Podcasts about in romans

Devotion isn't just a spiritual discipline — it's a way of life. Whether we realize it or not, all of us are devoted to something. The things that get our attention, hold our affection, and drive our activity are quietly shaping and forming us. So the question isn't if we're devoted — it's what we're devoted to. In Romans 12, Paul urges us to offer our whole selves to God as a living, ongoing act of worship. That kind of devotion requires discipline and intention, and it starts with aligning ourselves with God's work of restoration, reconciliation, and renewal in the world — trusting that a life fully devoted to Him is the truest, best way to live.

In Romans 2:11–29, Paul continues developing his argument by stressing that “God shows no favoritism.” Having established that God judges impartially, he now addresses a specific confidence many of his fellow Jews held — reliance on the Law and on the outward sign of circumcision. Paul affirms the privilege of having God's Law, yet he makes clear that possession of it is not the same as obedience to it. Hearing the Law does not justify anyone; doing it is what matters.He confronts the inconsistency of teaching others while failing to practice the same truths. Boasting in the Law while breaking it dishonors God and undermines the very covenant identity it claims to uphold. Circumcision, the visible mark of belonging to God's people, is valuable only if it reflects an obedient heart. Otherwise, it becomes empty symbolism. In a striking reversal, Paul explains that genuine faithfulness — even among Gentiles who do not possess the written Law — demonstrates that God's standards reach deeper than external markers.This section climaxes with a profound redefinition of what it means to belong to God. True Jewishness, Paul says, is not merely outward or physical; it is inward. Real circumcision is a matter of the heart, brought about by the Spirit, not simply by adherence to the written code.As Romans unfolds, this passage calls us beyond religious identity and external performance. It challenges us to examine whether our faith is merely outward or truly transforming within. God's approval does not rest on heritage, rituals, or knowledge alone, but on a heart renewed by His Spirit — one that lives in humble obedience before Him.Connect with us!Missioncity.church

Are we really that bad? Aren't some people better than others? In Romans 3:9-20, the Apostle Paul pulls no punches and places every single person, religious and rebellious, under the same verdict: guilty before a holy God. Quoting from the Old Testament, he shows that sin isn't just something we do, it's a condition we live under, affecting our hearts, our words, our paths, and ultimately our reverence for God. This message confronts our tendency to compare, excuse, and justify ourselves. It reminds us that no one naturally seeks God, no one does good with pure motives, and no one stands righteous by their own effort, so that every mouth may be silenced and every heart prepared for grace. In this message you'll learn: - Why being “better than others” is not the standard - The difference between sinful actions and a sinful condition - How our words reveal what rules our hearts - Why the fear of God frees us from the fear of everything else - How the law exposes guilt so grace can truly save

Righteousness is not something we achieve. It is something we receive. In Romans 3–4, Elder Elliotte Pearson reminds us that grace is not earned through performance or religious effort, but given freely through faith in Christ. When we truly recognize our need for a Savior, pride gives way to humility, and mercy meets us at the cross, where justice is satisfied and peace with God is secured.

In Romans 1, Paul exposes the root issue beneath sin: not just bad behavior, but dishonor. Humanity did not simply disobey — we exchanged. We traded the glory of the Creator for created things. And when God loses His rightful weight in our lives, something else always takes His place.In this message, Phil Martinez explores what it truly means to honor God. Biblically, honor carries the idea of weight — to treat God as significant, essential, and first. When we treat Him as light, optional, or secondary, our thinking becomes distorted and our hearts grow dark. But when we restore His rightful place, everything changes.This sermon is both a mirror and an invitation. Where has God become optional? What carries the most weight in your decisions — His Word, your feelings, culture, success, comfort? Honor begins in humility. It shows up in worship, obedience, generosity, suffering, and everyday life.God is not looking for perfect people — He is looking for surrendered hearts.Today is an opportunity to reverse the exchange. To give God back the weight He deserves. To honor Him not just with our lips, but with our lives.Passage: Romans 1:18–25

We spend so much time asking God for what we want—direction, success, healing, answers. But what does God want from us? In Romans 12:1–2, Paul shifts the focus from our desires to surrender. Join us this week as we explore the only reasonable response to God's mercy.

In Romans 4, Paul looks to Abraham to show that righteousness has never been earned—it has always been credited through faith. “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” This message reminds us that we are not justified by works, ritual, or performance, but by trusting God. A true walk of faith rests in forgiveness and lives in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

In Romans 7:1-6, Paul presses into a truth that changes how you relate to God, how you live, and how you obey: you don't belong to rules and guidelines—you belong to Jesus Christ. Using the metaphor of marriage and the simple legal principle that death ends obligation, Paul shows how union with Christ releases believers from the Law's condemning jurisdiction—not so we can drift, but so we can bear fruit for God and serve in the new way of the Spirit. This message confronts both legalism and license, and calls you into the freedom you were made for: belonging wholeheartedly to the Real Jesus.5 things you'll learn from this message:· Why Paul says the Law is good and useful—but not your Master, Judge, or Justifier· How the marriage illustration explains jurisdiction and why “death ends obligation” is the key to Romans 7:1-6· What it means to “belong to Another,” and why that belonging produces fruit for God· How legalism and license are two opposite ways of missing the gospel—and how Romans 7 diagnoses both· What “serving in the new way of the Spirit” looks like in real life when you're accused, tempted, or even trying to obeySupport our mission and learn more atwww.alloflife.churchGive to the work of the gospel herewww.alloflife.churchcenter.com/giving

In Romans 2:1-11, Paul shifts his focus from obvious rebellion to a more subtle danger — self-righteous judgment. After describing humanity's sin in chapter 1, he turns to those who condemn others while practicing the same kinds of wrongs. Paul warns that judging others does not excuse anyone from God's standard. Instead, it reveals a heart that also stands in need of grace.This passage emphasizes that God's kindness is meant to lead us to repentance, not to give us confidence in our own morality. His judgment is impartial and based on truth. Whether Jew or Gentile, religious or irreligious, every person is accountable to Him. God sees beyond outward appearance and evaluates the heart and the direction of one's life.As we move forward in Romans, this section calls us to humility. It reminds us that comparing ourselves to others is not the measure of righteousness — God's holiness is. Rather than standing in judgment over others, we are invited to respond to His patience with repentance and to rest in the hope of eternal life that He gives to those who seek Him.Connect with us!Missioncity.church

In Romans chapter seven the apostle Paul said, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Don't you feel like that sometimes? We all battle the flesh, and that will continue until we get to heaven! But there is a way to overcome and we have a helper too. We'll talk about that today on a Daily Walk as we dig deeper into First Peter chapter two. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1368/29?v=20251111

What does it really mean to be a Christian? According to Paul, it's not primarily about behavior, church attendance, or even emotional experiences—it's about having God's Spirit living inside you. In Romans 8, Paul shows that true assurance doesn't come from fleeting feelings but from the reality that we've been given a new identity by the Holy Spirit. To be “led by the Spirit” is not about chasing feelings; it's about living into our new identity as sons and daughters of God. __The Bridge Church exists to join God in multiplying his kingdom in Wilmington and the world.For more information on The Bridge Church, please visit https://thebridgeilm.com/Next Steps: https://thebridgeilm.churchcenter.com/people/forms/302918If you feel led, give online by clicking here: https://www.thebridgeilm.com/giveSTAY CONNECTEDInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebridgeilm/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBridgeILMEvents Page: https://thebridgeilm.churchcenter.com/registrations/events

Does our sin cancel God's faithfulness? If God is gracious, does sin even matter? In Romans 3:1–8, Paul tackles the hardest questions about God's justice, human failure, and the logic we use to justify ourselves. If everyone is guilty, is God unfair? If people don't believe, has God failed? And if our sin highlights his grace, why not keep sinning? This message exposes the subtle ways we argue with God and twist grace into permission. It reminds us that spiritual privilege doesn't remove accountability, human unbelief doesn't nullify God's faithfulness, and grace is never a license to sin. In this message you'll learn:     •    Why having the Bible increases responsibility     •    Why human failure never cancels God's faithfulness     •    How bad theology leads to bad living     •    Why God's justice and mercy are not in conflict

