanda Land," in which a mother turns to ChatGPT for help talking to her teenage son, and ends the night asking the chatbot whether she is a good mother. He notes that in April 2025 OpenAI described one of its own updates as "overly supportive but disingenuous," excessively flattering and sycophantic, and rolled it back.The cultural data he cites: a 2026 Pew finding that 10 percent of American adults had used an AI chatbot for emotional support or advice; KFF finding 16 percent had sought mental health advice from AI in the previous year, rising to 28 percent among 18 to 29 year olds; and an ABC report that roughly one in five young people aged 12 to 21 in the United States have used AI chatbots for mental health support. Research from OpenAI and MIT associates heavier use with greater loneliness, emotional dependence, and reduced real world social interaction.The whole book of Proverbs is itself a conversation between a wise counsellor and someone who needs wisdom, a father speaking to his son. Not all voices carry equal weight. Proverbs presents a cast of characters, some to seek out and some to avoid:The Wise (Proverbs 1:5; 3:13-18; 9:8-9)The Simple / Naive (Proverbs 1:22; 7:7; 9:4; 14:15)The Fool (Proverbs 1:7; 12:15; 15:5; 26:1-12)The Scoffer / Mocker (Proverbs 3:34; 9:7-8; 13:1; 15:12; 22:10)The Wicked (Proverbs 4:14-19; 10:6-7, 24-32; 12:5-7)The Righteous (Proverbs 10:3, 6-7, 24-32; 11:5-8; 24:15-16)Lady Wisdom (Proverbs 1:20-33; 8:1-36; 9:1-6)The Forbidden Woman (Proverbs 2:16-19; 5:1-23; 7:1-27; 9:13-18)The Friend (Proverbs 17:17; 18:24; 27:5-6, 17)The Parent / Instructor (Proverbs 1:8-9; 2:1-22; 4:1-27; 6:20-23; 23:22-25)A wise counsellor is someone whose life we know and want to imitate, not simply someone with a confident voice who always knows the right thing to say. They fear God, they are humble and teachable, they listen carefully and speak honestly, and they want our good more than our approval.## We all have blind spots.Proverbs 12:15 and Proverbs 21:2 set the problem: the fool's way is right in his own eyes, and all a person's ways seem right to him. A wise person accounts for their own biases and preferences and goes to others for clarity. Grant tells of a friend who returned from a conference having learned that the average person has 2.8 blind spots and asked his wife to name them, and of his own weekend at the beach where everyone but him could see he was covered in a rash. The point of both stories is the same: other people saw what he could not see himself.Christians have more reason than anyone to expect to find sin and blind spots, and more reason than anyone to be secure when they hear it."The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope". - Tim KellerMany people will tell you what you want to hear. Wisdom is choosing on purpose to be told what we need to hear.Independence makes us Foolish. Community makes us Wise.## Three cultural forces that keep us from asking."I Know Best""I Know Myself""God Told Me"The first is the pull of individualism, which hears asking for help as weakness. Proverbs 18:1 answers it: one who isolates himself pursues selfish desires and rebels against all sound wisdom. The second leans on self-knowledge, the Enneagram, Myers-Briggs, DISC, StrengthsFinder, family of origin work, attachment styles, Keller's "Counterfeit Gods," all good gifts that can still tip into "I am the expert on me." The third is a privatized faith that cannot be questioned. Ephesians 3:12 is true, in him and through faith in him we can approach God with freedom and confidence, and we do hear from God ourselves. But underneath all three sits the same assumption, that I can discern God's wisdom without needing God's people.## Many and sound.Proverbs 15:22 says plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 20:18 says finalize plans with counsel and wage war with sound guidance. The words to notice are "many" and "sound." Many, because going to a single voice makes us codependent on it. Sound, because the voice should be helpful, godly, thoughtful, unbiased, honest, and pointed toward Jesus and his Word. Proverbs 13:20 adds that the one who walks with the wise becomes wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.Reflection Questions:1) What are the loudest and most influential voices in your life, at the moment?2) What content are you consuming, that could be shaping how you think about, see, and respond to the world?We do not go to many counsellors for permission or for consensus. We go for clarity. Grant recounts the decision to move his family from South Africa to San Diego, and a Zoom call in which Chris Winant heard his worry that the move might be a pandemic era overreaction and answered that the decision was not Covid caused but Covid inspired.## Give wise people permission to speak.Identify them: people who know you, who fear God, whose lives you would want to emulate, and who will tell you the truth. Invite them, because no one knows you are wrestling with something unless you say so. Give them permission to ask any question. If what they say is hard to hear, you do not have to accept it in the moment, but go away and pray and process it. Test the counsel against Scripture, in prayer, and against the character of Jesus. Then take your next step.## Start with Jesus.Through the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5 to 7, Jesus repeats "you have heard it said, but I say to you," which means following him involves unlearning as much as learning. In John 14:6 he says he is the way and the truth and the life. Matthew 7:24-27 closes it out: both builders hear the words of Jesus, both build a house, both face the same storm, and the difference is that one acts on what he heard. Jesus is not only our wise counsellor. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and he asks us to hear his words and do them.Two closing questions. Who has permission in your life to tell you something you do not want to hear? And is there a decision you are currently making alone that you should bring other people into, not for consensus or permission, but for clarity?Verses referenced:Proverbs 12:15Proverbs 21:2Proverbs 18:1Proverbs 15:22Proverbs 20:18Proverbs 13:20Ephesians 3:12Matthew 5-7John 14:6Matthew 7:24-27

