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Getting fit takes willpower. Earning a degree takes determination. Reaching your career goals takes hard work. In short, success takes commitment.And the same is true when it comes to your finances. Today, we'll explore what changes when you commit to managing money God's way.You've heard the saying, “Things worth doing are worth doing well.” And when it comes to your finances, there are certainly some things worth doing—like saving for the future, creating a spending plan, paying down debt, giving generously, and living with honesty and integrity.If you want to see real results in any area of life, it's going to take effort—sometimes a lot of it. And that's true for your financial life, too. Following biblical financial principles takes determination, planning, patience, and even sacrifice. So, why is it worth the effort?Because while commitment requires something of us, it also gives something to us. When we live with faith and integrity in our finances, we experience peace, contentment, and even joy. It's not just about doing the right thing—it's about being transformed more and more into who God wants us to be.Joining God in His WorkWhen you honor Him with your finances, you join in His work, bringing mercy and blessing to others. And as you experience His provision personally, your faith deepens, and your story becomes a testimony to encourage others.The Bible is filled with examples of faithful commitment. Hebrews chapter 11 is sometimes called the “Hall of Faith” because it highlights men and women who trusted God, even when they couldn't see the outcome. Abraham, Moses, Rahab—they placed their hope in God's promises before Christ ever came.But the ultimate example of commitment is Jesus Himself. Hebrews 12:2 says:“For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”A Savior who gave everything to redeem us is more than worthy of our full devotion in return.Faith lies at the heart of such a commitment, especially when it comes to finances. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as:“Confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”That means trusting God's promises, even when circumstances feel uncertain.Who's Really in Charge?So, committing to manage money God's way starts with faith, but it also requires surrender. That means asking: who's really in charge—me, or the Lord?In Matthew 6:24, Jesus says:“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”That's a heavy reminder for all of us. We can't be fully committed to both God and money. One will always take priority, and when it's not the Lord, we will feel that tension.Here are a few honest questions to consider:Do financial worries consume your thoughts?Do you find yourself chasing more and more money, more stuff, more status?Is your sense of security tied to your job or investments?If you answered yes to any of those, you're not alone. Many of us wrestle with divided hearts. It's easy to lean on what we can see, especially when life feels uncertain. But money, career, or comfort can never offer the lasting peace only God provides.Choosing to follow God's financial principles takes daily trust and perseverance. Galatians 6:9 offers this encouragement:“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”Another gift of commitment is the encouragement we receive from God's people. You weren't meant to follow Jesus—or manage your finances—on your own.Colossians 3:12–15 paints a powerful picture of Christian community:“As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience… Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”If you've ever felt like giving up on your budget or putting off your giving goals, you're not alone—we all face struggles. But if everything were easy, we'd never grow stronger.Walking With YouThat's why we're here at FaithFi—to walk alongside you. Whether you're just starting out or have walked this path for a long time, we want to offer help rooted in grace, wisdom, and truth.Most of all, we want you to experience the joy of following Jesus with every part of your life, including your finances. Because true freedom doesn't come from having more—it comes from trusting the One who gave everything for you.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I turned 65 in March and am now eligible for Medicare; however, I remain employed and have employer-sponsored health insurance that includes an HSA, which I continue to contribute to. I've received conflicting information—can I delay Medicare enrollment and still have both my employer and I contribute to my HSA?I'm a 73-year-old widow and have been retired since 2017. When I retired, I rolled my 401(k) into an IRA, and that money is currently sitting in a Fidelity money market account. I also have an emergency fund with about $50,000. Given my situation, what would you recommend I do?I'm a recent immigrant to the U.S. and travel frequently to visit family abroad, which has led to long employment gaps. Even though I have an excellent credit score, I'm having trouble getting approved for housing because landlords and lenders want to see consistent income. Is there a way to circumvent this challenge?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Movement MortgageWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

It's Thursday, July 3rd, A.D. 2025. 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 Russia's tight restrictions on missionary activity Individuals and religious groups across Russia continue to face charges of “unlawful missionary activity.” Forum 18 reports the country has conducted 34 such prosecutions this year, an increase compared to recent years. A dozen of these cases affected evangelical Christians. Pastors were fined simply for evangelizing or holding unauthorized church services. Russia enacted tight restrictions on sharing religious beliefs in 2016. The country also imposed “anti-missionary” legislation in occupied Ukrainian territories.  In Acts 5:29, the apostles said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Biologically accurate pronouns allowed despite Australia's wokeness Free speech advocates won a big case against Australia this week. At issue is a post on Elon Musk's social media platform X that used biologically accurate pronouns to identify a transgender individual. Australia's eSafety Commissioner ordered X to remove the post, but X challenged the order. On Tuesday, Australia's Administrative Review Tribunal sided with X in the case.  Paul Coleman with Alliance Defending Freedom International said, “In this case, the Australian government alarmingly censored the peaceful expression of a Canadian citizen on an American-owned platform, evidence of the expansive reach of censorial forces, even beyond national borders. Today, free speech has prevailed.” Elon Musk wants to found The American Party which will cut the deficit Speaking of Elon Musk, the tech billionaire called for a new political party in the U.S. On Monday, he posted on X, “If this insane spending bill passes, The America Party will be formed the next day. Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE.”  Musk openly opposes President Donald Trump's “One Big Beautiful Bill” for its deficit spending. Afraid of losing $175m, U of Penn agrees to stop transgender nonsense The University of Pennsylvania is backing down from its support for transgenderism. The Trump administration threatened to withhold $175 million in funding to the school for allowing men to compete in women's sports, reports CNN. UPenn came to an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education recently to protect women's sports. Notably, the school will strip a transgender swimmer of his medals. The male swimmer, Will Thomas, who now goes by the feminine name “Lia” Thomas, has been pretending to be a woman, enabling him to win medals by competing in women's sports. Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer, said, “It is my hope that today demonstrates to educational institutions that they will no longer be allowed to trample upon women's civil rights.” Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down 176-year-old abortion ban Wisconsin's Supreme Court struck down the state's 176-year-old abortion ban yesterday. The 1849 law made most abortions a felony. But the high court ruled 4-3 that more recent legislation superseded the law. Wisconsin only has a ban on late-term abortions now. Heather Weininger, Executive Director of Wisconsin Right to Life, told LifeNews, “The court did not point to a single state statute that specifically repeals [the law]. To assert that a repeal is implied is to legislate from the bench.” Jimmy Swaggart, known for his “I have sinned” confession, died at 90 Remember this?  JIMMY SWAGGART: “I have sinned against You, my Lord, and I would ask that Your precious blood would wash and cleanse every stain until it is in the seas of God's forgetfulness. Thank you. Thank you.” That was the tearful confession on February 21, 1988 of televangelist Jimmy Swaggart at the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after it became public that he had an encounter with a lady of the evening in New Orleans.  He was defrocked by the Assemblies of God, reports The Christian Post. The Pentecostal preacher died on July 1st at the age of 90 after suffering a cardiac arrest recently. In the announcement from his official Facebook page on Tuesday, his family wrote, “Today, our hearts are heavy as we share that Brother Swaggart has finished his earthly race and entered into the presence of His Savior, Jesus Christ.” Swaggart's popularity peaked in the mid-1980s, reaching millions of households with his weekly telecasts. In his confession, the televangelist alluded to Micah 7:19. It says, “You [God] will again have compassion on us;   You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” Man's gold necklace cross deflected bullet And finally, a young man in Florida is thanking God for saving his life. Last month, 20-year-old Aiden Perry was shot in the chest, by accident, while visiting a friend's apartment.  The gun was only 10 feet away from him. The incident could have been much worse if it weren't for the gold cross necklace he was wearing. The necklace deflected the bullet from hitting major organs in his chest. Dr. Khafra Henry, who performed the surgery, explained to WESH-TV how Aiden's golden cross necklace was a blessing. HENRY:  “Of its metallic component, it actually shielded a lot of the force of the bullet, so the bullet ricocheted off the necklace and entered his chest wall. However, it was just in his fat tissues because it slowed down the trajectory of the bullet.” Dr. Henry noted what might have happened had Aiden not been wearing his golden cross. HENRY: “It could have been way worse, entering his chest wall itself, into the pleural space, which is the airspace around the lung, between the bones, and injuring his lung itself, or his heart.” Aiden said, “It's just kind of a reminder now – to never stop believing. Keep believing and God's definitely real.” In his comments to WESH-TV, he expressed gratitude to God. PERRY: “I think God played a big role in this. I think He's the reason I'm still here today.” In Matthew 10:29-31, Jesus asked, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, July 3rd, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or 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.

