Podcasts about jesus christ

Jesus reveals God's offer of loving mercy to sinners. To accept this gift, we must identify and admit our failings. Recognizing our sins enables us to further cooperate in our redemption. Sin can be understood and categorized in several ways, but every sin wounds our nature and damages our relationships with God and neighbor. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1846-1853. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Topics:  Shock Jock, Masterclass, Tailgating, Thumbs Up, School of Jesus, Control/Power BONUS CONTENT: Death of a Pastor's Wife/Netflix   Quotes: "Gen Z is up to things again." "Steady yourself before I shock you." "You can learn to follow Jesus under any context." "Yoking yourself to Jesus brings rest." . . . Holy Ghost Mama Pre-Order! Want more of the Oddcast? Check out our website! Watch our YouTube videos here. Connect with us on Facebook!

"You want some change in your life? Start praying." -Maxetta Gadd For anyone who's felt disconnected from their body. Tried to control their way into freedom. For anyone who's wondered if it's too late to start again. Pull up a chair and listen in as Alisa sits down with our friend, Maxetta Gadd, for a real, honest conversation about the winding road back to truth. Maxetta gets real about the tension of knowing the truth but still finding yourself walking in lies. She shares the real struggles in her body and how missing out on opportunities to live life fully with the people she loves led her to make a bold change. Surrender. What followed wasn't a quick fix or a perfect before-and-after story. It was a deep surrender that began changing the way Maxetta understood her body, her habits, her relationship with food, and the Holy Spirit's role in her everyday life. Truth was revealed. And it started with prayer. This isn't a story about having it all together. It's a story of surrender. About discovering that what you thought was discipline could actually become delight. And about coming back to a community that will remind you who you are when you forget. Because it's never too late to start again.   Watch this episode on Youtube! Head over to the Revelation Wellness YouTube channel to watch the full conversation.   Connect with Maxetta: Follow along for encouragement, honesty, a reasons to keep saying yes to the life God has given you. Instagram: @maxettagadd   Curious about the community Maxetta found? Here are a few of the places we talked about in this episode to help you take your next step: Looking for a community running toward the Lord? Join RW+: Find your people, get moving, and grow in your faith and health together. Revelation Wellness Instructor Training: Learn how to lead others to health and wholeness through Christ. Learn about Instructor Training Revive: Come find your people, reconnect with God, and experience what happens when we make space for transformation. Registration for the 2026 retreat has closed. Learn about Revive

What if the battlefield you've been dreading is actually the Holy Spirit's playground — the place where He gets to remind you of who you are? Graham opens with a line worth framing: "Never make allowances for losing, because you'll lose" — and never think below the level of your privilege in Christ. Discover why we interpret our circumstances through the word of God rather than the "doomsday merchants" of the news cycle, why the end times is about Jesus and not the devil, and why Graham calls Revelation "the best devotional book ever." He unpacks the miracle of being born again — a completely new identity to "take for a spin" — and lands on the levels of strength, courage, power, and anointing that make us warriors, champions, and game changers who love the conflict, because you get to see a side of Jesus on the battlefield that you don't see in peacetime.Key Scriptures:- Romans 13:12. "The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light."- 2 Corinthians 2:14. "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place."- Romans 8:37. "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."- Colossians 2:15. "When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him."- 1 John 5:4-5. "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"Want to explore more?

As America seeks an agreement with Iran amid the current war, Hank Hanegraaff asks a crucial question: How should we understand the thinking of Iran's Islamic leadership?In this episode of Hank Unplugged, Hank looks back to the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, Muhammad's ten-year truce with the Meccans in A.D. 628, and examines its enduring significance in Islamic history and political thought. From Muhammad's eventual conquest of Mecca to Yasser Arafat's invocation of Hudaybiyyah during the Oslo peace process, Hank argues that the past provides an important lens through which to assess negotiations with Iran today.  Hank also considers the historic expansion of Islam through conquest and migration, the transformation of formerly Christian centers such as Constantinople, and the profound differences between the examples set by Muhammad and Jesus Christ.  Jesus commanded His followers to love their enemies, pray for those who persecute them, and be peacemakers. Ultimately, He gave His life so that others might live.  As Hank often says, “Contrast is the conduit to clarity.” And in this episode, he contends that the contrast between Christ and Muhammad—and between Christianity and Islam—could hardly be more consequential.  Topics include Iran, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, Muhammad, jihad, Yasser Arafat and the Oslo Accords, Islam in Europe, Constantinople and Hagia Sophia, Christianity and Islam, and the teachings of Jesus Christ.  For more information on Islam please see Hank's book MUSLIM: What You Need to Know About the World's Fastest Growing Religion. https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-muslim-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-worlds-fastest-growing-religion-wa0426/Listen to Hank's podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.Archived episodes are on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.   