What happens when we try to follow Jesus without staying connected to Him? In John 15:1-17, Jesus describes Himself as the true vine and His followers as the branches. Cole Ellerbrock explains that lasting spiritual growth does not come from simply trying harder or managing our behavior. It comes from abiding in Jesus, allowing Him to shape our hearts and produce fruit through us.• Jesus is our source of spiritual life, and apart from Him we cannot produce the kind of lasting fruit He desires.• Abiding is more than checking off spiritual habits. It means making our home in Christ's love and continually orienting our hearts and lives toward Him.• As we surrender to Jesus and remain connected to Him, He produces fruit in us that brings glory to God and blesses the people around us.Key Scriptures:John 15:1-17Galatians 5:16-25Philippians 2:12-13Where have you been running on empty or trying to produce spiritual growth on your own? This week, make space to stay connected to Jesus in the ordinary rhythms of your day. Abide in His love, surrender the areas you have been trying to control, and trust Him to produce fruit through your life. If this message encouraged or challenged you, share it with a friend or family member who could use the reminder to stay connected to the source.Bayou City Fellowship Tomball Campus | Cole Ellerbrock | August 9, 2026https://linktr.ee/bayoucityfellowship

What are you doing with the time you've been given? In John 15, Jesus describes a vibrant life as one that stays closely connected to Him. In this message, Kevin Barra explores what it means to abide in Christ, allowing His Word, love, and direction to shape our lives over time and produce the kind of fruit we cannot produce on our own.• Abiding means staying closely connected to Jesus and allowing Him to prune and shape our lives• A life rooted in Christ produces lasting fruit, answered prayer, deeper joy, and a growing experience of God's love• Following Jesus leads us into meaningful relationships where we love sacrificially and pursue His mission togetherKey Scriptures:John 15:1-17Hebrews 12:5-11James 4:3Galatians 5:22-23Take an honest look at how you are investing your time and who is shaping your closest relationships. What would it look like to prioritize time with Jesus and pursue Him alongside other believers? Consider taking a step toward deeper community this week, and share this message with a friend or family member who could benefit from it.Bayou City Fellowship Spring Branch Campus | Kevin Barra | August 9, 2026https://linktr.ee/bayoucityfellowship

What does it really mean to abide in Christ? In John 15, Jesus calls His followers to something deeper than a faith reserved for Sunday mornings. In this message, Nick Maricle explores what it means to find our life in Jesus, follow His example, and live out a faith marked by active, sacrificial love.• To abide in Christ is to find our life, satisfaction, and direction in Him• Abiding means learning to live like Jesus lived, trusting and obeying the Father even when it costs us• Living like Jesus leads us toward active love and meaningful Christian communityKey Scriptures:John 15:1-17John 6:56-691 John 2:6Romans 8:29-301 John 3:24This week, consider where Jesus may be calling you beyond a faith of convenience and into deeper obedience, love, and community. Ask what it would look like to truly find your life in Christ and choose relationships where you can actively love others as He has loved you. If this message encouraged or challenged you, share it with a friend or family member who could benefit from it.Bayou City Fellowship Cypress Campus | Nick Maricle | August 9, 2026https://linktr.ee/bayoucityfellowship