“He who has ears, let him hear.” – Matthew 13:9Those were Jesus' closing words after telling the Parable of the Sower—a story that invites us to listen carefully, not just with our ears, but with our hearts. Today, we'll look at this story and what it reveals about the heart behind our finances, especially the warning about “the deceitfulness of riches”.The Parable of the Sower and the State of Our HeartsThe Parable of the Sower appears in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8. It begins with a farmer scattering seed, which falls on four types of soil. Jesus later explains that the seed is the Word of God, and the soils represent different heart conditions. Some hearts are hard, others shallow. Some are fertile and ready. But one soil in particular draws our attention today: the seed that fell among thorns.In Matthew 13:22, Jesus says,“As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”Understanding the Thorns: Worry and WealthLet's break that down.First, Jesus points to "the cares of the world"—the daily anxieties and distractions that can crowd out our trust in God. Then, He adds “the deceitfulness of riches.” It's not wealth itself that's the issue. It's the lie wealth tells: that more money will bring more peace, that possessions equal security, and that success means significance.The Bible consistently warns us about that lie:Proverbs 11:28 — “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.” 1 Timothy 6:17 — “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God.”Wealth deceives us by offering the illusion of control and independence. It tempts us to believe we're self-sufficient. And when we buy that lie, we slowly stop depending on God. Like thorns in a garden, worldly cares and the lure of wealth take root in our hearts, slowly crowding out our affection for God. The space once reserved for trust and obedience becomes overrun with distraction and self-reliance.As C.S. Lewis put it:“Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels that he is 'finding his place in it,' while really it is finding its place in him.”Time for a Heart CheckYou might be saving diligently, investing wisely, and even giving regularly. But if you're trusting in your portfolio more than God's promises—or if your finances have become a source of anxiety—then it may be time to do a heart check. What kind of soil are you cultivating?When unexpected expenses hit, what comes first—prayer or panic? When you think about the future, is your hope grounded in your retirement account or in the One who holds all things together?Jesus said the seed among thorns becomes “unfruitful.” The Word doesn't lose its power, but when wealth and worry take over our hearts, we stop responding to it. Outwardly, we may look faithful, but inwardly, our love for Him is being choked out. So, how do we respond?Jesus points to the solution just a few verses later. In Matthew 13:23, He says:“The good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit and yields.”Receiving God's Word deeply isn't a one-time event—it's a lifelong process of cultivating the soil of our hearts. It means creating space where God's truth can take root, thrive, and grow, without being overtaken by competing desires.Three Practices to Cultivate “Good Soil”Prioritize Your Giving—Start with generosity, not as an afterthought, but as an act of worship. Giving reminds us that money is not our master and that we trust God to provide for us. Check Your Emotional Temperature—If your peace rises and falls with your financial circumstances, that's a signal to lean into God's Word more than your wallet. Rethink Your Financial Goals—Ask Yourself: What Am I Building? And why? Is your financial plan aligned with Kingdom purposes, or is it just chasing comfort or status?As Dallas Willard said, “The main thing God gets out of your life is the person you become.” That includes how you handle money. Generosity, peace, and contentment are fruits of a life rooted in Christ, not one choked out by wealth.What Are You Trusting In?Remember that the condition of your heart matters more than the condition of your accounts. If you want to be fruitful in your finances and faithful in your walk with God, start by asking: What am I trusting in?Let the answer lead you back to Christ, because only in Him will your life bear lasting fruit.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I own a two-flat apartment building valued at around $650,000. We've received an offer and are considering buying another building listed at $640,000 in a different area. Since I've never sold a property before, I'd like to understand the full costs involved in selling my current one and purchasing a new one.I recently learned that one of the index funds I invest in holds companies involved in things I don't ethically support. As someone trying to invest according to my values, is it wrong to stay in that fund?I have an IRA that's set up as an annuity, but I'm not sure what the advantages are. Is there a real benefit to holding an annuity within an IRA, or would I be better off moving it into a different type of investment?I've had a sealed monster box of Silver Eagle coins for a while now. Should I hold onto it, or would it be smarter to sell them and reinvest the money elsewhere?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

Audio reading: Num 18:1-15, 2 Kings 22:3-23:30, Acts 21:37-22:16, Psalm 1:1-6, Prov 18:11-12Join me in this journey reading through the entire bible inone year!  In Matthew 4:4, Yeshua said these words: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Taking in the word of God every day is LIFE to our spirit and health to our bones!Visit us at: ⁠⁠dailyaudiotorah.com⁠⁠Go to ⁠Israel Connect⁠: Your bridge to the land and peopleof Israel!

Audio reading: Num 17:1-13, 2 Kings 20:1-22:2, Acts 21:18-36, Psalm 150:1-6, Prov 18:9-10Join me in this journey reading through the entire bible inone year!  In Matthew 4:4, Yeshua said these words: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Taking in the word of God every day is LIFE to our spirit and health to our bones!Visit us at: ⁠⁠dailyaudiotorah.com⁠⁠Go to ⁠Israel Connect⁠: Your bridge to the land and peopleof Israel!

Audio reading: Num 16:41-50, 2 Kings 18:13-19:37, Acts 21:1-17, Psalm 149:1-9, Prov 18:8Join me in this journey reading through the entire bible inone year!  In Matthew 4:4, Yeshua said these words: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Taking in the word of God every day is LIFE to our spirit and health to our bones!Visit us at: ⁠⁠dailyaudiotorah.com⁠⁠Go to ⁠Israel Connect⁠: Your bridge to the land and peopleof Israel!

Audio reading: Num 16:31-40, 2 Kings 17:1-18:12, Acts 20:1-18, Psalm 148:1-14, Prov 18:6-7Join me in this journey reading through the entire bible inone year!  In Matthew 4:4, Yeshua said these words: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Taking in the word of God every day is LIFE to our spirit and health to our bones!Visit us at: ⁠⁠dailyaudiotorah.com⁠⁠Go to ⁠Israel Connect⁠: Your bridge to the land and peopleof Israel!