This story told by Jesus is quite different. Unlike all his other stories, this story includes specific names. This tells us it’s a true story of real people living real lives with a real destiny. These are true events. I’m a documentary junkie. It’s the only TV I ever watch. So imagine this story as we read it unfolding like a docuseries. I’ll split it into episodes for effect. Follow along in Luke 16: 19-31 Episode 1: “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.” —— Understand this scene. In these days, the rich were extravagant in their wealth and it was most displayed in their meals. The fatter a person was, the wealthier it showed them to be because they had the pure luxury of abundance. The rich would often wipe their messy food covered hands on pieces of bread while they feasted on their massive meals. And these pieces of bread used as napkins, were what the poor man named Lazarus lay at the gate begging for. The rich man was aware of Lazarus. He was aware of his need. And fully aware of his own ability to meet his need by simply affording him the bread where he wiped his hands. The rich man passed by him each time he left his palace. But, Lazarus was left laying there longing. Episode 2: “Finally the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from here.” —— So, they have both died, but their destinies were eternally different. Lazarus, the beggar, went to Heaven. The rich man went to hell. Why would that be? Lets be clear – it wasn’t because of money. Money has nothing to do with our future with God. You can’t buy your way into Heaven and you can’t spend your way into Hell. This is the great separation that Jesus warned us about in Matthew 25. He says, “There will be a time when all will be gathered in his presence and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. On his right, he will says, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. What you did this for the least of these, you were doing it to me.’ Then he will turn to those on his left and say ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. When you refused to help the least of these, you were refusing to help me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.” Lazarus is on his right. The rich man is on his left. Lazarus is credited as righteous. The rich man is indebted to eternal punishment. And now, after their death, there’s no changing their fate. They can’t go back. They can’t cross over. They can’t change it. When time is up, eternity is sealed. It’s easy to twist this and assume there’s a heavenly reward happening for suffering, and a hellish punishment happening for refusing help. But that’s not what Jesus is teaching. The issue wasn’t Lazarus’s poverty or the rich man’s wealth. The issue was the heart. Lazarus wasn’t saved because he was poor. And the rich man wasn’t condemned simply because he was rich or greedy. Scripture is clear that salvation has never been something we earn by suffering, by giving, by serving, or by doing enough good things. We are saved by God’s grace. So what is Jesus exposing? A heart that could see suffering and remain completely unmoved. The rich man wasn’t unaware. That’s what makes this story so uncomfortable. Lazarus was lying at his gate. He knew his name. He knew his condition. He knew his need. And he had more than enough to meet it. The need wasn’t somewhere across town. It wasn’t hidden. It wasn’t complicated. It was literally at his doorstep. And every day, he stepped over it. The rich man’s problem wasn’t that he had possessions. His problem was that his possessions had possessed his heart. He had become so consumed with his own comfort that someone else’s suffering could sit at his gate without disturbing his life. The rich man’s greatest problem wasn’t what was in his bank account. It was what was missing from his heart. Compassion. Mercy. Generosity. Love. This was a heart issue. What happens in the heart eventually reveals itself in how we treat people. And his heart condition is what led him to an eternal place of misery. A hardened heart that had refused God. Episode 3: “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father's home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don't end up in this place of torment.' “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.'” —– Now, in this place of eternal torment, understanding what really brought him here was not accepting God and allowing his heart to be transformed, his concern turns to his brothers who are still alive. He knows it’s not too late for them. He begs for his brothers to be warned so they can have a changed heart and not be tormented as well. Imagine this for a moment. Imagine knowing what you did wrong and wanting desperately to go back and warn your loved ones, but not being able to. Wouldn’t that be torment in itself? But, my sister, here’s the beauty in this – we don’t have to wait until our eternal destination and then wish we could go back and tell others. We’ve been told what is coming – we already know – so the time we have here today is our opportunity to do precisely what we would want to do from our eternal destination. We would want to warn others. We would want to tell them the truth so they could avoid future torment. AND TODAY WE STILL HAVE THE GIFT OF TIME. One day, we won’t. Notice what the rich man is told – he’s told his brothers had the opportunity to read what was written. They’ve been warned. What was written? The Bible. Scripture was always there telling the truth, inviting a change of heart. Have we forgotten the power in God’s word? When is the last time you gave someone the gift of a Bible? Do you have an extra just ready to give someone who needs to know God’s truth and God’s promises? Episode 4: One last effort from the rich man to reach his brothers who are still alive with the warning from hell. “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.' “But Abraham said, ‘If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'” ——- The rich man thinks of someone came back from the dead and told his brothers they would surely repent of their sins and turn to God. But God knows better. Do you know how? BECAUSE IT HAPPENED. Someone did rise from the dead – that was his son Jesus. And even with Jesus rising from the dead and reports of him being seen again, evidence of his Holy Spirit then filling people – still people choose not to believe and turn to God. It’s still happening today. Jesus came back from the dead to tell us, and we still ignore him. We have His Word. We have His warning. We have His invitation. We have His Spirit. We have the testimony of people whose lives have been transformed by Him. And most importantly, we have Jesus. The rich man wanted a miracle to change his brothers’ hearts. But he is told, “They already have what they need. They have God’s Word. They have the truth. They have the opportunity to respond.” And so do we. We don’t need another sign. We need a surrendered heart. That’s the sobering message of this story. The greatest danger isn’t that we don’t have enough evidence. It’s that we can have all the evidence in the world and still choose not to let God change our hearts. So while we still have time, let God search yours. Don’t wait for eternity to recognize what matters eternally. Don’t wait until the chasm is fixed forever to wish you had crossed it today. Don’t wait until someone you love is gone to wish you had told them about Jesus. Don’t wait until your heart is so hardened that you no longer hear His voice. Today, you can respond. Today, you can surrender. Today, you can soften your heart. Today, you can love the person at your gate. Today, you can give someone a Bible. Today, you can tell someone about Jesus. Today, you can turn toward God. Because there is one gift we have right now that the rich man no longer had: TIME. Time to choose. Time to repent. Time to believe. Time to love. Time to obey. Time to tell someone else. One day, our time will be finished. And when it is, our eternity will be sealed. So don’t waste the gift you’ve been given today. Let God have your heart while there is still time. Let this question settle into your heart today, “What am I doing with Jesus while I still have time?” Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

Patrick explores pressing listener questions about Catholic practices, why posture at Mass matters, and what true unity looks like when traditions shift unexpectedly. Scriptural references and personal stories fuel a wide-ranging exchange on receiving Communion with the right preparation, the impact of Church history on faith, and facing challenges from Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons at the door. Those conversations stretch from investigating the label “Roman Catholic” to untangling misunderstandings about the sacraments, all while encouraging listeners to keep pursuing clarity and reverence in their faith journey. Kip (email) - As a cradle Catholic who has always knelt in reverence after the Lamb of God, I was so disturbed by the complete lack of kneeling and overall irreverence during the Liturgy of the Eucharist at a new parish I tried yesterday that it felt like a Protestant service and has left me convinced such practices are eroding belief in Christ’s true presence in the Eucharist and leading the flock astray. (00:46) Mark - I thought that being born again was enough. Why do I need 7 sacraments? (05:21) Dan - You gave me research to do on the early Church, and I now agree with you. Can you give me details on Linus, Cletus and Clement? (20:46) Kathy - How do I deal with Jehovah's Witnesses? Also thank you for the advice you gave me 2 months ago. (37:59) Rafael - Why are we referred to as Roman Catholics? Originally Aired on 07-27-2026

Read OnlineThe scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” Luke 5:33–35Though most of the scribes and Pharisees rejected the ministry of John the Baptist, here they attempt to use his discipline of fasting as a weapon to criticize Jesus. But our Lord, perceiving the hollowness of their accusation, turns it into an opportunity for divine revelation. He discloses to them, and to us, a profound truth about His identity: He is the Bridegroom.By doing so, Jesus draws from the rich prophetic imagery of Isaiah and Hosea, which portrays God as the divine Spouse of Israel. Isaiah declared, “As a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you” (Isaiah 62:5). Hosea, speaking the word of the Lord, proclaimed, “You shall call me ‘My husband'… I will betroth you to me forever” (cf. Hosea 2:18–22).Jesus is not merely using a poetic image. By calling Himself the Bridegroom, He reveals a nuptial mystery: Christ comes in the flesh to unite Himself to His Bride, the Church. The proper response to His presence is not fasting in sorrow but rejoicing in the wedding feast. Fasting will have its place, but only once the Bridegroom is taken away, which is a prophetic reference to His Passion.This exchange exposes not only the Pharisees' superficial religiosity but also unveils a central mystery of salvation: In Christ, God draws near in spousal love. To follow Him is to enter into a covenant of joy and grace.Though nuptial imagery might seem more naturally relatable to women, it expresses a truth that transcends gender. Just as “a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body” (Genesis 2:24), so each soul is called to a transforming union with Christ. This is not merely symbolic; it is a real and spiritual union. We are called to become His Mystical Body. Saint Paul captures this mystery when he writes, “I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:19–20).Traditionally, this union has been described as Mystical Marriage or Divine Union. Saint Teresa of Ávila favored the image of Mystical Marriage, emphasizing the soul's intimate, spousal love for Christ. Saint John of the Cross more often spoke of Divine Union, highlighting the complete transformation of the soul in God. Though they use different terms, both describe the soul's ultimate vocation: perfect union with Christ.In Heaven, when this Divine Union is fully realized, fasting and other penitential acts will be unnecessary. During Jesus' earthly ministry, the disciples did not fast because the Bridegroom was with them—an extraordinary grace unique to those three years. But after He was “taken away,” fasting took on a new importance, becoming a participation in His Passion and a preparation for the Wedding Feast to come.Reflect today on the glorious end to which you are called: union with Christ, your Bridegroom. This journey requires sacrifice, so fasting and penance remain essential. Yet when we keep our eyes fixed on the joy of Divine Union, every sacrifice becomes lighter and a joyful embrace of love. The difficulty of fasting and penance is overshadowed by the union they help bring about. Resolve to fast, to pray, and to stay close to Christ, the Bridegroom of your soul. He is the faithful Spouse who will never abandon you.Bridegroom of Your Church, You came to enter into union with us, Your sons and daughters by grace. By Your Incarnation, You wedded Yourself to humanity, and through Your Passion, You purified Your Bride, the Church. As I journey toward the Wedding Feast of Heaven, purify me now through acts of penance and prayer, so that my soul may be ready for the Divine Union to come. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Jesus Reproves the Scribes and Pharisees, by Iulian RosuSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

14 Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, because I do not want your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 Now I will most gladly spend and be spent for your lives! If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But be that as it may, I have not burdened you. Yet because I was a crafty person, I took you in by deceit!