John 8:39-59 Our sermon text this morning is John 8:39-59. In the provided pew Bibles, you can find that on page 1063. This is a continuation of Jesus' dialog with the Pharisees. In our verses last week, Jesus told them that true disciples would know the truth and the truth would set them free. Remember, he was speaking about knowing him and being set free from slavery to sin. Well, the Pharisees did not think they were enslaved to anything. Because they were physical descendants of Abraham, they believed they were in right standing before God. In response, Jesus made it absolutely clear that they were not true sons but rather slaves. Jesus alluded to the fact that they had a different father. As I read, be listening for who their father truly was. Reading of John 8:39-59 Prayer I'm not proud of this, but when I was in elementary school, I often did not want to listen to my sister. And so, I would plug my ears and sometimes I would also say over and over "I can't hear you. I can't hear you." By the way, that had the side effect of irritating her. Honestly, it was very immature. I'm thankful for the Lord's work in my heart over time. But it is true that sometimes we just don't want to listen. We don't literally plug our ears, but we sometimes walk away or just dismiss everything that someone else says. We see that on display in public. Sometimes, people walk out of speeches on purpose like at college graduations. Other times, people heckle to distract the speaker and prevent other people from hearing. Honestly, those tactics say more about the people protesting than the one speaking. Well, in our verses today, it's as if the Pharisees had their ears plugged. They did not want to listen to anything that Jesus said. Jesus even pointed that out to them. Look at verse 43. He said, "you cannot bear to hear my words." And at the end of verse 47, Jesus said, "The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." That's pretty intense. Really, this whole dialog, as you heard, is very intense. In fact, in the narrative arc of John's Gospel, chapter 8 is the climax of the verbal conflict between Jesus and the Jews. It began back in chapter 5 when Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath. It continued in chapter 6 when Jesus claimed to be the manna from heaven because he is the Son of God. It escalated in chapter 7 when Jesus declared that he was living water bringing eternal life. And now in chapter 8, Jesus and the Pharisees have come to this heated confrontation. To be sure, I'm not saying that these verses are the climax of the conflict. No, that will happen in the immediate lead-up to the cross. Rather, these verses are the climax of their interaction. And in the back and forth, we learn who is truly driving the Pharisees' anger and hate, and that is the devil himself. So, let's consider this text. We'll do that in three points this morning. 1. The Fight Over Fatherhood - you know, who is the Pharisees' real father and why? 2. The One Greater than Abraham - Jesus declares that he himself is God 3. The Triumph of Abraham's True Descendants - who are the true descendants of Abraham, and what benefit do they receive? That's where we are headed. 1. The Fight Over Fatherhood (8:39-50, 52) Again, #1, the Fight Over Fatherhood As you heard, Abraham is a central figure in the conflict. According to the Pharisees, because they were Abraham's physical offspring, they considered themselves God's people, with God as their ultimate father. But, as you heard, Jesus made very clear that they were not acting as true sons of Abraham. Jesus essentially gave them two reasons. ·      First, they were not doing the works that Abraham did. He said that right there in verse 39. Jesus then pointed to the Pharisees' desire to kill him. Their murderous desires betrayed Abraham. Abraham was a man of deep faith and he demonstrated that many times. He lived out his faith. Abraham responded to God's commands. Abraham's true spiritual children would not be acting like the Pharisees. ·      Second, not only were they not doing the works that Abraham did, but they were also not honoring God. The Pharisees were not listening to his word, as I mentioned earlier. They would not even consider that perhaps Jesus was the Messiah. Later in our text, Jesus made it absolutely clear that they were dishonoring God the Father by dishonoring him. That was very different from Abraham. Multiple times in Abraham's life, God spoke to him. Abraham humbled himself and listened to God and his word. Abraham lived out his faith by hearing God and believing. Now, just to be sure, Abraham was a sinner, but he sought the Lord by faith. The Pharisees, on the other hand, had no faith and no desire to seek the Lord. And for those reasons, Jesus declared that their true father was the devil. The Pharisees demonstrated through their lies and deceit and murderous hearts that they were not of Abraham, they were not of God, but rather, they were of the devil. In response, the Pharisees lashed out at Jesus. They questioned Jesus' origin. They told Jesus that he was a Samaritan, whom the Pharisees hated, and they accused Jesus of having a demon. Do you see how the conflict has reached new heights? A couple of times in the past, we've talked about how the Gospel of John is written like a play. Each chapter is like a new scene. You know, the curtain opens; the audience sees a new setting; we then witness Jesus speaking to different people. In each scene, Jesus reveals who he is in different ways. Well, for the apostle John's Jewish audience, every new scene challenged their understanding of God and Jesus and the purpose of their Jewish practices and beliefs. I want you to imagine that you are a Jew in the late first century. Imagine that you are hearing this for the first time. And imagine how shocking this interaction would have been. I mean, the tension had been escalating, but then Jesus drops the bomb in verse 44: "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him." Think about how that would have come across. The Pharisees were the Jewish authorities. And yet, Jesus called them out as having the devil as their father. You see, the Apostle John was pressing against his readers' presuppositions and beliefs. He wanted them to re-evaluate everything. He