In Matthew 28:16-20 we learned that we make disciples by Jesus' authority and because of his presence.

Audio reading: Num 16:16-30, 2 Kings 15:1-16:20, Acts 19:13-41, Psalm 147:1-20, Prov 18:4-5Join me in this journey reading through the entire bible inone year!  In Matthew 4:4, Yeshua said these words: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Taking in the word of God every day is LIFE to our spirit and health to our bones!Visit us at: ⁠⁠dailyaudiotorah.com⁠⁠Go to ⁠Israel Connect⁠: Your bridge to the land and peopleof Israel!

In Matthew 13, Jesus spoke of His movement and ministry with confidence and vision of what the future held. No one in His audience could've imagined what would become of His rabble following. All of these years later, the impact that He and His Church have had on our world and lives is self-evident. We get to live our lives out on this side of all of Jesus' promises and their fulfillments, and thus are without excuse as to not opt in to His Kingdom and Reign. In this message, we consider the impact that Jesus has had on our world and how every life has been influenced for good by His teaching. We hear His invitation to pursue the Kingdom of God above all other causes and priorities and are confronted with questions as to how we are spending our time. At the end of this age, everything done without Christ at the center will be considered a waste and will perish. Are we wasting the gift and opportunity that God has given us? When this age is done, only that which was done for Christ will matter.

Today,we're continuing to meditate and look atthe scene of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane with His disciples. Remember, Heleft eight of them somewhere—we're not sure where—but took three of them,Peter, James, and John, a little further. Then immediately He told them inverse 40, “Pray that you enter not into temptation.” Now Matthew'sGospel tells us that He also said to them at that time, “Stay here and watchwith Me.” And then He went a little further and fell on His face andprayed.  Weknow that Jesus, when He prayed the first time, said, “Not My will, but Thywill be done,” to the Father, He came back and found the disciples sleeping.Jesus is praying and He asked them to pray. He needs the comfort and assurancethat the disciples are there with Him during His time of trial—His time oflaying down His life, of accepting the cup of sins of the entire humanity. Heneeds that support in prayer. If Jesus needed support in prayer, how much moredo we need support in prayer? Now,these three disciples, instead of praying, all fall asleep. Luke also tells us inverse 45, that He came after He prayed the last time and found them sleepingfrom sorrow. They're overwhelmed with sorrow. Jesus, as He shared the cup ofthe Lord's Supper with them had been telling them, “I'm going to die. This isMy flesh, this is My blood,” and reminded them that the Lamb had to die, and thatHe was the Lamb who was going to die. They're overwhelmed with sorrow. Theyexpected Him to set up His Kingdom, and He's talking about dying. That's why Jesustold them in John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God,believe also in Me.” Jesus saw the trouble in their hearts, the sorrowthat's overwhelming them. But now, instead of praying, they're sleeping becauseof sorrow.  Twoof the Gospels tells us that their eyes were heavy with sleep (Matthew 26:43;Mark 14:40). They were also overwhelmed with just physical tiredness. Andthat's a bad place for us to get into—where we're emotionally, physically,mentally, and spiritually worn out to the point that we cannot pray. The secondtime when He came and found them sleeping, He said to them, “Watch andpray.” In Matthew 26:41, we read that Jesus also said, “that you enternot into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” RememberPeter's declaration just minutes earlier? “If I have to die with You, I willnot deny You.” (Matthew 26:35). Okay—the spirit is willing. Especially whenwe go to church on Sunday morning and hear the message or the Sunday schoollesson, and we get around God's people, we feel strengthened. We feel strong.And we leave saying, “Man, I'm going to serve Jesus this week. I'm going tolive for Him. I'm not going to go back to those old habits and sins that takeme away from Him, keep me from praying, and keep me from getting up andspending time in the Word with the Lord in the morning.” Andyet, as willing as the spirit is on Sunday, Monday morning comes, and the fleshis weak. Or when the trial and the time of temptation comes—my friend, theflesh is weak. It's weaker than we ever imagined. Peter didn't know himself aswell as he thought he did. And neither do we.  Fromthis experience, Peter later writes in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant;your adversary the devil goes about like a roaring lion.” I'm convinced thedevil was out to kill Jesus there in the Garden of Gethsemane—to keep Him fromthe cross. I mean, the bastions of hell surrounded Jesus as He goes to thecross (Psalm 22:12-13). But Jesus is prepared, He prays three times. He praysand yields in obedience to the will of the Father. The disciples? What are theydoing? Sleeping.So,when the moment of temptation comes, what happens with Peter and the disciples?They all forsake Him and flee. Jesus stands strong, yields Himself as a Lambgoing to the slaughter, and goes with the soldiers to be crucified.

Living in a Hostile WorldMatthew 10:16-22Christians are living in a hostile culture But it's NEVER been any different, and it never will, until Jesus returns. In Matthew's account of the ministry of Jesus, he records the words of the Saviour as he sends his disciples out to witness for him. Let's see how he prepares them for the hostile environment they will be living and working in…This message was delivered at Ballymacashon - please excuse the sound quality, extraneous sounds and echo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Audio reading: Num 16:1-15, 2 Kings 13:1-14:29, Acts 18:23-19:12, Psalm 146:1-10, Prov 18:2-3Join me in this journey reading through the entire bible inone year!  In Matthew 4:4, Yeshua said these words: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Taking in the word of God every day is LIFE to our spirit and health to our bones!Visit us at: ⁠⁠dailyaudiotorah.com⁠⁠

In Matthew 24:34, Jesus states, "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place." In this week's teaching, Jacob describes his take on what, "this generation" means and who it is.

Hi, I'm John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you're listening to Share Life Today.   What's more valuable than worldly success? In Matthew 16:26, Jesus asked, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet [lose] their soul?” Well, we know, it's Jesus that is the greatest treasure a person can attain. And that's the heart behind what's happening in Vienna, Virginia, where a local church trained 22 new believers to confidently share the Gospel. During one recent night where they went out to the community to share their faith, one of the teams met a man named Insu. At first, Insu said he hoped God would forgive him—but he wasn't sure of his eternal future. That night, the team gently walked him through the Gospel, and Insu prayed to receive the gift of eternal life. By the end, he answered both diagnostic questions with joy and clarity! When Christians are equipped, they become bold and effective witnesses for Christ—anywhere, anytime. Want to get equipped? We'd love to help. For resources, visit our website at sharelife.today.