John 14:15-31,15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.Twenty-two years ago I stumbled into the habit of private worship every morning. I would get up early, make some coffee, and spend time reading God's word and praying. It's been the most transformative habit of my life — I've never stopped doing it. But about six years ago, I added a new part to it. The first thing I do now, right before I read the Bible, is I seek the mercy of God and give him thanks. I confess my need to God for his mercy and then I thank God for a specific way he has shown me mercy. And it can be all kinds of things … Sometimes it's Father, thank you for coffee. This is a good cup of coffee! Sometimes it's Father, thank you that I slept okay last night. … Thank you for that meeting yesterday … for that conversation … for that thing I learned in that book … and on and on.If we spend time thinking about it, we have so much to thank God for. But the one thing I have probably mentioned the most, over the last five years, and especially over the last three weeks, is actually a person — it's Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit!I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life.He proceeds from the Father and the Son, And with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. And in our passage today, in John 14, Jesus introduces us to the Holy Spirit. For the sermon I just want to tell you three things that Jesus tells us about him. 1. The Holy Spirit is sent by the Father and the Son. We're at verse 15, but recall the context here. It is still Thursday night — the longest Thursday ever — and Jesus is in the middle of his Farewell Discourse. Back at the end of Chapter 13, for the first time, Jesus told his disciples that he's leaving. He is preparing them for a new location within redemptive history — his disciples are about to live in a world where he is physically absent. And this is troubling to them — they are in a troubled-heart situation, and Jesus wants to encourage them. We saw that in Chapter 14. Jesus tells them not to let their hearts be troubled; because his going away is for their good; and he's going to come back for them. Jesus is their way to God; he's God's way to them — and he still has greater works that he's gonna do through them.And that's where we ended last week, in verses 12–14. Jesus introduced two stunning realities about life for believers after his death, resurrection, and ascension. Two Stunning RealitiesThe first of those stunning realities is that those who believe in him — us — will do greater works than he did in his earthly ministry. And we clarified last week that this work is not work that we do ourselves. It's not work in our own strength or isolated from Jesus, but it's work that Jesus is doing through us. The second stunning reality is that Jesus says whatever we ask in his name, he will do it. These are two big claims, and they raise some important questions. Questions like: How exactly will we do greater works?How do we know if we are praying in Jesus's name?Well, the answer to these questions is the Holy Spirit. I couldn't help but talk about the Spirit a little bit last week — Jesus is going to talk a lot about him over the next two chapters — but the first thing we need to know is that the Spirit is sent by Jesus and the Father. The Father and the Son are both ‘in on' the Spirit's coming. Listen to the ways Jesus tells us this …In verse 16, Jesus says the Father will give the Spirit, but it is because the Son asks the Father. In verse 23, speaking of the Spirit's presence in a believer, Jesus says that we, he and the Father, will make our home with him. In verse 26, Jesus says the Father will send the Spirit — but Jesus says it is “in my name.” Later, in 15:16, Jesus says that he will send the Spirit from the Father. So, who sends the Spirit? Where's he from? ‘The Father or the Son?' The answer is Yes.The Holy Spirit has always been active within the Trinity, and at work in creation, but after Jesus's ascension, the Father and Son act together in sending the Spirit on a new mission.Now, why is it important for us to know this? Why does it matter that the Father and Son are together in this?The most obvious reason is that Jesus emphasizes it. Jesus wants us to know this, and I think it's because we need to understand that the Spirit is not some ‘Plan B' in redemptive history. We should not think Jesus introducing the Holy Spirit in this section is some kind of backup option. It's not like things went sideways with the mission of Jesus and now the Spirit is a reinforcement. Not at all. Instead, the sending of the Spirit is according to God's eternal playbook from before the foundation of the world. This is the next step in the Triune God's resolve to bring salvation and magnify his glory. The Spirit is from the Father and the Son.Here's the second thing Jesus tells us about the Spirit.2. The Holy Spirit is the presence of Jesus in our lives. The keyword we need to see here is that word “Helper” in verse 16:“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” The Greek work for “Helper” is the word Paraclete — and it's a title for the Spirit that we only find in John — four times in this Gospel (14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). And it's a glorious word, but it doesn't have a direct translation into English. A couple of translations, the English Standard Version (the one I use) translates it as “Helper.” But the King James translates it “Comforter.” Another translation says “Counselor.” Several translations say “Advocate” (NRSV; NEB; NIV). And really, the meaning is a combination of all those words, but the one idea that's clear in all those translations is the idea of presence. The Paraclete comes alongside.Jesus says in verse 16: the Paraclete, the Spirit, will be “with you forever.”He “dwells in you and will be in you” — verse 17.In the same way Jesus was with his disciples, the Spirit will be with his disciples — as the Spirit of Jesus. And Jesus is going to show us this in a powerful way, but first I want to zoom out for a minute and take the whole New Testament into account.New Testament SurveyThe New Testament talks a lot about the Holy Spirit, and two key ways he's referred to…One way is that he's called the promise of the Father (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Galatians 3:14). This speaks to the fact that the Spirit is according to God's plan. He's the fulfillment of a promise we see in the Old Testament. The other way to talk about the Spirit is to call him the Spirit of Jesus. In Acts 16:7, Luke says “the Spirit of Jesus” guided their missionary travel. In Romans 8:9, Paul says the “Spirit of Christ” shows that we belong to Christ — the Spirit of Christ is Christ in you. Galatians 4:6 — “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts.” Philippians 1:19 — Paul says he is helped by “the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”So, biblically, theologically, the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is so closely identified with Jesus himself that it is right to call him the Spirit of Jesus. Jesus himself tells us this first. The Wonderful AnotherLook back at that word “Helper” in verse 16 and notice the word right before it: another. The Father and Son are sending another Helper. So the Spirit is a new helper, but he's of the same kind as a Helper who came before him. So who is that first Helper? It's Jesus. Jesus was one Paraclete, and now the Spirit is another Paraclete.This means the Spirit is not a replacement for Jesus, but he is the continuation of Jesus's work in a new way. But the Son and Spirit are not just united in their mission, they are united in their essence as God. Both are fulfilling the mission of the triune God to be with his people — the Son is God with us; the Spirit is God in us.This is why Jesus can say to his disciples, verse 18: “I will not leave you as orphans” — Jesus says I'm not really leaving you! He's actually magnifying his presence among them. Get this:The Paraclete is first Jesus himself with his people in person, confined to flesh and blood and dirt; and then the Paraclete is the Holy Spirit in his people — he is the promise of the Father, the Spirit of Jesus, who indwells everyone who trusts in Jesus … he speaks, consoles, guides, teaches — just like Jesus did. Ministering RealnessOne way to say it that connects with language we use is to say that the Holy Spirit ministers the realness of Jesus in our lives.That's the way we should understand Paul's experience toward the end of his life. We know that's where Paul was when he wrote his final letter to Timothy. Paul says in Chapter 4 (of 2 Timothy) that the “time of his departure” has come: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (4:7). And then Paul recounts for Timothy the relational brokenness that laid behind him, and he's honest about how lonely he felt when he awaited trial in Rome; he says “no one came to stand by me” (4:16). But then in verse 17 he says: “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me.”And he's talking about Jesus there. Jesus stood by Paul and strengthened him. And I've long imagined what that was like. Did Jesus step through the wall of Paul's room and wrap his arm around his shoulder? Sometimes I wish Jesus would do that for me — Just be physically in the room and help me like you did Paul! But is that what he did for Paul?I don't think so. What happened for Paul is that the Holy Spirit — the Spirit of Jesus — was so present and so powerful for him that Paul can say it was like Jesus himself standing by him. The Spirit of Jesus manifested the realness of Jesus for Paul — and I want you to know: we should settle for nothing less in the Christian life. That's the aim of our discipleship. The mission of Cities Church is to make joyful disciples of Jesus who remember his realness in all of life. And when we say that, we're talking about the ministry of the Holy Spirit! Because Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit is his presence in our lives.Third thing Jesus tells us …3. The Holy Spirit empowers our love for Jesus in his world. For this third and final point, we need to come to grips with a repeated theme in this passage. Four different times Jesus tells us there is a connection between loving him and keeping his commandments. It's easy to track, first in verse 15, right away:Verse 15: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”Verse 21: “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.”Verse 23: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.”Verse 24: “Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.”And then verse 31 — what Jesus says about our love for him also applies to his love for the Father. Jesus says, verse 31:“I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.”This theme is the clearest thing Jesus says. It's straightforward; no way around it. If you love Jesus, you do what he says. Well what does he say? What are his commandments?What Are His Commandments?The answer here, in short, is the whole Bible. It would be a mistake to truncate what Jesus says as being only the red-letter parts of the Gospels. It's much more than that. Instead, the commandments of Jesus, his word, is the whole revelation of who Jesus is, which blooms into the apostolic testimony, also called the New Testament, which is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.What Jesus says is the whole Bible. Which means: to really love Jesus means your life is shaped and guided by Scripture. The single word for this is obedience. Trust and obey, for there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obeyWe used to sing that song when I was kid growing up in church. It's not rocket-science. We all understand that any kind of real love involves more than only sentiment. It can't be just a feeling. And proof that we know this was yesterday — Valentine's Day.Valentines is an old American holiday. It took off in the late 1800s because a woman named Esther Howland had this idea to mass-produce romantic greeting cards. It became a custom that men would send the ladies they were courting a card. Now 150 years later, fellas, if you did it right: you got a card, and chocolates, and flowers, and a dinner reservation — or some combination of that. But we all know that what you cannot do on Valentine's Day is only say “I love you.” Some activity is expected. Love requires demonstration.Love is not less than affection — affections matter — but there's more. There's activity — and the activity that verifies our love for Jesus is obedience to him in this world. Getting Obedience RightAnd listen: the order of that sentence is really important. We are called to obedience to Jesus in this world. It's not obedience to the world for Jesus. Because get this: the world has its own commandments. There's all kinds of commandments the world says people must keep if they're really about love — like I think we're supposed to acknowledge that we're on ‘stolen land' right now and we're supposed to specify our pronouns, and make certain kinds of statements, and check certain boxes. The world has its own commandments — Recently, someone who hates Jesus told me they wanted to talk to me about our optics for Jesus. … And I said, “No thank you.”Jesus does not need us to try to make him look good by doing what the world tells us to do. Jesus calls us to do what he says in a world that will hate us … a world that will revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely (see Matthew 5:11). We're not called to manage that. We're called to obey Jesus, come what may in this world.And obedience like that is hard, with the pressures around us. How do we do it? How do we obey Jesus here?The answer is: The empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.The Spirit Empowers UsThe love we have for Jesus — and our obedience that demonstrates that love — does not come from our own strength, but it comes through the gift of the Spirit in our lives. I think that's part of what Paul is saying in Romans 5:5. You've heard these verses before: … we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.And the question is what does Paul mean when he says “God's love” — is this the love of God for us OR our love for God. Well, I think it's first God's love for us, but it also includes our love for God, which must always come next. Our love for God is essential to our character — that's why we ultimately will not be put to shame — Because our love for God is actually a gift from God himself. Our love for God is from his Spirit who seals us and keeps us. Theologically, we understand the Holy Spirit is the bond of love between the Father and Son. This is mysterious, and we wrestle with what Scripture says here; we'll see what Jesus says in Chapter 17. But the Holy Spirit, who is the personal love that flows between the Father and Son, is poured into our hearts as the love that unites us to Jesus.Our love for Jesus, demonstrated by our obedience, is empowered by the Spirit. Peace Even HereThe good news we should hear is that our love for Jesus, which he commands, is love his Spirit creates. When Jesus tells us to obey him, he is not pointing us to an impossible ladder — but he's ensuring the divine supply we need for all things that pertain to life and godliness. Jesus doesn't tell us ‘make me bricks without straw' — but he says: We are making our home in you … I'm with you forever … even in this world … even in troubled-heart situations. This is the only way we can have peace. Jesus says, verse 27:“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”That is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to us …Sent by the Father and the Son.Serving the realness of Jesus in our lives.Empowering our love for Jesus in this world. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit. Aren't you? Thank you, Jesus, for the Holy Spirit. I want more of him! That's what brings us to the Table. The TableJohn shows us, in this Gospel, and in his letters, that love is demonstrated. Our love for Jesus is demonstrated in obedience, but that always follows God's love for us first. John says that we love because God first loved us, and we see that love definitively at the cross. Paul says that in Romans 5 … “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (NASB).That's the best news in the world. If you're here this morning and you're not a Christian, you become a Christian by believing that. Jesus Christ died to save you, a sinner. Believe him. For those of us who do believe, at this Table we rejoice in Jesus and his gospel. If you trust in Jesus, we invite you to eat and drink with us, and give him thanks.