wanted them to see that the very one at the center of it all is truly the promised One, the Son of God. John wanted them to know that there is no place for neutrality. Now, you may be sitting here, and you may be thinking, "Ok, but I don't live in the first century and I'm not Jewish. Why does this matter?" Let me try to answer that. In John's Gospel, the unbelieving Pharisees are the main antagonists. Really, they are the antagonists in all the Gospels. But their unbelief is representative of any and all outright rejection of Christ… back then and today. Not only do they not know God, they are hostile to him. They do not care to listen. Their hearts are full of murder and lies. Jesus is their enemy. They hate him and hate those that love him. On the outside, they are religious, but their religion is driven by the devil whose goal is to undermine the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their opposition to Jesus is the same opposition to Jesus that we see in different ways today. We see that opposition in false religions. We see a similar rejection in the hearts of those opposed to God and opposed to truth and opposed to his standard of right and wrong. That includes those who present a perversion of who Jesus is or reject his divine or human nature. And it is all driven by the devil. You see, we are engaged in a cosmic battle of light versus darkness. It's a battle of the truth of God versus the lies and murders of the great enemy of faith. The hard thing for us is that we live in a time and place where the Christian ethic is still relatively strong. And so, we sometimes don't see the spiritual battle that is raging. In our culture, the light and darkness can sometimes appear to blend together to produce shades of grey. When that happens, it is harder to see and distinguish the light from the darkness. But what we learn in John 8 is that the dividing line is still there. Discerning right and wrong is still at the center of pursuing truth. Good and evil are no less real today than they were in the first century. The devil is still breathing his lies and spreading unbelief as he was in the hearts of these Pharisees. There are plenty of people today who outright reject Jesus, who reject God the Father, and who live a life opposed to him. They are like the Pharisees, unknowingly driven by the father of lies. The devil is at work all throughout the world, some places more than others. As the Scriptures say, he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour. We need to be aware that there is both God the Father, the father of truth and light and life, who gave his Son; and there is also the father of lies and murder, the devil himself. He hates God and hates the truth and he seeks to undermine Jesus and the Gospel. Now, there is no comparison in who has true authority and who will conquer the other in the end. That is the one true Father, but for now he has given the devil room to lie and deceive the world. 2. The One Greater than Abraham (8:53-59) Ok. That brings us to point #2 - The One Greater than Abraham. In these verses, Jesus makes absolutely clear who he truly is. It's unmistakable. Remember, the Pharisees were the ones who originally brought up Abraham. But then Jesus turned the tables on them. Because the Pharisees rejected him, Jesus made it very clear, as we considered, that they were not true descendants of Abraham. And part of Jesus' argument included his claim that he was the Son of God and that his Father was God the Father. And so, the Pharisees asked him in verse 53, "Are you greater than our father Abraham?" Jesus answered them and he said two things. And speaking of shocking statements, these two statements were scandalous. First, Jesus said to them that "Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it and was glad." That's verse 56. And then second, Jesus said, "before Abraham was, I AM." Let's consider those two statements in order. First, Abraham rejoiced to see Jesus' day. The question is, what was the apostle John referring to? What was that day? Well, that question has been asked for centuries. The general consensus, which I agree with, is the day refers to the day that Isaac was born. You see, as we read earlier in Genesis 15, God promised to give Abraham a son. It seemed impossible, though, especially as Sarah aged, but yet God fulfilled his promise to Abraham. Do you remember what happened when Isaac was born? Abraham and Sarah laughed. It wasn't like the laughter before, when they were questioning God. Rather it was a joyful laughter of amazement. In fact, the name Isaac means "to laugh." The semantic range for the word "laugh" in Hebrew includes a joyous laughter. That's why I think that particular day is the one referred to in verse 56. Abraham saw God fulfill his promise in an amazing way. Abraham then rejoiced when Isaac was born. And he knew, as God had promised, that through Isaac, his offspring would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. He knew, as God also promised, that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through him. You see, the promise that God made to Abraham was the promise of a Messiah. Just like God gave Abraham and Sarah a son according to God's promise, so one of Abraham's descendants would be the promised Messiah. In that sense, Abraham saw Jesus' day and rejoiced. But when Jesus said that, it only further enraged the Pharisees. They said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Which brings us to the second and even more shocking statement. Verse 58. Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” "I AM." We've come across that statement multiple times now. Earlier in chapter 8, Jesus twice said, "I am he." In the Greek it is simply "I am" - "Ego Eimi." In the Hebrew it is Yahweh. Jesus was saying that as God the Son, he is the eternal God and he has always existed. Before Abraham was, I AM. It was yet another claim of divinity. Jesus was indeed greater than Abraham. Let's take a step back for a moment. You know, every Sunday, I try to connect our sermon text to some of John's overall themes. Really, it's helpful to see how each passage fits within the book as a whole. Well, one thing that God has been revealing in John is all the ways that Jesus has been fulfilling God's promises of old. For example, Jesus has been entering into the major Jewish institutions and he has been revealing that he is their ultimate fulfillment. ·      In chapter 2, Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding, revealing that he is the bridegroom who will cleanse his bride the church. ·      In the same chapter during the Passover, Jesus declared that he was the fulfillment of the temple. Do you remember that? ·      Chapter 5's setting was the Sabbath, another institution. Jesus demonstrated he was Lord of the Sabbath. ·      Chapter 7 and earlier in this chapter, Jesus revealed how he has fulfilled the Feast of Tabernacles as the living water and light of the world. Since most of us don't have a Jewish background, we don't naturally see those connections. But for John's original audience, each example has been expanding their understanding of who Jesus is and making the case that he is the true Messiah. Well, besides institutions, Jesus is also greater than the patriarchs and prophets of old. Back in chapter 6, Jesus revealed that he is the prophet that Moses promised. He revealed that he is greater than Moses. He is the true manna from heaven. Moses was held in great regard, but Jesus, as God the Son, is greater. And when we get to these verses on Abraham, it's similar. Abraham was the preeminent father of the Jewish people. Abraham was the one through whom God promised a people would come, as we already considered. And so, when Jesus said that before Abraham was, I am, it was a remarkable declaration of his preeminence as the God of all creation and over his people. Do you see how all these fulfillments are working together? They all reveal that Jesus is indeed the One in whom life and light is found. It's all an amazing revelation for us to grasp and believe. But, for the Pharisees, again, it was scandalous. Jesus had just declared that the devil, not Abraham, was their father, and now, he claimed that he is greater than Abraham. Look at verse 59. "So they picked up stones to throw at him." Of course, they did. They were enraged and furthermore, in their minds, Jesus had blasphemed God. Their response only confirmed that indeed the devil was their father. They could not stand for truth. They could only do what was in their nature as sons of the devil. They all the more rejected Jesus and sought to kill him. As they went to get stones, Jesus then slipped away into the crowd. As he has said before, it was not yet his time. But Jesus' time would come. You see, Chapter 8 accelerates the path to the cross. The day would soon come when Jesus would bring his fulfillment to completion. And in God's sovereignty, he would use the Pharisees (and others) to accomplish his plan. 3. The Triumph of Abraham's True Descendants (John 8:47, 51) Which brings us to #3. Point 3: The Triumph of Abraham's True Descendants. God's true sons and daughters will "not see death," but live. You know, in the order of the narrative, this point should really be point number 2. The reason that I put it last is because I wanted to end with encouragement. I did not want to end with the devil or the stones that they picked up. Rather, I wanted to end with the blessing of being a true descendant of Abraham. Now, I know that a couple of you here have Jewish roots, but the vast majority of us are Gentiles. We are the nations that have been grafted into Christ. It doesn't matter where you or your family is from, what nationality or ethnicity. It doesn't matter if you have some Jewish heritage or not. No, the only thing that matters is whether you are a true spiritual descendant of Abraham by faith. Look at verse 47. "Whoever is of God hears the words of God." Remember, the question is who their father is. And we learn that those who hear the words of God have God as their father. Those are the ones who are true descendants of Abraham - spiritual descendants by faith. What matters is believing in the Gospel - it is believing in who Jesus is and what he has accomplished. And when you do, then you are a true descendant of Abraham, a spiritual descendant by faith. In Romans 9, it says "It is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring." Galatians 3 uses similar language. It says, "In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. ...And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." If that is you, then you can say that Abraham is indeed your spiritual father, through faith… the promise to him of salvation is the promise for you. Let me say one more thing. You know, as we've gone through John's Gospel, we've come across several "truly, truly" statements. Each of those statements emphasizes an important truth. When Jesus uses the phrase "truly, truly", he is saying, "most assuredly I tell you this important truth" and he goes on. Well, in our verses today there are two "truly, truly" statements. One of them we've already considered. "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." The other one is in verse 51. Look at it. Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." Those who truly hear Jesus, and truly believe in him, and demonstrate their faith by abiding in his word, "will never see death." No, the true descendants of Abraham will triumph with Jesus forever. As we've read over and over in John's Gospel, we will receive eternal life in him. You see, in the middle of this chapter of conflict, there is hope. At the very heart of these verses - where the Pharisees are called out as sons of the devil, and by the way, who are also destined to spend eternity apart from God - at the heart of these verses, there is a promise. And the promise is this: Those who believe in Jesus' word will overcome death. They will be with God forever. It is a hope and promise reserved for those truly of God, who are spiritual descendants of Abraham. It's for those who believe in Jesus as the I AM of God, the eternal God of the universe, the Son of God, who is greater than Abraham. So, may we not plug our ears like the Pharisees, but instead hear Jesus' words, for they are words of life. May we also see the reality of the devil… and know that he is the father of lies who sows darkness and opposes the truth of God. BUT, may we know that as true descendants of Abraham, we will be with Jesus forever.