When Jesus gets to the garden, He takes three of the inner circledisciples—Peter, James, and John—and goes a little further. Jesusleft eight of the other disciples somewhere else in the garden, and He takesthese three a little further. What's interesting is that this is the third timethat Jesus has shared a special occasion with these three men. The first waswhen Jesus raised Jairus's daughter from the dead in Luke 8:41-56. The secondis when Jesus was on the Mount of Transfiguration and was transfigured beforethem in Luke 9:28-36. Youunderstand that even on this third occasion in the garden, there's somethingconnected spiritually with all three of these occasions, and that is death.Jesus raised Jairus's daughter from the dead when James, John, and Peter werein the room with Him on that occasion. Dr. G. Campbell Morgan, a great Biblepreacher, a British expositor, pointed out that each of these occasions hadsomething to do with death. In Jairus's house, Jesus proved Himself to bevictorious over death. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus was glorifiedthrough death. There, He, Moses, and Elijah were talking about His decease, Hisdeath in Jerusalem, and, of course, His resurrection. Now here in the garden,Jesus is surrendering His life to death. Youremember also that James was the first apostle to die in Acts 12:1-2. John wasthe last to die, probably on the Isle of Patmos or maybe after He got out ofexile and came back to Ephesus. Peter experienced great persecution andeventually was crucified, they tell us, upside down in Rome. These threelessons were no doubt practical for them as they themselves prepared for deathand faced death as they did later. Sowe see Jesus is with these three disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. I wouldreally encourage you to read Matthew 26:36-46. Matthew's gospel, on thisoccasion in verse 37, tells us that He took with Him Peter and the two sons ofZebedee and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. He said to them,"My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch withMe." Then it says He went a little further. Here in chapter 22 of Luke'sgospel, in verse 41, He withdrew from them about a stone's throw. Ifyou think about that, a stone's throw was basically saying as far as it wouldtake to throw a stone. When the Jewish people were about to kill someone,Jewish execution always took place with a stoning. Luke giving us the distance,“a stone's throw”, was his way of telling us that Jesus was preparing for thatstone's throw, but it wouldn't be a stone's throw; it would be a crucifixionbecause Old Testament scripture prophesied that Jesus would be crucified. Hewould be hung on a cross; He would die in a cruel way; His blood would be shedthat way. SoJesus went about a stone's throw and He knelt down and prayed. Very interesting,Jesus had said to the disciples, "Watch and pray. I need your help; I needyour support during this hour. Watch and pray; be alert; be on the watch. Satanis out to destroy you; Satan is out to hinder us and keep us even from going tothe cross."  Jesusbegan to be very sorrowful. So Jesus asked them to watch and pray. In Matthew'sgospel, He actually did this two times, came back the third time, and said, "ThenHe came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping andresting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed intothe hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."(Matthew 26:45-46) Soyou see this whole picture unfolds, Jesus is in Gethsemane, pouring out His heartin prayer. Tomorrow we'll talk about what He prayed concerning that cup, thatcup that He prayed, "Take this cup away from Me, nevertheless not My will,but Yours, be done." Today,I trust that instead of being asleep spiritually we are alert, watching andpraying during our trial of temptation! God bless!

Jesus Followers Run & Win Life's Races by Submitting Their Preferences to God Before Making Life-Defining Choices MESSAGE SUMMARY: You need to submit your life preferences to God. By submitting your life preferences to the Lord, He can help you to understand the life path to which your preferences will lead. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:24, tells us that our Life Preferences need an overarching focus: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.". Life preferences are not, necessarily, sins; but they can close doors in your life. In Matthew 10:37-39, Jesus provides a context from which we can assess life preference choices: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.".     TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, fill me with the simple trust that even out of the most awful evil around me, you are able to bring great good — for me, for others, and for your great glory. In Jesus' name, amen.     Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 91). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I can do what He asks of me. (Philippians 4:13). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 10:37-39; 1 Corinthians 9:12-27; James 3:13-18; Psalms 135:12-21. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “When Facing Difficult Circumstances, Look to Jesus as Our Great High Priest”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

In Matthew 18:1-3, Jesus calls us to become like children. Childlikeness—not childishness—is spiritual maturity that involves humility, dependence, and faith. It is having trust in God's provision and His affection. As children of God, may we remain fully reliant on our perfect Heavenly Father—trusting not just in what He gives, but resting in who He is.

On Thursday evening that we're looking at here in Luke chapter 22,Jesus has the Passover meal with His disciples, and there He institutes theLord's Supper. Somewhere between the Passover meal and the institution of the Lord'sSupper, Judas leaves to go gather the soldiers that will arrest Jesus. It is aroundthis same time, Jesus told Peter, "You're going to betray Me threetimes." Now, it is at that point, John 18:1 says, “When Jesus hadspoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, wherethere was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.” In Matthew 26:36, Matthewgives us the name of the garden. “Then Jesus came withthem to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit herewhile I go and pray over there." That'swhat we're looking at in verse 39 of Luke 22: “Coming out, Jesus went to theMount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him”.No doubt, Judas knew that He was going to this place each evening, and that'swhy he went there with the Roman soldiers to arrest Jesus after he had betrayedHim. Youmight ask why is this garden such a significant place for the story of Christ betrayal,arrest and crucifixion? Why did Jesus go to this garden, and why does thisgarden become a place that we need to know about? I think there are so manywonderful things we can learn from this. We must remember that the history ofmankind began in a garden; that's where God created Adam and placed him in agarden in Genesis 2:7-25. Read through that passage and circle the word"in the garden" or "the garden". It'sin the garden of Eden in Genesis chapter 3 that sin enters the world. There yousee Adam and Eve disobeying and rebelling against known will of God and eatingof the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and sin enters theworld. But we also know here we have the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, the Son ofGod, who is the second Adam, according to 1 Corinthians 15:45-47. The firstAdam was disobedient and ate of the fruit that was forbidden, and sin comesinto the human race. It was the second man, Jesus Christ, who submitted to thewill of God. He became obedient even unto the death of the cross, and there inthe garden of Gethsemane, He accepts the cup, the cup of our sins, the cup ofsufferings, and He is willing to go to the cross and die for us and give useternal life. The first Adam brought death in a garden, but the second Adam,Jesus Christ, is the one who brings us life as He submitted to the will of theFather. Howinteresting is that, that it all begins and ends in the garden? Maybe John hadin mind, when he said that Jesus crossed the brook Kidron, he was thinkingabout David in 2 Samuel chapter 15, when Absalom rebelled against him, andDavid loses his throne and leaves Jerusalem with a small remnant of followersand goes across the brook Kidron, fleeing from his son Absalom. Here we seeJesus Christ, the King of the Jews, literally the King of heaven, the King ofeternity; He is rejected, and He leaves Jerusalem and goes across the samebrook Kidron, which means “murky, dark. and enters the garden of Gethsemane. Theword Gethsemane means “olive press”, where the olives would be pressed, and outof it would come the oil that would be used for healing and cooking and for somany different things. In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus Christ drank the cupof our sins; He was pressed; His life was pressed out of Him there in prayer asHe prayed, and willingly laid down His life for usWhatan interesting passage. I trust you'll meditate on these words, and you'll evenmore than ever love your Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave His life for you. Godbless!

In Matthew 13, Jesus teaches about the importance of the soil upon which the seeds of the gospel are spread. What kind of soil is your heart? If you prefer to listen, stream, and/or watch, join us and subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kingwoodmethodist

In Matthew 24:1-14 we see that Jesus is the final sacrifice who calls us to persevere in His mission until He returns.