Joined by former Muslim, Oxford PhD recipient, and university founder, Dr. Jacob Imam, today we passionately discuss why the contempt for working with your hands is not just modern, but pagan. We explore how the current education system leaves men in a world that cannot tell them who they are or what they are for. We also get into how the idea that Catholicism has “gone soft” is a false rhetoric and how Islam offers a false sense of strength.   From Andrew Tate, to converting from Islam, to what our young men need to be successful as a person in 2026, Jacob provides us with fuel and direction.   The College of St. Jospeh the Worker: https://www.collegeofstjoseph.com/  Help the College reclaim the Masonic Temple: https://www.collegeofstjoseph.com/reclaim  0:00 The Crisis of Modern Manhood 1:39 A Journey from Jerusalem to Oxford 3:43 Roots in the Holy Land 7:00 The Legacy of Clerical History 10:41 Finding the Face of Christ 16:05 The Allure of Modern Islam 31:55 Reclaiming the Dignity of Work 1:02:15 Building a New Future 

In episode five of Biblical Help for Life's Problems, Dr. John Snyder is once again joined by pastor and counselor Louis Sacran. Drawing on Romans 13:14, Louis helps us understand sanctification biblically and practically. How do we grow and change as believers? How do we mature? We must understand the inner workings of our hearts (our desires) and our walk (our actions), and how they are connected. John and Louis tackle the topic of sexual sin. What is at the root of it, and how can I break the chains of enslavement to this sin? John and Louis point us back to the gospel and to our Lord Jesus. Being aware of what we have been given in Christ and of our unshakable standing with Him because of His righteousness is foundational to growing in Christlikeness. 

Peace the World Can't Give: The Promise of the Holy Spirit – John 14:15–31 In Episode 150 of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane finish John 14 with one of Jesus' greatest promises: we will never have to walk alone. As Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, He promises the coming of the Holy Spirit—the Advocate, Helper, and Teacher who will remain with them and remind them of everything Jesus has taught. Then, in the middle of uncertainty about what comes next, Jesus gives them something the world cannot manufacture: His peace. Together, Jamie and Jane explore what it means to recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives, how love for Jesus shapes our obedience, and the difference between temporary peace based on circumstances and the lasting peace that comes from Christ. Jesus never promised His followers a life without trouble, questions, or uncertainty. He promised something better: His presence in the middle of it. If your heart has been anxious, overwhelmed, or searching for peace, pull up a chair. John 14 reminds us that we have a Helper, we have His presence, and we have a peace the world cannot give. Reflection Question: Am I looking to my circumstances to give me peace—or am I learning to receive the peace Jesus has already given me? ____________________________________ Connect with Jamie: Website: www.jamieklusacek.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacek Connect with Jane: Website: www.janewwilliams.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams

Original Postdate: September 5, 2024 === Gospel Luke 5:1-11 While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. Reflection When we experience gifts that flow seemingly natural through us, it's really difficult to understand which part of our effectiveness in the world is due to our own energy and our own understanding, our own discipline. Or is it purely a gift from God? Well, the key, it's both. But human beings have a hard time keeping themselves in balance when God is using them to accomplish great deeds. We need to be careful of not falling into the trap of thinking those deeds come from us, and not just through us. Closing Prayer Father, over and over again we see people who have authority and responsibility and a position of power, getting caught up in it and ending up being not the instrument that God can use any longer. Keep us grounded in the humility that God is the source of all that we can accomplish when it comes to building his kingdom. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the greatest struggles in pray is to stay alert and watchful. But watchful for what? And what does being alert in prayer actually mean? What should we be praying about? What did Jesus say about this? And what does Paul tell the Colossians regarding this important matter?

God's Family and God's Home Ephesians 2:19-22 paints a beautiful picture of who we are in Christ. Now that we have been brought near to God through Christ, we are part of God's family and we are the very dwelling place of God. This is true for any and all that come to God through Christ.  Ephesians 2:19-22   19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.   Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:  https://www.johnwhittaker.net Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/ The Listener's Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com Connect with John: Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram Email - john@johnwhittaker.net If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, X, via email.

It’s easy to lose track of time without realizing where it went. A few minutes on social media becomes an hour, notifications interrupt meaningful conversations, and endless content competes for our attention. Technology can be a helpful tool, but when our phones, screens, and constant stream of information begin controlling our attention, they can quietly pull us away from God, our families, and the people and purposes He has placed in front of us. Ephesians 5:15-16 calls us to walk wisely and make the best use of our time. Redeeming our time doesn't necessarily mean eliminating technology—it means becoming intentional about what receives our attention. When we create space to pray, read Scripture, invest in relationships, and serve others, we begin using our time for something greater than simply staying busy or entertained. God has given us the gift of time, and we can ask Him for the wisdom and self-control to spend it in ways that honor Him and help us live faithfully. Highlights Why smartphones, social media, and constant information can quietly steal our time and attention What Ephesians 5:15-16 means when it calls us to make the best use of our time How technology can become a distraction from God, family, and meaningful relationships Practical ways to develop healthier screen-time habits and greater self-control Why intentional time with God should be protected from digital distractions How fasting from technology can help reset our attention and priorities Encouragement to redeem the time God has given us for His glory and the work He has called us to Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Redeeming, Not Wasting, Our Time By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV). As a millennial, I find myself reflecting upon a time before the technological boom we seem to be facing, specifically before AI, smartphones, and social media. I remember taking a walk or riding my bike after school without the anxiety of accidentally leaving my phone at home. I remember the excitement of turning in my disposable camera from the school dance and then looking through my friends’ photo albums when I was hanging out at their house. I remember soaking up the most mundane moments without feeling the need to document them. Some of that could very well be what it was like to be younger, but I cannot ignore how much the simplicity of life has become more complicated and distracted with these portable devices that seem to control us and steal our time. About six months ago, I started to feel convicted about the lack of self-control regarding my screen time with my phone, so I purchased a little device that literally turns your phone into a brick when your phone hovers over it, depending on how much you want to limit its functionality. You can customize specific functions and apps that you want to limit, and for me, it was quite simply shutting down my social media usage. After six months of using this limiting device, I can see how it has helped me create healthier habits that have helped me prioritize my time more wisely. Instead of my phone controlling me, I have been able to start controlling it and using it as the tool that it is. My prayer to the Lord is “I want to be found faithful.” I have asked Him very frequently how I can use my time to glorify Him and be a fruitful disciple of Jesus. The Apostle Paul lovingly warns the church at Ephesus: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV). Intersecting Life & Faith: If the days were evil during Paul’s day, they most assuredly are evil today! Although our cellphones, tablets, laptops, etc are not evil, I do believe we need to be cautious as to how much time we are devoting to them. We need to be aware of where we are directing our focus. We need to be attentive to what is capturing our attention that may be causing us to make unwise choices. For me, the distraction from my phone was keeping me from intentional time with my sons and causing me to become captured by covetousness and discontentment with the swath of influencers pushing product after product. As we live in the great information age, we are bombarded with opportunities to fill our time and our minds with so many things that can so easily replace our time of fellowship with the Lord, as well as distract us from the very thing He has called us to do: make disciples! Perhaps you may not have an issue with technology distracting you from the Lord- praise God! Stay strong and be an accountability partner for those around you who are easily pulled away from the things of God because of the ever-increasing information age and the age of social media influencers promoting materialism and vanity. But if you are like me (a stay-at-home/work-from-home mom) and you are finding yourself with limited time to spend with Jesus in prayer and the Word, I challenge you to ask the Lord if there is something you can arrange in your schedule to allow better time management. Also, ask Him if He would like for you to fast (technology, that is), something that could be causing division between you and Him. Devote specific time every day to spend some quiet time in fellowship with God and reading your Bible, without your cellphone or iPad within reach- turn them off during that time and perhaps put a timer on the most-used apps that you access throughout your day. You might just need extra help with self-control, like me! Be thankful for the benefits of the tools and global connections that technology brings us, but don’t allow technology to rob you of your connection to Jesus or distract you from all the blessings He has put right in front of you. We have been given the precious gift of time here on this earth; let’s not waste our time but redeem it all for God’s glory! Further Reading: Matthew 6:33 Hebrews 12:1-2 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode we examine Jesus' account of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16 and present it as a true event rather than a parable. The episode explores ten points about the reality of hell, emphasizing that death is followed immediately by a person's eternal destination. The account also describes a permanent separation between the righteous and those in torment, portraying hell as an actual and eternal place from which there is no escape. The rich man in Luke 16 remembered his family and understood that his brothers needed to repent, yet Abraham explained that those who refuse to listen to Scripture will not necessarily believe even if someone rises from the dead. We share accounts of near-death experiences and additional testimonies, but the central message remains the authority of God's Word. We encourage listeners to take Jesus' warning seriously, turn from sin, receive Him as Lord and Savior, and choose the path of life and salvation. For more information about Bill Wiese and Soul Choice Ministries please visit us at: https://soulchoiceministries.org/  You can find more of Bill's teachings at: BillWieseTV-YouTube