Some prayers reveal our needs. Others reveal our hearts. In John 17, Jesus opens His heart to the Father, and standing above everything else is His desire for His church to walk in unity. Today we look at why the unity of God's people is one of the greatest witnesses to the world.

“What makes you smile when you think about your son?” That was my question for Clarence—a younger man I was mentoring. The proud father proceeded to share some of his bright four-year-old’s accomplishments. One particular response left me amused. Not only does the child have his father’s first and last names, but he already looks so much like his father that he can unlock his father’s smart phone using the facial recognition feature! In John 14, Jesus made it clear how closely He resembled His Father. When an inquisitive Philip requested, “Lord, show us the Father” (v. 8), Jesus responded, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (v. 9). How was it that the Father was revealed through the Son? It was through Jesus’ “words” (v. 10) and “works” (v. 11) that God’s love, mercy, grace, and more were brilliantly displayed. Empowered by God’s Spirit, believers in Jesus are privileged to share family likeness. The invisible God becomes visible through His children. Regarding Christ-like love, John reminds us, “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us” (1 John 4:12 nlt). What is it about your words and deeds that remind others of Jesus?

God Already Sent You the Help You Need If you've ever wondered, "God, what do I do?" this Bible study is for you. Jesus didn't leave us to figure life out alone.  In John 14, He promised to send the Holy Spirit, your Helper, Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, Strengthener, Intercessor, and Standby. In this teaching, we'll look at what that means and how to practically receive His help every day. ⬇️ FREE DAILY INCREASE DEVOTIONS https://increaseministries.com/start-here

What does it look like when the whole world shows up at the feet of Jesus? In John 12, that is exactly what happens.If you have a story where Jesus has changed your life since you been here at Shelter Cove we would love to hear about it here: https://beyond.sheltercovelive.com/storiesCONNECT WITH SHELTER COVE HERE AT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheltercove Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheltercovelive Website: https://sheltercovelive.com #Hour #John #ShelterCove

It is easy to come to God with a list of needs, but what happens when we start valuing His gifts more than we value Him? In John 6, Jesus confronted a crowd that chased Him across a lake, not because of who He was, but because He had fed them. He saw through their motivation and pointed them toward something far greater than a miracle meal. Drawing on the story of manna in the wilderness, we see how God designed daily dependence as a test of trust, and how the Israelites repeatedly tried to stockpile their way out of needing faith. Jesus declared Himself to be the bread of life, offering not just provision but His very presence. The peace, purpose, and satisfaction we chase cannot be found in His gifts alone. They are found in Him.