This Sunday Pastor Jonathan Booker concluded our series "Heart Over Hype". In this series we dove deep into the powerful teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5, Jesus challenges us to look beyond the surface and see the world through His eyes—a perspective far richer and more transformative than our natural understanding. Stay tuned for details on the next series coming soon!Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. Matthew 5:1-2Our mission is to glorify God by equipping His people to change their world and by planting churches with the same world-changing vision.Website: https://mannastafford.church/Find us on: Facebook:   / mannastafford  Instagram:   / manna.stafford  TikTok:   / manna.stafford

In Matthew 23:25–28, Jesus compares the Scribes and Pharisees to whitewashed tombs—clean and beautiful on the outside, but full of dead bones on the inside. In this sermon, we take a closer look at what Jesus meant by this strong warning. He shows us the difference between looking religious on the outside and having a heart that is truly devoted to God. This sermon was preached at Legacy Reformed Baptist Church in East Grand Forks, MN. For more information, visit LegacyRBC.org.

Cindi McMenamin reminds us that Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him—and find rest. With wisdom from Matthew 11:28-30, she reveals how God’s “burden” isn’t about endless tasks but a call to love Him passionately, freeing us from anxiety and exhaustion.

In Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus clearly reveals what he believes about Scripture and why it matters for you today. He teaches that Scripture is divinely inspired and completely true, with every word pointing to Him as the fulfillment of God's promises. Not a single detail will fail to come to pass. What might happen if you started seeing God's Word as the foundation of truth and the guide for life and allowed it to reshape your heart, priorities, and purpose?

In Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus clearly reveals what he believes about Scripture and why it matters for you today. He teaches that Scripture is divinely inspired and completely true, with every word pointing to Him as the fulfillment of God's promises. Not a single detail will fail to come to pass. What might happen if you started seeing God's Word as the foundation of truth and the guide for life and allowed it to reshape your heart, priorities, and purpose?

We invite you on this Sunday to explore this text with Pastor Charles Barksdale. In Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV), Jesus invites all who are tired and burdened to come to Him. He promises to give them rest for their souls. Jesus tells them to take on His "yoke" and learn from Him, because He is gentle and humble. He assures them that His way is easy, and His burden is light. This passage is a powerful call to find peace by surrendering to Jesus. It's our prayer that God truly blesses you during this sermon message today.

Dave Brisbin 6.22.25 Chances are, if you were raised in a Christian tradition, you learned that doubt was the enemy of faith, the opposite of faith, if you had any doubt at all you had no faith. Such learning goes deep and doesn't go away without a fight. Makes us so hard on ourselves, feeling the inevitable doubts of uncertain human life only to pile on the condemnation of childhood. Making matters worse, we read the gospels to see the first followers of Jesus drop their nets, their entire lives, to follow him at their very first meeting. These were men with wives and children, livelihoods supporting their households. They left all that at the first meeting with a stranger? Is that the bar for faith? We make a fundamental error in assuming that the first mention of a person meeting Jesus is also their first meeting. In Matthew and Mark's gospels, Andrew and Peter are first mentioned following Jesus immediately, but was that their first meeting? In Luke, Jesus walks into Peter's house as if he lives there and heals his mother-in-law a chapter before he calls Peter to follow. And in John, Andrew meets Jesus first, then persuades Peter to come, while other disciples are gathered over time. First mention is not the same as first meeting. The decision to follow Jesus was a gradual process as with the development of any human relationship. They met, got to know one another, sat in each other's homes with a growing realization of who Jesus was. Luke relates that Jesus gets in Peter's boat at the end of an unsuccessful day of fishing and asks him to put out a little way from shore so he could address the pressing crowd. After speaking, he tells Peter to put out into deep water where they catch more fish than they can haul. Putting out a little way, little risk, to hear the logos or propositional truth is always the first step. Putting out to deep water to hear the rhema or living call to action is the moment truth becomes more than we can haul. Even then, Peter is still wracked with doubt. Doubt is not the opposite of faith. Faith needs doubt as courage needs fear. Answering the call in spite of our doubts is the best humans do.

Dave Brisbin 6.22.25 Chances are, if you were raised in a Christian tradition, you learned that doubt was the enemy of faith, the opposite of faith, if you had any doubt at all you had no faith. Such learning goes deep and doesn't go away without a fight. Makes us so hard on ourselves, feeling the inevitable doubts of uncertain human life only to pile on the condemnation of childhood. Making matters worse, we read the gospels to see the first followers of Jesus drop their nets, their entire lives, to follow him at their very first meeting. These were men with wives and children, livelihoods supporting their households. They left all that at the first meeting with a stranger? Is that the bar for faith? We make a fundamental error in assuming that the first mention of a person meeting Jesus is also their first meeting. In Matthew and Mark's gospels, Andrew and Peter are first mentioned following Jesus immediately, but was that their first meeting? In Luke, Jesus walks into Peter's house as if he lives there and heals his mother-in-law a chapter before he calls Peter to follow. And in John, Andrew meets Jesus first, then persuades Peter to come, while other disciples are gathered over time. First mention is not the same as first meeting. The decision to follow Jesus was a gradual process as with the development of any human relationship. They met, got to know one another, sat in each other's homes with a growing realization of who Jesus was. Luke relates that Jesus gets in Peter's boat at the end of an unsuccessful day of fishing and asks him to put out a little way from shore so he could address the pressing crowd. After speaking, he tells Peter to put out into deep water where they catch more fish than they can haul. Putting out a little way, little risk, to hear the logos or propositional truth is always the first step. Putting out to deep water to hear the rhema or living call to action is the moment truth becomes more than we can haul. Even then, Peter is still wracked with doubt. Doubt is not the opposite of faith. Faith needs doubt as courage needs fear. Answering the call in spite of our doubts is the best humans do.

In Matthew 28:1-15 we learned that the resurrection of Jesus changes everything.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Matthew 28:18-20KEY VERSE(S): Matthew 28:19 (ESV) “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”This Sunday, we wrap up our JESUS Like No Other series with one of the most important teachings Jesus ever gave: The Great Commission.In Matthew 28:19, Jesus sends His followers to make disciples of all nations, a mission that continues to define the Church today. This is a powerful invitation to join in His ongoing work around the world.Jesus doesn't send us alone, but promises His presence and power as we go. Whether you're a new believer or a lifelong Christian, this message will challenge and encourage you to live out your calling with purpose. Let's be on mission for Jesus!#GreatCommission #Matthew2819 #MakeDisciples #JesusLikeNoOther #GoAndMakeDisciples #OnMissionForJesu #ChristianCalling #ChurchMission #FaithInAction  #BaptizeInHisName #LiveWithPurpose #JesusSendsUs #DiscipleMaking #JesusTeaching #GodsMissionSupport the show

In Matthew chapter 23 Jesus points out the great hypocrisy in the Pharisees. They were all about showing off, doing what they did to be seen by men. And they certainly didn't practice what they preached. Pastor John observes the same sort of behavior in much of the world today in his message! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1368/29

There is a fair amount of promotion of the need for body building and physical fitness these days. It is a pity there is not as much – indeed more – emphasis on being spiritually fit, it is far more needed – and vital for our own eternal well-being. Our thoughts were provoked along these lines as we read today the 25 verses of the short letter of Jude.He starts by telling us he is the brother of James, so it is usually accepted that he is another half-brother of Jesus. In Matthew 13 v.55, we see that Jesus had a (half) brother, Judas is well as one named James. We assume he is writing in his old age, he addresses ” those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ” [v.1]. Jude sees much evidence of declining faith and writes “appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” [v.3]There is one true faith – a right way of believing and living, but some “pervert the grace of God into sensuality …” [v.4] and this in effect means they “deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” We show we believe not only by our words but by how we live and Jude gives examples from history of so many who, although they made ‘offerings' to God “walked in the way of Cain” and of Balaam and Korah (son of Aaron) who all had intimate knowledge of things divine but who acted in evil ways. [v.11]Jude was obviously living in the last days of the Jewish nation, but his warnings of the approaching end are very applicable to today. “You must remember,” he writes, “the predictions of the apostles … they said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers … who cause divisions, worldly people. But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith … keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” [v.18-21] Only by such building up will we gain eternal life.The result of genuinely doing this will be a real living relationship with our Lord “who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.” [v.24] Let us build ourselves up to a genuine state of spiritual fitness, feeding on God's word every day is an essential part of our diet.

Does Hell have different levels or degrees of punishment? Yes. Jesus tells us there are different degrees of punishment for people in hell. This makes sense because even here on earth prison sentences vary based on the severity of the crime, a criminal's history, and the laws set forth by the authorities. The Creator of the Universe has prepared two locations where human beings will exist after they die. In Matthew 25:46, Jesus said, “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” There is only Heaven or hell. Listen as Bill and Annette share the biblical evidence of varying degrees of punishment in hell. For more information about Bill Wiese and Soul Choice Ministries please visit us at: https://soulchoiceministries.org/  You can find more of Bill's teachings at: BillWieseTV-Y

Are You Prepared to Face Your Death? Have You Prepared Your Family for Your Death and Led them on a Path to Their Eternal Life? MESSAGE SUMMARY: Most of us do not like to think about and plan for death, especially our own. However, Paul in. Romans 6:23, made your life and death position very clear: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.". As part of your preparations for eternity, you should take one time each year to evaluate and to reflect on your position for facing death and realizing eternal life by identifying those changes that you must make in your life and in your relationship with God. This preparation for your death will be a blessing for you and your family. Are you prepared to face your death? Will you have eternal life? What about those you leave behind – are you being a good steward?  Also, what about your family? Is your family prepared for your earthly death and their earthly death; and have you led your family on a path to receive their eternal life? In Matthew 28:18, Jesus gave us His Great Commission for your life focus: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.". Have you followed Jesus' Great Commission, for your own family, by making disciples of your family members?     TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, everything in me resists following you into the garden of Gethsemane to fall on my face to the ground before you. Grant me the courage to follow you all the way to the cross, whatever that might mean for my life. And then, by your grace, lead me to resurrection life and power. In Jesus' name, amen.   Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 100). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Inadequacy. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Abundance. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Romans 5:12-15; Romans 7:24-25; Matthew 28:18-20; Psalms 147:1-20. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Five Needs of Fathers” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Thursday, 19 June 2025   Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. Matthew 11:1   “And it was, when Jesus, He finished through-arranging His twelve disciples, He departed thence to teach and proclaim in their cities” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus finished up His words to the apostles concerning their commission to go forth and preach the gospel. Chapter 11 begins with, “And it was, when Jesus, He finished through-arranging His twelve disciples.” Of the words, “And it was, when Jesus, He finished...” The Pulpit Commentary notes –   The same formula recurs in Matthew 7:28; Matthew 13:53; Matthew 19:1; and Matthew 26:1. In all five cases, it marks the end of important speeches.   Because of this, we know that the direction of thought will make a change, and it does. In Matthew's note, a new word diatassó is used. It is from dia, through, and tassó, to arrange, assign, appoint, etc. Thus, it speaks of thoroughly arranging a matter. It thus gives the sense of Jesus having completely instructed His apostles, preparing them for what lay ahead. With them properly and thoroughly instructed, it next says that “He departed thence.”   Where “thence” is, cannot be defined. The last hint of any location they were at was as Chapter 9 was ending –   “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'” Matthew 9:35-38   Thus, this instruction probably came at some unrecorded point along their travels throughout the Galilee. With that noted, another difficult set of words arises, noting that He left there “to teach and proclaim in their cities.”   The words themselves are not complicated, but it begs the question, “Who is ‘their' referring to?” The nearest personal antecedent would be the twelve disciples. As such, one would think it would be either the towns where they had gone to or maybe the cities where they were from. However, it may be Matthew making a general statement about the cities of the Galilee. This is how Vincent's Word Studies and some others take the words.   Life application: Jesus carefully instructed those He was sending forth so that they would be prepared for what lay ahead. Some of His instructions apply to things that would happen in the distant future in relation to Israel, demonstrating that His words carry beyond the immediate disciples listening to His instruction.   However, they are words that apply to evangelizing Israel. The context needs to be maintained. If not, people will incorrectly insert themselves into the narrative, and faulty connections will be inevitable. Continue to remember this as Matthew and the other synoptic gospels are read.   There are various truths that Jesus will state at times that apply in any situation and to anybody. But the specific directions and prophesied events He speaks of apply to Israel, not the church. By keeping this in mind, His words will always fit harmoniously with the rest of the New Testament.   When the church is inappropriately inserted, there will be conflicts between what Jesus says and what is presented later in the epistles. Israel, as a nation, eventually rejected Jesus. They will be exiled and receive the curses of the law until a set time when they will be regathered. At some point, the church will be removed, and the attention of the Lord will predominantly be on Israel once again.   With Israel back in the land, we can assume that this change is coming sooner rather than later. Although the day is unknown and will come without any advanced notice (1 Thessalonians 5:1), it will come. Until then, remember that Israel is not the church nor has it been replaced by the church. With this understanding, there will be no contradictory thoughts between Jesus' words and those of the epistles.   Lord God, one step at a time, You are working through history to bring all things back to the state of perfection that was lost so long ago. Help us to see clearly how You are doing these things and to rightly divide Your word according to this marvelous plan. Yes, Lord, give us insights into these wonderful things. Amen.

What Do I Do If I Have Committed Sexual Sin?Anchored in the Word with Dave JenkinsIn this episode, Dave Jenkins addresses what the Bible says about sexual sin, the call to repentance, the assurance of God's forgiveness, and practical steps to walk in holiness. A biblically grounded message of hope and restoration for anyone struggling with this issue.For biblical guidance on repentance, see Repentance.You can also explore more episodes from Anchored in the Word.Listen to the AudioWatch the VideoUnderstanding Sexual Sin in the BibleFirst, we need to recognize that sexual sin is a serious issue in Scripture. From the very beginning of God's creation, sexuality has been designed to be a gift, meant to be expressed within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman. The Bible is clear that anything outside of this—whether it's adultery, fornication, pornography, or lust—is sin.1 Corinthians 6:18-20 — "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."Paul's warning in 1 Corinthians is clear: sexual sin is different because it involves our own bodies. When we sin sexually, we are sinning against the very body that is meant to glorify God. We're also reminded in this passage that our bodies belong to God. The idea of ‘my body, my choice' is utterly contradicted by the truth that we have been bought with a price—the precious blood of Jesus Christ.The Call to RepentanceSo, what do you do if you've committed sexual sin? The first and most important step is repentance. Repentance is not just feeling bad about what you've done, but turning away from sin and turning back to God.1 John 1:9 — "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."God is faithful and just to forgive when we come to Him with a repentant heart. The first step in restoration is to acknowledge your sin before God. There is no sin too great that it cannot be forgiven by the blood of Christ. When you confess your sin, you are agreeing with God about what you've done and expressing your desire to turn away from it.Repentance also involves a change of heart—a desire to forsake sin and pursue holiness. True repentance is not just about asking for forgiveness but about actively seeking to turn from the sin and live in obedience to God. In Matthew 5:29-30, Jesus warns that if something causes us to stumble, we should take radical steps to remove it from our lives.Matthew 5:29-30 — "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away."This is a strong and radical teaching from Jesus. He's calling us to take drastic measures in removing the sin that entangles us. If your sin is tied to something in your life, whether it's a relationship, a habit, or even access to certain media, you need to be willing to make changes. Repentance means doing whatever it takes to flee from temptation and sin.The Assurance of Forgiveness and God's GraceNow, after we've repented, it's crucial to know that forgiveness is certain. If you've truly confessed and turned from your sin, God promises to forgive you.Psalm 103:12 — "As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."God's forgiveness is complete. When He forgives us, He removes our sins completely, never to be held against us again. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). So, if you've repented, you can rest in the assurance that God has forgiven you. Don't allow the enemy to bring condemnation into your heart.

Pray for God's Healing Grace Because Jesus “spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing” MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus knows the aches and wounds of your soul, and He wants to bring you healing. Jesus does not want you living in pain, heartache, or emptiness. The Apostle Luke tells you, in Luke 9:10-11, that Jesus wants to cure those who need His healing: “On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.". We are in an “instant society”, but healing is a process; and your healing may take a long time. Sometimes God wants you to wait, or He may see your need for healing differently from your perspective. However, in your personal relationship with God, you must pray and ask for His healing. In Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus tells us: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!". Pray for God's healing grace for your soul and your body.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, fill me with the simple trust that even out of the most awful evil around me, you are able to bring great good — for me, for others, and for your great glory. In Jesus' name, amen.     Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 91). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I can do what he asks of me. (Philippians 4:13). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 9:10-11; Revelation 22:1-3; 2 Chronicles 7:14-16; Psalms 146:1-10. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Five Needs of Fathers”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Daily Dose of Hope June 18, 2025   Scripture – Matthew 13:24-58   Prayer:  Holy and Merciful God, We come to you today rejoicing in your holy name.  It's amazing that you, the God of all, care about the minute details of our lives.  I mean, who are we?  But yet, you love us, you care, you died for us!  Thank you, Jesus.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Help us, as we move on throughout this day to remember your presence.  Guide our words, our actions, and our thoughts.  Help us hear your voice as we engage with your Word today.  We love you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today is Wednesday and that means Recharge Day!  Hope we see you tonight, in the New Hope Garage, at 6:30pm for worship, prayer, fellowship, and small community.   For our Scripture, we are finishing up Matthew 13.  This portion of Scripture includes many more parables.  Let's start with the wheat and the weeds.  Y'all, this parable is powerful.  It has really been important in my own spiritual journey.  Here is where I have landed on it...   In the parable, the owner sows good seed but the enemy comes in the dark of night and sows weeds. The workers are understandably upset and ask the owner if he caused this. This is actually a theodicy question–how can a good God allow bad things to happen.  Basically, God, we thought you were good, why did you allow the “weeds” to grow in our lives? As believers, it is okay to question God and ask why the horrible occurred. This theology of protest doesn't demonstrate a lack of faith, but actually is an “expression of faith.” It's okay to be angry with God, question God, shake your fist so to speak, but stay in the conversation! This is, in itself, an act of faith.   Jesus also addresses the source of the weeds–the enemy has spread them. God is not the source of evil–God does not cause evil to occur so that we might grow spiritually or to perpetuate some grander divine plan. Rather, God's enemy is the source of all evil. Matthew 13:39 refers to the devil as God's enemy. Satan is real and there is real evil in our world, which both inhabits and transcends individuals, families, communities, nations, cultures, and economic structures. Why doesn't the owner in the parable want the workers to pull the weeds? Because in doing so, both the weeds and the wheat would be pulled out (Matthew 13:29). God can't just do away with all evil because, whether we like it or not, we are all are a complex and confusing mix of both good and evil. Furthermore, this isn't how God deals with the world. Although God has the power to eliminate evil using brute force (the way humans might deal with it), this goes against God's character. God instead acts through the loving and yet “weak” power of the cross. God's answer to evil was sending Jesus Christ, the one who truly understands what it means to suffer and also the only one through which true and complete healing can occur.   But the parable doesn't end there. In Matthew 13:41-43, Jesus explains how in the end, evil will be vanquished; it will not have the final word. Although I firmly believe this is true, it fails to offer much comfort in the midst of counseling someone who is grappling with the death of a baby or a sexual assault in the here and now. What is helpful, however, is to point out how God's work in the world is often difficult to understand (think about the parable of the mustard seed and the yeast). We might not always see God's power at work, but it's there in the smallest and most unusual ways, changing and transforming us, guiding us, and leading us closer to Jesus (power in the form of “loving weakness”). God is waging war on evil, just not necessarily in ways we see or understand.   It makes sense, then, that Jesus would follow up this parable with the mustard seed and yeast.  You see, in God's Kingdom, small things can yield really big results. A tiny seed can produce a big tree, so big that birds can nest in it. Seeds are really interesting things as well. They can reproduce themselves exponentially. It takes one seed to make that big mustard tree and from that tree, many, many more seeds are produced. A little bit of yeasty dough can be mixed with flour to make enough bread to feed hundreds of people.    God's economy is different.  In the world, our default setting, big things are valued–big money, big jobs, big cars, big houses, big, flashy, noticeable---these are all things that indicate power, prestige, control. In God's Kingdom, it's okay for things to be small. Small, seemingly insignificant things can make a huge difference. Mustard seeds, yeast, loaves & fishes, a random act of kindness, a kind or encouraging word, spending time with God in prayer, offering a prayer over someone else, the widow's mite, a humble life lived with integrity, sharing our faith story with someone, or our willingness to serve others. Small things that all can yield huge results for God's Kingdom. Our daily prayers can yield huge, miraculous results.   These parables, along with the others from this chapter, all give glimpses into God's Kingdom.  What is it like living under the reign of God?  We are getting snapshots.    But that doesn't mean people get it or appreciate it.  As we read at the end of the chapter, when he went to his hometown (which we know is Nazareth), the people were amazed at his teaching.  But they were also skeptical.  He was too familiar to them.  They saw this boy grow up.  They knew his parents and his siblings.  It created an obstacle to belief.  So there, he didn't do many miracles.  He moved on.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

In Matthew 13:10-17, Jesus explains why he teaches in parables. The significance of his teaching deepens for us when we understand that Jesus is quoting from Isaiah 6. What keeps you from seeing, hearing and understanding these words  of Jesus that “come alongside” his teachings? If you prefer to listen, stream, and/or watch, join us and subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kingwoodmethodist

Tuesday, 17 June 2025   He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. Matthew 10:41   “The ‘receiving a prophet' in a prophet's name, a prophet's reward he will receive. And the ‘receiving a righteous' in a righteous' name, a righteous' reward he will receive” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus said, “The ‘receiving you,' Me receives. And the ‘Me receiving,' he receives the ‘having sent Me.'” In a similar manner, He now steps down the level of reception, saying, “The ‘receiving a prophet' in a prophet's name, a prophet's reward he will receive.”   This is obviously referring to a true prophet of the Lord. Although the reciprocal could still hold true. Someone receiving a false prophet, if taken in and accepting of his message, will eventually receive the false prophet's same fate. But that is not the intent here.   Of the prophet, in the Old Testament, he was the highest form of believer in God, having a word issued from God through Him. Although not necessarily an ambassador, he is one who speaks the word of the Lord. In Genesis 20:7, Abraham is specifically said to be a prophet of God. Moses notes he is a prophet in Deuteronomy 18:18.   In receiving such a person, there is an acknowledgment that what the prophet receives, the person will also receive. Although Jesus is probably referring to the reception of rewards in the next life, it is a truth that accompanied some in their earthly lives.   In 1 Kings 17, the widow of Zarephath received Elijah. In turn, she received a supply of food during the drought that consumed the land. In Jeremiah 39, Ebed-Melech tended to Jeremiah the prophet, and the Lord promised to deliver him during the terrible siege upon the city.   Likewise, in Jeremiah 45, Baruch the scribe was given words of assurance from the Lord for his faithfulness to the word of the Lord through Jeremiah. As for a later prophet's reward, meaning at the resurrection, one is recorded in Daniel 12 –   “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.” Daniel 12:13   Based on Jesus' words, it can be assumed that those who are saved and raised at the resurrection, and who received Daniel, would receive a similar inheritance. Next, Jesus says, “And the ‘receiving a righteous' in a righteous' name, a righteous' reward he will receive.”   This is another step down the ladder, going from the prophet to the righteous. The categories are set, just as they are in the list given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:28. This demonstrates the wisdom of God in apportioning out His gifts and His grace in various ways.   As for the righteous, the Bible, even during the times of the law, identifies them as those who are of faith. This is made explicit in Hebrews 11, where those of faith are spoken of as righteous. Rahab the harlot received the spies and received her reward because of that. As in the prophet, it can be assumed that this truth goes beyond this life, though.   Those who receive the righteous, holding to their standard themselves, will receive the resurrection of the righteous and what it entails. Jesus is making a point about rewards. This thought will continue in the next verse.   Life application: In Matthew 11:11, Jesus says –   “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”   One reason for Jesus' word is certainly that a person who has entered the kingdom of heaven, meaning that which is promised through the Messiah, has received all of what has been spoken of since the beginning, as outlined in the received word.   In receiving the word that speaks of God's plan, we have received the prophet through whom that word came. In receiving the words of the writings of the gospels, we have received those who authored those books. And in receiving the words of the apostles as written in the epistles, we have received those apostles who penned them.   But people receive the words at various levels of faith. There are those who say they believe Paul was an apostle, but they don't accept everything he says. For example, they may attend a church with a female pastor, something Paul's writings forbid.   This will not affect their salvation (assuming they are truly saved), but it will affect their rewards. They have not truly received Paul in the fullest sense. The judgment seat of Christ is something that lies ahead for all believers. Our eternal rewards and losses will be based on our faith and our deeds done in faith.   This must be inclusive of how we receive and apply the word of God to our lives. What level of understanding are you willing to attain concerning God's word? The church you select, the Bible studies you attend, the manner in which you accept the doctrines contained within the word, etc., are certainly all a part of how God is evaluating you.   Many in the world have never had a copy of the Bible. They lived by faith but without a fuller understanding of the word. Many today hunger for a copy of the word in their own language, waiting years to receive a translation to hold and cherish.   In Western countries, we have innumerable translations available at our fingertips. And yet, who among those who believe has read even a single translation from beginning to end?   The more you are willing to receive, the greater will be the return on your investment of time, doctrine, and closer fellowship. Be sure to make the word an integral and intimate part of your life.   Heavenly Father, help us to think clearly about how we tend to Your word. It is our connection to understanding You and what You have done in the stream of human existence, culminating in the coming of Christ Jesus. How can we ignore such a gift? May it not be so in our lives. Amen.  

In Matthew 13, Jesus uses Isaiah's words to hint at the idea that he teaches in parables to plant salvation seeds in our hearts. If you prefer to listen, stream, and/or watch, join us and subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kingwoodmethodist

https://newsongpeople.com/messages/church-the-communion-of-the-saintsWelcome to Week 8 of our Life Blood series!

In Matthew 23:13-39 we see that experiencing blessing rather than curse requires repentance and response to Jesus' invitation.

In Part 2 of Kings & Kingdoms, Pastor Benny takes us to one of the most powerful moments in the Gospels, Jesus walking on water. In Matthew 14:22-36, we learn that even when we're exactly where Jesus tells us to be, storms may still come. But the storm is no match for the One who walks on it. Whether you're in the middle of fear, doubt, or uncertainty, Jesus comes to you and speaks: "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." Watch, be encouraged, and share this word with someone who needs hope today.

This Sunday Pastor Jake continued our series "Heart Over Hype".  In this series we're diving deep into the powerful teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5, Jesus challenges us to look beyond the surface and see the world through His eyes—a perspective far richer and more transformative than our natural understanding. Join us next Sunday for the conclusion of the series!Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. Matthew 5:1-2Our mission is to glorify God by equipping His people to change their world and by planting churches with the same world-changing vision.Website: https://mannastafford.church/Find us on: Facebook:   / mannastafford  Instagram:   / manna.stafford  TikTok:   / manna.stafford

We have four different stories of Jesus' life contained in these four books to offer different, holy & sacred perspectives of that same story. We and yet we each need Jesus and strive to follow him. Throughout this series we will be encountering these stories in these four gospels by thinking through who this particular book was written to reach; what we might learn; and how we might be transformed into action by becoming more Jesus-like in our lives.In Matthew's narrative, Jesus is presented with undeniable authority as the promised Messiah—the Son of God—and the ultimate teacher and King. He is depicted as profoundly compassionate toward those who suffer, yet also fiercely challenging towards religious hypocrisy. Matthew's original audience consisted mostly of Jewish Christians. And we might label this part of Matthew's audience as ‘insiders'.

Identity and purpose are sought after by all people, yet how many find them? In Matthew 5-7 Jesus lays out the vision for the kingdom of God. As we look at His vision, we’ll zoom in on the first five verses of chapter 5 that gives us the foundation of Intimately walking with God and being used by Him. Sara and I are excited to be back and connecting with the church! - Luke Worden Key Passage - Matthew 5:1-5 For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49441078

We've spent this week diving into how we invest what God has given to us. In Matthew 25, we've already looked at four principles to live by. The last principle is compensation: If I use it wisely, I will be rewarded. Talent is cheap, but dedication is costly. When you use whatever talent God has given you for Him, God rewards you in three specific ways.What gifts are you going to give to God this summer?