It's Friday, February 13th, 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 Adam McManus China named global ‘Puppet Master' of religious persecution At a congressional hearing on February 4, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback asserted that China continues to aid authoritarian and communist nations worldwide in their quest to suppress religious freedom, reports International Christian Concern. Brownback explained that China is the main driver of assistance to religious persecutors throughout the world. He said, “This alliance of communist, authoritarian, [and] totalitarian regimes will literally stop at nothing to control people of faith. China is the puppet master behind all of it.” According to Bob Fu of China Aid, “The Chinese Communist Party has a powerful civilian surveillance system with hundreds of millions of face-recognition cameras. They are all over China, including all four walls of the church building and pulpits and every corner of the street.” Known as “digital authoritarianism,” China is sharing its technological surveillance programs with nations, including Iran, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, that are known for abuses of religious freedom. Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You [God] are with me; Your rod and staff, they comfort me.” Hawley demands congressional oversight of abortion pill after FDA's safety failure Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri is calling for a crackdown on the abortion kill pill, Mifepristone, saying it's time for Congress to increase oversight of the drug and reinstate what he describes as basic safety guardrails, reports Fox News. He said, "Abortions are going up every single year. What's driving that is Mifepristone. It's the chemical abortion drug that is getting mailed into every state in the country. It doesn't matter what the state laws are. It doesn't matter if your state restricts abortion, bans abortion, or bans Mifepristone. It doesn't matter. It's getting mailed into every single state without a doctor visit, many times, without even a doctor's prescription. No follow-up. It's unbelievable!" Chemical abortions now account for 63% of all U.S. abortions. Not only do 11% of women who swallow the Abortion Kill Pill have to go to the emergency room due to hemorrhaging and sever bleeding, but the FDA has not completed the study of its dangers to women which it promised. Senator Kennedy: “The Karen wing of Democrat Party wants to defund ICE!” Democrats and Republicans are still battling over the funding for the Department of Homeland Security bill as Democrats demand restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement or I.C.E., reports RedState.com. But, on Fox News,  Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana had a very direct message to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, about the Democrats' demands to defund I.C.E. KENNEDY: "The Karen wing of the Democratic Party wants to defund ICE, just like they wanted to defund the police. And we know how that vampire movie turned out. The Karen wing of the Democratic Party is in control of the Democratic Party. “Even if we agreed to every one of Senator Schumer's conditions -- and I won't vote for 'em -- he couldn't deliver the Democratic votes. Because the Karen wing will punish any Democrat who votes to keep the Department of Homeland Security open." Jelly Roll's wife says backlash to his Gospel message at Grammy Awards is 'borderline demonic' As The Worldview reported on February 3rd, Jason DeFord, known as Jelly Roll, won three Grammys including one for the Best Contemporary Country album. In a February 8th episode of her podcast, Jelly Roll's wife, Alisa, claims that the backlash against her husband has been “horrific” and “borderline demonic” after the singer thanked Jesus for saving his life and encouraged others to trust Christ at the Grammy Awards, reports The Christian Post. Listen. ALISA DEFORD: “Who would have thought that my husband's speech would set the internet on fire? The problem is people are weaponizing the Bible and religion way more than they are celebrating the name of Jesus. “They're just proving why people do not want to be a Christian. Seeing all of these people online just tearing apart my husband's walk of faith makes me not want to associate with that type of Christianity. It's so horrific and it is so sad and it's borderline demonic. “I've been seeing videos where people are saying that my husband, he's a ‘performative Christian.' If I wasn't trying to walk with God, I would find you and slap you, lady, but I'm trying to turn the other cheek and be better. “In what world is it okay to ever question somebody's walk with God? All he's saying is, ‘Hey, Jesus is for everybody. Jesus does not belong to one political party. Jesus loves you and the Internet lost their minds.” Some critics claimed that Jelly Roll's words were “very MAGA,” while others accused him of using religion to try to grow his brand.  Jelly Roll credited Jesus and his “beautiful wife” with changing his life. Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” Valentine's Day birthed through Christian martyr's death And finally, have you ever wondered why we celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14th? Well, Pastor Valentine or Valentinus was a clergyman in the Roman Empire who lived during the reign of Claudius Gothicus or Claudius II. Because the Emperor was having difficulty getting young men to volunteer to serve in the army to fight his wars, he prohibited marriage which would further hurt the conscription rate. Pastor Valentine, who celebrated God's love and Biblical love between husband and wife, secretly married Christian couples in the forest which ultimately led to his arrest and imprisonment.  While Claudius took a liking to Pastor Valentinus, the bold preacher tried to convert the Emperor which resulted in a sentence of death. In Romans 10:14, the Apostle Paul asks, "How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Valentine was beaten with clubs and stones.  And when that failed to kill him, Valentine was beheaded on February 14, A.D. 269. And now you know the rest of the story. Pick up a copy of the excellent children's book entitled Valentine: God's Courageous Evangelist. Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, February 13th, in the year of our Lord 2026. 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.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Romans 2 presses hard against the human instinct to sort the world into right and wrong people, exposing how quickly moral clarity turns into self-righteous judgment. Paul confronts both religious and nonreligious readers by revealing that judgment of others often masks our own guilt and misunderstands the patience of God, whose kindness is meant to lead us to repentance, not superiority. True judgment in Scripture is never contemptuous but discerning and restorative, grounded in humility rather than comparison. By stripping circumcision of its false power, Paul insists that belonging to God is not outward or earned but inward, a work of the Spirit in the heart. In Romans, the gospel levels every claim to moral high ground and leaves only one confession standing at the cross and the table: we are saved by grace alone.

In Romans 6:15–23, Paul shuts down the idea that “under grace” means “go ahead and sin,” and he presses the uncomfortable truth: everyone serves somebody. The question isn't whether you'll have a master—it's which master you'll obey. This message exposes the false freedom of autonomy, calls you to present your life to Christ, and shows why “good slavery” is the path to real freedom, real change, and eternal life.In this sermon, you'll learn1. Why “not under law but under grace” is not permission to sin—and how Paul answers the objection with: you become a slave of whatever you obey.2. How to identify your real master by asking: what do you obey when no one's watching?—your appetites, comfort, work, money, approval…or Christ.3. What it means to be “obedient from the heart” to a “standard of teaching”—and why that phrase matters.4. Why sanctification isn't passive—and how “present your members” becomes a daily strategy for breaking old ruts.5. How to evaluate sin and righteousness by their “fruit,” and why Paul ends with the stark contrast: wages vs. gift.Support our mission and learn more atwww.alloflife.churchGive to the work of the gospel herewww.alloflife.churchcenter.com/giving

In Romans 1:18–32, Paul turns from the power of the gospel to the reality of humanity's rebellion against God. He explains that God has made Himself known through creation, yet many people choose to suppress the truth, exchange God's glory for idols, and follow their own desires instead of His design.This passage reminds us that sin is not just personal failure — it is a rejection of God's authority. When people continually turn away from Him, the consequences affect minds, hearts, relationships, and entire cultures. Paul shows that apart from God, humanity drifts toward darkness, confusion, and brokenness.As we continue through Romans, this section challenges us to take sin seriously, recognize our need for God's mercy, and remain grateful that the gospel offers rescue from judgment and restoration through Christ.Connect with us!Missioncity.church

This week, Pastor Nathan Wakefield continues our Letters to the Church series. In Romans 8:31-39, we learn that because God is for us in Christ, we are free to live with confidence, humility, endurance, and courage — resting in His righteousness, trusting His love, and walking boldly in His victory.Sermon notes are available on YouVersion Events.Video of the worship service is available for replay.

In Romans 2, the Apostle Paul asks a confronting question: based on what does God judge a person? In this message, we explore God's objective moral standard and why both religious and irreligious people are accountable before Him. Paul shows that while some have the written law, others have the law written on their hearts through conscience, and yet no one lives up to the standard they know. This passage exposes the danger of moral hypocrisy and false confidence in religious symbols, and it dismantles the idea that outward performance can save us. Romans 2 leads us to a clear verdict and points us to our only real hope: not moral effort, but redemption through Jesus Christ. In this message, you'll learn: - What standard God actually uses to judge every person - Why conscience means no one is without moral knowledge - How religious effort can create false confidence and hypocrisy - Why outward signs and performance can't save - Where real hope and redemption are found

Romans 10:16-17 — In Romans 10:16–17, Paul explains that for a person to come to faith, they must hear the good news. But what comes after receiving faith? In this sermon on Romans 10:16–17 titled “Faith and Obedience,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones answers this question affirmatively by pointing to the early church in Paul's time. After faith, a change was expected in the believers. They could no longer participate in idol worship or immoral rituals. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that they must submit themselves to the gospel with obedience. A good test to see whether or not a person really has faith is to look at their actions. Are they changed after believing or do they give, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones calls it, “intellectual assent”? These are people who merely acknowledge the gospel as the truth but do nothing to back it up. They never left behind worldly habits and practices. But Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that as James said, faith without works is dead. Obedience shows faith and faith encourages obedience. In closing this sermon on obedience, he extends the message of salvation, reminding believers and unbelievers alike of the joy found within. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29?v=20251111

In Romans 1:6-7 we find a trio of beautiful truths that help us understand who we are and whose we are as the people of God. Following his personal introduction and familiarizing his readers to the substance of his letter, Paul now turns to addresses his audience. He writes to all those in Rome, but more specifically to, “A People Called and Loved.”

In Romans 12:3–8, Paul shows us that worship continues through how we serve others. God has uniquely gifted every believer to strengthen the body of Christ. This week, we explore how humility and service are essential expressions of living worship.Main Idea:Worship includes using our spiritual gifts with humility for the good of the body.Application:Identify and employ your God-given gifts to build up the church.Speaker: Lead Pastor Antonio Thomas | Romans 12:3–8Give Online:https://thebridgechurch.org/give/Join Us In Person:1965 Evergreen Blvd, #200, Duluth, GA 30096 | Sundays at 10:30 AMWe'd love to worship with you in person—come experience community, worship, and teaching together.

Prayer, communing with God, is a core aspect of Christian faith. In Romans 8, Paul outlines 4 truths about prayer that we need to be aware of as we approach God. First, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. Second, the Spirit helps us when we don't know how to pray. Third, the Spirit intercedes through wordless groans. And fourth, the Spirit intercedes for us in accordance with the will of God.

It's Thursday, February 5th, 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 Sam Brownback: “Dictators fear religious freedom more than nuclear weapons” The International Religious Freedom Summit held its six annual meeting this week in Washington, D.C. Organizers reported nearly 80% of people around the world live in countries with high levels of restrictions on religion. The meeting identified China, Iran, Russia, Nigeria, and India as some of the worst countries for religious freedom. Sam Brownback, co-chair of the summit, said, “Ours is truly a global movement feared by dictators around the world because we represent the heart of freedom. They actually fear religious freedom more than they do aircraft carriers or even nuclear weapons.” In John 8:31-32, Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Finnish authorities continue to harass Christian Parliamentarian Attacks on religious freedom are rising in Europe as well. A prominent example is Finnish Parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen. She has faced trial three times for sharing her Christian beliefs online. Her case is now before Finland's top court.  Räsänen testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee yesterday in a hearing on Europe's threat to American speech. Concerning her case, she has warned, “If I would lose, it would mean … starting a time of persecution of Christians in Finland and also in Europe.” Listen to her comments at the hearing. RÄSÄNEN: “I have been supported by my faith and thousands of expressions of support I have received from around the world, including many from the U.S. Congress. “I remain hopeful. I trust that freedom of expression can still be upheld. It is too important to lose.” Will Europe ban social media for minors? European countries are considering measures to ban social media use for minors. France's National Assembly passed a bill last week that prohibits children under 15 from using social media. The bill heads to the French Senate. President Emmanuel Macron supports the measure. Similarly, Spain and Greece recently announced plans to ban social media use by teenagers there. This comes after Australia became the first country in the world to enforce such a ban last December. Trump signed $1.2 trillion funding bill In the United States, President Donald Trump signed a $1.2 trillion funding bill on Tuesday. This ends the partial government shutdown that began on Saturday. The bill did not including long-term funding for the Department of Homeland Security which includes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Democrats are demanding changes to the agency before approving more funding.  700 of 3,000 ICE officers leave Minnesota Speaking of ICE, White House Border Czar Tom Homan  announced a drawdown of immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota yesterday. About 700 of the roughly 3,000 officers in the state are leaving. Homan's goal is a complete drawdown which depends on cooperation from local officials. He said, “We currently have an unprecedented number of counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they hit the streets.” Washington Hospital ends transgender mutilations The News Tribune reports a hospital in Washington State is ending its mutilating transgender surgeries. MultiCare Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma cited loss of funding under the Trump administration for the closure. President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order in January 2025, protecting children from chemical and surgical mutilation. Last year, over 20 hospitals began rolling back such practices. Walmart first retailer to reach $1 trillion market capitalization Walmart became the first retailer to reach a market capitalization of one trillion dollars on Tuesday. The list of trillion dollar companies has been dominated by tech companies. Not surprisingly, Walmart's record valuation is accompanied by recent growth in its online business and investment in Artificial Intelligence technology.  1,161st anniversary of Anskar, missionary to Denmark and Sweden And finally, this week is the anniversary of the death of Anskar, the first missionary to Denmark and Sweden. The traditional date of his death is February 3, A.D. 865. Anskar was known as the “Apostle to the North” for his work of evangelism in Scandinavia.   Historian A.D. Jorgensen wrote of the missionary, “He possessed a rare eloquence both in preaching and in common talk, so that he left on all men an extraordinary impression: the mighty and haughty were frightened by his tone of authority, the poor and humble looked to him as to a father, whilst his equals loved him as a brother. …. What he carried out in the thirty-­three years of his bishopric was of imperishable importance.” In Romans 1:16, the Apostle Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, February 5th, in the year of our Lord 2026. 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.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

What does it really mean to be made right with God?In Romans 4, Paul dismantles the idea that righteousness is something we earn and replaces it with a far better truth: righteousness is something we receive. From Abraham to David to us today, God has always justified people the same way — not by works, effort, or religious performance, but by faith alone.Pastor Gregg walks us through how justification is credited, not achieved; how sin is forgiven and no longer counted; and how faith protects grace so that our confidence rests in God's promise, not our performance. In Christ, we don't work for righteousness — we live from it.If you've ever felt like you're striving for God's approval, this message is an invitation to rest in what Jesus has already finished.Keep up to date with what God is doing at Creekside Church!Website: https://creekside.churchInstagram: @creeksidechurchnp

In Romans 3, Paul asks some of life's biggest spiritual questions: What advantage is there to knowing God's Word? What if people are unfaithful? What then—are we any better off? And what's next? This message walks through how God speaks to the world through creation, conscience, and Scripture, and why none of us can justify ourselves by knowledge or obedience alone. The law reveals our need, the prophets point to God's promise, and the gospel declares the answer: true righteousness is found only in Jesus. It's a sobering look at our sin—and a hopeful reminder that we are justified not by works, but by grace through faith in Christ.

The gospel is not something to hide. It is God's power to save.In Romans 1:8–17, Paul lays out the heartbeat of his message and the theme of the entire letter. Writing to believers in one of the most powerful and influential cities in the world, Paul makes a bold declaration: he is not ashamed of the gospel. Not because it's popular. Not because it's easy. But because it works.This message reminds us that the gospel is more than the message that saves us. It is the truth that shapes how we live, how we see others, and how we carry hope into the world. The gospel is not advice or self-help. It is the power of God that forgives sin, transforms hearts, and brings salvation to all who believe.As we continue our journey through Romans, this passage challenges us to examine our confidence in the gospel, our willingness to share it, and our readiness to live by faith every day.Connect with us!Missioncity.church

In Romans 8:28-39, we encounter one of Scripture's most powerful reassurances about God's unwavering commitment to those who belong to Him. This passage addresses a question that haunts many believers: if we're filled with the Holy Spirit and living faithfully, why do we still suffer? The answer isn't found in eliminating pain, but in understanding that suffering confronts us with the brokenness of this world, conforms us to Christ's image, and confirms our belonging to Him. What makes this passage particularly rich is how Paul grounds our present struggles in eternal realities—foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification. These aren't abstract theological concepts but a soft pillow for weary hearts. Whether we interpret foreknowledge as God's eternal decree or His relationship with believers throughout history, the central truth remains: nothing can separate us from God's love. Not affliction, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword. We live in the 'until'—between Christ's ascension and His return—and in this space, our suffering unfolds under the watchful reign of a risen Savior who intercedes for us. This isn't a promise of a painless life, but of a finished salvation and a love that outlives death itself. When pain enters the room, our assurance doesn't have to leave it.

This week, Pastor Nathan Wakefield continues our Letters to the Church series. In Romans 8:18-30, we learn that because our future restoration is certain, we can endure present suffering with hope, wait without despair, and live with confidence rather than fear.Sermon notes are available on YouVersion Events.Video of the worship service is available for replay.

Why does sexuality feel so confusing, painful, and loaded for so many people today? In Romans 1:24-27, Scripture confronts one of the most difficult and misunderstood topics of our time, not to shame us, but to tell us the truth about what's gone wrong and where real hope is found. In this message, Pastor Kyle walks through this passage, showing that sexual brokenness is not selective, it's universal. The Bible doesn't single out certain people. It exposes a deeper human problem, disordered desires that flow from exchanging the truth about God for a lie. Romans 1 helps us understand how desire, idolatry, and identity are connected, and how the Bible speaks to questions of sexuality, including same-sex attraction, with clarity and hope. Rather than fueling self-righteousness or condemnation, this passage calls us to humility and compassion. It reminds us that every person needs grace, and no one is beyond the reach of the gospel. This message is part of our ongoing series through the book of Romans at Two Cities Church. If you're wrestling with questions about sex, desire, identity, or faith, or walking with someone who is, this teaching is for you.

What does it mean to truly worship God? In Romans 12:1–2, the apostle Paul reveals that worship goes far beyond songs—it's a life fully surrendered to God. This week, we begin an eight-week journey through Romans 12, discovering how God's mercy calls us to live transformed lives. Join us as we learn what it means to place our whole lives on the altar as an act of worship.Main Idea:Worship begins with offering our whole lives to God in response to His mercy.Application:Present yourself daily as a living sacrifice—mind renewed, life transformed.Give Online: - https://thebridgechurch.org/give/#LivingWorship #Romans12 #LivingSacrifice #RenewYourMind #SundayWorship #FaithInAction #TheBridgeChurch

What if the problem in our world isn't political… social… or generational? What if it's worship?In Romans 1:18–23, Paul gives a chilling progression that explains exactly why societies unravel, why truth feels blurred, why anxiety is rising, and why confusion seems to sit on the throne of our culture.This message exposes the real issue underneath it all:Not a morality problem.Not an information problem.A worship problem.In this message, Carl Nichols walks through how:• Truth gets suppressed• Gratitude disappears• Pride masquerades as progress• Confusion replaces clarity• And idols begin to look normalYou'll see why the chaos we're experiencing isn't random — it's the natural result of exchanging the glory of God for something else.

What if the problem in our world isn't political… social… or generational? What if it's worship?In Romans 1:18–23, Paul gives a chilling progression that explains exactly why societies unravel, why truth feels blurred, why anxiety is rising, and why confusion seems to sit on the throne of our culture.This message exposes the real issue underneath it all:Not a morality problem.Not an information problem.A worship problem.In this message, Carl Nichols walks through how:• Truth gets suppressed• Gratitude disappears• Pride masquerades as progress• Confusion replaces clarity• And idols begin to look normalYou'll see why the chaos we're experiencing isn't random — it's the natural result of exchanging the glory of God for something else.

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on December 28, 2025) In Romans 12, Paul commands us to present our bodies as “living sacrifices”. Up to this point, Paul has laid a doctrinal foundation, but now he begins to teach us our duty as disciples. There is a logical progression to Scriptural teaching, particularly in the...

If you look at the world and wonder what has gone wrong, Romans 1:18-32 gives us the answer. Though God revealed Himself to us, humanity rejected Him, and the result has been a slide into deeper and deeper darkness. Later in Romans, Paul describes the progression out of foolishness for those who are now in Christ: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2) Take-Home Message: Christ's wisdom is the only antidote to my foolishness. We Became Fools Through…- Futile Thinking (18-22)- Humanity's Progression Toward Futile Thinking- Revelation (19-20)- Rejection (21a)- Result (21b-22)- A biblical definition of “futile” (Mataioó)– describes the movement from God-given awareness to empty, self-centered thought. In Romans 1:21, it stands as a decisive verdict on humanity's intellectual and moral collapse: “they became futile in their thinking”. The term captures the tragic exchange of God's glory for worthless speculation, exposing the hollowness that results when truth is suppressed. - False Worship (23) - Foolish Living (24-32)- A biblical definition of “give approval” (Suneudokeó) –  To give hearty approval, identify with, feel gratified with. Across its six occurrences, syneudokeō portrays a shared stance—whether righteous or sinful—between individuals or groups. It always implies more than passive agreement; it conveys an active, moral participation that forges communal solidarity around a deed or decision. In Romans 1:32, syneudokeō indicts societies that institutionalize sin by celebrating its practitioners.The term issues a dual summons: resist aligning with evil and intentionally align with righteousness. Christian maturity therefore includes vigilant evaluation of all associations, ensuring that consent is given only to what honors the Lord. Christ Makes Us Wise Through…- Renewed Thinking (Romans 12:2a)- Reasonable Worship (Romans 12:1)- Righteous Living (Romans 12:2b)

In Romans 10, Paul reminds us that salvation is not achieved through effort, tradition, or zeal, but received by faith in Jesus Christ. This message unpacks the simplicity and power of the gospel, the danger of misplaced confidence, and the urgency of sharing a hope that is closer than we think. Above all, it points us to this unshakable truth: God's grace never quits. Whether you're wrestling with faith, resting in grace, or wondering how God uses ordinary people to carry an extraordinary message—this episode will challenge, encourage, and refocus your heart on Christ alone.

* You can get the sermon note sheet at: https://family-bible-church.org/2026Messages/26Jan25.pdf * In Isaiah 55:1-11, YHWH calls for everyone who is thirsty to come to "the waters" and to buy wine and bread without needing money. This sustenance, He declares, is His Word. He calls for people to seek Him while He may be found and to call upon Him while He is near. For He is a rewarder of those who seek Him! He will send forth His Word and His Word will not come back void; His Word will "prosper in the things for which I sent it." In Romans 10 we read that "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."* In Hebrews 11 we have been considering the lives of those who have lived according to that faith; of those who have received and trusted in the Word of YHWH.* Today, we will be look at the evidence of that which is "not seen" through a few more "everyday people" ... like you and me ... whose lives were transformed by the power of God! * This message was presented by Bob Corbin on January 25, 2026 at Family Bible Church in Martinez, Georgia.

In Romans 5, we learn how to enjoy our salvation.

The Magi were drawn by the light of the star to experience the Light of the World. Epiphany means the manifestation or showing forth of God in the person of Jesus Christ so that we may experience and know our God. How do we live a life for the ongoing Epiphany experience of God for the healing and transformation of our souls? In Romans 12, the St. Paul gives us the words we say in every Mass: "And here we offer ourselves." Today it is suggested that we start by offering our need and our brokenness to God for His help and mending. To those who do so, His Epiphany will be made manifest out of God's love for them.

Did God fail Israel—or are we missing the point? In Romans 9, Paul tackles one of Scripture's most challenging chapters, defending God's faithfulness, righteousness, justice, and grace. This episode calls us to humility, trust, and a renewed confidence that salvation has always been—and will always be—by faith.

Why does the idea of God's wrath feel so offensive, and why does the Bible insist we can't understand grace without it? In Romans 1:18-25, Paul confronts one of the most avoided truths of the Christian faith: the wrath of God. Rather than contradicting God's love, His wrath reveals His righteous and jealous commitment to what is good, true, and life-giving. As Paul moves from the righteousness of God to humanity's need for salvation, he shows that God's wrath is not merely future—it is already being revealed. When people suppress the truth, exchange God's glory for idols, and refuse to honor Him, God's judgment is seen most clearly in what He allows: being given over to our desires and the slow unraveling that follows. This passage exposes the root beneath our cultural confusion and personal brokenness. The problem is not ignorance, but rebellion. We know God, yet refuse to worship Him. We exchange the Creator for created things—and that exchange never leads to freedom, only futility, darkness, and dehumanization. In this sermon from Romans 1:18–25, we see four sobering realities: - God's wrath is revealed and deserved—not arbitrary or unjust - Humanity's problem is moral, not intellectual—we suppress truth we already know - Idolatry is the root of all sin, replacing the Creator with lesser loves - Sin always dishonors God and destroys the sinner, even at the level of our bodies Romans 1 presses us to stop making excuses, tell the truth about ourselves, and see why grace becomes glorious only when we understand the depth of our need.

This week, we continue our series New City DNA. In Romans 10, we are reminded of the truth of the gospel for all who confess and believe in Christ. Pastor Eric shares three points from the text that highlight why New City values missional urgency: 1) The gospel is the only way of salvation (10:1-13). 2) The gospel is a message of good news to hear, believe, and proclaim (10:14-15). 3) The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time. - Carl Henry

You don't have a behavior problem, you have a truth problem.In Romans 1:16–20, Paul reminds us that truth isn't something we create or feel into existence; it's something God reveals. This message confronts the lies of relativism, self-created identity, and pluralism, and calls us back to living by faith, not feelings.The gospel reveals the righteousness of God, the power of salvation, and the truth that sets us free. The question is simple: Will you live by feelings, or will you live by faith?Tune in to The Good Life Podcast weekly to explore this week's message and other topics that will help you live The Good Life God designed for you.https://youtube.com/@thegoodlifewithcarlnichols?si=OhfsNYn9VCKliXlU

You don't have a behavior problem, you have a truth problem.In Romans 1:16–20, Paul reminds us that truth isn't something we create or feel into existence; it's something God reveals. This message confronts the lies of relativism, self-created identity, and pluralism, and calls us back to living by faith, not feelings.The gospel reveals the righteousness of God, the power of salvation, and the truth that sets us free. The question is simple: Will you live by feelings, or will you live by faith?Tune in to The Good Life Podcast weekly to explore this week's message and other topics that will help you live The Good Life God designed for you.https://youtube.com/@thegoodlifewithcarlnichols?si=OhfsNYn9VCKliXlU

Why do we spend so much time judging other Christians over things God never commanded?In Romans 14, the Apostle Paul speaks directly to a problem that still exists in the church today — believers acting like they're the master instead of Jesus. We argue over opinions, preferences, traditions, and personal freedoms, while missing what it actually means to live as slaves of righteousness.In this message, Pastor Dean challenges us to stop playing God in other people's lives and start focusing on obedience, humility, and love. This isn't about ignoring sin — it's about recognizing the difference between God's commands and our opinions.If Jesus is truly your Master, then judgment isn't your job.

Why do we spend so much time judging other Christians over things God never commanded?In Romans 14, the Apostle Paul speaks directly to a problem that still exists in the church today — believers acting like they're the master instead of Jesus. We argue over opinions, preferences, traditions, and personal freedoms, while missing what it actually means to live as slaves of righteousness.In this message, Pastor Dean challenges us to stop playing God in other people's lives and start focusing on obedience, humility, and love. This isn't about ignoring sin — it's about recognizing the difference between God's commands and our opinions.If Jesus is truly your Master, then judgment isn't your job.

Saturday, 17 January 2026   And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala. Matthew 15:39   Note: You can listen to today's commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)   You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).   “And having dismissed the crowds, He in-stepped into the boat, and He came to the borders of Magdala” (CG).   In the previous verse, it was noted that there were four thousand men, besides women and children, who comprised the multitudes Jesus fed. With that portion of the narrative complete, and to close out the chapter, Matthew next notes, “And having dismissed the crowds, He in-stepped into the boat.”   They have been on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. With this cycle of attending to a Gentile woman in the allotments of Tyre and Sidon noted, followed by a time in the Gentile-led eastern regions near the Decapolis completed, He got into a boat, “and He came to the borders of Magdala.”   This is a location not named this way anywhere else in Scripture. Some manuscripts note the location as Magadan, meaning Megiddo, but that is incorrect based on Matthew 16:5, which notes they are still in the region of the lake. Rather, the town Magdala in Hebrew is Migdal-el, Tower of God, a city of Naphtali recorded in Joshua 19:38.   This is also known as Al-Majdal (Mejdel) on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, north of Tiberias. Mark 8:10 notes that when they got in the boat, they came to the allotments of Dalmanutha. Saying it this way, there is no contradiction to be found. Just as Jesus went to the “allotments” of Tyre and Sidon, meaning the surrounding areas, in Matthew 15:21, so they went to Magdala in the allotments, meaning the surrounding areas, of Dalmanutha.   Life application: Chapter 15 of Matthew gives a picture of what is going on in the world from the time Jesus fulfilled the law until the rapture. The verses, though literally occurring at the time of Jesus, point to truths after the completion of Jesus' ministry. The New Covenant is now what God is doing in the world. Israel as a whole, however, rejected that.   Though they no longer observe the Law of Moses, they remain bound to it. During this dispensation, they are spiritually led by rabbis, both in their writings in the Talmud as well as in their cultural and religious life.   These are reflected by the scribes and Pharisees who came from Jerusalem (verse 1) to challenge Jesus. Paul explains in Galatians 4:21-31 that the earthly Jerusalem reflects them and their teaching. The main point for now says –   “But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.” Galatians 4:23-26   In verses 2-9, Jesus explains the state of Israel at this time, living by the laws of men rather than by the law of God. After the introduction of the New Covenant, the law of God is not the Law of Moses. Rather, that is fulfilled.   At this time, religious Israel draws near to the Lord with their lips, but their hearts, because of their rejection of Jesus, are far away from Him.   In verse 11, Jesus stated that what goes into the mouth does not defile. Rather, what comes out of it does. Though that was a truth concerning the traditions of these elders, it is a truth that is spiritually seen in Israel to this day. They refuse to proclaim Jesus.   This is their defilement. But what does Paul say concerning this? In Romans 10, he says –   “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-13   The only thing that can cleanse a person from sin is Jesus. Anything else, meaning any other proclamation, defiles that person. As such, Jesus says in verse 14 to let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind, and both will fall into a pit.   In verse 15, Jesus reexplained to dull Peter (later, the Apostle to the Jews) the matter of the heart and what it is that causes defilement. While Israel remains in their state of defilement because of their oral proclamations, something else takes place. This is seen in verse 21, where Jesus “went out from there,” meaning from the Jewish people to the allotments of Tyre and Sidon, a Gentile area.   Tyre (Hebrew: Tsor) signifies Rock. While Israel abandoned their Rock, the Gentiles received Him. That this is speaking of Christ is seen, for example, in Deuteronomy 32:32, where it says, “For their rock is not like our Rock.” There are those who are confident in their rock (tsur), and yet their rock is not the Lord who is the Rock (tsur).   Sidon (Hebrew: Tsidon) signifies Fishery. It is a place for catching fish. Everyone is like a fish. When Jesus said to Simon and Andrew that they would be fishers of men, He meant that men are like fish to be caught.   While in this area (verse 22), a Canaanite woman came to Jesus and begged for compassion for her demon-possessed daughter. Canaan signifies Humbled, Humiliated, or even Subdued. She pictures those of faith who have humbled themselves before the word of Christ.   The issue is the daughter. In Scripture, a son or a daughter is representative of the state of something. A “son of death,” for example, is a person deserving of death. That is his state. A daughter, in this case, is the state of a group of people, such as “daughter of Jerusalem,” “daughter of Tarshish,” etc. What is the state of the Daughter of the Humbled who are also Gentiles?   Jesus said in verse 24 that He had come “if not to the sheep, the ‘having been lost' – House Israel.” Despite there being a New Covenant, with whom was that covenant made? The answer is found in both Jeremiah and Hebrews –   “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” Jeremiah 31:31   The early church did not understand that the word was to go to the Gentiles. That is a major subject found in Acts. It is representative of the disciples' comments found previously in verse 23 when they told Jesus to dismiss her.   It literally took an act of God to get them to see that the New Covenant included Gentiles, first with the Ethiopian eunuch and then the house of Cornelius. Jesus' calling, though, to redeem the House of Judah and Israel, is inclusive of the Gentiles of faith, as seen in this account. It is something prophesied in Isaiah 49:6, but which is revealed in typology here.   The woman was told that it wasn't “good to take the children's bread and cast to the puppies.” In the Bible, dogs represent Gentiles. That is seen in the Caleb series of sermons. Caleb, kalev, is from kelev, dog. It is also seen in the account of Gideon and his men, who lapped like dogs, a typological picture dealing with the Gentiles.   The woman didn't argue Jesus' point. Instead, she noted that “even the puppies – he eats from the crumbs, the ‘falling from their master's table.” Jesus thus remarked concerning her great faith, something evidenced in the Gentile world. At that time, it noted the child was cured. Salvation, in fact, is also directed to the Gentiles. They are brought into the commonwealth of Israel (Ephesians 2:12).   From there, verse 29 said of Jesus that “He went near the Sea of the Galilee, and having ascended to the mountain, He sat there.” The Galilee has previously been explained as “the Liberty.” It is a picture of freedom from sin. As sin stems from a violation of law, it ultimately signifies freedom from law.   A mountain in the Bible represents a lot of something gathered. In typology, it is synonymous with a large but centralized group of people. Though it is only stated in Mark, the last area noted was the Decapolis, a Gentile controlled area.   Thus, this is typologically referring to a large but centralized group (meaning under Jesus) of Gentile people. The Canaanite woman already established that, but this is an extension of the thought, explaining the result of the dispensation of the Gentiles. In other words, “What will happen in the world once it is established that Gentiles are to be included in the New Covenant?”   In verses 30 and 31, multitudes came to Jesus for healing, so many that they were strewn about Him. It is reflective of the broken Gentile world coming to Christ for healing and salvation. As many came, He healed them so that “they glorified the God of Israel.”   As noted at that time, the term is unique in the New Testament. It suggested the presence of Gentiles on the mountain, but it typologically asserts this fact. Paul's ministry literally shouts out the parallel to this thought in Matthew –   “Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.” Acts 19:11, 12   Was the God of Israel glorified through this? The answer is found in Romans –   “Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, 9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: ‘For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.'” Romans 15:8, 9   And...   “For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” Romans 15:18, 19   In verses 32-38, the feeding of the four thousand is recorded. Jesus said they had been with Him three days. In Scripture, three “stands for that which is solid, real, substantial, complete, and entire. ... Hence the number three points us to what is real, essential, perfect, substantial, complete, and Divine.” Bullinger   The time these people have been with Jesus speaks of a divine fullness, something reflected in Romans 11:25, “that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” It goes right back to the state of Israel, noted in Matthew 15:14, where the blind are leading the blind.   While Israel is blinded, the blind of the Gentiles (Matthew 15:31) are brought to sight. The miracle of the bread (think of Jesus, the Bread of Life) and fish (a word which signifies “increase” in Hebrew) speaks of the immense harvest. There were seven loaves, the number of spiritual perfection, and a few tiddlers. However, they were enough to feed the multitude of four thousand. The number is a product of four and tens.   Four is the number of material creation, the world number. It speaks of the entirety of the world hearing the gospel, just as Jesus said it would. Ten is the number where nothing is wanting, and the whole cycle is complete. The entire world of the Gentiles will be evangelized before the end comes.   To demonstrate the immense harvest that will be realized in the church age, the baskets of fragments were collected, totaling seven large baskets. Notice the difference from the feeding of the five thousand –   “And they ate all, and they gorged, and they lifted the superabounding pieces – twelve handbaskets full. 21And those eating, they were about five thousand men, besides women and children.”   “And they ate all, and they gorged, and the superabounding of the fragments they lifted – seven hampers full. 38And those eating, they were four thousand men, besides women and children.”   Whereas a remnant of the twelve tribes of Israel represented by the twelve small handbaskets (Greek: kophinos) was collected, there will be an immense harvest of the seven churches (as defined in Revelation 2 & 3), represented by the seven large hampers (Greek: spuris).   The chapter ended with a location only mentioned here in Scripture, saying of Jesus, “And having dismissed the crowds, He in-stepped into the boat, and He came to the borders of Magdala.”   The town Magdala in Hebrew is Migdal-el, Tower of God, a city of Naphtali recorded in Joshua 19:38. Migdal El is contrasted to the tower of man, meaning Babel and all that accompanies her. Thus, this is implicitly a picture of the ending of the church age, where believers are delivered from the Babylon of the end times recorded in Revelation.   To understand why these conclusions have been made, one should refer to the descriptions of these locations found in the Old Testament sermons given by the Superior Word. Each location, number, or other reference has been drawn from the information already recorded there. Thus, the typology is not new. It has already been seen and has been reused without change, confirming that this analysis of Matthew 15 is sound.   Lord God, Your word is beyond amazing. It is a lifeline for the soul caught in despair. It is a treasure for the seeker of riches. It is a guide for the path of our lives. And Lord, it is so much more. It is so glorious to enter into its pages and find rest for our souls in the Person of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Thank You for this precious word. Amen. Matthew 15   15 Then they came to Jesus from Jerusalem, scribes and Pharisees, saying, 2“Through what – Your disciples, they sidestep the tradition of the elders? For they wash not their hands when they may eat bread.”   3And answering, He said, to them, “Through what – also you, you sidestep the ‘God's commandment' through your tradition? 4For God, He enjoined, saying, ‘You honor your father and your mother,' and the ‘disparaging father or mother,' death – he expires!' 5And you, you say, ‘Whoever, he should say to father or mother, “Gift – whatever if from me you should benefit.”' 6And no, not he should honor his father or his mother. And you invalidated God's commandment through your tradition. 7Hypocrites! Well, Isaiah, he prophesied concerning you, saying,   8‘He neared Me, this people – the mouth, And the lips – he honors Me, And their heart, it distances far from Me. 9And vainly they revere Me,  Teaching instructions – men's injunctions.'”   10And having summoned the crowd, He said to them, “You hear and comprehend! 11Not the ‘entering into the mouth' it profanes the man, but the ‘proceeding from the mouth,' this, it profanes the man.”   12Then His disciples, having come near, they said to Him, “You have known that the Pharisees, having heard the saying, they stumbled!” 13And having answered, He said, “Every planting that not He planted, My heavenly Father, it will be uprooted. 14You leave them! They are blind, blind-conductors. And blind, if they should conduct, both – they will fall into a pit.”   15And Peter, having answered, he said to Him, “You expound to us this parable.”   16And Jesus, He said, “And yet, you, you are unintelligent! 17Not yet you grasp that all, the ‘entering into the mouth,' into the stomach it contains, and into the john it ejects? 18And those proceeding from the mouth, it comes from the heart, and those, it commonizes the man. 19For from the heart, they come: evil meanderings, murders, adulteries, harlotries, thefts, false-witnessings, blasphemies. 20These, they are, the ‘defiling the man,' but to eat with unwashed hands, not it defiles the man.”   21And having departed thence, Jesus, He withdrew to the allotments – Tyre and Sidon. 22And you behold! A Canaanite woman from those same borders, having come, she cried to Him, saying, “You compassionate me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter, she is demon possessed-badly.”   23And He answered not a word.   And having approached, His disciples, they entreated Him, saying, “You dismiss her! For she cries after us.”   24And answering, He said, “Not, I was sent, if not to the sheep, the ‘having been lost' – House Israel.”   25And having come, she worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, You rush-relieve me!”   26And answering, He said, “It is not good to take the children's bread and cast to the puppies.”   27And she said, “Yes, Lord. And even the puppies – he eats from the crumbs, the ‘falling from their master's table.'”   28Then, Jesus answering, He said to her, “O! Woman, your faith is great! It become to you as you determine.” And she's cured, her daughter, from that hour.   29And having departed thence, Jesus, He went near the Sea of the Galilee, and having ascended to the mountain, He sat there. 30And they came to Him, great crowds, having with them lame, cripples, blind, mutes, and others – many, and they strewed them near Jesus' feet, and He healed them. 31So too, the crowds marveled, seeing mutes speaking, cripples healthy, lame walking, and blind seeing, and they glorified the God of Israel.   32And Jesus, having summoned His disciples, He said, “I gut-wrench upon the crowd because already three days they bivouac with Me, and naught they have that they may eat. And I wish not to dismiss them unfed, not lest they should collapse in the way.”   33And the disciples, they say to Him, “Whence to us in solitude – loaves so many as to gorge a crowd so vast?”   34And He says to them, Jesus, “How many loaves do you have?”   And they said, “Seven, and a few tiddlers.”   35And He ordered the crowds to sit upon the ground. 36And having taken the seven loaves and the fish, and having thanked, He broke, and He gave to His disciples, and the disciples to the crowd. 37And they ate, all, and they gorged, and the superabounding of the fragments they lifted – seven hampers full. 38And those eating, they were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39And having dismissed the crowds, He in-stepped into the boat, and He came to the borders of Magdala.

Condemnation can quietly weigh down even the most faithful believers, especially when perfectionism and performance replace grace. Romans 8:1 offers freeing truth: for those in Christ Jesus, condemnation no longer exists because Jesus already carried the full weight of sin and shame on the cross. Highlights Perfectionism often disguises itself as faith but leads to exhaustion and emptiness. Guilt and shame push us away from God, while grace draws us closer. Self-condemnation is a burden Jesus never intended believers to carry. Romans 8:1 declares complete freedom from condemnation for those in Christ. Jesus paid the full debt for sin—nothing more is required from us. Our identity is found in Christ’s finished work, not our performance. Grace is a gift to rest in, not something to strive to maintain. Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Carrying the Unnecessary Weight of Condemnation By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1, ESV). For many years, I was driven by perfectionism and the feeling that I had to work successfully or perform well in life to be loved by other people… and to be loved by God. On the outside, I looked like I had it all together- high honors throughout school, hyper-involvement in extracurricular activities, serving in any ministry I was asked to be involved in, star of the high school plays and musicals, head cheerleader, first chair clarinet player in the band, and the list goes on and on. But on the inside, I was so empty and constantly searching for true fulfillment. I knew God was there for me, but somehow, I thought I could be perfect in my own strength on my walk with Him. Because we are human, we fail time and time again. We make a mess of things more often than not. Guilt and shame can often push us further away from God, instead of closer. For so long as a Christian, I was allowing self-condemnation to take root in my heart, and it weighed me down as I walked around carrying all of the baggage of my past sins and failures, thinking that I had to continue to strive to keep God’s forgiveness. Thankfully, today, I no longer live burdened by a work-based mentality. I find my identity in the finished work of Christ, and I want to encourage you, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, you should too. Grace is a gift that cannot be earned, and you do not have to strive to keep it either. In Romans 8:1, the Bible tells us that we do not have to carry condemnation in our lives when we’re truly in Christ. If you are a born-again believer, condemnation does not exist because the punishment for our failures and sins does not exist. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1, ESV). This means that when we embrace and believe what Jesus did for us on the cross, as He took the punishment for our sin that we deserved, our lives are now hidden in Christ. When we come to God with a heart full of repentance, resting in this glorious, finished work of the cross, we can stand before the throne of God without any shame because Jesus bore all of it for us. The debt we owed has been paid in full- we are free from all bondage. Intersecting Life & Faith: Jesus took all of your sin and your shame upon Himself and cast it as far as the east is from the west, friend. Do you struggle with thoughts of shame from your past? Fix your eyes on the finished work of the cross. Christ bore the weight of your sin; you no longer have to live with the weight of your failures. You can come boldly to the throne of grace, beloved, because it is grace that did the work for you. You can rest assured that God sees you as blameless and perfect because you are in Christ. There is no reason to carry that heavy burden of condemnation upon your shoulders… surrender it to Christ today. Let’s pray that you learn to no longer walk around carrying the weight of your past and stop striving for perfection. Remember, Jesus is blameless and perfect for you… lean upon Him. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In Romans 1:7-16, Paul reveals God's vision for a church centered in Christ and strengthened by a gospel-shaped faith. This message calls us to move beyond surface-level Christianity by grounding our identity in grace, cultivating meaningful Christian community, and recovering bold confidence in the power of the gospel. As that faith takes root, it fuels spiritual maturity, love for the church, and a clear commitment to reaching our city and the lost with unashamed faith. In this sermon, we learn four ways to go deeper and be deeper: - A deeper understanding of God's love (grace that leads to peace) - A deeper love for Christians and the church (gratitude, prayer, and community) - A deeper love for the lost (living like gospel debtors with spiritual urgency) - A deeper conviction in the power of the gospel (unashamed, because it's God's power to save) As we begin Romans together, this message invites you to respond through prayer, worship, and renewed faith, asking God to make you the kind of person whose life is shaped by the gospel from faith for faith.

If one of your goals for the year is to stop overreacting, it is time to adopt the Holy Pause. Have you found yourself overreacting when all that was necessary was a simple, rational response? It happens to all of us because of automatic negative thoughts, also known as negativity bias. Something happens, or someone says something, and our brain determines it to be a threat; our nervous system is activated, and we overreact. This is why a pause is crucial if you want to stop overreacting. Why are you overreacting? The first step to stop overreacting is recognizing when it happens. Answer these questions: Negativity Bias (automatic negative thoughts) If any of the above are true, your brain is going to automatically think and feel something negative. We call this negativity bias. Your brain is more likely to think something negative than to think everything is fine and you are safe. In fact, 80% of your thoughts are negative. So, if you are someone who tends to overreact, realize you are not alone and there is a reason for it. However, it is not okay to accept it and not attempt to change and be better. Generational Patterns of Overreacting Perhaps you've experienced generational patterns of overreacting. Do you have family members whom you witnessed overreacting and from whom you learned this behavior? If anxiety is part of your genetic makeup or the genetic makeup of your parents or grandparents, chances are you experienced negative reactions much of your life. But as I've said before, anxiety is not an excuse for poor choices and overreacting. There is damage from overreacting. The power of a Holy Pause. If you want to change, the first step is to become aware of what is happening before overreacting. Awareness is crucial to using the Holy Pause. How is change possible? You can stop overreacting. Change is possible when you start renewing your mind. To understand where to begin to renew your mind, you must recognize that the mind is separate from your brain. Your brain is miraculously capable of changing, growing, and being retrained; we call this neuroplasticity. It is not stagnant or stuck. It is dynamic, and when you renew your mind, you gain power over your neuropathways. Scripture and renewal of the mind. In Romans 12:2, Paul tells us not to conform to the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. When we renew our mind and release the negative, we can rebuild our emotional state by training the prefrontal cortex (the executive function center) to take charge rather than succumbing to the fight-or-flight response triggered by the amygdala (the fear center). Read the full shownotes and access all links. SSFI conference link Schedule a consultation discovery call today. Friend, if you are ready to take intentional action, get the root of what is causing you to overreact, discover wholeness and flourishing in your life and relationships, and heal from anxiety and past experiences, schedule a free consultation discovery call with me. Additional Free Resources Download additional resources to navigate anxiety and renew your mind through journaling and Scripture.