Jesus calls us to more than staying where we've always been. In John 5, He speaks healing and new life to a man who responds in faith. Jesus still meets people where they are, inviting them to rise, trust Him, and walk in the freedom He gives.If you've been waiting for change, this message is a reminder that Jesus transforms lives. Get up. Trust Him. Go.Listen to the latest message from our Transformed sermon series.

You have been praying, showing up, and building in faith, and God feels completely quiet. No confirmation. No burning bush. Just silence. In this episode, I reframe everything about the silent season, revealing why God's silence is never abandonment and what He is actively doing behind the scenes while you wait. In this episode I walk you through the Silent Season Framework, three specific reasons God goes quiet during your business season. He may be testing your obedience without confirmation, seeing whether you will keep moving on what He already told you without needing applause or a new sign. He may be doing deep work IN you before He does anything THROUGH you, healing a wound, shifting an identity, building a foundation that has to be in place before the next chapter opens. Or He may be clearing a path you cannot see yet, moving people and aligning timing and opening doors on your behalf in the spiritual while everything looks still in the natural. Scripture anchors this entire teaching. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah had a full breakdown in a cave burnt out, convinced he had failed and God showed up not in the windstorm or earthquake or fire, but in a gentle whisper. In John 11, Jesus waited two full days after hearing that Lazarus was sick, what looked like abandonment was the setup for resurrection. And in Isaiah 40:31, the Hebrew word for "trust" is qavah, meaning to wait with active, hope-filled expectation not passive sitting but eyes-open building. The episode closes with a four-step action plan: return to the last clear thing God told you and do it this week; reframe your silent season out loud; keep building in faith with one episode, one email, one step; and a word-for-word prayer to pray today. God is so faithful and this episode is a word for every woman who has been in the waiting room longer than she expected. I pray it blesses you deeply.   Ready to finally build the God-led business He called you to? Join the FREE 5-Day Profitable Podcast Bootcamp,  no social media required. Get the clarity and direction you have been praying for.    

In John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus that those who are born of the Spirit are like the wind—it blows wherever it pleases. We may hear its sound without knowing where it is coming from or where it is going. In this message, guest speaker Juliet Barber invites us to surrender again to the person and presence of the Holy Spirit. When God moves, He often challenges our expectations, confronts our comfort, and asks us to bend beneath the weight of His glory. Nicodemus could recognize the signs around Jesus, yet he still struggled to recognize who stood before him. In the same way, we can become so familiar with how we expect God to move that we risk missing the new thing He is doing. Every generation needs its own encounter with God. Are we willing to receive it in the way God chooses to bring it? Do we love the wind enough to let Him blow wherever He pleases?

# What Does It Mean to Abide in Christ? | John 15 Bible Study ✝️ Get our free Bible studies & Daily Increase Emails: https://increaseministries.com/start-here

882 He Told Me Everything I Did, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 4:27-30 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in  and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ.  Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.  You can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tense or unrelaxing.  If you feel comfortable doing so, I invite you to close your eyes.   Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:   Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate,  deflate. Scripture for Meditation John 4 NIV 27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?" 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?" 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him. NLT 27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, "What do you want with her?" or "Why are you talking to her?" 28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?" 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him. Reflection on Scripture: This woman did not know about the cross or resurrection. She had an almost nonexistent Christology. She did not know exactly what the Messiah would do. It is pretty clear she didn't know Jesus was even the Savior, as that wasn't a common Jewish understanding of Messiah. The thing that makes this story so meaningful to me is what she does with the information she has. In John 9 Jesus tells the Pharisees would not be guilty if they were truly blind but they claimed to see. This woman was still blind in very important ways of understanding what Jesus would do for her, yet her approach to the truth, to Jesus as the way, was phenomenal. She believed and trusted Jesus. It can be valuable to look for the lessons in the scriptures that are for us also. Each one of us has more information than this woman. We have the advantage of having the full account of Jesus and his saving effort. We get to see stories of him in so many situations teaching. We hear his full message of love to many different situations. We have the stories of His miracles. We see the impact of the cross and the resurrection. And what do we do with that information? This woman had such limited information about Jesus, yet she invested herself in that message. The believed Jesus and attempted to share that. How blessed we are that we get to live in a time where Jesus is known across the globe. Certainly not be every person, but to billions of people. Sometimes I have thought that it would be amazing to live in the time of Jesus to get to see him, yet I think we are so blessed now to have a much deeper understanding of Jesus. The question that remains, what do we do with that knowledge? The most important knowledge of all? Many times we see  Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind?  FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