Church Planting, Discipleship & the Grace to Be Holy | Ken Fish, Jimmy Seibert & Joel Taylor Ken Fish and Joel Taylor welcome back Jimmy Seibert—leader of Antioch Waco and the Antioch Movement, one of the most effective church-planting movements in the Western world, and a speaker at the upcoming Luminosity conference (Nashville, Oct 1–3, 2026). Register: https://kingdomluminosity.org/Jimmy shares how the movement grew out of a full surrender as a young believer and a conviction that the local church is meant to both house and multiply the glory of God. The conversation ranges across world evangelization, why believers buy the lie that they aren't needed, and how partnering with God to reach every people group helps prepare the way for Christ's return. At its heart, it's about intimacy with God as the source of everything—"it takes God to do the work of God"—and why consecration and holiness are themselves a grace: power over sin, not just forgiveness of it.In this conversation:How the Antioch church-planting movement grew out of full surrender"A church for every 1,000 people"—and why the US is underservedWhy the enemy's great lie is that you're not neededPartnering with God to "hasten" Christ's return (Matthew 24:14)Reaching the next generation through heart, home, and shared missionDiscipleship that empowers rather than creates dependenceMaturity as taking responsibility for your own walk with GodConsecration and holiness as grace—power over sin, not just forgivenessWhy you can't set others free until you've been set freeRegister for Luminosity

As Jesus continues teaching in the temple in Holy Week, the religious leaders demand that Jesus state His authority for acting and speaking in the manner He does. Marvelously evading their trap, Jesus sets a trap of His own as He asks about the source of John's baptism. When the religious leaders refuse to answer, Jesus refuses to answer their question directly. Instead, He begins a series of parables that shows the faithlessness of the religious leaders. Although they should have been sons of God, they have refused to listen to God by refusing the preaching of both John and Jesus, while notorious sinners have been welcomed into God's kingdom for receiving their preaching joyfully.  Rev. Kale Hanson, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Bethalto, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 21:23-32.  To learn more about Zion Lutheran, visit zionbethalto.org. “The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

I guess I'm just too sensitive. I feel guilty when I walk in a store, knowing I'm not going to buy anything. And some bored salesperson sees me come in, and then you see that look of hope, that look of expectancy on their face, “At last I can justify my existence. At last I've got a customer! At last I can accomplish something. At last I can sell something.” And so they very pleasantly ask, “May I help you?” And then come those two most hated words to the ears of a salesperson, “Just looking.” Suddenly they lose all interest in me and they retire dejectedly back to their corner. Did I say I'm too sensitive? Well, I'll tell you this, nobody ever gets very excited about someone who is just looking. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Spiritual Spectators.” Our word for today from the Word of God comes from John 9. I'll begin reading at verse 13. It's the story of the man who had been born blind who Jesus healed. Now, Jesus has always been troubled by people who are just looking. For example in this passage, “They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was the Sabbath. Therefore, the Pharisees also asked Him how he had received his sight. ‘He put mud on my eyes' the man replied, ‘and I washed and now I see.' Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God for he does not keep the Sabbath.'” This is amazing! You want to say to the Pharisees, “Guys, wake up! A man who could never see before was just healed! Do you understand what just happened?” And they are busy doing their theological analysis of the situation. They have no intention of buying into what Jesus is doing. They're just looking. Everywhere Jesus performed miracles it seemed that there were two groups of people: the "expectors" who had faith, who wanted to get in on the supernatural and who did, and the "dissectors" who stood off with their arms folded and said, “What shall we call this? Where does this fit in our theology?” And they saw no miracle. What bothers me is that the dissectors were the religious folks, the spiritual veterans, the Bible people. That's me. That might be you. And they were always so busy analyzing the miracle, they missed the miracle. You know, as you get more settled into Christian things and you know more Christian ideas, and hold more Christian jobs, a subtle numbness can start to grow inside of you. You go to church to watch God speak to others. You make spiritual events happen, but you stop letting them happen to you. You start to become a discusser of God's working rather than an experiencer of His working. You used to have an experience now you just have knowledge. You start to become critical of His leaders and their methods. Can you see that creeping sleep in your soul? Somewhere you stepped out of the middle of God's life-changing work and you moved to the edges to watch, to analyze, to categorize, to criticize. Hey, it's cold out there. You show up at God's store, you look around, but you don't buy into the wonder of it all. Why don't you get back into the mainstream where the miracles are? Let God happen to you again, not just happen around you. When Jesus is offering such supernatural merchandise, it would be a shame if you were just on the edges and just looking.

Morning Offering, September 3, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company https://bit.ly/4qVmJhNFrom Daniel's fiery furnace to Christ the true High Priest, this reflection reminds us that worship isn't only for peaceful moments, but also for the times when we feel hemmed in on every side.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Sharon shares candidly about growing up in a scheme (Scottish term for council estate), making bad choices in her teens, working with the homeless and vulnerable, discipling very broken people, living with chronic fatigue, forgiving marital infidelity, and more. She has packed a huge amount into her life so far, and her passion remains to equip and disciple women, which only happens through costly, long-term, incarnational and intentional journeying with them. Her life is both a testimony and a challenge to be all in for Jesus.▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VSb9WirMuw4I recommend her two books: Unconventional: Practical Guide to Women's Ministry in the Local Church and Unexceptional: Ordinary women doing extraordinary things through GodCheck out www.20schemes.com for what she is involved in and to be in touch with her. Sharon's boss, Mez McConnell, was on the podcast a few months back and can be listened to here Part 1 and Part 2.---

Jesus Christ is not merely part of history—He is its focal point, the Beginning and the End, worthy of all glory, honor, majesty, and praise. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef turns to John's extraordinary vision of the glorified Christ in Revelation. Jesus stands among seven golden lampstands representing His churches, reminding us that the Church exists to shine His light faithfully into a dark world. John sees Christ in overwhelming majesty: clothed with authority, perfectly holy, seeing all things, speaking with supreme power, and prepared to judge with righteousness. His Word penetrates the deepest places of the heart, and His face shines with glorious brilliance. This is the risen Lord who knows His Church completely—and whose return should shape how we live today. That urgency lies behind Christ's messages to the seven churches of Revelation. His words include warning, correction, encouragement, conviction, and invitation. And one of His most searching challenges concerns our love for Him. It is possible to defend Biblical Truth, pursue good works, and still allow our affection for Jesus to grow cold. Accurate theology and faithful service can never replace wholehearted love for the Savior Himself. If your love for Christ has weakened, His invitation remains open: confess, repent, and return. Rekindle your first love, order your life in light of eternity, and live today with the joyful expectation that your glorious King could return at any time. Let us pray. Lord Jesus, forgive me for setting my eyes on the things of this world rather than You, my Redeemer. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

It takes time and serious exposure to the Word of God to change the way we think. It also requires a new skill: the ability to listen to the Holy Spirit. We usually come to Christ with some pretty deep programming. Old values, perspectives and attitudes don't just fall away overnight. In fact, some appear to remain with us the rest of our lives and become familiar enemies we have to diligently put aside over and over again. One such enemy which affects us all in one way or another is pride. It clouds our thinking, Paul says, like alcohol dulls the mind of someone who's drunk. It distorts the way we see ourselves and others, and as we'll observe today, one of the most terrible things it does Is to prevent believers from fulfilling God's call on their lives. The way to escape, Paul says, is to let the Holy Spirit reprogram the way we think. He wants to teach us true humility. And that's why in these verses Paul shows us new ways of thinking that free us to discover and fulfill our call. To receive a free copy of Dr. Steve Schell's book Understanding Romans, email us at info@lifelessonspublishing.com and ask for your copy at no charge. The book has all the notes from each sermon in this series. Also check out our website for additional resources for pastors and leaders. We have recorded classes and other materials offered at no charge. And if you would like to receive a copy of Pastor Steve's newest book Study Verse by Verse: Genesis at no charge, we are giving out this book as well!  

In Acts 5:32, the apostles boldly declare that they are witnesses to the life, death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus—and that the Holy Spirit also testifies to the truth of who He is. Pastor Derek looks at the role of the Holy Spirit as a witness and how the Spirit empowers believers to point others to Jesus.Purchase The Spirit Rhythm book on Amazon : https://a.co/d/0fMXInF1Learn More & Stay ConnectedPastor Derek: https://awakenlv.org/derekneider/Daily Devotional: https://awakenlv.org/devotionals/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekneider/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DerekNeider/A ministry of Awaken Las Vegas: https://awakenlv.org/

There is only one ministry in the church, and that is being a servant of God. God is the one who makes men and women into ministers; we do not choose it ourselves, and we are not to judge His choice. Paul suffered afflictions for his association with Christ and the preaching of the Word, but he rejoiced. Suffering is part of the process of being made into a man or woman of God. VF-2274 Colossians 1:23-25 Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-338-3030 24x7 to leave a message for Pastor Scott. You may make reservations to attend a live service, leave a prayer request or make a commitment. Pastor Scott appreciates messages and reads them often during live broadcasts. Follow @Pastor_Scott on Twitter and visit her official Facebook page @Pastor.M.Scott. Download Pastor Scott's "Understand the Bible" app for iPhone, iPad and iPod at the Apple App Store and for Android devices in the Google Store. Pastor Scott can also be seen 24x7 on Roku and Amazon Fire on the "Understand the Bible?" channel. ©2026 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved

In this episode, Kelly invites Connor Patterson back to continue our series on Church History. This time, Connor looks at the Council of Constantinople. In doing so, Connor leads us in a study that answers the most important question of all: “Who is Jesus?”www.instagram.com/thehishillpodcast/www.hishill.orgkelly@hishill.org

As we end our exploration of the virtues, we learn about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts perfect our virtues and increase our ability to respond to God's guidance and inspiration. The fruits of the Holy Spirit perfect us, are signs of a life lived in the Spirit, and are “the first fruits of eternal glory,” as the Catechism tells us. Our cooperation with the Holy Spirit sustains and perfects our moral life, enabling us to live a more full and joyful life. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1830-1845. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

You asked. He answered. Father Martins weighs in on the Lindsay Clancy case, and how he distinguishes the voice of God from the voice of the enemy. We also bring you some fascinating history with King Louise IX and Father finally talks about his favorite Hockey player of all time...Thank you to our sponsorsReady to give your liver the support it deserves? Head to dosedaily.co/EXFILES or enter EXFILES to get 35% off your first subscription.Ollie. Feed the Obsession. Go to ollie.com/exfiles and use code exfiles to get 70% off your first box!The Born Again Identity- Find out who you are in Christ. Watch and Listen hereUpgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to https://trymiracle.com/EXFILES and use the code EXFILES to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF.”Support the Show by Signing Up For The Vaultexorcistfiles.supercast.com- Support the show and get it AD FREE HERETimestamps0:0001:00:08 | Opening Reflection & Call to Prayer01:00:58 | Welcome & Season 3 Announcement01:03:12 | The Lindsay Clancy Tragedy & Demonic Discernment01:08:32 | How God Communicates & Discerning the Voice of the Lord01:14:06 | St. Ignatius Loyola's Three Modes of Discernment01:21:54 | Approaching God with Childlike Petition vs. Demands01:23:21 | God Speaking Through Scripture, Books, & Movies01:28:03 | Feast of King Louis IX: Monarch as Servant01:35:25 | Vault Question: House Guests & Spiritual Concerns01:37:39 | Burial, Cremation, & Relics of the Saints01:40:00 | Overcoming Regret, God's Plan, & the Brokenness of Peter01:44:53 | NHL Legends, Wendel Clark, & Jeremy Roenick01:49:18 | Wrap-Up & Prayer Request for HenrySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this solo episode, I'm reflecting on what happens when we finally begin to heal. What if joy, playfulness, and whimsy aren't distractions from a serious life with Jesus, but actually evidence that we're getting better? Over the past year, God has been teaching me to slow down and rediscover the enjoyment of life. I spent years understanding the Christian life through suffering and perseverance, but He's showing me another truth: He created us to experience joy too. This past year has required dismantling identities I built and allowing God to tear down what I could never dismantle myself. Healing can feel violent. But somewhere in the cracks, I began noticing flowers. A candle while I work. Tea on a rainy afternoon. Being present enough to actually recognize a beautiful moment while it's happening. Learning to rest was ultimately learning to trust, and I'm discovering that whimsy doesn't mean ignoring suffering, it means noticing God's goodness while you're still walking through the hard things. Sometimes the flowers grow right through the cracks. Sponsor CrowdHealth CrowdHealth offers a community-powered alternative to traditional health insurance. Members receive access to resources including bill negotiation, lower-cost prescriptions, and vetted doctor lists. When larger healthcare expenses arise, members contribute through the CrowdHealth community. Get your first three months for $99 using code SPEAKEASY at JoinCrowdHealth.com. CrowdHealth is not health insurance. #TheSpeakeasyPodcast #BlakeGuichet #Whimsy #ChristianLiving #ChristianPodcast #Healing #BiblicalJoy #Rest #Faith #RootedHope #TrustGod #CrowdHealth

This week, Paul highlights how God's grace transforms and empowers unlikely people to boldly proclaim Christ.Join us for a weekly narration of Paul Tripp's popular devotional. You can subscribe to our email list to receive this devotional straight to your inbox each week, or read online at PaulTripp.com/Wednesday or on Facebook, Instagram, and the Paul Tripp App.Paul Tripp's 5-Minute Bible Study on the book of Acts.If you've been enjoying the Wednesday's Word podcast, please leave us a review! Each review helps us reach more people with the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Did Constantine change the church's day of worship from Saturday to Sunday? Pastor Adriel Sanchez addresses this theory that has long been stated online, demonstrating that the Christian practice has been to gather for worship on Sunday, the Lord's Day, since the first century. DOWNLOAD IS GOD FAIR? A classic essay from the late J.I. Packer on whether God is really fair. FOLLOW US YouTube | Instagram | X/Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter WHO WE ARE Sola Media serves today's global church by producing resources for reformation grounded in the historic Christian faith. For over thirty-five years, Sola has walked alongside Christians in their faith, pointing away from novelty and ourselves, and toward Christ and his gospel as proclaimed in the Scriptures, articulated in the ancient Christian Creeds, and summarized in the confessions of the Protestant Reformation. Learn more: https://solamedia.org/

Patrick fields questions on everything from distinctions between mortal and venial sin to the practical fears and joys of raising a large Catholic family, weaving scriptural references and personal anecdotes throughout. Deep sincerity and humor mix as Patrick responds to commentary about Catholic Bible translations, rituals at Mass, the role of priests—even when they're in mortal sin—and cultural phenomena like “The Chosen,” urging listeners to keep Scripture at the center. One moment lingers on trust in God’s providence for growing families; another, on tuning out the clatter of criticism directed at the Pope and Church, offering practical encouragement grounded in lived faith. Bridget (email) - Isn't every sin mortal? (00:49) Trisha (email) – What’s a good solid Catholic bible? (06:21) Peter – Is it true that the USCCB said no more bells should be rung during Mass. Can't be right...also, when did Christianity start? (09:42) Max - Wife and I recently had a baby and we are discussing NFP. We want a big family. Where is the line between prudence and selfishness? (11:35) Gabriel - My wife and I had 7 seven kids within 8.5 years. I want to share my perspective in relation to this current call! (24:09) Dustin - As a Catholic, is watching The Chosen going to influence our take on the Bible in a negative way or positive way? (28:51) Kurt - Wondering about the Eucharist: if the priest is in mortal sin, is he able to consecrate the host? Is it the priest or Christ consecrating the host? (37:20) Terry – The priest today had all the children come up near the altar after the eucharistic prayer and he explain everything to them. (42:40) Originally Aired on 07-17-2026

Patrick offers insight on tough family situations, Catholic apologetics, forgiveness, and faith struggles, switching from serious to humorous in a heartbeat. He answers questions about estrangement, church controversies, the afterlife, and overcoming regret. Wisdom, encouragement, and relief land side by side as Patrick fields anxious callers, breaks down doctrine, and finds laughter in the ordinary. Jennifer - Please recommend a Bible for 17-year-old nephew who has had no religious formation. I’m feeling inspired but need advice. (00:42) Ben - 1 Corinthians 2:16: St. Paul says we have the mind of Christ. What does that mean? (06:18) Lee (email) – You guys think you’re so funny (12:22) Jan - Can you recommend a book or program for high school boys to teach them to become men through a Catholic lens? (16:23) Ellie (email) - You took a call this morning from a gentleman who asked if the Hindu religion is older than Christianity and you said, yes, it is, but big deal. You also frequently remind us of the chronology of Catholicism vis-a-vis the umpteen Protestant denominations and you emphasize that, look, Catholicism is older than all of those others. Why, then, don't you say that Hinduism is older than Catholicism, so maybe Hinduism is on to something? I guess what I'm asking is, how can we have it both ways? How can we dismiss everything that came after Catholicism but we don't dismiss Catholicism which came after Hinduism? (22:45) Jose - My brother drifted away from Church. He sends me daily devotionals, but they don't agree with our Faith. How should I handle this? (27:55) Lori (email) – Is it OK to go to a free clinic that is operated by a mosque? (32:03) James - A friend said if you die, you cannot be judged or go to heaven or hell because Jesus hasn't come back yet, so where do they go in the meantime? (37:47) AC (email) - How can I finally forgive myself for yelling at and spanking my oldest son too much as a young, unsupported mother with a controlling husband, despite his forgiveness, my therapy, confessions, life improvements, return to faith, and prayers that only bring temporary relief before triggers return? (43:09) Originally Aired on 07-17-2026

Read OnlineWhile the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:1–4At that moment, Simon could not have grasped the full significance of Jesus' actions. Our Lord chose to preach to the crowds from the boat “belonging to Simon.” When He had finished speaking, He turned to Simon and said, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”Traditionally, the boat has been understood as a symbol of the Church. It is particularly meaningful that this first use of a boat in Jesus' public ministry involved Simon's vessel. Later in Luke's Gospel, Jesus says: “Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31–32).In this powerful passage, Jesus entrusts Simon with the unique mission of leadership and fraternal support. Though Simon would stumble during the Passion, his faith would be restored, and his role confirmed, not merely as a disciple, but as one called to fortify the faith of others. This divine commission echoes the symbolic act at the Lake of Gennesaret, where Simon's boat becomes the pulpit from which the Word is proclaimed. And, as is recorded in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus later changed Simon's name to Peter, making him the rock foundation upon which He would build His Church, promising the gates of hell would not prevail against it (cf. Matthew 16:17–19).By choosing Simon's boat, Jesus foreshadowed that the Gospel would go forth from the Church, built upon Simon Peter's faith and leadership. Christ remains the cornerstone, yet Simon would serve as the rock: a foundational witness whose confession and fidelity would uphold the apostolic Church.This moment by the lake is far more than a simple teaching setting. It is a prophetic image of the Church: anchored by Peter, guided by Christ, and commissioned to cast its nets into the deep waters of the world, drawing souls into the Kingdom of God. Christ alone has the power to draw all people to Himself, yet He chooses to do so through Peter, his successors, and all faithful collaborators who serve as fishers of men.As the passage continues, Simon obeys Jesus' command and puts out into deep water. The result is an astonishing catch that is so abundant that the nets begin to tear. Others must come to help, a clear symbol of the necessary collaboration among all members of the Church, working together in Christ's divinely guided mission.We, too, are called to share in that same mission and to imitate Simon's humility upon witnessing the miraculous catch. He fell at Jesus' feet and cried out, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8). He was deeply humbled and recognized his unworthiness before the divine presence.Jesus, however, looked upon Simon and those with him, including Andrew, James, and John, and said, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men” (Luke 5:10). These words are meant for each of us. Fear is often the greatest obstacle to fully embracing God's call. But when we respond with humility and courage, trusting in His grace, we will find ourselves part of the great mission to draw others into the safety of the Church. Reflect today on the sacred image of Simon's boat. See in it a foreshadowing of the Church, and consider how you are called to serve within her. Christ continues to preach from this vessel, to call others into its safety, and to call you to cast your net into the deep where many souls await the Gospel and God's mercy.All-powerful Lord, You first preached from a humble fishing boat owned by Simon. Today, You continue to preach and reach out to those caught in the deep and turbulent waters of this world. Please send me, as You later sent Simon Peter, to bring Your Gospel to those who need it most. Purify me of every fear, so that I may answer Your call with courage and zeal. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Jesus values the poor and calls his followers to see, love, and help them.► Gather with us live online and in person every Sunday at 9:30a and 11:00a: https://live.fbcw.org/► Watch/listen to our services: https://fbcw.org/worship-with-us/► Give to help our mission: https://fbcw.org/give/

Sometimes the best conversations happen when you least expect them.   In this episode, I'm taking the podcast downtown and having conversations with people I've never met before - about faith, doubt, prayer, church, and what it looks like to follow Jesus in everyday life.   One conversation especially stuck with me. I met Sky, who grew up around Christianity but has wrestled with what she sees and hears from Christians today. We talked honestly about politics, spiritual questions, church hurt, creativity, and what she thinks about Jesus.   We also talk about something I know a lot of us wrestle with: How do you actually talk about your faith with people who don't go to church? I share some simple ways to start those conversations through praying for opportunities, asking questions, sharing your story, inviting someone along, and most importantly, letting the way we live point people toward Jesus.   Because following Jesus isn't about having all the right answers or forcing a conversation. Sometimes it starts with simply being willing to sit down, listen, and love someone well.   Thanks to our amazing partners on this episode:    First Interstate Bank has a mission to help people and their money work better together. They do this by ensuring clients can manage their money conveniently wherever they are while also providing the friendly service. They have over 300 locations throughout 14 states! For more information and to find a location near you, visit https://www.firstinterstatebank.com/   Vern Eide Motorcars is a growing employee-owned company that offers sales, service, and financing of automotive, motorcycle, and power sports lines, including Acura, Ford, Chevy, GMC, Honda, Hyundai and Mitsubishi brands. Whether you live locally or across the country, visit https://www.verneide.com/   Subscribe to Life Between Sundays on YouTube and watch the full episode: youtube.com/@adamaweber  Sign up for The Crew: https://www.adamweber.com/thecrew  

Today's Scripture passages are Hosea 6 - 9 | Matthew 26:57-68 | Mark 14:53-65.Read by Ekemini Uwan.Get in The Word with Truth's Table is a production of InterVarsity Press. For 75 years, IVP has published and created thoughtful Christian books for the university, church, and the world. Our Bible reading plan is adapted from Bible Study Together, and the Bible version is the New English Translation, used by permission.SPECIAL OFFER | As a listener of this podcast, use the code IVPWORD40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode at ivpress.com.Additional Credits:Song production: Seaux ChillSong lyrics written by: Seaux Chill, Ekemini Uwan, and Christina EdmondsonPodcast art: Kate LillardPhotography: Shelly EveBible consultant: JM SmithSound engineering: Podastery StudiosCreative producers: Ekemini Uwan and Christina EdmondsonAssistant producer: Christine Pelliccio MeloExecutive producer: Helen LeeTo reach the IVP podcast team, please use this form.Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

Have you ever had a moment where everything you built your life on just gave out underneath you?I have. And I've never told you the whole story — until now.No guest this week. Just me, and the night I ended up on my kitchen floor. I was 38. A 13-year marriage was dissolving. I had two little girls and no idea who to call. So I called out to Jesus, over and over and over. My mom taught me there's power in that name, and in that moment it was the only lifeline I had.Here's the part that still stings: when the marriage ended, I lost my church too. Divorce was taboo there. The people I thought were my family stopped feeling like family, and I was completely alone.Then I felt God nudging me toward a podcast. I was terrified nobody would download it. I recorded episode one with Robert Slovak, the godfather of reverse osmosis, in his Long Beach apartment while the entire world was shut down. A couple thousand of you showed up.I started this show to serve you out of my own pain. But the gift came back. You became my new family.So this one is my thank you. I'm also telling you the truth about why I've been quiet lately, and what's changing about HYDRATE.After this one, you'll never hear this show the same way again.Listen now on all platforms: Hydrate With Tracy Duhs.Connect with Tracy:Website: https://tracyduhs.com/Hydration Shop: https://sanctuarysd.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracyduhs/Flow FAM Community: https://tracyduhs.com/join-flow-fam/

Original Postdate: September 4, 2024 === Gospel Luke 4:38-44 After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them. At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ. At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea. Reflection Nothing is more fascinating or interesting than the power Jesus had to heal. And obviously people would come for that gift and then they would feel, thank you for making me whole, but Jesus had something much more in mind. When he healed the mother in law of Simon, as soon as the fever left her, she did what all healing has as its core reason for being there, to better serve those around you. Closing Prayer Father, the wholeness that you call us to is not just for us to make it into heaven, but it is to make us someone who can continually and authentically help create the kingdom of God here on this earth. So give us a sense of our mission to do all that we can to invite people into a life of deep commitment to the presence of God within us, healing others. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John's Gospel presents us with seven signs or miracles that Jesus did, which attested to His deity. In Ch. 2, His first miracle took place at a wedding celebration in the village of Cana. Join us now as we take a deeper look into the significance of what Jesus did, and the impact that it had.

For many years, it was an inspiring book. Then it became a hit Broadway musical. Then it was made into a movie several times. The story is Victor Hugo's classic, Lés Misérables. One of the many dramas in the book portrays the efforts of this group of valiant young men and women to fight to free their fellow Frenchmen from a tyrannical government. They make their stand against a massive French army at a makeshift wall they have constructed. They call it the “barricade of freedom.” They fight bravely, but their cause is threatened by a major problem that develops. They begin to run out of ammunition. Well, this one little boy realizes that their fight for freedom can only continue if they can find more ammunition. So, he risks his own life to crawl across the battle zone, picking up bullets from wounded and dying French soldiers. Because you can't win the battle when you're running out of bullets. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Running Out of Ammo in the Battle for Lives.” Right now, there's an ammunition shortage in the most decisive battle of all—that would be the battle for human souls, the battle for human lives. It began at the cross where Jesus died to make eternal life possible. It moved out across the planet at Jesus' command and in the power of His resurrection, and it continues this very day in cities and towns across this country and in every country of the world. It is a fight to liberate people Jesus died for from the penalty and the power of their sin, from an unspeakable eternity, and from Satan's chains. But on so many fronts in the battle, Jesus' forces are running out of bullets. In many places God's soldiers are beating back the enemy, taking prisoners from the enemy and pushing back the darkness. But they're running short of bullets. The money just isn't there to keep pressing the battle. All those letters and appeals you get asking for money for ministry—they're about a lot more than money. For ministries that are really making a difference, it's all about ammunition to keep fighting the battle for lives. But something's gone wrong. It can't be that God isn't giving the money to people through whom He wants to meet these needs. It must be that some of us are sitting on the ammunition instead of sending it to the front lines. And when we lose one of these battles, it's lives we lose—maybe forever. Our word for today from the Word of God lays out how the supply line for God's army is supposed to work. And thinking of the economic battles and struggles and sometimes the downturns of our time, it seems particularly relevant to go back to those Macedonian believers that Paul cited as an example for all of us. Here's what Paul says, “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity…they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability” (2 Corinthians 8:2-3). It was sacrificial giving so the believers in Jerusalem would have the ammunition they needed to fight their battles. Why? It goes on to say, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that through His poverty we might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Jesus impoverished Himself to make us rich, and He's the Son of God. So, how can we hang onto what He's given us so we can stay in our comfort zone? The battle for a lost and dying world is every believer's battle, not just the battle for a few spiritual daredevils who take all the risks, exercise all the faith, and make all the sacrifices. For those who are fighting on the front lines, it's our responsibility to make every bullet count, to stay on mission, to always take the high road of integrity, and put our faith in Jehovah Jireh, not in our contributors. And for every one of us, we need to hear the cries from the front lines, “We're winning, but we're running out of ammunition!” Listen, while there's time, let's throw everything we can into this battle for which Jesus gave everything He had!

Morning Offering, September 2, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company https://bit.ly/4iE2piNWhat does childlike faith actually mean? Father Brad reflects on why Christians cannot build up the Church through their own strength but must learn to rely completely on God's grace.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Send us Fan MailWe recently had the privilege of witnessing something most Catholics rarely see: two religious sisters making their final vows and giving their lives completely to Jesus.In this episode, we share our experience attending the perpetual profession of two sisters from the Queenship of Mary Community in Ottawa, including a close friend we have known for many years.One moment especially stayed with us. During the ceremony, the bishop asked the sisters:“What do you desire?”Their response challenges all of us to consider the same question: What do I desire most—and am I willing to give everything to Jesus in order to become a saint?We discuss the beauty of religious life, the sacrifices these sisters make, what their vocation asks of their families, and what their witness can teach every Catholic—whether married, single, a priest, or religious—about giving our lives completely to Christ. Support the showSupport this show and get all future episodes by email atwww.kenandjanelle.com

Revelation is not simply a book about future events. It is a message from God meant to shape our lives right now. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef points to the blessing promised in Revelation 1:3 for those who read, hear, and take its words to heart. Through this extraordinary vision, Scripture reveals Jesus Christ as the suffering Savior who died and rose again—and the victorious King who will return in power and righteous judgment. The Messiah who came first in humility will come again in glory. Today, Christ graciously invites sinners to receive eternal life, but Revelation reminds us that history is moving toward a decisive conclusion. His return will bring judgment, vindication, and the fulfillment of every promise God has made. The apostle John received this vision while exiled on Patmos for his faithfulness to Christ. What looked like isolation and defeat became the setting for one of Scripture's greatest revelations of God's sovereignty. John was reminded—and so are we—that history is not spinning out of control. God reigns over the past, present, and future, and every event ultimately serves His purposes. So don't approach Revelation with curiosity alone. Let its warnings awaken you, let its promises strengthen you, and let its vision of the returning Christ lift your eyes above present trials. The darkness will not last forever. Jesus Christ is coming again, and His glory will overcome it all. Join me in prayer. Lord, thank You for the wondrous picture of the glory that is coming that You have provided in Revelation. May I take Your Word seriously as both an admonishment and an encouragement to live for You today. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

Season 6 Day 3: What Would a Day With Jesus Look Like? (Philippians 4:5)   In Season 6, Day 3 of Rewire Your Brain: The Peace & Positivity Podcast, host Liz Bagwell continues the Philippians 4 series with the next phrase in verse 5: "The Lord is at hand." Looking at this promise through the lens of God's nearness in space, Liz guides listeners through an imaginative gratitude challenge — picturing an entire day spent physically alongside Jesus, from waking up to falling asleep. Today's prompts include Micro and Macro Gratitudes, Affirmations, a guided Meditation with Jesus through Philippians 4:4-9, and an action step for actually scheduling time this week to feel His presence.   What You'll Learn: What "the Lord is at hand" means in the original Greek, and why God's nearness matters for anxious thoughts A guided imagination exercise: what a full day spent physically with Jesus might look like How picturing God's nearness can reshape day-to-day anxiety and stress A guided Meditation with Jesus through Philippians 4:4-9 A practical action step for scheduling real time this week to feel God's presence   Chapters:  00:00 Introduction and Liz's Healing Journey 01:18 The Power of Daily Spiritual Practices 02:08 Neuroscience and Hebb's Law in Healing 03:36 Daily Prompts for Gratitude and Reflection 07:09 Practicing Gratitude and Prayer 11:07 Affirmations Guided by Jesus 12:54 Meditation on Philippians 4:4-9 15:20 Reflection and Connecting with God 16:32 Closing Prayer and Final Thoughts   Scripture Referenced: Philippians 4:5 (Philippians 4:4-9 read in full during the meditation)   Links & Resources: Hear Liz's full story and the science of neuroplasticity: Season 3, Episode 1 (https://podcasts.apple.com/bm/podcast/s3e1-christian-prayers-and-meditations-for/id1683576689?i=1000671699080) or Season 4, Episode 1 (https://podcasts.apple.com/bm/podcast/season-4-day-1-of-christian-prayers-and/id1683576689?i=1000697728428) Links to PDFs: Patreon Substack Join the email list for weekly encouragement, first access to new resources, and a free gift when you sign up: https://divinerx.myflodesk.com/uv87x847ln   Need more in-depth brain-rewiring steps? Check out the Divine Rewire Course: https://elizabeth-bagwell.mykajabi.com/cotton-sales-page   Loved this episode? Follow the show and leave a quick rating in your podcast app — it helps this podcast reach someone else who needs it today.   Tags: Christian podcast, faith-based mental health, anxiety podcast, depression podcast, PTSD, OCD, neuroplasticity, Hebb's Law, God's presence, gratitude practice, Philippians 4:5, Bible study, prayer, Rewire Your Brain podcast, Liz Bagwell  

Join us as we discuss obedience, surrender, and discernment in our walk with God as we continue to share more about our transition from new age spirituality to following Christ. We share many examples of distractions we all experience as humans on earth in this day and age. From social media influence, media and music we are constantly being exposed to ideas and more that require us to discern what it is we're engaging in and consuming. Nothing needs to be done in our own strength, God's will is greater than our own understanding and plans for our lives. God is so good, gracious and loving that He allowed us to have free will. We're given the choice to choose to follow Him and allow Him to transform us. Relationships require trust and communication, growing closer to God includes these foundations in order for us to grow in obedience, surrender and discernment. Join us in this episode for a human, relatable experience of what it means to walk away from striving for enlightenment through new age to finally saying yes to God. Let's laugh, reflect and grow together! John 14:23

So many people, both believers and nonbelievers, can quote the words, “the truth will make you free,” but have little understanding of the context in which Jesus spoke them.Join Kelly as he takes a closer look at what Jesus meant by this statement.www.instagram.com/thehishillpodcast/www.hishill.orgkelly@hishill.org

Jesus, I kneel before you, my heart so thankful for who you are.  Scripture: Luke 7:44 Resource: ComeWith Me: Discovering the Beauty of Following Where He Leads by Suzanne Eller