We all want to live a blessed life, but it can get complicated. In John 15, Jesus gives us a simple way to experience a fruitful life: “Remain in me.” In this message we are encouraged to uncomplicate our faith by remembering that faithfulness leads to fruitfulness.To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, click here: https://pushpay.com/g/centralchurchonlineIf you've just made a decision to follow Jesus, please let us know: https://centralchurch.online/custom-forms/i-decided-to-follow-jesus/Central Church: https://centralchurch.online/Central Live: https://linktr.ee/central.live

The Towel and the Basin: The Heart of a Servant – John 13:1–17 In Episode 145 of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane begin one of the most intimate and transformative sections of the Gospel of John. In John 13:1–17, Jesus—the King of kings—kneels to wash the feet of His disciples, revealing that true greatness in God's Kingdom is found in humble service. Together, they unpack the significance of this unforgettable moment, exploring what it means to love sacrificially, lead with humility, and serve others with the heart of Christ. Peter's struggle to accept Jesus' act of service also reminds us that following Jesus means learning both to receive His grace and to extend it to others. This episode is an invitation to exchange pride for humility, status for service, and self-centered living for the example Jesus modeled on the night before the cross. As followers of Christ, we're not just called to admire His example—we're called to live it. Who is Jesus inviting me to serve with humility this week, and am I willing to lay down my pride to love like He loved?____________________________________ Connect with Jamie: Website: www.jamieklusacek.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacek Connect with Jane: Website: www.janewwilliams.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (07/28/26), Hank answers the following questions:My pastor quoted from Eugene Peterson's The Message Bible translation this Sunday, which bothered me. Can you share some wisdom on this? William - CA (0:48)What is your position on “Abraham's bosom”? Steve - UT (5:08)In John 3, what does Jesus mean by saying that one must be born of water and spirit to be born again? Danny - Modesto, CA (7:42)Where, in terms of what heaven is, is the physical body of Jesus? Eddie - Nashville, TN (9:55)Isaiah 40:22 says that God “sits enthroned above the circle of the earth.” What is the meaning of circle here? Ian - St. George, UT (15:11)What do you know about Sozo ministry from Bethel Church? Gale - Edmonds, WA (21:15)

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:  Isaiah 50–52; Psalm 92; 2 Peter 1 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the July 27th episode of the Daily Radio Bible. On this 209th day of our journey through the Scriptures, Hunter, your Bible reading coach, invites you to warm yourself by the fires of God's love and discover the living word that points us to Christ. Today, our readings take us through Isaiah 50-52, Psalm 92, and 2 Peter 1, where we encounter declarations of hope, justice, and a call to courageous faith rooted in the unshakeable love of God. As Hunter reflects on Peter's confidence from the Mount of Transfiguration, you'll be encouraged to trust in God's promises, experience His love, and find renewed courage for your journey. Join us as we listen, pray, and remember together: you are loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Need a confidence boost. Peter's experience on the Mount of Transfiguration filled him with confidence. He recalled that experience here in our reading in Second Peter, verse 19, when he says, because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message we proclaim by the prophets. Hearing the voice of God built his confidence. What he heard was God's declaration of love for his son. God's voice broke out and said, this is my Son, whom I love. With him, I am well pleased. Listen to him. Peter is still drawing confidence from this word, this declaration of God's love for his Son. Peter is drawing confidence from this experience because there he was awakened to the love of God. In John 17, Jesus is speaking to the Father and he says, I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. This was starting to happen for Peter, this realization that God loved him just as he loved Jesus the Son. And this truth would begin to take hold and take root in Peter's life. It was this knowledge and experience of God's love that gave him confidence to move forward. Have you experienced the love of the Father? Experiencing His love transforms us from the inside out. It gives us confidence. It gives us courage to move forward. If you're feeling unconfident, that's okay. Just listen to the words proclaimed over Jesus: you are God's child and you are loved. That seed will take some time to grow in your life, just as it did with Peter. But allow the Holy Spirit to nurture this reality in your life and grow. That's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that's a prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL